NY A05889

Requires all persons born on or after January 1, 1992 operating a mechanically propelled vessel to hold a boating safety certificate issued by the commissioner, United States Power Squadrons, or United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, or be accompanied by an adult who holds such a certificate.

Allows operators who are recently purchased vessel owners to operate without a boating safety certificate for up to 90 days from the date of purchase.

Exempts boating safety instructors, United States Power Squadrons members, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary members, public vessel license holders, police/fire/rescue personnel and lifeguards acting in official capacity, and those licensed by the U.S. or Canadian Coast Guard.

Permits liveries to rent mechanically propelled vessels (except personal watercraft or specialty prop-craft) to persons age 18 and older without a boating safety certificate if the livery operator provides safety instruction and demonstration, verifies the renter's ability to operate the vessel, and records renter information for at least one year.

Requires the commissioner to develop comprehensive boating safety education programs for all boat operators and eliminates restrictions limiting such programs to youth, effective January 1, 2011.