Massachusetts Boating Handbook Table of Contents

• Home Page
• Welcome Aboard!

Boating Basics

Boating Basics: Before Going Out on Your Vessel

• Vessel Length Classes
• Vessel Capacity
• Fueling a Vessel
• Filing a Float Plan
• Sample Float Plan
• Pre-Departure Checklist
• Boat Theft Prevention
• Trailering

Boating Basics: On the Water

• Encountering Other Vessels
• Navigation Rules
• Nighttime Navigation
• U.S. Aids to Navigation
• Weather Emergencies
• Other Boating Emergencies

Boating Basics: On the Water Especially for PWC

• Steering and Stopping
• Ignition Safety Switches
• Reboarding a PWC
• Courtesy
• Environmental Considerations
• Other PWC Considerations

Boating Basics: On the Water for Other Watersports

• Paddlesports

It's the Law!

It's The Law: Before Going Out on Your Vessel

• Registering Your Motorboat
• Where to Register
• How to Register
• Titling Your Motorboat
• Registration and Titling Fees
• Other Facts About Titling and Registration
• Hull Identification Number
• Who May Operate

It's The Law: Equipment for Your Vessel

• Personal Flotation Devices
• Navigation Lights
• Fire Extinguishers
• Ventilation System
• Backfire Flame Arrestors
• Mufflers
• Sound Producing Devices
• Sound Signals
• Visual Distress Signals
• Diver Down Flag
• Anchor and Bailer
• Paddle or Oar
• Ladder

It's The Law: On The Water

• Unlawful Operation
• Alcohol and Drugs
• Obstructing Navigation
• Marine Events
• Homeland Security
• Boating Accidents
• Local Regulations
• Enforcement

It's the Law: Specifically for PWCs

• Requirements for PWCs
• Sharing Your PWC

It's the Law: Specifically for Skiers and Those Towing Them

• Towing Skiers
• Hand Signals for Skiers

The Environment and Your Vessel

• Discharge of Waste
• Discharge of Trash
• Discharge of Oil
• Protect Marine Mammals
• Invasive Species

Helpful Information

• Required Equipment Checklist
• Boaters' Telephone Directory
• Massachusetts Environmental Police Contact Information

Where to Find Additional Information

This handbook is a guide to Massachusetts’ boating laws for recreational boaters.

• To stay up-to-date on new boating laws, call Massachusetts Environmental Police at 617-727-8760 or visit www.state.ma.us/dfwele/dle.
• For federal boating laws, visit the U.S. Coast Guard’s boating safety website.

Information in this handbook does not replace what is specifically legal for boating in Massachusetts, which is found in Massachusetts General Law, Code of Massachusetts Regulations, and federal law.