State Law vs. Federal Law

Vessel Registration:

Connecticut law requires all vessels with motors, regardless of size, and sailboats powered by sail alone 19.5 feet 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 the vessel but do not have to display any CT registration numbers.

Once in receipt of the application and fee, you will be issued a Connecticut Certificate of Number. This pocket-sized registration card must be kept aboard the boat at all times and be readily available for inspection by a law enforcement officer. You will also be issued a set of Validation Decals. The boat registration and validation decals are valid for three years from the last day of the month you registered.

Your Certificate of Number must be on board the vessel at all times during operation!

All vessel registrations are handled by the Dept. of Motor Vehicles and expire on April 30th of the following year. Connecticut vessel numbers stay with the vessel as long as it is registered in Connecticut. 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. Only current validation stickers and no other numbers may be displayed. Any change of address must be reported in writing within 15 days.

Laws for Required Wearing of PFDs :

In addition to the federal PFD carriage requirements, Cennecticut has the following requirements for wearing a PFD:

• Canoes, Kayaks, and Manually Powered Vessels - From October 1st – May 31th any person onboard a canoe must wear an approved wearable PFD. This applies to all manually powered vessels.
• Children – Any child under the age of 12 must wear a USCG approved wearable PFD whenever on board a recreational boat that is underway except when the child is in an enclosed cabin or below decks. (NOTE: Inflatable PFDs are not approved for children under the age of 16).
• Waterskiing - Any person on water-skis, tubes or being towed, must wear a USCG approved PFD (inflatables excluded).
• Personal Watercraft (PWC) – Every person on a PWC must wear a USCG approved PFD (inflatables excluded).

Children under the age of 12 must wear a PFD on a boat when on deck while underway!

Whistle (Horn) and Bell:

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

• 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 seconds or more in duration.
• On motorboats 16 feet or more but less than 26 feet 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 shall 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 shall 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.

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Additional Equipment Requirements:

Beyond minimum federal equipment requirements, some states may have additional requirements for certain bodies of water. Please check with your local waterway authority before heading out. The Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection recommends the consideration of the following items depending on the length of your boat and where you do your boating:

Recommended Additional Safety Equipment:

• Compass and charts
• Spare paddle or oar
• Extra starting battery
• Marine VHF radio and cell phone
• First aid kit, extra clothing, sunscreen, sunglasses, food and water
• Anchoring equipment, mooring line, heaving line, fenders, boat hook
• Spare parts, spare propeller, tools, marine hardware, fuel and fuel tank
• Extra visual distress signals, mirror, flashlight, searchlight, binoculars

Mufflers and Noise Levels:

Every motorboat must be equipped with an effective muffling device. Some muffler cutout devices may be approved 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 noise 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 substantial. No person shall sell a boat that does not operate in compliance with the established noise levels.

Requirements for Waste Discharge:

• Federal regulations and equipment standards established jointly by the Federal Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Coast Guard govern the uses of marine sanitation devices (MSDs). All installed MSDs must be U.S. Coast Guard certified.
• It is illegal to discharge untreated sewage from your boat into any of Connecticut’s waters. This prohibition includes waste from direct discharge toilets, holding tanks, portable toilet holding tanks and yes, even buckets.
• Type I and II MSDs must have a “Y” valve secured to allow for waste to enter a proper on-board holding tank for future drainage at a pump-out station. Type III MSDs will typically have a built-in holding tank with no external plumbing and therefore must be brought ashore for proper drainage.
• For certain coastal and offshore waters, treated discharge may be permitted. However, it is advisable to first check with local waterway authorities because some areas of Connecticut and neighboring states have outlined No Discharge Areas (NDA) where is it illegal to dump any waste, treated or untreated.
• Discharge of fuel, oil or any oil product, including contaminated bilge water, is strictly prohibited. All boats 26 feet or longer must properly display a 5” x 8” Oily Waste Discharge placard near the bilge pump switch.
• All boats 26 feet or longer, when operating in waters under federal jurisdiction, must display an informational placard on the subject of federal marine pollution prevention laws. The placard must be 4” x 9” and placed in a location where crew and passengers can read it.
• All boats 40 feet or longer operating more than 3 miles from shore that are equipped with a galley and berthing, must also carry a Waste Management Plan. This plan must outline procedures for proper marine pollution regulations for garbage management and designate a person in charge for carrying out this plan.

Boater Education, Age & Horsepower Restrictions:

Safe Boating Certificate (SBC): Any resident of the state of Connecticut 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 watercraft) 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 whenever operating a vessel. The SBC will allow the boater to operate any recreational vessel except a personal watercraft (PWC).

The BoatU.S. Online Course and other internet courses do not meet the Connecticut Education Requirements. The Boating Safety Education Certificate issued at the completion of this course is NOT recognized by the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection or Connecticut on-water law enforcement officers. You must take an approved classroom-based course and possess an official Connecticut SBC or CPWO in order to operate! If you have any questions call DEP Marine Headquarters at (860) 434-8638.

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 adult (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 Operation will allow an individual to operate any recreational vessel including personal watercraft (jetski-style vessel). To obtain a CPWO an applicant must meet all requirements for a SBC and complete an approved course in personal watercraft (PWC) instruction, then make application with a $25.00 fee.

No person (under any circumstances) shall operate a PWC without having in his or her possession a Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation (CPWO)!

Limited Durational Certificate: Any individual that qualifies for a SBC or CPWO may bring a completed application, $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 Certificates: 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 Courses: 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 than 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 CPWO.

If you have any questions call DEP Marine Headquarters at (860) 434-8638. In 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.

Reckless & Negligent Operations:

No person shall operate any vessel in a reckless or negligent manner. The failure to exercise the degree of care necessary to prevent endangering life, limb, or property may be considered reckless, negligent and/or unsafe operation. Below are just a few of the prohibited methods of operation in Connecticut.

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. Additionally, it is also unlawful:

• To speed in no-wake zones.
• To disregard the Navigational Rules.
• To weave through congested waterway traffic.
• To operate under the influence of alcohol or drugs.
• To operate at night without proper navigation lights.
• To operate a boat within an area clearly marked as restricted.
• To allow any person to ride on the bow, gunwale, transom or in any position that is obviously dangerous.
• To overload or overpower a boat beyond its safe carrying capacity or beyond what is prudent given weather and other operating conditions.

Personal Watercraft (PWC) Operations:

Speed Regulations:

No person shall operate a motorboat at a speed in excess of "slow no-wake" when within 100 feet of shore, piers, floats, and anchored or moored vessels. An exception is made for vessels that are taking off or landing water skiers.

In Connecticut, many bodies of water have speed restrictions. These can be found posted on the water or in the Connecticut Boaters Guide at http://dep.state.ct.us/rec/boating/guide.htm. When within 100 feet of buoys marking a restricted swimming area or boat access area, vessels shall operate at the minimum speed necessary to maintain steerageway.

Under crowded conditions or in reduced visibility, every vessel must proceed at a moderate speed with a careful regard for existing circumstances and conditions. Actions 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.

Special Activities Restrictions and Considerations:

Many states regulate certain activities such as diving and waterskiing. For your safety, and for those who may be in the water, you should abide by these special laws.

Diving and Underwater Operations:
In Connecticut, divers 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.

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 observer at least 12 years old to monitor the actions of the skier. Rearview mirrors may not be used in place of 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 pull water skiers.

Operating Under 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 interfere with the control of the boat. Water-skiing under the influence is also illegal.

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.

Officer Authority, Compliance & Assistance

In Connecticut, officers of the Law Enforcement Division of the Natural Resources, county sheriffs’ departments, other sworn officers and peace officers, as well as the U.S. Coast Guard have the duty to provide for safety on the water and have the authority to stop and/or inspect vessels to enforce Connecticut and federal boating laws.

Boat operators must immediately yield and reduce speed when being overtaken, approached or directed by a law enforcement official or halt progress as directed. When operating in an area of law enforcement activity, you should reduce speed and give a wide berth until beyond the area of operation of the law enforcement vessel.

Accident Reporting Requirements

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 possible to do so without endangering their own vessel or the people aboard. The operator 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 Enforcement agency. Within 48 hours after the accident, the operator must submit to the Department of Environmental Protection a “State Boating Accident Report” if the accident results in any of the following:

• The death of any person, from whatever cause.
• The disappearance of any person on board.
• The injury of any person 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 of the accident on the “State Boating Accident Report” form.

Other State Boating Laws

Oftentimes counties, cities and districts within a state will have different, more restrictive laws. Boating laws are subject to change and it is your responsibility to be informed of the law as it applies to you and your on-water activities. To be absolutely certain about specific boating laws in your state it is wise to contact your state boating agency.

It is Your Responsibility – Be Informed!

We provide this information as a service and strive to keep this website up to date. Please let us know of any inconsistencies by bringing them to our attention at once at onlinecourse@boatus.com. Resources for these pages include state statutes, state web pages and state approved boating guides. BoatU.S. is not responsible for any misinterpretation of the law or any change in the law that is not adequately reflected in these pages. Damages as a result of failing to abide by stated law shall not be the responsibility of BoatU.S., BoatU.S. Foundation or its employees.

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