New Boating Safety Law Coming to Dartmouth: What You Need to Know

If you spend your summers out on the water like so many of us in the South Coast, here’s something you’ll want to keep on your radar. Massachusetts has just passed a new law that will require boaters to carry valid safety certificates—and it goes into effect sooner than you might think.

Signed into law earlier this year under the Hanson-Milone Act, the new regulations will require all operators of motorboats and personal watercrafts in the state to complete a boater education course and carry proof of certification while on the water.

What’s the timeline?

If you were born after January 1, 1989, you’ll need to get your safety certificate by April 1, 2026. While enforcement won’t begin until September of that year, it’s a good idea to start thinking ahead.

If you were born on or before January 1, 1989, you’ve got a little more time. Your deadline to get certified is April 1, 2028.

What we know (and what we don’t)

Dartmouth Harbormaster Steve Melo has long supported legislation like this. He believes it serves an important purpose: helping people stay safe on the water. But he also pointed out that there are still a lot of unanswered questions.

Right now, we don’t yet know which courses will meet the state’s final requirements or whether any exemptions will apply. According to Melo, that guidance won’t be released until October 2025, which leaves a relatively short window before the law goes into effect.

So what should you do in the meantime?

Melo’s advice is simple: do something. Take a course, brush up on your boating skills, and get educated. Even if the course you choose isn’t officially approved just yet, you’ll be ahead of the curve when those final details are released.

Why this matters

If you’ve ever spent time on a busy harbor in the summer, you know how important boating safety really is. The goal of this new law isn’t to make things harder for boaters—it’s to make our waterways safer for everyone. While some organizations have expressed concern that the extra steps might discourage new boaters, others believe it’s a long-overdue move to raise the bar on safety.

Melo put it best: improving your chances of survival on the water through better skills and education is always better than doing nothing.

As we wait for more guidance from the state, I’ll keep an eye out and share updates as they come in.

And if you’re thinking about buying a waterfront home or have questions about how this new rule might impact boating access or regulations in your neighborhood, I’m always happy to chat. Just send me a message.

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