From the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Comm.:
-------------------------------------------
Boating Facts
Titles
Boats that are more than 12 feet long must be titled.To obtain a title, visit any motor vehicle agency, and:
Provide the HIN (hull identification number); proof of ownership, such as a certificate of origin (if new) or the former title signed by the previous owner (if used), or a sworn affidavit to attest to the boat's ownership or other acceptable proof required in the boat's previous home state; structural information (year, make, type, length, material, power source, use); and owner information (date of birth, driver license and Social Security number) or a business number (corpcode). Homemade boats or boats without a HIN will be assigned a number by Motor Vehicle Commission after inspection by the NJ State Police.
Pay $20 for a clear title; $40 if there's one lien. Corrected titles cost $20; duplicate titles cost $25.
Title exemptions: ships' lifeboats, canoes or kayaks, inflatables,
surfboards, rowing sculls, racing shells, tenders/dinghies used only for
transportation between vessel and shore and for no other purpose, and
outboard motors.
-------------------------------------------------
Registrations
Titled boats and motor-powered boats (any length) must also be registered annually. To register, visit any motor vehicle agency, and:
Provide proof of ownership (see above), your NJ driver license and Social Security number, and
Pay the fee based on this chart.
TYPE OF
Length: Under 65 Feet
VESSEL 16 26 40 65 Feet Or More
Pleasure $12 28 52 80 $250
Commerical $12 29 53 81 $251
Operating Requirements
Licenses, certificates and safety
Persons 12 years old or younger may not remain onboard any underway vessel (except short-run ferries and large commercial vessels longer than 65 feet) unless they are properly wearing a U.S. Coast Guard approved personal flotation device.
Persons under 13 years may not operate any power vessel.
Persons 13-15 years old may operate a power vessel of less than 1 HP, a vessel powered by a 12 volt trolling motor, or a vessel 12 feet or longer powered by less than 10 HP if they have successfully completed an approved boating safety course and have a boating safety certificate in their possession. Anyone, of any age, may operate those vessels without a boat license.
Persons 16 years old or older may operate any recreational power vessel.
Persons operating on nontidal waters must also carry a New Jersey boat license. In addition, a person born in 1979 or later and all operators of personal watercraft ? less than 16 feet long equipped with an internal combustion engine that powers a water jet pump that can't be disengaged as to prevent the vessel from making headway ? must complete an approved boating safety course and carry the certificate whenever operating the vessel. They must present this certificate when they apply for a boat license to operate on nontidal waters.
Violations
Penalties for boating law violators include:
Operating a power boat without completing a boating safety course: minimum $100, maximum $500 fine.
Failing to carry or exhibit a license when operating a power boat on nontidal waters: up to $500 fine and/or up to 60 days imprisonment.
Penalties for boating under the influence of drugs or alcohol and/or refusal include:
Operating a power boat while DUI on tidal or nontidal waters:
1st Offense: loss of right to operate in NJ:
Vessel: 12 months
Vehicle: 3 months*
* Violators under age 17: to 17 years, 3 months
MOPED operators: from sentence date to 17 years, 3 months
and
Fine $250-400
2nd Offense: loss of right to operate in NJ:
Vessel: 24 months
Vehicle: 6 months*
Fine $500-$1,000
* Violators under age 17: to 17 years, 6 months
MOPED operators: from sentence date to 17 years, 3 months
and
Community service: 30 days
Jail: 48 hours-90 days
Note: Penalties for certain DUI-related offenses may increase to double fines and imprisonment (if committed within 1,000 feet of property used for school purposes) or forfeiture of the vessel and/or vehicle. These offenses include DUI, driving revoked, vehicular homicide or refusal to take a chemical test.
Penalties for refusing a breathalyzer or chemical test, all ages, are loss of right to operate power boats and vehicles and:
1st Offense 6 months and $250-500 fine
2nd Offense 2 years and $250-500 fine
3rd Offense 10 years and $250-500 fine
Vehicles as defined are automobiles, commercial vehicles, motorcycles, MOPEDs
and agricultural vehicles.
For further information
Boat safety certificates: (609) 882-2000, x6173, or
www.njsp.org
Boat safety courses: (800) 336-2628
Boat licenses: (888) 486-3339 toll free in NJ or (609) 292-6500 from out of state
Cost: Four year photo license: $18 ($16 if added to photo driver license)
Availability: Obtain your license at any motor vehicle agency. Be prepared to show your boat safety certificate when you apply.
[ 03-01-2004, 03:15 PM: Message edited by: NIGHTSTRIKES ]