Maine will begin to phase in a mandatory boating safety and education course for boaters on inland waters. The course will include education on no wake zones to wildlife and water quality, how to avoid harassing or harming wildlife and the imperative that boats be cleaned of invasive plants before entering Maine waters. See Maine LD1663 Act to Improve Boating Safety on Maine Waters.

From the Piscataquis Observer: “This bill creates a mandatory boating safety course requirement for individuals born  after January 1, 2002 for the operation of motorboats propelled by machinery over 10 horsepower on Maine waters beginning January 1, 2023. The bill establishes a minimum  age of 16 for operation of a motorboat propelled by machinery over 10 horsepower and  requires the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to establish a program for boating safety education certification. This bill also requires a mandatory boating safety course for  an individual born after January 1, 2002 who operates a personal watercraft.”