Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo 2023 M600 LEADERBOARD

Free online course meets Brianna's Law Requirement for New York boaters

by BoatUS 19 Mar 2024 00:21 UTC
The anchor symbol on the lower right of this NY State Adventure License lets law enforcement know you've met the requirements for Brianna's Law © NYS DMV

Brianna's Law was named after Brianna Lieneck, an 11-year-old Long Island girl who was killed in a 2005 boating accident.

The law was enacted in 2019 to help make the state's waters safer by requiring all boat operators to complete an approved boating safety course. The end of the law's five-year, age-based phase-in window is fast approaching. As of January 1, 2025, all Empire State boaters, regardless of age, will need to have completed an authorized boating safety course.

The nonprofit BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water, the boating safety arm of Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), offers New York boaters the only free, NASBLA-approved online boating safety course that meets Brianna's Law requirements and improves on-water safety. More than 2.5 million students have taken the BoatUS Foundation's free online Boating Safety Courses to date, which provide approved boating safety education in 36 states including New York.

"Classroom instruction, offered by local law enforcement or the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is great, but we know hectic schedules sometimes make in-class attendance difficult," said BoatUS Foundation director of Boating Safety Ted Sensenbrenner. "Our online course typically takes four to eight hours to complete and fits into busy lives. You take it from the comfort of home and can start, pause and restart where you left off at any time. And it's free, thanks to generous donations by BoatUS members."

Upon course completion, course takers may immediately print their boating safety certificate at no charge which is valid for 90 days, order a permanent card for $15, or apply for an Adventure License that marks their New York DMV-issued driver’s license with an anchor symbol indicating proof of course completion which costs $13.50

For more, go to BoatUS.org/NewYork.

Related Articles

All the hurricane preparation info boaters need
Atlantic hurricane season starts June 1 Recreational boaters whose vessels have been impacted by a hurricane and came out relatively unscathed know it all starts with a plan. Posted on 29 May
Now is a great time to inspect your life jackets
BoatUS Foundation shows you how Every year National Safe Boating Week (May 17-23) helps remind boaters to make safety a priority all summer long, and of the need for having serviceable, right-sized life jackets for everyone aboard the boat. Posted on 13 May
Learn powerboating skills in Old Saybrook
From the basics to 2 new hands-on courses added for experienced boaters Recreational boaters are beginning to return to the waters of Long Island Sound. Are they prepared? Posted on 8 May
Spring launch checklist
Time-tested tips for getting your boat ready for the season Whether it's your first year or 50th, the recreational boat owner's advocacy, services and safety group, BoatUS, has help on how to start the boating season off right with its Spring Commissioning Checklist. Posted on 26 Mar
Be wary of letters offering documentation renewal
Official-looking vessel documentation renewal notices can lead to confusion and higher costs Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) is advising boaters with vessels that have a U.S. Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation to be wary of any letter arriving by U.S. mail offering renewal. Posted on 28 Jan
Got your boating safety certificate yet?
A 2025 mandatory boating safety education requirement BoatUS Foundation's online Boating Safety Course helps Empire State residents meet 2025 mandatory boating safety education requirement. Posted on 2 Jan
How to prepare a boat for Helene
Free online guides, videos, worksheet available from BoatUS With potential Tropical Cyclone Nine expected to reach hurricane strength as Helene before hitting parts of Florida's Gulf Coast later this week, recreational boat owners have all the hurricane preparation information they need at BoatUS.com/Hurricanes. Posted on 25 Sep 2024
How the arrival of Autumn changes boating
Three tips for safely enjoying the water in the off season from BoatUS Foundation Say a final goodbye to the summer 2024 boating season as Sept. 22 marks the fall equinox. With the change of season, ushered in by cooler air and water temperatures, boating safety also changes. Posted on 21 Sep 2024
How to prepare a boat for Francine
Free online guides, videos, worksheet available for hurricanes from BoatUS With Tropical Storm Francine expected to reach hurricane strength before hitting parts of coastal Louisiana and the western Gulf Coast this week, recreational boat owners have all the hurricane preparation information they need at BoatUS.com/Hurricanes. Posted on 10 Sep 2024
Try boating or hone your boat handling skills
With on-water powerboat training Summer boating season has arrived. Have you ever wanted to try out boating, or are you a boat owner looking to improve your confidence behind the helm? Posted on 3 Jul 2024
Palm Beach Motor YachtsMaritimo 2023 M600 FOOTER