New Jersey Safe Boating License

[hellosailor]

as I recall, NJ will accept any boating license issued by the state of the transient operator, i.e. if you're from Zabiristan and have a Zabiri Class 1 Inebriated Boating License, that's still OK by NJ laws. At least that's how it was when NJ originally got all facistic about visitors.

(Uninebriated boating is banned in Zabiristan, unless you are below the age of twelve.)

[captainjackk1]

My response had nothing to do with what the other states may or may not be doing in regards to boating licenses. However, I do not live in a cave and whether or not I agree with the NJ Boating Laws if you are going to boat in or through NJ you need to have a boating certificate from NJ or your state of residence. Should you disagree with me you need to take issue with NJ not me. Perhaps you should take the time and click on their website for further information New Jersey State Police - Marine Services
Respectfully submitted

[psneeld]

Originally Posted by captainjackk1

The NJ Boating Certificate in not NASBLA ( National Association State Boating law Administrators ) approved. However, with that said if you took the Boating Course through the USCG Auxiliary the Certificate issued by the USCG Auxiliary is NASBLA approved. Therefore, if you carry both the USCG Auxiliary Certificate along with your NJ Boating Certificate it will be recognized within the 50 states.
Although if you boat on non tidal waters within NJ you will also need the NJ Boating License Endorsement on your driver's license. In order to obtain the NJ Boating License you must have completed the requirements for the NJ Boating Certificate.
In New Jersey you must also have the NJ Fishing Salt Water License which is in addition to the Federal Salt Water Fishing License.
As complicated as this issue has become I hope that I have explained it to where it is understood even if you do not agree with it

Some schools in NJ are most certainly NASBLA apprved.... as I teach for one.

From what I have been told by my boss...the USCGAux is NOT acxtually a member or certified by NASBLA whether or not they put it on their course paperwork wouldn't suprise me....and before you get annoyed...I did 23 in the USCG and was is a lot of oversight with the AUX... many good...many bad...just like the regular guard.

Plus...why does the USCGAux charge almost as much as other schools that have to pay instructors, pay for places to teach, pay for advertising, probably pay more for the booklets as the USCGAux can by in bigger bulk???? Where does that money go????? The Aux or the USCG doesn't seem to want to answer my boss...

Also...you don't need both a fed and a state fishing registration...one is plenty..it's complicated if you have other fed permits like highly migratory, etc...but you don't need a "license" just be registered with either state or feds.

Plus there's some exemptions to the non-tidal license that many boaters don't have to worry about if their boat size or purpose meets the exemptions...worth mentioning as I did it only to find out I didn't have to go thru the hassel or expense.

[psneeld]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

as I recall, NJ will accept any boating license issued by the state of the transient operator, i.e. if you're from Zabiristan and have a Zabiri Class 1 Inebriated Boating License, that's still OK by NJ laws. At least that's how it was when NJ originally got all facistic about visitors.

(Uninebriated boating is banned in Zabiristan, unless you are below the age of twelve.)

While NJ is supposed to only accept courses that had testing done within the structure of an examiner (not online)...I don't think the field LEOs are hardassing that one....

[psneeld]

Originally Posted by captainjackk1

To boat in or through NJ you must have an approved NASBLA Boating Certificate , Masters License or a NJ Boating Certificate. If you are going to utilize the ICW in NJ I would reccommend unless you have local knowledge stay on the outside and skip the ICW in NJ. You can find safe harbor at Absecon Inlet at Atlantic City by turning right into St. George's Bay or left into the Farley Marina at The Golden Nugget Hotel & casino in Atlantic City. The fine for operating without a sate issued boating certificate is a minimum of $100 to $500.00

One of the local commercial fisherman had a NC driver's license and was issued a $200.00 fine for not having a boating certificate while travelling through NJ waters

The 8 hour NASBLA approved safe baoting course saves lives and is very well worth the time no matter how long you have been on the water

Masters license???? I hope you meant captains license...

Plus the Jersey intracoastal is fine for many boats....especially if you travel at the top of the tides.
Plus the USCG has recognized that all the additional mandatory training ISN'T saving lives as the fatality rate has remained constant for the last several years and is shifting it's effort into mandatory PFD wear....

[redcobra]

Originally Posted by hellosailor

as I recall, NJ will accept any boating license issued by the state of the transient operator, i.e. if you're from Zabiristan and have a Zabiri Class 1 Inebriated Boating License, that's still OK by NJ laws. At least that's how it was when NJ originally got all facistic about visitors.

(Uninebriated boating is banned in Zabiristan, unless you are below the age of twelve.)

MD does not require me to have certificate, therefore I should be able to pass through NJ uncontested as long as I don't stay over the 90 day limit.
Same as NJ can't fine me for not having a NJ inspection sticker on my car (from MD and not required to have an inspection sticker) as I pass through on the way to NY.

Additionally Federal regulations pre-empt State regulations.

[psneeld]

Originally Posted by redcobra

MD does not require me to have certificate, therefore I should be able to pass through NJ uncontested as long as I don't stay over the 90 day limit.
Same as NJ can't fine me for not having a NJ inspection sticker on my car (from MD and not required to have an inspection sticker) as I pass through on the way to NY.

Additionally Federal regulations pre-empt State regulations.

Nope...to boat in NJ...you have to have some sort of Boating Safety course...registration is different than operation...you have to have a valid driver's license to operate in any state...NJ requires some sort of Boaters Ed.

[redcobra]

Originally Posted by psneeld

Nope...to boat in NJ...you have to have some sort of Boating Safety course...registration is different than operation...you have to have a valid driver's license to operate in any state...NJ requires some sort of Boaters Ed.

Guess I'll stay out of NJ.

[markpierce]

Originally Posted by redcobra

Guess I'll stay out of NJ.

That's NJ's objective. Spend your $$ elsewhere.

[captainjackk1]

No , I am not annoyed with someone providing good honest content to an ongoing issue. The Auxiliary Course like many other courses is NASBLA approved and I believe a person is making a mistake by attending a course that is not NASBLA approved as they all cost almost the same. The monies for the Auxiliary course go to fund the activities and equipment of the Auxiliary which are not funded by the regular Coast Guard. In regards to the fishing license you are correct , but again with retalitory enviroment against NJ enforcement I think I will keep both.
My intent was not create a problem, but to let the boating public know that NJ is enforcing the boating certificate violation wheter or not I or anyone else agrees whether it is proper or not. When you start fining hard working commercial fishermen that have spent their entire life on the water fot not having a boating certificate I believe there is a problem that needs to be brought to the public boating publics attention

[psneeld]

Originally Posted by captainjackk1

No , I am not annoyed with someone providing good honest content to an ongoing issue. The Auxiliary Course like many other courses is NASBLA approved and I believe a person is making a mistake by attending a course that is not NASBLA approved as they all cost almost the same. The monies for the Auxiliary course go to fund the activities and equipment of the Auxiliary which are not funded by the regular Coast Guard. In regards to the fishing license you are correct , but again with retalitory enviroment against NJ enforcement I think I will keep both.
My intent was not create a problem, but to let the boating public know that NJ is enforcing the boating certificate violation wheter or not I or anyone else agrees whether it is proper or not. When you start fining hard working commercial fishermen that have spent their entire life on the water fot not having a boating certificate I believe there is a problem that needs to be brought to the public boating publics attention

The State Police certify all the courses so the content is really the same despite not being "NASBLA" approved...to be NASBLA approved like most certifications only requires paying a fee and meeting some bare minimum which is what the State Police do already.

Mant people I know hated their USCGAux courses because of the poor instruction...going to a school with trained instructors may be a better bet as long as it is NASBLA approved.


Fining commercial fishermen??? Why didn't they just go get the certificate when you could test out??? $25 and an hour to take the test is hardly a hardship.

The best reason for certification is that Law Enforcement now has the ability to take away your boating privledges if you are a menace on the water...before the certificates...what could they do to you other than fiine you. The rich and commercial operations considered poor boating within their rights and would just pay the fines as an inconvenience to stay on the water.

As far as the monies going to fund the USCGAux...then why does the Aux and USCG refuse t answer my bosses inquiry as to where it goes??? If it was that easy...why wouldn't they just point out the public records to be reviewed????

[rgscpat]

Just so that people are clear.

It's a boating safety education requirement that the bulk of the states in the USA have passed, and not really a license.

The majority of states have worded the requirement to apply to people born on or after a certain date or under a certain age.

At least in my state, the requirement is worded so that NOT everyone taking a turn at the wheel has to have a certificate, but rather someone who is certified or exempt from certification must be on board, actively supervising whoever is steering. So, for example, a 14-year-old without a certificate could be supervised by an 18-year-old with a certificate, or by a 40-year-old who is exempt from the certificate, or the 14-year-old could get her own certificate and not need any supervision. At least, that's the way it works in my state.

Also, the states generally follow reciprocity, so someone who has passed a NASBLA-approved course in one state is good in another state.

Generally, the certificate is good for life -- unlike a license that has to be renewed.

Many boaters will find elements in the course that don't apply to the type of boating they do. That's because nearly all of the course material is standardized nationally. (More accurately, there is a required list of material to be covered; different course designers can present it in different ways, but it has to be covered.) And, a lot of the material is based upon accident statistics, so the course designers are very focused on educating people about types of boating and boating situations that generate the most accidents. States can add some questions and some additional material to their tests and courses, but they CANNOT remove coverage of any material from the requirements.

[capngeo]

Originally Posted by Tempest245

Every place has it's plusses and minuses. Countless folks have been devasted by hurricanes, tornados, and floods in recent years in other part of the country.

I enjoy my state's 130 miles of beaches, access to NYC, proximity of the mountains of the catskills and adirondacks, and lack of natural disasters.

The downside is that, far too many people seem to feel the same way....

Oh well. 2 out of 3 ain’t bad!

BTW, My Grand-dad was mayor of Piscataway a zillion years ago!

[captainjackk1]

Very excellent and well explained posts and replys that I would certainly agree with. In regard to the commercial fisherman he was from North Carolina coming into port in Atlantic City when he was fined , so perhaps he was not afforded the opportunity for the test out option and was apparently unaware of the NJ enforcement.