Recent Changes
Updated PFD Requirement for Children
Beginning on January 1, 2026, children 12 years of age or younger, including a boat operator who is 12 years of age or younger, must wear a United States Coast Guard approved personal flotation device (PFD) while on any watercraft that is underway and being used for recreational purposes. Exceptions to this requirement include if the child is below the decks, in an enclosed cabin or if the watercraft has a USCG certificate of inspection.
This change, initiated and passed by the Maine State Legislature, increased the required age from 10 years of age or younger to 12 years of age or younger to improve youth safety on Maine’s waters. The updated age requirement now aligns with federal law.
Boat Driver’s License
Anyone born after January 1, 1999 must complete a six-hour boater safety and education course to operate a motorboat with 25 horsepower or more, or a personal watercraft (PWC) on inland waters and territorial waters.
Wake Surfing Boats
Beginning on August 9, 2024, a new Maine law goes into place that prohibits the operation of a motorboat engaged in a wakesurfing activity in less than 15 feet of water or within 300 feet of the shoreline.
Lead jigs
Beginning on September 1, 2024, it will be illegal to sell lead jigs that weigh one ounce or less or measure 2.5 inches or less, and illegal to use them beginning September 1, 2026. The law carries a fine of $100–$500.
The Boater’s Guide to Maine Boating Laws and Responsibilities
Download you copy today by clicking here.
For more information on boating in Maine, click in the link below.
https://www.maine.gov/ifw/fishing-boating/boating/index.html
