Boater Safety Curiosity

[Salty Nut]

So the boater safety course law has been widely discussed for a while now.

This past week it was on local TV and radio about xtra patrols and the new laws etc.

I have been on the water, Seneca, for the entire 4 or 5 days of the busiest boating week i have ever seen here.

I saw sheriff patrols, and two jet ski officers too but i did not see anybody get checked or stopped. 

Did anybody get asked for there card, or know of anybody who did?

Tons of neighbors down here that are just blowing it off.

Just curious

[AnglingAddict]

I don't think there will be "checks" to see who has taken the course and who hasn't for the same reason there aren't checkpoints on the highways to see if someone has a license.  That being said if you get stopped for breaking a boating law or acting like an idiot out there then it becomes a nice tack on fine that get's imposed if you have not taken the course.  That's kind of the way I see it playing out....

[Salty Nut]

I agree, but i think if we are going to create more laws, they should have a purpose.

Maybe something like " To purchase, operate, or register a boat in NYS" you must posess a valid Boater Safety certicate

 

[rolmops]

3 minutes ago, Salty Nut said:

I agree, but i think if we are going to create more laws, they should have a purpose.

Maybe something like " To purchase, operate, or register a boat in NYS" you must posess a valid Boater Safety certicate

 

We are not creating  more laws. This law , with its tiered introduction has been on the books for years. Now the final year of slow introduction is here.

And yes, law enforcement officers do not have the right to stop anybody without valid reason. This is a basic American rule.

[Salty Nut]

Interesting

So in the next month or so when they set up a roadblock checkpoint to look at inspections, registrations and seat belts i can just go through it because im not doing anything to give them a reason to stop me?

Get some meat behind this thing or make it optional 

[AnglingAddict]

Well - they don't ask to see your license when you roll through a roadblock...it's essentially a "safety check" looking at seatbelts and to make sure your vehicle is inspected which is safety related as well, registration you can argue is safety related due to insurance requirements.  Many marine enforcement units do safety checks on the water - stop you to make sure you have the appropriate number of life jackets on board, working fire extinguishers, flares etc.  Those checks have been ongoing for years.  That feels more akin to the roadblocks you are talking about.  

[rolmops]

I should add that the Coast Guard and the DEC enforcement units can always use safety check as a reason. You should always ask the name of the officer and the reason why they stop you or want to enter your boat. Always take a picture of the officer. It usually should not be a problem because most law enforcement officers are decent people. If however you chance upon an overly zealous one, it usually puts him on notice not to overstep his authority.

Edited July 8, 2025 by rolmops

[LongLine]

4 hours ago, rolmops said:

Always take a picture of the officer.

Better to silently memorize his badge number and be real nice.  No officer wants his photo taken.  Do that & he'll go over your boat and all equipment with a fine-tooth comb.   It's better to get a warning than a fine for minor things.    

[Salty Nut]

Thats when a "Safety Check" becomes getting tazed!

It would be unsafely like to reach for your phone and get stuck, double pronged!