USPS® Education Frequently Asked Questions New Hampshire State Boating Laws Prepared by: Lee R. Chasse (AP) Past Cdr Portsmouth Power Squadron Updated: December 2010 Question: I am a current Maine Licensed Commercial Fisherman .  Do I need the Safe Boating Certificate If I Go Into New Hampshire Waters? Answer: The following should cover all questions of this type 1. If a person has a New Hampshire Commercial Fisherman License he or she is exempt. 2. If a person has an unexpired Coast Guard Captains License, he or she is exempt whether he or she is operating their commercial vessel, any other commercial vessel, or their own private vessel. 3. If the persons U.S. Coast Guard Captains License is NOT current and up to date (renewable every 5 years) they are NOT exempt, and must comply with the law. 4. If his/her Commercial Fisherman License is issued by Maine and he does not have a New Hampshire Commercial License, he is NOT exempt. There is no reciprocity between NH and Maine as far as the Commercial Licenses are concerned. 5. If the certificate/license is not on-board, the individual has 48 hours to present it to the NH Safety officials. Question: I took the USPS Boating course many years ago, but I can not locate my certificate.  How do I obtain my New Hampshire certificate? Answer: If you know the name of the squadron with which you took the course, contact USPS headquarters 1-888-367-8777, extension 230 and they may be able to provide a duplicate USPS completion certificate at a slight fee.  If you do not know the name of the squadron, but know the year in which you took the course, they may be able to locate your record.  In some instances they may be able to locate you by your Social Security number.  Records have been kept since 1970 or so. Earlier records may not be available and you will have to take another course to be certified. The Portsmouth Sail & Power Squadron maintains computer records immediately accessible from 1992 to the present date. Question: I took a boating safety course with the Coast Guard Auxiliary, but cannot locate my certificate. Answer: Contact the Coast Guard Auxiliary http://nws.cgaux.org/index.html In talking with the CG Aux in New Hampshire, normally they do not retain records past one year.  Question: I am 15 year old, can I get a Safe Boater Certificate? Answer: In accordance with USPS Portsmouth current procedures, anyone under the age of 16 can attend the Portsmouth Safe Boating Course without charge, to gain knowledge about boating safety but due to NH State regulations, the Portsmouth Sail & Power Squadron cannot test and certify individuals under the age of 16. Question: When do I have to complete a boating safety course? Answer: Effective January 1, 2008 ALL boaters operating any vessel with more than 25hp must have a Safe Boaters Certificate on their person while operating a vessel. Question: I plan to operate a jet ski.  Do I need to take a course? Answer:  A 'Ski Craft' (vessel less than 13 ft. long that is capable of exceeding 20 miles per hour and has the capacity to carry no more than an operator and one other person) may be operated only persons who are 16 years old or older and who have a valid Safe Boater Education Certificate as required by the same schedule by birthday for the state of New Hampshire. Question: I heard that an “experienced boater” may not have to take a course but merely pass an exam is this true? Answer: The 'Experienced Boater' or Challenge test will not be implemented with the Portsmouth Sail & Power Squadron in New Hampshire and all questions for this subject should be directed to the N.H. Safety Office. Question: How old do you have to be to obtain a State certificate? Answer: Persons 16 years of age and older can take a course, such as the USPS course, and upon successfully passing the exam they will be issued a USPS certificate of completion. An additional form is completed and the individual can send that form to the state with a $10.00 payment and receive a State of New Hampshire Safe Boating Card. Question: Who may operate a vessel legally? Answer: A vessel powered by an engine less than 25 horsepower may be operated by a person of any age and does not require a Safe Boater Certificate. A vessel powered by more than 25 horsepower (other than a ski craft) may be operated by: o A person under 16 years of age only  if he or she is accompanied by a person 18 years old or older who has a valid Safe Boater Education Certificate. The accompanying person is responsible for any injury or damage caused during operation of the vessel. o Certificates must be awarded by a boating safety course or equivalency exam approved by the New Hampshire Marine Patrol or a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators approved course from another state. o Safe Boating Certificate must be carried on board. Question: Can a person from another state, Maine, Vermont, New York or Connecticut for instance, operate a boat in NH waters without taking a NH approved course? Answer: A person who is 16 years of age or older who has in his possession a certificate proving that the person has taken a comparable Safe Boating Course  in another state may operate a vessel in NH waters with that certificate in their possession. New Hampshire requirement for a Safe Boaters Certificate applies to anyone boating in New Hampshire waters. Question: Can I take the course online? Answer: The state boating test which was on-line has been withdrawn. The material is present for practice but no Safe Boating Certificate is available from the State of New Hampshire via the internet at this time. Question: Do you have to take a course with classroom study or can I just self-study? Answer: Self Study is only available with the USPS HQ offered ABC (America's Boating Course) at this time. When a student is ready, our Squadron can schedule a proctored test to include the state of New Hampshire 10 additional questions.  80% score on both the ABC Test and 80% score on the NH questions is mandatory. USPS Portsmouth Safe Boating Courses are scheduled multiple times in a year and consist of 2 hours a night, one night a week for 8 weeks. A new course which is 4 hours a day on two following Saturdays is now available also. See the Education Page Question: Can a person who owns a boat registered in another state operate in New Hampshire waters? Answer: With the appropriate Safe Boating Certificate as required by N.H. law, visitors may operate in N.H. waters. Question: Is the USPS boating course approved by New Hampshire?. Answer: 1. Yes, upon completion of the USPS Safe Boating Course, the individual is given a signed and dated certificate of completion, recognized nation wide as a proctored test under NASBLA law. 2. After completion of the USPS Safe Boating Course, a signed and dated New Hampshire state form is completed by certified instructors and submitted to the State of New Hampshire.  The individual is given two forms, one is a temporary 45 day certificate and if a fee of $10.00 is submitted along with the appropriate form, the state of NH will issue their own Safe Boater Certificate ID Type card. Question: I am 16 years old and have a Safe Boater Certificate. My Dad does not have a certificate and he is 40, and my Grandfather is 64, can I let them operate the boat in New Hampshire while I am on the vessel? Answer: No, your Dad and Grandfather are over 16 and MUST have there own Safe Boating Certificate and cannot operate under your guidance as of 1 January 2008. Sign Up For The Safe Boating Course Now !!! Click Here For information on the USPS public boating course closest to you, call 1-888-FOR-USPS. In Canada, for the CPS course, call 1-888-CPS-BOAT. Privacy Statement USPS Trademark Disclaimer Webmaster: Lt/C Andrew Glazier, JN - Mail Andy