NASBLA / USCG Approved Boating Safety Course

New England Maritime offers a NASBLA (National Association of State Boating Law Administrators)-approved two-day Boating Safety course.

The course includes classroom instruction on the following topics:

Rules of the Road

Aids to Navigation

Deck subjects

State regulations

Students who successfully comple the course will receive a NASBLA-approved Boating Safety certificate as well as a boating safety certification card from the state of Massachusetts.

Course includes materials, instruction and exams. It does not include a required download of the Boat America manual, which costs $4.99.

Who needs a state Boating Safety certification?

Youth who are between the ages of 12 and 15 must complete an approved Basic Boating course in order to operate any motorboat without adult supervision. Upon successful completion of such a course, students are issued a state Boating Safety certification 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 a basic boating course.

As of April 2026, anyone born after Jan. 1, 1989 will need to hold a boating safety certificaiton to operate a motorboat in Massachusetts without adult supervision. By 2028, anyone who wishes to operate a motorboat in the state will be required to carry a boating safety certificaiton. (Youth under the age of 12 will still be required to have a properly certified adult onboard in order to operate a motorboat.)

This course is also recommended for all new boaters and as a refresher for experienced boat operators.

*Course Dates:

April 25-26, 2026 (Zoom)

May 16-17, 2026 (Zoom)

July 25-26, 2026 (South Dennis)

* Classes run from 8:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day.

Proctored exams are held either immediately following an in-person class or, in the case of a course via Zoom, scheduled by appointment at 900 Route 134 Unit 2-19 in South Dennis and completed within 45 days of the final class date. If you do not complete exams within the 45-day period, you must retake the class and pay an additional $189.

Location: Live Via Zoom or 900 Route 134, Unit 2-19, South Dennis