NEW YORK BOATING AND ALCOHOL LAWS

It is illegal to operate a boat on the waters of New York State while impaired or intoxicated by alcohol and/or drugs.

In New York State, a person is considered to be under the influence (legally intoxicated) if:

• They have a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level of 0.08 or higher.
• They are under the age of 21 and have a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level between 0.02% – 0.07%.

ZERO TOLERANCE LAW FOR MINORS

Additionally, boaters who are under 21 years of age and are caught consuming alcohol while operating a boat will be subject to the suspension or revocation of their boat operating privileges. 

NEW YORK BOAT REGISTRATION

In New York, all motorized recreational boats, including personal watercraft (commonly called jetskis© or PWCs), canoes and rowboats with electric motors and federally documented boats, are required to be registered with the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles and must display validation stickers. 

The registration certificate must be carried on board the boat at all times during operation, and must be available for inspection by law enforcement. Boat registration in New York is valid for 3 years from the date of registration.

THESE VESSELS DO NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION IN New York

• Commercially operated boats with either a U.S. or foreign document.
• Boats legally registered in another state (up to 90 consecutive days maximum).
• A ship’s lifeboats (not including tenders and dinghies).
• Competition race boats.
• Non-motorized boats (human or wind-powered).

BOAT TITLING REQUIREMENTS

The Department of Motor Vehicles issues titles to all 1987 model year and newer boats which are at least 14 feet in length. The title is your proof of ownership which must be surrendered to a new owner at time of transfer. If your boat is less than 14 feet, then the registration certificate serves as the proof of ownership and must be signed over to a new owner.

Boats in New York are required to correctly display their registration number and validations stickers. 

Registration numbers and stickers must be displayed as follows:

• A space, or a hyphen, the width of a letter, must separate the first and last two letters from the four middle numbers (NY 1234 AB).
• The numbers must be painted or permanently attached to both sides of the boat’s bow and be clearly visible (no other numbers may be displayed in this area).
• The numbers should read from left to right, be of block letters not less than 3 inches in height, and of a color that contrasts with that of the hull.
• The numbers must be readable from at least 100 feet during daylight hours.
• The registration number may not be transferred to another boat.
• Validation stickers must be affixed to the hull, in line with and no further than 3 inches aft of, the registration number (these placement requirements also apply to  federally documented boats).
• These requirements are also applicable to personal watercraft (PWCs).

DO I NEED BOAT INSURANCE IN NEW YORK?

Boats in New York are not required to be insured, however it is recommended.

HOURS OF OPERATION

PWCs may only be legally operated from sunrise to sunset, even if aftermarket lights have been installed. 

AGE REQUIREMENTS

All operators of PWCs in California must be at least 15 years of age or older to operate a PWC, without adult supervision. 

NEW YORK PWC REGULATIONS

• Life jackets must be worn at all times by PWC operators and passengers.
• All PWCs in New York must be equipped with an engine cut off switch. 
• The PWC must be equipped with a horn of whistle capable of a 2-second blast
• PWCs must be equipped with a manufacturer installed backfire flame arrestor and ventilator. 

NON-NATIVE AQUATIC SPECIES

Non-native aquatic species, plants, fish and animals are invading New York’s  waters. These pests can increase dramatically under the right conditions, displacing native species, clogging waterways, and impacting navigation and recreation.

Once introduced, they are nearly impossible to eliminate, and can be accidentally transported by recreational boaters when caught in propellers, intakes or attached to hulls. 

Be sure to report new infestations of non-native aquatic species to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service at (209) 946-6400 or report to New York State online at https://www1.nyc.gov/site/dep/environment/invasive-species-report-form.page

HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD OF NON-NATIVE SPECIES

• Inspect all surfaces of your boat and remove aquatic plants or animals before leaving any body of water.
• Ensure you flush raw-water cooling systems and clean sea-strainers before moving your boat from one body of water to another.
• Empty and dry any buckets before leaving a body of water. 
• Remove any plant fragments from bait wells, fishing gear, trailers, dive gear or props. 
• Dispose of plant fragments and bait into a garbage receptacle on land.  
• Avoid chopping vegetation with your boat’s propeller.
• Clean and dry all live-wells prior to transporting your boat.
• Drain all water from your motor and bilge and dry all areas. t.
• Thoroughly wash your boat, including the hull, before putting it into a new body of water.
• Refer to specific drying times.

For more information on how to stop the spread of AIS in New York, visit https://www.dec.ny.gov/animals/50121.html