Mandatory Youth Boating Ed Offered in Milford

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Tri-State Flotilla, Massachusetts will be instructing a boating safety class that meets current state mandated educational requirements.

The BOAT AMERICA COURSE is offered in a one-day format developed to provide the skills and confidence needed to explore the coast and inland waters by boat. Basic knowledge and skills are needed to have safe and enjoyable boating experiences. This course is perfect for families that have just purchased any type of boat or are planning to in the future, and for the boater keeping up with changes to boating regulations and laws. Basic marlinespike seamanship (knots etc.) will also be included. Successful completion of the course will certify any minor, from 12 to 16 years of age, to operate a powerboat, including a Personal Water Craft / Jet Ski (for 16 & 17-year-old operators), on all Massachusetts waters; in conjunction with the Mass. Environmental Police. Approved by National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) it will also cover the requirements to operate a vessel in most other states & many countries where boating safety education is mandatory including RI and CT.

The Hanson-Milone Boater Safety Act, signed into Mass. Law January 8, will now require ALL Mass. motorboat operators to complete an approved Safe Boating Certificate course before April 1, 2026 for anyone born after 1/1/1998, and by April 1, 2028 for boaters born before 1/1/1998.

Enforcement of the new law will begin on September 1, 2026. This course meets the future Mass. requirement. Most boating insurance companies offer a discount on premiums for successful completion of this course.

Participants 16 years old and under must be accompanied, in person, by a registered parent/guardian. SPACE IS LIMITED so register soon:

Milford High School – Saturday – November 8, 2025 - 9 AM to 5 PM

Milford High School courses offered at 31 West Fountain Street, Milford, MA. Registration is managed through the Milford Community School Use Program,

https://milfordcommunityprogram.activityreg.com/selectactivity_t2.wcs

Adult-Fall-2025 - Boat America Certificate Class

or call Laura Farrell (508) 478-1119, email lfarrell@milfordma.com;

The registration deadline is Oct. 25

For additional USCGAux. information: phil.uscgaux@verizon.net or (508) 478-3778.

To locate these and other USCG Auxiliary courses (BA and BS&S) that will meet certification requirements go to: https://www.cgaux.org/boatinged/class_finder/index.php

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian component of the U.S. Coast Guard and supports the Coast Guard in nearly all mission areas. The Auxiliary was created by Congress in 1939. For more information, please visit www.cgaux.org