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

Who May Operate a Vessel

Who May Operate a Motorboat: The restrictions below apply to boats propelled by any type of motor, whether or not the motor is the principal source of propulsion.

• Persons under 12 years of age may operate a motorboat on Massachusetts' waters only if accompanied on board and directly supervised by a competent person 18 years of age or older.
• Persons 12 through 15 years of age may operate a motorboat on Massachusetts' waters only if they:
  • Have passed an approved boating safety course or...
  • Are accompanied on board and directly supervised by a competent person 18 years of age or older
• Persons 16 years of age or older may operate a motor­boat on Massachusetts' waters without restrictions.

Who May Operate a Personal Watercraft (PWC):

• Persons under 16 years of age may not operate a PWC on Massachusetts' waters under any circumstances.
• Persons 16 or 17 years of age may operate a PWC on Massachusetts' waters only if they have passed an approved boating safety course.
• Persons 18 years of age or older may operate a PWC on Massachusetts' waters without age restrictions.
• It is illegal to lease, or rent a personal watercraft to any person under 16 years of age. It is illegal to lease, hire, or rent a PWC to any person 16 or 17 years of age who does not have in his or her possession the required boating safety certificate.

A person must be at least 12 years of age to be issued a Boating Safety Certificate. A person at least 10 years of age may complete an approved boating safety course, but will not be issued a Boating Safety Certificate until age 12.

Persons required to have passed a boating safety course, must have the boating safety certificate on board and available for inspection by an enforcement officer whenever operating a vessel.