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Massachusetts BOAT LAWS

You must have a Massachusetts Certificate of Number (boat registration) to legally operate a motorboat on Massachusetts' waters. Exceptions to registration are:

• Vessels without any kind of motor (unpowered canoes, sailboats, or kayaks)

• Vessels properly registered in another state and using Massachusetts' waters for 60 or fewer consecutive days

• Vessels documented with the U.S. Coast Guard

 - No person under 12 years of age may operate a motorboat, unless accompanied on-board and directly supervised by a competent person 18 years of age or older.  - - Personal watercraft (PWC) users must still be at least 16 years of age in order to operate, with no exceptions.

Motorboat - Youth who are between 12 and 15 years of age must complete an approved basic boating course in order to operate a motorboat without adult supervision. Upon successful completion of such a course, students are issued a state "boating safety certificate" which must be in the possession of the certified operator when underway. Personal watercraft users who are 16 or 17 years of age must also complete such a boating course. (Persons less than 16 years of age are not allowed to operate personal watercraft.)

Personal Watercraft Operation. Personal watercraft (PWC) are considered "motorboats" by law and thus must comply with all boating laws and navigation rules, including the speed and operation provisions above. Additionally, PWC users must adhere to state regulations specific to PWC operation. A new regulation places the legal responsibility for operation on the adult operator, owner or renter of the PWC.

It is illegal for the owner or person in control of a motorboat to allow someone who does not meet the age or boating education requirements to operate the vessel.   

 Vessels properly registered in another state and using Massachusetts' waters for 60 or fewer consecutive days do not have to registered in Massachusetts.