Operating a Personal Watercraft in New Jersey - Get the FAQs!

1 hour ago6 min read

What is a PWC or personal watercraft? A small motorboat that is designed for one or more people to stand, kneel or sit on top of it, as opposed to being completely inside of the vessel. PWCs are powered by inboard jet drives to propels the craft.

NJ Boat Safety CertificateTo operate a personal watercraft, or “PWC” in the state of New Jersey, you are required to take a NJ State Police approved boating safety course. This includes all motorized vessels: boats, jet skis and boats with electric trolling motors. Once students have successfully completed the course and passed the exam, they will receive a NJSP issued Boat Safety Certificate.

AgeYou must be at least 16 years old, this includes out-of-state residents, to operate a personal watercraft in New Jersey. However, kids 12 and up can take the boat safety class. In NJ, there are two minimum ages, 13 years old for vessels powered by electric trolling motors, or vessels 12' or longer with less than 10 total HP. Operators of all other power vessels, including personal watercraft (jet skis), must be a minimum of 16 years old.

NJ Boat Safety Course - In-Person Class The boat safety course can be taken as an in-person class, which includes the exam. Through lecture, video, and student interaction, qualified captains provide the knowledge needed to obtain your NJ boating safety certificate. Our Boat Safe US team will provide a family friendly, fun filled, information packed class. At the conclusion of the class, each student will take a 60 question, multiple choice, exam. The instructor will grade it immediately, and upon passing the exam, students will walk out with a temporary NJ boat safety certificate and receive their permanent card and NASBLA card in the mail. Start by going to www.BoatSafeUS.com to find a class near you!

NJ Boat Safety Course – Online Class and Proctored ExamThe other option is to take an online class, and join Boat Safe US for the required proctored exam. There are several online courses online, but the New Jersey State Police have only approved three providers: Ace Boater, BoaterExam, and Boat-Ed. With the online course, students will have access to a full course manual on their computer, pad, or smartphone. The course will roughly 6-7 hours, but students will be able to progress at their own pace; logging in and out when they can, as many times as they need to. Once the course is completed, students will print their “online course completion certificate”. This will be their proof of passing the course for the proctored exam. See our website at www.boatsafeus.com for our proctored exam schedule and information, we will provide a final review video to help you pass the final exam!

Owning or Borrowing PWC / EquipmentFor those personal watercraft owners or for those borrowing somebody’s PWC, be sure to know the rules and requirements for a “Class A Vessel” – this is a vessel that is less than 16 feet in length. To list a few:*Each person on board must wear one Type I, II, III or V Coast Guard-approved life jacket. PFD's must be worn by anyone under age 12.* A Type B-I Coast Guard-approved fire extinguisher must be carried when no fixed fire extinguishing system is installed in machinery spaces.*Operators should attach a safety lanyard to their clothing, life jacket, or body.*All vessels must be able to provide a means of making an efficient sound signal, but is not required to carry a whistle or bell. A mouth whistle is acceptable. *The personal watercraft must have a capacity plate, a valid registration, and an effective muffling system for the exhaust.Be sure to see the “NJ State Police’s equipment check list” (See Link Below)

Renting a PWCFor those renting a personal watercraft in NJ, there are certain rules to abide to. As stated above, the operator must be a minimum of 16 years old and have proof of passing a NJSP approved boat safety course. Rental agencies are required to keep renters in approved and supervised areas, marked by buoys. Renters will need to follow US Coast Guard rules on certain situations including meeting, crossing, and overtaking, as well as advise on safe speeds and distances. The rental agency is also required to discuss handling characteristics, required equipment, operating instructions and, finally, they are required to discuss to NOT operate a vessel under the influence of drugs and alcohol. You can find the details of “NJ Administrative Code” (See Link Below)There are several companies in NJ that you can rent from or take tours with. Boat Safe has no affiliation with any of the following businesses, but here are a few we’ve come across: newjerseyjetski.com, wildwoodwaverunners.com, wetandwildwaverunners.com, thedockoutfitters.com, & www.starkyslbiwatercraftrentals.com. Bottom line, do your research to use a quality PWC rental company.

Jet Skiing on NON-Tidal WatersIf you will be operating a personal watercraft on NON-TIDAL waters – you will also need the “non-tidal boat license.”, which is an endorsement on your NJ driver's license. For NJ residents that are 16 and/or do not have a NJ driver’s license, the Motor Vehicle Commission (MVC) will issue a separate card just for the “non-tidal boat license”. The boat license is not a replacement for a boat safety certificate, it is an additional requirement. On non tidal waters in the State of New Jersey you need both, a boat safety certificate, and a boat license. To obtain a boat license, go to your nearest NJ Division of Motor Vehicle Commission facility, bring your NJ Boat Safety Certificate and apply for a “boat license”. First and foremost, make sure the non-tidal waters you plan on going on allows personal watercrafts/jet skis. Not every body of water allows them. For example, as of this writing: motorized jet skis are allowed on Cranberry Lake, Greenwood Lake, Lake Hopatcong and Lake Musconetcong. However, they shall NOT be operated on Spruce Run, Round Valley or Monksville Reservoirs. Again, check with the local authorities for the up-to-date information.

Out of State PWC operatorsVisiting NJ? Going to take that jet ski out? You still need a Boat Safety Certificate. A NJ one is preferred, but NJ will accept a boat safety certificate from a different state if the course was NASBLA certified. The only difference, is that if you are from out of state, you will not need a “boat license” for non-tidal waters. Again, double check and make sure the non-tidal waters you plan on going on allows personal watercrafts/jet skis.

NASBLAThe National Association of State Boating Law Administrators is a national nonprofit, 501(c)3 organization that works to develop public policy for recreational boating safety. NASBLA basically holds boating safety education to a higher standard, and certifies boat safety programs based on these high standards. So, the education you receive in Florida, PA or NY will be equivalent to the education you receive from Boat Safe US in NJ. (most other NJ boating schools are not NASBLA certified). The three online course providers are NASBLA certified.If you take a NASLBA certified class, you can use your NJ state boat safety certificate in any other US states that requires a boat safety certificate. Likewise, if you took a New York Boat Safe US, LLC that is NASBLA certified, you can use that NY certificate in NJ for a brief amount of time. Take the NJSP required class and exam with Boat Safe US, and receive your NASBLA certification at the same time. Boat Safe US is one of only two NJ Boat Safety Class providers that are NASBLA certified!

For more information and for boating safety classes and exams that are NJ State Police Approved and NASBLA Certified, go to www.BoatSafeUS.com. Our instructors will provide you with a fun-filled and educational look at Boat Safety in New Jersey. All of our instructors at Boat Safe US, LLC are certified and approved to instruct by the NJ State Police Marine Division and our course is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA).

LINKS:

Register for your NJ boat safety course or exam at www.BoatSafeUS.com

NJ State Police’s equipment check list: www.nj.gov/njsp/marine-services/equipment-checklist.shtml#motorboats16

NJ Administrative Code (Title 13:64) at www.nj.gov/njsp/marine-services/pdf/Title_13_64_20220127.pdf

NJSP Accepted Online Course Providers: www.BoaterExam.com, www.Boat-Ed.com, and www.AceBoater.com

NJSP Marine Related FAQs: www.nj.gov/njsp/marine-services/boating-safety-certificate.shtml