Using A Boat On Pontoosuc or Onota This Year? Know This First

Every summer, one of my favorite things to do is rent a boat and spend a few hours out on the water. Pontoosuc, Onota, it doesn't matter. Just me, the lake, and zero responsibilities for a couple of hours. It's one of the best things about living in Pittsfield.

But this summer, you might need to do something before you fire up that engine.

Massachusetts has a new law on the books. The Hanson-Milone Boater Safety Act requires anyone born after January 1, 1989, to complete a state-approved safety course and obtain a certificate before legally operating a motorboat. That certificate also has to be on board with you while you're out on the water. -boston.com

The good news for older boaters: if you were born on or before January 1, 1989, you have until April 1, 2028, to complete the course. But if you're younger than that, the deadline already passed. The Massachusetts Environmental Police won't start issuing fines until September 1, 2026, so there's still a window to get it done before penalties kick in. -mass.gov

The course itself isn't a huge lift. In-person classes typically run 10 to 12 hours including the final exam, and online courses can usually be knocked out in a single day. Once you pass, the certificate is valid for life.

You can sign up at mass.gov. Don't wait until August to figure this out.

I'm not skipping my summer boat days. I'm just making sure I'm legal before I leave the dock.