Public Vessels
A public vessel is an inspected commercial, passenger vessel that operates on sole state waters. "Sole state" waters are navigable waters of the state that are NOT under the jurisdiction of the United States Coast Guard (USCG). See the chart below to confirm the jurisdiction of your waterway.
| Waterway you are operating in: | Who to contact for a vessel inspection |
|---|---|
| Cayuga Lake Delaware River Great South Bay Greenwood Lake Hudson River Lake Champlain Lake Erie Lake Ontario Long Island Sound Mohawk River New York Harbor NYS Barge Canal Oneida Lake Onondaga Lake Oswego River Seneca Lake Seneca River |
United States Coast Guard |
| Most other New York State bodies of water, including: Ballston Lake Canandaigua Lake Chautauqua Lake Great Sacandaga Lake Lake George Lake Placid Saranac Lake Saratoga Lake Skaneateles Lake |
New York State Parks Marine Services Bureau |
| *This chart is not all-encompassing list. If you have questions about a specific waterway, please contact our office. | |
Public Vessel License
To operate a public vessel, you must hold a Joint Pilot & Engineer (JP&E) license. To obtain a JP&E license you must first have a NASBLA Approved Safe Boating Certificate and then pass a 50-question multiple choice test and a background check. Testing requirements may be waived if you hold a valid USCG License.
- To hold a JP&E license you must be at least 18 years of age. A JP&E License is a pre-requisite for a Masters License.
- To hold a Masters license you must be at least 21 years of age.
- Joint Pilot & Engineer testing is available by appointment only at our office in Albany. Appointments are available on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10 AM or 2 PM. Please call (518) 474-0445 or email NYSPublicVessels@parks.ny.gov to schedule a test.
- Public Vessel License Application
Renew a Public Vessel License
Joint Pilot & Engineer licenses are valid for one year from issuance, and licenses need to be renewed annually to remain current. Our office mails license renewal notices every March as a reminder. If you do not receive a notice or would like to renew your license before March, please contact our office.
- With every 5th renewal, you will be required to complete a take-home exam. The exam will be mailed to you with your renewal notice, and you need to pass the exam before your license will be renewed.
Inspection Certification
All public vessels operating on navigable waters of the state are required to have an annual inspection, and the operator must be licensed by the NY Office of Parks, Recreation, and Historic Preservation. If the boat is powered only by sails or paddles, it does not need to be inspected.
- Applications for inspection should be submitted at least 2 weeks prior to the requested inspection date.
- After we receive your application, we will send you a “Notice of Requirement,” that lists the required equipment for your vessel. If you miss your scheduled appointment time, fail inspection and need a re-inspection, or if your inspection request is submitted after inspectors have passed through your region, you may need to wait until after July 4th to have your vessel inspected.
- Application for Certification of a Public Vessel
Boating Accidents and Reporting
Any boating accident involving a public vessel must be reported to the Marine Services Bureau. A boating accident can involve any of the following:
- damage in excess of $1,000,
- any injury requiring medical attention or a fatality.
- The injury need not occur to someone in a boat. If a skier, tuber, or swimmer is injured, it is considered a boating accident and must be reported to this office.
- Any mechanical failure that involves more than routine maintenance should also be reported.
- Public Vessel Incident Report.
Documents and Forms
- Application for Certification of a Public Vessel (pdf)
- Public Vessel License Application (pdf)
- NYS Public Vessel Operator Study Guide (pdf)
- Technical Guidance for Public Vessel Operation (pdf)
- PV Testing Arrangements (pdf)
Frequently Asked Questions: Public Vessels
Yes. Unless the boat ride is completely free, any type of compensation received would classify you as a public vessel.
Yes. Although the guests may not be paying directly for a boat ride, if they are paying for a room and this is an amenity offered, it is a pPublic vVessel. This would be an example of indirect compensation.
Yes. Similar to a hotel, although campers are not paying for boat rides, they are paying to attend camp. This is another example of indirect compensation.
If they do not have engines, they are not considered public vessels.
If you operate as a guide that uses a mechanically propelled boat for fishing, hunting, or to drop off clients at trail heads or wilderness camps on sole-state waters, you are considered a Public Vessel. You must take the exam and have your boat inspected. Please review the DEC Licensed Guide Program
.
Every year. Typically all inspections are conducted in the spring. We inspect vessels and offer operator written tests and practical tests during our annual trip to your location. Please contact us to find out what week our inspectors will be in your area so you can get your application in by March 31 and get it on the schedule. If you aren't ready when they are there, you will likely have to wait until mid-July.
Yes, if you also operate in sole state waters.
You must be at least 18 years old and have proof of having taken a NASBLA approved Safe Boating Course.
It depends on your license. If you are testing to be a Captain or Engineer on a larger dinner-boat type vessel, there will be a practical exam onboard your vessel. If you go to a new Master-level vessel, you will need to do a new practical onboard that vessel.
Every year. The license will expire on your original date of issue every year. The annual renewal is just a $10 payment. Every 5th issue (issue 5, 10, 15 etc) you will receive an open-book, take-home, exam in the mail with your renewal reminder. This is meant to serve as both a refresher as well as to ensure you are familiar with any new NYS boating regulations or PV requirements.
No. All license exams must be completed in person, proctored by a Marine Inspector. All renewal payments must be mailed to our office. Please contact us for details.
No. The USCG only has jurisdiction over vessels operating on Federal waters. Essentially, if your vessel operates on any body of water that flows to the ocean, you will require USCG inspection and license. (Hudson, Mohawk, Great Lakes, Canal system, Seneca, etc) Public Vessel inspections and licenses are the equivalent of this, but on NY sole state waters. All license renewals, inspections, and reporting of accidents/incidents on PVs go through NYS Parks Marine Services Bureau. You will not have to have any correspondence with the USCG. Please contact us to confirm if you are a USCG for-hire vessel or a NYS Public Vessel based on your body of water, if you are unsure. Contact the National Maritime Center for mariner credentials and licenses.
A Certificate of Inspection is the document that allows you to legally operate with passengers. It must be kept onboard the vessel and it documents all required equipment, crew, and passenger limits. The COI is valid for 54 weeks after your vessel is inspected. It is only issued if you do not have an outstanding invoice. If you have not paid for inspection, the COI is not issued, and you will be operating in violation of the NYS Navigation Law.
Contact Information
To contact our marine inspection team please call 518 474 0445 or email NYSPublicVessels@parks.ny.gov.
