Boating License by April 1st?!

Massachusetts has a new boating law, and it affects everyone on the water. Governor Maura Healey signed the Hanson-Milone Safe Boating Act into law on January 8, 2025, requiring all boat operators in the Commonwealth to obtain a boater safety certificate. With the deadline approaching, now is the time to make sure you're in compliance.

The act is named in honor of David Hanson, a young man who tragically lost his life in a boating accident in 2010, and Paul Milone, the late Weymouth Harbormaster who dedicated his career to boating safety and was a major advocate for this legislation. Their families championed the bill for years, and its passage is a meaningful step forward for everyone who loves Massachusetts waters.

What does the law require?

Boat operators must pass a boater safety education program and examination to obtain a safety certificate, which must be present on the vessel during operation.

What are the deadlines?

Anyone born after January 1, 1989, must obtain their certificate by April 1, 2026, with no penalties assessed until September 1, 2026. Anyone born on or before January 1, 1989, has until April 1, 2028.

Are there any exemptions?

Exemptions apply to merchant mariners, active members of the Armed Forces qualified to operate motorboats, and students at maritime schools. Boaters who already hold a valid safety certificate — including NASBLA-approved certificates from other states — will not need to retake the exam.

Where can you get a license?

Check Here

The USCG Auxiliary is offering 2 one day Boating Safety courses in May: 

  • May 10 at Chelsea Yacht Club from 8:30am to 4:30 pm.

  • May 17 at Winthrop Elks from 8:30am to 4:30 pm.

The cost is $50 for 1 student, a second student sharing the text book is only $25 more. This course is also good for youths over 12 wanting to operate a motor boat or over 16 wanting to operate a PWC.

Please contact Harvey directly at the number or email below to register for the course. Payment is by cash or check.

Harvey Leibovitz Flotilla 51, Winthrop. MA (617) 407-9030 hlebo12@verizon.net

At CYC, we're proud to be part of a community that takes safety seriously. If you haven't already completed your certification, we encourage you to do so before the deadline. Several approved courses are available online and in person throughout Massachusetts.

Fair winds and safe sailing, The Constitution Yacht Club

US Coast Guard Reopens Buoy Moderization Comment Period

The U.S. Coast Guard is reopening public comments on proposed changes to Aids to Navigation in the Northeast from now until Nov. 15, 2025.


The Coast Guard is strongly requesting that mariners provide feedback by November 15, 2025. When providing feedback, include the size and type of your vessel, how you use the buoys to navigate, and the distance at which you start looking for and using them.


Responses are only accepted by email at D01-SMB-DPWPublicComments@uscg.mil. 

 

Current Proposed Change Map

 

"The U.S. Coast Guard Northeast District's spring/summer Coastal Buoy Modernization Proposal (CBMP) received nearly 3,000 public comments enabling the Coast Guard to assess and adjust Proposed changes. We are extremely appreciative of the maritime public’s significant engagement. Detailed, specific input is a critical part of the Coast Guard’s determination steps to manage the Northeast’s 5,600 federal buoys and beacons. Physical aids to navigation will always remain a key part of the nation’s Marine Transportation System.

Thanks to the comprehensive public feedback, the course of action changed for more than half of the original CBMP buoys: 121 aids were removed from proposed discontinuation, 71 aids remain proposed for discontinuation with supporting changes to nearby buoys (relocations, lighting, sound signal additions and/or AIS virtual AtoNs), and 162 buoys remain proposed for discontinuation without additional proposed changes. The CBMP’s main objectives remain to ensure long-term buoy system sustainability at the most navigationally critical locations for mariners while better understanding how navigation practices are changing through tools like GPS location, radar, AIS, electronic charts, and navigation apps. The CBMP Update seeks to balance the use of physical aids with other navigation tools.

Interested mariners are strongly encouraged to comment on this in writing, either personally or through their organization. All comments will be carefully considered and requested prior to the Comment Period end date: November 15, 2025. To best align feedback to the Proposal Update data needs, please include: the formal aid name (with LLNR), your vessel type (recreational or commercial), and how you use the specific signal to locate good water in relation to hazards, shifting shoals, strong currents, narrow passages/entrances or reduced visibility, along with any additional nearby buoy signal changes you recommend. Refer to Project No. 01-25-015 and submit directly in the body of the email (in lieu of .pdf/excel attachments) to maximize analysis effectiveness (D01-SMB-DPWPublicComments@uscg.mil).

For all Proposal details and other navigation safety information, view through the Coast Guard’s Local Notice to Mariners interactive tool at: Maritime Safety Information Products."

CYC Flotilla Party! September 7th

REMINDER FLOTILLA TOMORROW! Looking forward to seeing you out there.

Details Below:

Where: Peddocks Island, there are anchorages and mooring balls available through Dockwa (12$ for the day. When booking, mention that you are with CYC fleet; we are working to see if we can be grouped in the same area.)

When: September 7th, 1 pm till 6pm….or ‘til the party ends!

What: Bring your own food and drinks and come out for a fun day on the water! Take a break from racing and come enjoy the sun & waves!

Looking forward to seeing the fleet out there

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