SAFE BOATING CERTIFICATE (SBC)

Any resident of the state or person owning real property or a boat required to = be registered or numbered in the state must obtain a Safe Boating Certificate (SBC) or Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation (CPWO) before operating any vessel required to be registered or numbered. Owner/operators= of Documented vessels or out-of-state registered vessels (not personal watercr= aft) may use Connecticut waters for no more than 60 days in a calendar year without obtaining a SBC = or CPWO.

To obtain a SBC an individual must successfully complete an approved boating course, pass a written examination that is proctored, submit an application= to the DEP accompanied by a fee of $25.00 OR successfully pass an equivalency exam ($25.00 fee) administered by the DEP.= Any holder of a SBC or CPWO must have that certificate in their possession when= ever operating a vessel. The SBC will allow the boater to operate any recreation= al vessel except a personal watercraft (PWC).

A SBC may be issued to any applicant regardless of age. Any boater less than = 12 years old who possesses a SBC or CPWO may operate a boat up to 10 HP alone.= To operate a boat over 10 HP, the child operator must be accompanied by an adu= lt (18+ years of age) who also possesses a SBC or CPWO.

The minimum age to operate a PWC alone is 16, as of 1 January 2004. This is for= all CPWO issued after 31 December 2003.

The SBC or CPWO is valid for the life of the person to whom it is issued. Anyone holding a current Master, Mate or Pilot license issued by the US Coast Guard may operate a recreational vessel (not a personal watercraft) without a SBC= .

CERTIFICATE OF PERSONAL WATERCRAFT OPERATION (CPWO)=

A Certificate of Personal Watercraft Ope= ration will allow an individual to operate any recreational vessel including personal watercraft (je= tski style vessel). To obtain a CPWO an applicant must meet all requirements for= a SBC and complete an approved course in personal watercraft (PWC) instructio= n, then make application with a $25.00 fee.

NO PERSON (UNDER ANY CIRCUM-STANCES) SHALL OPERATE A PWC WITHOUT HAVING IN HIS OR HER POSSESSION A CERTIFICATE OF PERS= ONAL WATERCRAFT OPERATION.

LIMITED DURA= TIONAL CERTIFICATE

Any individual that qualifies for a SBC or CPWO may bring a completed applicati= on, $25. Fee, and supporting documents to any DEP processing office and receive= a Limited Durational Certificate. This certificate may be used instantly until your official certificate arrives in the mail.

DUPLICATE CE= RTIFICATES

Should your SBC or CPWO become lost, stolen or destroyed you may obtain a duplicate for a fee of $10. Forms are available through the DEP.

BOATING COUR= SES

The Connecticut Dept. of Environmental Protection Boating Division must approve= all boating courses that lead to certification in Connecticut. To obtain this approval, = your course must be taught by a qualified instructor for a period of no less tha= n 8 hours. No home-study, internet, or mail order courses are approved in Connecticut. Some courses are approved as combination boating and PWC courses and lead to a C= PWO. If you have any questions call DEP Marine Headquarters at (860) 434-8638. I= n an effort to assure quality boating education throughout the state, we randomly select student’s names to complete a survey. Should you encounter a course or instructor that you feel were inappropriate or did not deliver a quality education please contact the DEP at the above phone number

or mail your comments to DEP Marine HQ, PO Box 280, Old Lyme, CT 06371 ATTN: Education Dept.

VESSEL REGISTRATION

Connecticut law requires all vess= els with motors, regardless of size, and sailboats powered by sail alone 19.5 f= eet or longer, to be registered and numbered.

Vessels registered and numbered in other states or documented by the US Coast Guard= and wanting to use Connecticut waters for more than 60 days in a calendar year, must obtain a certificate = of decal. They must display the current validation stickers on both sides of t= he vessel but do not have to display any CT registration numbers.

All vessel registrations are handled by the Dept. of Motor Vehicles and expire = on April 30^th of the following year= . Connecticut vessel numbers stay with the vessel as = long as it is registered in Connec= ticut. The Certificate of Number (registration certificate) must be on-board the vessel at all times. Vessel numbering is in compliance with federal law with your Connecticut validation stickers being = placed 2” to the right of the assigned vessel numbers on both sides. No other numbers and only current validation stickers may be displayed. Any change of address must be reported in writing within 15 days.

PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICES (PFD)

In addition to federal laws regarding PFDs Connecticut requires any person on water-skis, tubes being towed, or on a PWC to be wearing a USCG approved PFD (inflatables excluded).

Canoes - From October 1^st – May 30^th any persons onboard a= canoe must wear an approved wearable PFD.

Children – Any child under the age of 12 must wear a USCG approved wearable PFD whenever onboard a recreational boat that= is underway except when the child is in an enclosed cabin or below decks. (NOTE: Inflatable PFDs are not app= roved for children under the age of 16)

MUFFLER & NOISE LEVELS

Every motorboat must be equip= ped with an effective muffling device. Some muffler cutout devices may be appro= ved by the Commissioner of the DEP. Connecticut noise levels are as follows:

STATIC TEST:

Engines manufactured before Jan. 1, 1993 – 90 dBA

Engines manufactured on or after January 1, 1993 -= 88 dBA

OPERATION TEST:

No person should operate or let anyone else operate a vessel that exceeds a no= ise level of 75 dBA

A law enforcement officer may direct a suspected offender through one of the tests to determine noise levels. Fines for refusing the test are substantia= l.

No person shall sell a boat that does not operate in compliance with the established noise levels.

WHISTLE (HOR= N) AND BELL

Federal Law requires all vessels to carry a noise- producing device.

Every motorboat 16 feet or more in length shall be equipped with a whistle or horn-type sound producing device capable of producing a blast of two second= s or more in duration.

On motorboats 16 feet or more but less than 26 f= eet in length, such a device shall be mouth, hand or power operated and audible= for at least ½ mile.

On motorboats 26 feet or more but less than 40 feet in length, such a device s= hall be hand or power operated and audible for at least 1 mile.

On motorboats 40 feet or more but less than 65 feet in length, such a device s= hall be power operated and audible for at least 1 mile.

Every motorboat 26 feet or more in length shall be equipped with a bell capable of producing a clear bell-like tone.

SPEED REGULA= TIONS

No person shall operate a motorboat at a speed in excess of ‘slow no-wak= e’ when within 100 feet of shore, piers, floats, and anchored or moored vessel= s. An exception is made for vessels that are taking off or landing water skier= s.

In Connecticut, man= y bodies of water have speed restrictions. These can be found posted on the water or= in the Connecticut Boaters Guide. When within 100 feet of buoys marking a restricted swimming area or boat access area, vessels shall operate at the minimum spe= ed necessary to maintain steerageway.

Under crowded conditions or in reduced visibility, every vessel must go at a mode= rate speed with a careful regard for existing circumstances and conditions. Acti= ons such as speeding in confined or restricted areas, “buzzing” or “wetting down” others or skiing at prohibited times or in restricted areas, can be construed as reckless or negligent operation.=

DIVING AND UNDERWATER OPERATIONS

In Connecticut, div= ers and underwater swimmers must display the “Diver-Down” flag. No person shall operate a vessel or allow a person on skis to pass within 100 feet of this flag. If the flag is= on a float or tube, it may accommodate up to four divers. If the flag is being flown from a boat, it is limited to the legal capacity of the boat.

OPERATING UN= DER THE INFLUENCE

No person may operate a boat when under the influence of alcohol or drugs. An operator must be free from physical and mental disabilities that might inte= rfere with the control of the boat. Water-skiing under the influence is also ille= gal.

A person shall be considered under the influence of intoxicating liquor if the ratio of alcohol in the blood is .08 per cent or more. If you are under the= age of 21 it is .02 per cent.

ACCIDENT REP= ORTING

All operators of vessels involved in an accident must remain at the scene and assist any other vessel or person involved in the accident if it is possibl= e to do so without endangering their own vessel or the people aboard. The operat= or must also provide his or her name, address, and vessel identification to the other operator or owners of the damaged property.

The operator of a boat involved in a boating accident that results in any of the circumstances noted below shall immediately notify the nearest Law Enforcem= ent agency. Within 48 hours after the accident, the operator must submit to the Department of Environmental Protection a “State Boating Accident Report”:

Ø The death of any perso= n, from whatever the cause.

Ø The disappearance of a= ny person on board.

Ø The injury of any pers= on sufficient to require medical attention.

Any accident in which the total damages to all property affected is more than $500.00 must be reported by the operator within 5 days after the accident on the “ State Boating Accident Report” form.

WATER SKIING=

Water skiers are required to wear a PFD (not an inflatable) when on skis. Water skiing is a minimum three-person sport, the operator, the skier and an obse= rver at least 12 years old to monitor the actions of the skier. Rear view mirror= s may not be used in place o= f an observer. The skier and observer must communicate using appropriate hand signals.

Water skiing is prohibited from ½ hour after sunset to sunrise and whenever visibility is restricted to less than 100 yards.

Towing a person on an inner tube without handholds is prohibited, as are self-propelled water skis or surfboards, and remote control devices that pu= ll water skiers.

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FOLLOWING TOO CLOSELY

Every vessel overtaking another vessel shall keep out of the way of the overtaken vessel. Any person operating a vessel shall not follow another vessel more closely than is reasonable and prudent and shall have regard for prevailing circumstances and conditions so as not to create a risk of collision.<= /o:p>

PERSONAL WATERCRAFT (PWC)

All persons aboard a PWC must wear a Coast Guard approved PFD (not an inflatable).

No person shall operate a PWC between sunset and sunrise.

No person operating a PWC may jump the wake of another vessel in such a manner that the watercraft completely leaves the w= ater when within 100 feet of the vessel creating the wake.

No person shall operate a PWC at a speed in exce= ss of ‘slow no-wake’ within 200 feet of shore or within 200 feet of any dock, pier, float, or anchored or moored vessel, except for the purpose= of landing or taking off a person may operate in excess of ‘slow no-wake’ when not within 100 feet of the same.

No person shall operate a PWC equipped with a “kill switch” unless the device is attached via a lanyard to the operator in such a manner that it will shut off the machine should the oper= ator become ejected.

No person shall tow a water skier or tuber from a PWC unless the PWC has:=

Ø a capacity label affix= ed by the manufacturer indicating a carrying capacity of at least three persons (check the Connecticut Boater’s Guide for exact measurements),

Ø handholds at or near t= he rear of the seat suitable for use by a rearward facing observer, and

Ø an observer at least 12 years of age facing the skier at all times.= The operator, skier and observer must obey all other water-ski rules.

CONNECTICUT