Hanson-Milone Act: What you Need to Know
On Wednesday, January 8th, 2025, Massachusetts Governor Maura Healey signed the Hanson-Milone Act into law. The bill was in the works for over 13 years, and is named for David Hanson, who lost his life in a boating accident in 2010, and Paul Milone, the late Weymouth Harbormaster who was dedicated to boating safety. The act will create a boater education program and require boat operators in Massachusetts to possess a safety certificate.
Guidance will be published no later than October 1, 2025.
What does this mean for boaters?
Anyone born after January 1, 1989, has until April 1, 2026, to obtain their certificate. No operator shall be assessed a penalty until September 1, 2026. Anyone born on or before January 1, 1989, must obtain their certificate before April 1, 2028.
How do I earn my certificate?
To obtain a boater safety certificate, one must pass a MA & NASBLA approved test, which can be found online here.
The test can be taken as many times as needed to receive a passing grade.
To prepare, boaters can take an online, interactive boater safety course. In-person courses and additional resources can be accessed through Boatwise, the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, US Power Squadrons, MA Harbormasters, and more.
Once you obtain the certificate, it is valid for your lifetime – it will not expire. Should you need a replacement copy, you can request one here.
