MASSACHUSETTS. (WGGB/WSHM) -- Boating season is almost here, and so is a new requirement. Starting April 1st, a mandatory instruction through the Hanson Milone Act of 2024 states Massachusetts boaters must have a safety certificate to get on the water. One of the main objectives: make sure those who enjoy boating on any of Massachusetts’ waters are safe and understand the rules.

Starting April 1st, anyone who wishes to operate a water vessel in the commonwealth must take this education course.

The goal is to make sure every boater knows how to stay safe on the water, reduce accidents, and ensure a very enjoyable experience for everyone. This program covers several topics, including emergency procedures, rules of navigation, and environmental protections.

Several people are currently taking the minimum 12-hour course, or have already taken it and passed, including a number of folks here in western Mass.

Anthony Tranghese, an Operations Associate for the Hampden County Sheriff’s Department’s Marine Unit, is an instructor for a free in-person course. He tells Western Mass News people have been anxious, and eager, to take this course, and it has been getting good reviews. In the end, the message is clear: safety is paramount.

“I know we have the support here from the sheriff for this educational component, and hopefully, the future of being out on the water, helping our partner agencies with our mission and goal is to provide safety,” he explains

You must be at least 12 years old to take this course and hold a valid boater safety certificate. However, personal watercraft users must be at least 16 years to operate with that certificate.

To pass the course, you need to get at least 48 questions right out if a 60-question test. There is also an online course option that comes with a fee.

Tranghese also tells us the Sheriff’s Department, in cooperation with the Massachusetts Environmental Police Boating Safety Bureau, is working with local marinas, including Brunelle’s in South Hadley, to get the word out about the law.

Once you pass the course, the information is sent to the environmental police’s boating safety coordinator, who then sends you a laminated card with your name and birth date, “They present that to us. They have to have it onboard the boat once this act gets rolled out here shortly.”

Above is the schedule for when you should take this course. If you were born after January 1, 1989, you must complete this course to operate personal watercraft or motorized vessels. Anyone who was born on or before that day will have to obtain their boater safety certificate by April 1, 2028.

According to Tranghese, a first offense is a $50 fine, while repeat offenses carry fines up to $100 fines.

Penalties will not be assessed until September 1st. Offenders will be told to take this course without facing any monetary penalties.

For more information, check out the links listed below:

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