Blog | USCG Captains License courses and NJ Boater Safety courses

Do I Need a New Jersey Boat Safety Certificate? (and Other Boating Questions You May Ask)

January 15, 2019 By admin

Are you planning on boating in New Jersey? If so, you may find the following “Q&A” blog very useful. It’s loaded with boating info that can help save you time & money and keep you safe on the water. Let’s get started with some of the most commonly asked questions.

Middlesex County Boating Safety Class

Middlesex County Boating Safety Class Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Do I need a New Jersey Boat Safety Certificate?

A: If you are operating a powerboat or personal watercraft (Jet Ski, Wave Runner, etc.) on NJ waters, the answer is YES, you are required to possess proof of boating education. New Jersey State Police Marine Services Bureau regulations state that to operate a power vessel on the waters of this state, individuals need at least one of the following documents:

A New Jersey Boat Safety Certificate
A boating safety certificate issued by their state of residence (non-residents only for no more than 90 days)
A United States Coast Guard Captains License
Written proof of completion of a boating safety course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), or one substantially similar to a New Jersey-approved course (non-residents only, for no more than 90 days)

Q: Will my New Jersey Boat Safety Certificate expire?

No. New Jersey Boat Safety Certificates do not have an expiration date and do not need to be renewed. If you or your child have taken a New Jersey boating safety course in the past and need to get a certificate issued, contact the NJSP Marine Services Bureau (click here for instructions).

Q: Do I need a New Jersey boat license?

A: A New Jersey boat license is separate from a NJ Boat Safety Certificate. It is an endorsement issued by the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and attached to the state-issued driver’s licenses or ID cards of residents aged 16 years and older. It is not a substitute for a Boat Safety Certificate but is an additional requirement for individuals that wish to boat on non-tidal waters in NJ (such as lakes, creeks, and rivers where there is no tide). The endorsement is only required for motor-powered vessels; non-powered vessels do not require the endorsement. Having a NJ Boat Safety Certificate is the first step in obtaining a boat license endorsement. If you are 16 years of age or older and wish to get a boating license endorsement added to your current NJ state-issued driving or ID credential, you must visit a NJ Motor Vehicle Commission facility and provide the following:

A New Jersey Boat Safety Certificate
Documents for proof of identification
Payment of the applicable fee

Below is a list of EXCEPTIONS to the non-tidal boat license requirement. A New Jersey boat license endorsement is not required if:

Your vessel is powered by a motor less than 1 HP or a 12-volt electric motor
Your vessel is 12 feet long or longer with less than a 10 HP motor
You are competing in an authorized race pursuant to a permit issued by the Division of State Police in the Department of Law & Public Safety
You are an out-of-state resident who has written proof of successful completion of a course substantially similar to a NJ-approved boating safety course

Q: Will my New Jersey boat license expire?

A: Yes. Because NJ boating licenses are issued as endorsements, they are subject to the expiration date displayed on the driver’s license or ID card they are attached to. When you renew your driver’s license or state-issued ID card, you must also renew the boating license endorsement. To do so, you can visit a Motor Vehicle Commission facility in person and do the following:

Present your New Jersey Boat Safety Certificate
Pay the applicable boat license endorsement fee

What is the minimum age requirement to operate a power vessel in New Jersey?

A: There are two mandatory minimum age requirements in New Jersey:

You must be at least 13 years old to operate a vessel powered by an electric trolling motor, or a vessel that is 12 feet or longer with a motor that is less than 10 total HP.

You must be at least 16 years old to operate all other power vessels, including personal watercraft. This includes out-of-state residents.

Q: I live in another state. Do I need a NJ Boat Safety Certificate to operate a power vessel in New Jersey?

A: Out of state residents are not exempt from the education requirement listed above. The law states that an out of state resident who is at least 16 years of age and who will be in this state for less than 90 days may operate a power vessel on the waters of the State of New Jersey as long as they possess a boating safety certificate issued by their state of residence, or possess written proof of successfully completing a boat safety course approved by another state, NASBLA, or the United States Coast Guard.

Q: I have a boating certificate issued by another state. Will the state of New Jersey issue a NJ Boat Safety Certificate based on that certificate?

A: No. The NJSP Marine Services Bureau can only issue a New Jersey Boat Safety Certificate for successfully completed New Jersey-approved courses. However, some boating safety courses taught in Pennsylvania and New York are approved as NJ safety courses. In this case, the instructor of the PA or NY course will provide their student with a NJSP application for a Boat Safety Certificate (S.P. 421) to serve as a temporary NJ Boat Safety Certificate and the NJ Marine Services Bureau will send the permanent certificate to the instructor for issuance to the student. A New Jersey Boat Safety Certificate will not be issued for any course that has not been specifically approved for the issuance of a New Jersey Boat Safety Certificate.

Q: Can I operate a power vessel in New Jersey without a Boat Safety Certificate if I possess a current United States Coast Guard operator’s license?

A: A person holding a current United States Coast Guard operator’s (captains) license, who is otherwise required to possess a Boat Safety Certificate, may operate a power vessel on the waters of New Jersey without having completed a boating safety course approved by the NJSP as long as they have their captains license in their possession while operating. The operator’s license cannot be converted to a New Jersey boating safety certificate.

Q: Does my boat need to be registered?

A: A New Jersey boat registration is a requirement for almost all vessels operating on state waterways but there are a few exceptions. Vessels are registered by the NJ Motor Vehicle Commission. Generally, all boats must be registered except for:

Those being operated in New Jersey for less than 180 consecutive days
Lifeboats
Foreign vessels
U.S. public vessels
Non-motorized vessels used on private property
Racing vessels with a New Jersey State Marine Police permit
Non-motorized inflatable devices, surfboards, racing shells, dinghies, canoes, and kayaks
Non-motorized vessels that are less than 12 feet in length
Tenders/dinghies used only for direct transportation between a vessel and shore

To register your boat or PWC, you must visit a NJ Motor Vehicle Commission facility and provide necessary information including the boat title, a completed application form, and proper identification. Payment of a registration fee will also be required.

Q: Will my New Jersey Boat registration expire?

A: Yes, but you will receive a renewal notice by mail approximately three months prior to the expiration date. You can renew your boat registration online or in person.

If your New Jersey boat registration becomes lost or stolen, you must replace it as soon as possible. To do so, complete an Application for Duplicate Certificate of Ownership (form OS/SS-52) and submit it in person at a NJ Motor Vehicle Commission facility. This will maintain your boating operation privileges within the state.

Q: What is the boating safety test-out option and how do I know if I qualify to take it?

A: Although it was previously a choice, the Test-Out-Option expired June 1, 2009 and is no longer available.

Middlesex County Boating Safety Class | Captain Jack’s NJ Boating Safety Classes

If you are interested in getting your NJ Boating Safety Certificate, sign up for one of our boating safety classes today! This is the class you must successfully complete to get your New Jersey Boating Safety Certificate, which allows you to legally operate a power vessel (motor boat or Jet Ski/PWC) on New Jersey waters. Click Here to sign up for a class online. Every student that successfully completes the class will also get a free one-year BoatUS membership including a subscription to either Anglers Magazine or BoatUS Magazine, discounts at participating fuel docks, discounts at West Marine, discounts on towing insurance packages and more!

Click Here to Sign Up for a Class

NJ Boating Safety Classes

USCG Captains License Courses

NJ Boating Safety Classes

Middlesex County USCG Captains License Class | What kind of Captains License Course Should I Take?

December 18, 2018 By admin

If you’ve looked in to taking a USCG Captains License Course, you know there are more than a few decisions to make before choosing one. Course schedule, class size, and location are a few of the obvious things to think about but there is another important factor that is sometimes less considered …. course delivery method.

Should you take an in-classroom course or use the Internet? And what about the schedule? Should it be 3-weekends or 2-weekends? Or maybe a 7-day course? If you’re wondering about the pros and cons of these options, read on. The observations below might help you narrow down the choices and decide which one is right for you.

First, be aware that any USCG-approved Captains License Course, whether in-classroom, Internet, or blended format (a combination of in-classroom and Internet study) must consist of a minimum of fifty-six (56) training hours. This is a Coast Guard requirement that cannot be altered. Be wary of any provider offering a Captains License Course if the advertised training hours do not equal at least fifty-six. With that being said, let’s take a closer look at course delivery methods.

Middlesex County USCG Captains License Class

In-classroom, 3-weekend Courses

This is the preferred method of Captains Jack’s Boating School. Although we do offer other course schedules, this is the one that, to me, makes the most sense and here’s why:

This is not an easy class, but you don’t have to be a genius to pass. You do have to want to get your Captains License, be dedicated to learning, make time for studying, and of course meet licensing requirements (outlined here). The course material is high school level or below when it comes right down to it, but there’s a lot of it and to pass the final exam you need to master at least 80%. It’s a lot of information to absorb.

A 3-weekend schedule allows students two full weeks (a week between each classroom session) to study, work on plotting problems, and rest a bit (which is important since many students are working 8 to 5 or better Monday through Friday, attending classes on the weekends, and doing homework on the weeknights!) Students can feel anxious about advanced learning (that’s what this is, by the way) in an adult educational environment, and most of our students have not been in a classroom in many years. There may also be a fair amount of “test anxiety” causing minds to wander to things like “All my friends & family, and the guys on the boat dock, know I am taking this class. WHAT IF I FAIL?” The 3-weekend schedule is the best answer to these worries. This format gives students some extra time to grasp the material and provides for a less stressful learning experience.

In-classroom, 2-weekend Courses

These courses are usually offered during two consecutive weeks with classroom attendance for a few hours on Thursday nights, then Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays for 8½ hours each day. (Remember that course training hours must add up to at least 56 and USCG regulations state no more than 8½ hours per day.) Using this format, students have only one week between classroom sessions to study and master their plotting skills. In my humble opinion, that’s just not enough time.

In-classroom, 7-day Courses

This format is very tough, and since it generally does not include attendance on weekend days, students will have to give up their day jobs for a week and two days! This can be a good schedule for a Fire or Police Department (and some other occupations), where students would go to the classroom rather than performing their usual work duties. Generally, students in this environment already have working knowledge of rules, plotting, etc.

Internet Courses

Internet-based courses can provide good results depending on the line of study, but my personal preference for any Captains License Course is “in-person.” While much of the course material is well-covered by some online providers, there are major benefits to mastering plotting in a classroom with a teacher over your shoulder to answer questions. With an online course, picture this scenario: You’ve finally found a block of time to work on your Captains License homework. You’re in your kitchen with your chart and tools spread out on the table. You’re doing well to a point but then you become stumped for what to do next. You pick up the phone and dial your instructor but get no answer. Ditto on the email you send. Guess you’ll have to pack it in and wait for them to get back to you …. and then find another block of time for study. Not an ideal situation to find yourself in.

So, there you have it. A quick review of Captains License course delivery methods from this guy, and let’s just say I’ve been around the block on the subject a few times.

Other Helpful Information

Keep in mind that there are four components to a Captains License Course final exam –

Rules of the Road, which is basically rote memory but much better understood when you have a teacher lecturing on it and the actual Rules book (which Captain Jack’s Boating School provides to each student) open in front of you.

Deck General and Safety, which is a combination of common sense plus guidelines for firefighting, man-overboard, lifesaving, etc.

Navigation, which is basic navigation (red right returning, give way, stand on vessels, lookout, buoys, daymarks, etc.)

Plotting, which needs to be performed with the old “practice makes perfect” adage in mind. In other words, the more you plot the better you will become at it. At Captain Jack’s we spend almost half our classroom time practicing plotting.

Middlesex County USCG Captains License Class | Final Food for Thought

Final food for thought – no matter what course delivery method you choose, you cannot test out online. You must test out in person, under the supervision of a US Coast Guard-approved Proctor. If you opt for an Internet course, make sure there is a testing facility that is convenient to you. And be mindful that if you fail any part of the final exam you will have to return to the facility for retesting. At Captain Jack’s, we test our students out in the classroom on the last day of the course and if you need to retest, we have open retesting the weekend after every course end date (you can retest at any of our locations).

Captain Jack’s Boating School offers more classes, more locations, and more dates for USCG-approved Captains License courses than any other school in New Jersey. Plus, attending a 3-weekend, in-classroom course will help you retain more knowledge and be a better captain. In the big picture, this short-term investment of your time can bring a lifetime of reward!

To sign up for a class, Click Here

Still have questions? Call us today at 908-285-4039!

NJ Captain’s License

Captains License courses NJ and NJ Boater Safety courses – Captain Jack’s Boating School

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Middlesex County Captains License Class | Why take Captains Jack’s Captains Course?

December 10, 2018 By admin

Are you looking for a NJ Captains license class? Captain Jack’s Boating School is now offering the United States Coast Guard OUPV (6-pack) Captains License Course. In addition, Captain Jack’s is offering 100-Ton Masters Upgrade Course and 200-Ton Towing Endorsement Course in Woodbridge, NJ and surrounding areas. Sign up now, and you can get your OUPV Captains License in just 3 weekends! Today we will be taking a look at some of the reasons to take Captain Jack’s courses:

To sign up for a class, Click Here

Middlesex County Captains License Class | Reason #1 Our Instructors

Captain Jack has over 40 years of experience on the water and has built one of the premier Boating Schools on the East Coast. His list of qualifications, certifications and achievements is unequaled amongst his peers. As a certified marine mechanic and instructor, Captain Jack helped develop some of the American Boat and Yacht Council’s guidelines for marine education and taught an ABYC-approved marine mechanics course at local Vocational Schools for many years before turning his attention to USGC Captain’s License courses and New Jersey Boating Safety Certificate classes. Captain Jack holds a USCG Master Captain’s License with 200-ton towing endorsement and is certified by the US Coast Guard as an instructor for OUPV Captain’s License courses, 100-ton Masters courses, and 200-ton towing courses. He has been teaching captain’s license classes for eight years and has helped hundreds of students earn their licenses. Captain Jack is also an approved instructor for New Jersey State Police Boating Safety Certificate classes and an approved provider/instructor for National Safety Council and Red Cross First Aid, CPR and AED classes.

Captain Janet holds a USCG Master Captain’s License with towing and sailing endorsements and has captained vessels up to 75-feet throughout the Atlantic seaboard and Caribbean Sea. She provides yacht delivery, on-the-water training, sailing instruction, boat relocation & delivery, and is a private captain-for-hire through her company Nautical Freedom, LLC. With over 30 years of experience on the water, Captain Janet is certified by the Coast Guard as an instructor for the OUPV Captain’s License course, 100-ton Masters course, and 200-ton towing course and is also an approved instructor for New Jersey State Police Boating Safety Certificate classes. Captain Janet has a Ph.D. in Applied Management and Decision Sciences and is a professor at Monmouth University.

Captain Russ has maritime experience as both a USCG Master Mariner and as a PADI Master Scuba Diver Trainer. Captain Russ retired from the New Jersey State Police as a station commander in the Marine Bureau, where he was responsible for marine traffic on the waterways from Trenton, NJ to Cape May, NJ. After retiring as a Lieutenant, Captain Russ worked as a maritime contractor in Iraq under a contract with the State Department. He also gained valuable experience when he worked with members of the US Navy’s Riverine Unit on the Tigris and Euphrates Rivers. After returning, Captain Russ worked as a commercial captain in Little River, SC and yacht delivery captain. Captain Russ is a vendor for MarineMax and holds a 100-ton Near Coastal Mariners License from the US Coast Guard.

Middlesex County Captains License Class | Reason #2 Our Material

Our team has spent the better part of this year reviewing and updating our captain’s course material, making sure that it’s the best in the industry. Every subject is covered in detail and laid out to be easily-understood. A common complaint we hear about other captain’s license courses is that there are questions on the final exams that were not covered in the classroom. At Captain Jack’s, we have spent endless hours going over the final exams, making sure that none of the questions are misleading, and making double-sure sure that every question on the final exams has been covered in the classroom and reinforced by quizzes in the student manual and our online interactive tool – “Captains Quest.”

Some schools claim to supply students with all the tools needed for class and then give out a list of things for students to bring in, like plotting tools and calculators. Often, schools that do provide the necessary equipment have low-quality supplies. You can be assured that every item supplied in our student bags is of the highest quality, from the Weems & Plath plotting tools to the Sharp calculators and right down to the brand-name pens, pencils and markers. We really do supply everything you will need in class. You even get a captain’s hat when you graduate!

**Captain Jack’s Captain’s Course student bag and contents**

Middlesex County Captains License Class | Reason #3 – CAPTAINS QUEST!

Captains Quest is an online interactive tool designed to help students study for their final exams, which can be a daunting task no matter how much you learn in class! The program covers Rules of the Road, Deck General, and Navigation through an interactive question system that not only shows the correct or incorrect answer but also explains WHY it was correct or incorrect, allowing users to practice the questions and learn the material at the same time. Captains Quest is proven to increase your chances of passing your final exams!

Middlesex County Captains License Class | Reason #4 – Our Locations!

Captain Jacks Boating School has more locations than any other Captain’s License school in the state. We offer classes in Woodbridge, Hackensack, Oakhurst, Brick, and Ventnor New Jersey multiple times a year. All our locations offer a comfortable classroom setting and easy access from major highways.

Middlesex County Captains License Class | Reason #5 – Easy access and full-time office staff!

Most captain’s schools are a part-time endeavor. Captain Jack has a full-time office staff available seven days a week to answer any questions you may have by phone or e-mail. Not just before and during your class, we stay with you afterwards to help you through the application process and will even review your application before you send it to the Coast Guard.

Middlesex County Captains License Class | Captain Jack’s Boating School

If you are ready to get your captain’s license, sign up for one of Captain Jack’s Middlesex County Captain’s License classes today! Captain Jack’s Boating School offers the United States Coast Guard OUPV (6-pack) Captain’s License course as well as 100-Ton Master’s and 200-Ton Towing upgrade courses in in the Middlesex County area. With our classes, you can earn your OUPV Captain’s License in only 3 weekends! This license is required for anyone wishing to operate a vessel-for-hire such as a charter boat, or operate any commercial vessel such as a ferry, dive boat, tug boat, push barge, head boat, etc. Our classes are offered all throughout New Jersey including areas such as: Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean, and Atlantic counties.

To sign up for a class, Click Here

For more information, call us today at: 908-285-4039 or visit our home page:

NJ Captain’s License

Captains License courses NJ and NJ Boater Safety courses – Captain Jack’s Boating School

USCG Captains License Course