House advances Fay bill to improve boater safety on Maine’s lakes

Jessica Fay

AUGUSTA – In a bipartisan vote, the Maine House of Representatives gave initial approval last week to a bill sponsored by Rep. Jessica Fay, D-Raymond, that would require a boater safety and education course for people under 25 years of age operating a boat with a motor of over 25 horsepower.

This measure would take effect on Jan. 1, 2024. As amended, LD 1663 requires a person born on or after Jan. 1, 1999 to be age 16 or older and to have completed a boater safety and education course in order to operate a personal watercraft of over 25 horsepower on inland waters.

It also requires the commissioner of the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife to convene a stakeholder group meeting about boater safety and education and report the findings to the Maine Legislature by Jan. 15, 2023.

There were 11 deaths from boating accidents in Maine in 2020 according to statistics collected by the U.S. Coast Guard. This includes accidents related to motorboats, paddle watercraft and drownings on or around boats.

“I am pleased that the House voted to advance this bill,” said Fay. “Evidence shows that boater safety education reduces accidents. With the increased boating activity on our lakes and ponds, we have increased the number of dangerous interactions on the water, and this bill will help address that. Additionally, it will protect our environment and wildlife by helping boaters understand their impact on these valuable natural resources.”

The bill faces further votes in the coming weeks.

Fay, who represents part of Casco, part of Poland and part of Raymond, is in her second term in the House. She serves on the Legislature’s Appropriations and Financial Affairs Committee and the Government Oversight Committee and she’s also the House chair of the bipartisan Legislative Caucus on Aging. <