The Hanson-Milone Safe Boating Act was enacted on January 8, 2025. The legislation establishes a mandatory boater education program in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. Anyone wishing to operate a motorized vessel in Massachusetts will be required to complete an approved boating safety education course. 

Please note the following timeline:

• Guidance from the Law Enforcement Office will be published by October 1, 2025
• If you were born after January 1, 1989, you must complete the course by April 1, 2026, with no penalties assessed until September 1, 2026. 
• If you were born on or before January 1, 1989, you'll have until April 1, 2028, to complete the course.

More information can be found on this post by the Massachusetts Environmental Police. 

Boat America is a boating certificate class that offers an in-depth and interesting boating safety course, and provides the knowledge needed to obtain a boating certificate. Some insurance companies will also offer discounts on boating insurance to boaters who successfully complete this course.

TOPICS INCLUDE

• Introduction to Boating – Types of power boats, boating vocabulary, sailboats, paddle boats, powering boats, and engine types.
• Boating Law – Boat registration, regulations, hull identification numbers, required safety equipment, Federal boating law, state boating law, and reporting accidents.
• Safety Equipment – Life jackets, fire extinguishers, sound-producing devices, visual distress signals, anchors, and other safety equipment.
• Safe Operation and Navigation – Buoys and beacons, aids to navigation, navigation rules, docking, and the dangers of alcohol on the water.
• Boating Emergencies – Hypothermia, boating accidents, man overboard, capsizing, emergency radio calls, carbon monoxide dangers, and weather.
• Trailering – Types of trailers, lights, hitches, towing a trailer.
• Sports and Boating – Water-skiing, hunting and hunting gear, PWC operation, and other boating tips.