[Public-List] Further Info Long distance and NJ

[Jim Davis]

For starters, I agree with Mike - NJ has never been high on my like list, it just happens that there are several harbors that can be necessary when going from here to New England.  Pat is also correct in the zeal  of their Maritime Mounties.

The reason I posted this is simple  Everyone going from the Bay to New York or New England needs to be prepared and forewarned.  The last thing you want is an interuption to your trip with an "invitation to meet the judge".

More and more research plus several other boards.  The Maryland course seems to be OK as are current USPS and USCG Aux courses.  

The info below was blatantly lifted from the Cape Dory Board as it is the most concise write up I have seen.  It also confirms my research.

As I said the other day, I will go with the PDR of Maryland Boating Safety Course.  

Jim Davis
S/V Isa Lei
CT 35

My choice early in life was either to be a piano-player in a whorehouse or a politician. And to tell the truth, there's hardly any difference. 
Harry S. Truman


I went to the web site for the NASBLA and here's what I found (pertains to out-of-state/non-NJ "regular" boaters): 


  The current US Coast Guard Auxiliary course "Boating Skills and Seamanship" is certifed by the NASBLA thru 2009. 

  The current US Coast Guard Auxiliary course "Sailing Skills & Seamanship" is certified by the NASBLA thru 2010. 

  The current US Power Squadron course "America's Boating Course" is certified by the NASBLA in most states, including NJ, thru 2011. 

  The current US Sailing Association course "Safe Powerboat Handling" is certified by the NASBLA in several states, including NJ, thru 2009. 

  The current US Sailing Association course "Basic Powerboat Crusing" is certified by the NASBLA in several states, including NJ, thru 2009.


If you are from out-of-state and don't want to attend a class or there isn't a class somewhere in your locality, you've got an online option. 


  The American Boating Education course "American Boat Operators Course" can be taken online. It is certified by the NSABLA in many states, including NJ. Go to: http://www.boatingcertificate.com/ 

  Anyway, you may want to visit the NASBLA's web site at: http://www.nasbla.net/courseListing.php 

  By the way, if you live in NJ and/or do your boating primarily on NJ waters, if you took one of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary or US Power Squadron courses 20 years ago, like we did, that little certificate they gave you is not valid, you still need to get certified and get that little piece of paper from the state. The info mentioned above is for non-NJ boaters (folks that don't use NJ waters as their primary boating area), mainly transients and/or cruisers. 

  BUT, if you're from out-of-state and your primary boating area is NY Harbor, the Hudson River, Raritan Bay, the Delaware River and Delaware Bay (essentially any body of water that shares a border with NJ) you MUST have either a valid NJ boating certificate or a certificate from an NASBLA-approved course.
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