Memorial Day Weekend is here marking the start of the boating season for many!
With more people heading out to enjoy a day of boating or fishing, it is more important than ever to be a responsible boater to keep you and everyone on the water safe. Here are a few reminders:
- "Headway Speed" means the slowest speed at which it is still possible to maintain steering and control of the watercraft. You must operate a watercraft at "headway speed" while:
- Within 200 feet of any shoreline, including islands.
- Within a marina or an approved anchorage in coastal or inland waters.
This law was designed to keep everyone on the water safe, reduce erosion, and to help protect wildlife such as loons that nest on the shoreline.
- When towing someone on water skis, a surfboard, tube, or another device, ALWAYS have a responsible person at least 12 years of age in a position to observe the towed person(s) continuously, in addition to the boat operator. The person(s) being towed must wear a life jacket.
- You are responsible for your wake. Always pay attention.
- Be respectful of others. Give other boaters, swimmers, and anglers plenty of space and always drive at a reasonable and prudent speed for conditions, congestion of other boats, and wildlife.
- ALWAYS wear a life jacket. If you think you will have time to put it on after you are in the water, think again.
- Stay alert! Never drink and boat.
Before you go, view all of Maine's boating laws at mefishwildlife.com/laws
Is your boat properly registered?
Boat registrations are valid from January 1 through December 31.
The easiest way to renew your boat registration is online at mefishwildlife.com, but not all towns have signed up with the state’s internet vendor, InforME, to do registrations. To see if your town allows online boat registration renewals, click here. To renew your boat registration online, click here.
First time boat registrations cannot be completed online, they must be done at the town office so the town can collect sales and excise tax.
Nonresidents: Boat registrations may be renewed online, but first time registrations cannot be done online or on the phone. If the boat will be kept in Maine waters for more than 60 days the boat must be registered in Maine in the town where the boat will be kept.
Watercraft with a valid registration in another state that are in Maine waters for less than 60 days do not require a Maine registration, but do require a Lake and River Protection Sticker.
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