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Area Coordinator: Stu Soffer, N-LAE |
State Liaison: 1SR Frank Catena 5NR Barbara G. Gilbert |
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New Jersey Coast Guard Auxiliary District: 1NR and 5NR Coast Guard District: 1st and 5th
First Quarter Report, 2008:
The following new legislation was introduced:
Senate Bill S2326. This bill clarifies the requirements for mandatory boater education.
Assembly Bill A1796. This bill addresses the issue of abandoned vessels in State waters.
Senate Bill S866. This bill regulates vessel speed through environmental sensitive areas.
Assembly Bill A1013. Required vessels to carry insurance if equipped with motors 25 horsepower or greater. A subsequent amendment made legislation applicable to all motor driven boats 12’ and longer.
A letter to the editor of the Asbury (NJ) Park Press, dated 1 March 2008, is critical of the CG Auxiliary. It was authored by Russ Binns of the Coast Boating School who has elicited the assistance of Assemblywoman Marcia A. Karrow, (R-Hunterdon County) to stop the Auxiliary from teaching any boating classes or administer the State Test-out exam. The article is at link: http://www.app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080301/OPINION04/803010303/1032
Both district commodores are aware of events and have kept appropriate officials informed.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - Fourth Quarter Report, 2007:
No boating-related legislative activity reported this quarter.
Third Quarter Report, 2007:
No new legislation this quarter.
One interesting related item is the state required background check requirement for boating safety instructors will be instituted by the fourth quarter of this year. All (USCG) Auxiliary members who teach a boating course that issues the New Jersey Boating Safety Certificate will be required to get this background check. The background check will be done by the Sagin Morpho Company and will cost $78.00. The State will issue Auxiliarists a special form for their background check. After completing this form, the Auxiliarist will present it to one of 21 sites in New Jersey for the background check. Upon completion, a number will be issued to the instructor, which he/she will then use on application form for the NJ Boating Safety Certificate.
Second Quarter Report, 2007: Bill S2392 This amended bill would amend current law to allow a person under the age of 16 but at least 13 years of age to operate a power vessel while competing in an authorized race. The person would be required to possess a certificate certifying the person’s successful completion of a boat safety course, or in the case of an out-of-state resident or resident of a foreign country, proof of successful completion of a boat safety course. In January 2006, Assembly Bill A2212, sponsored by Assemblyman Jeff Van Drew, was introduced to the New Jersey Legislature. It requires children under 16 years old to wear personal flotation devices when on a vessel that is underway. The bill has been referred to the Assembly Law & Public Safety Committee. This is a more stringent law than the current federal law and most state laws (children 12 and under must now wear pfd's). NMMA and BOAT/US oppose this proposal because it exceeds US Coast Guard recommendations now in effect. On June 11, 2007, this bill was withdrawn from consideration. In January 2006, Assembly Bill A1953, sponsored by Assemblymen John S. Wisniewski and Neil M. Cohen, was introduced. The bill proposes that owners of boats powered with an excess of 25 horsepower must maintain mandatory $100,000 liability insurance against a loss for bodily injury or death, for one person, and $200,000 per accident for more than one person. Violations would be subject to a $300 to $1,000 fine and a one year suspension of the right to operate a vessel in New Jersey, with subsequent convictions subject to a fine of up to $5,000 and imprisonment for 14 days, as well as a two year suspension of the right to operate a vessel in New Jersey. Operators would be required to carry the insurance proof of coverage card on the boat at all times when underway. Operators would also have to terminate a voyage if they were unable to produce proof of insurance when so requested by a law enforcement officer. In July 2006, this bill was passed in the Assembly and referred to the Senate Transportation Committee. It has no sponsor in the Senate. In March 2007, the Senate Transportation Committee reported favorably on the bill and amended it as follows: The required liability limit would be reduced to $100,000, and the bill would specify that the liability insurance requirements would apply only to vessels registered in New Jersey. A statement of the bill, with committee amendments, can be viewed at: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2006/Bills/A2000/1953_R2.pdf In October 2006, Senate Bill S2233, sponsored by Senator Stephen M. Sweeney, was introduced and referred to the Senate Law and Public Safety and Veterans’ Affairs Committee. This bill requires operators and passengers riding a personal watercraft to wear a helmet when underway. A statement of the bill, with committee amendments, can be viewed at: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2006/Bills/S2500/2233_I1.pdf In November 2006, Senate Bill S2312, sponsored by Senator Andrew R. Ciesla, was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Senate Law and Public Safety and Veterans' Affairs Committee. This bill would restore the 21-day exemption from having passed a boat safety course to operate a jet ski as long as certain requirements were met. The bill can be viewed at: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2006/Bills/S2500/2312_I1.pdf In January 2006, Senate Bill S916, sponsored by Senator Anthony R. Bucco, was introduced in the Senate and referred to the Senate Transportation Committee. This bill would extend to recreational boaters in New Jersey refunds currently available from the motor fuels tax for gasoline purchased for use in boats and used for recreational purposes. The bill can be viewed at: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2006/Bills/S1000/916_I1.pdf In January 2006, Senate Bill S139, sponsored by Senators Leonard T. Connors and Diane B. Allen, was introduced. The bill restricts the operation of personal watercraft, requiring them to stay at least 100 feet (instead of the current 50 feet) away from residential dwelling units, buoys or signs that mark the boundaries of a swimming area, the shoreline or persons in the water. The bill would also authorize State, county and municipal police to enforce laws governing the operation of personal watercraft and reserving to the State Police the investigation of accidents and crimes involving personal watercraft. It was passed by the Senate (36-0) in February 2006, and received in the Assembly (as A2509), where it was referred to the Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee. The bill can be viewed at: http://www.njleg.state.nj.us/2006/Bills/S0500/139_R1.pdf Updated Thursday July 03, 2008 | |
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