New Jersey requires those operating most powered watercraft, including Jet Skis, to have a New Jersey Boat Safety Certificate and license. Drivers must be 16 years old. They must also register and title their boats.
All boats in New Jersey must contain one wearable floatation device per passenger, even canoes and rowboats. Many vessels must also contain throwable floatation devices for those who fall overboard, fire extinguishers, navigation lights, backfire flame arrestors, and a host of other safety equipment.
Unlicensed pilots or those in unregistered boats who cause injuries may find themselves facing additional liability. Boat operators may have acted negligently and subjected themselves to legal action if they failed to provide the required safety equipment that could have prevented or mitigated an accident or injuries.
Call us. If we feel you have a good case, we’ll investigate to find out whether the boat operator had the required licensing, registration, training, and equipment onboard—and work to hold him accountable if not.