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Mass. General Laws c.90B §§ 1-19

Laws pertaining to recreational boating

This page links to an unofficial version of each section of G.L. c. 90B, §§ 1-19. Please note that sections that appear missing have been either reserved for future use or repealed. For more information, see the page law about recreational boating.

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§ 1 Definitions 

Amended by St. 2024, c. 350, §§ 1-6, effective April 8, 2025

§ 2 Numbering; exceptions 
§ 3 Application for certificate of number; display 
§ 4 Lost, destroyed or mutilated certificates of number; replacement 
§ 4A Altering, forging or counterfeiting certificates of number of motorboat; penalty 
§ 4B Removal, defacing, etc. of identification number of motorboat, motor or engine; penalties 
§ 5 Classes of motorboats; required lighting, signaling and fire extinguishing and control devices 

Amended by St. 2024, c. 350, §§ 8-9, effective April 8, 2025

§ 5A Personal floatation devices 

Amended by St. 2024, c. 350, § 10, effective April 8, 2025

§ 5B Automatic shut–off nozzle for motorboat fuel dispensing devices; fine 
§ 5C Discharge of sewage into waters designated as a no discharge area; fine 
§ 5D Violations of Sec. 37B of Chapter 21; penalties 
§ 6 Exhaust; use of cutouts 
§ 7 Compliance with Sec. 5; pre-requisite to departure from boat livery 
§ 8 Operation while under influence of intoxicating liquor or narcotics, etc.; breath or blood testing; water skiing; professional exhibitions 
§ 8A Operation of a vessel while under the influence of controlled substances causing serious bodily injury; penalties; parole, probation or furlough; license revocation 
§ 8B Operation of a vessel under the influence of a controlled substance causing death; penalties; probation, parole or furlough; license revocation 
§ 9 Accidents; duty of operator; reports 
§ 9A Jet ski, surf jet or wetbike operation 
§ 9B Educational safety program; jet skis, surf jets and wetbikes 
§ 9C Definitions pertaining to sections 9D to 9F, inclusive 

Added by St. 2024, c. 350, § 11, effective April 8, 2025

§ 9D Boater safety education program 

Added by St. 2024, c. 350, § 11, effective April 1, 2026

§ 9E Compliance with boater safety educational requirements; exceptions 

Added by St. 2024, c. 350, § 11, effective April 1, 2026

§ 9F Fines for violation of section 9E 

Added by St. 2024, c. 350, § 11, effective April 1, 2026

§ 10 Requests for information or records from federal agencies 

§ 11 Powers and duties of director 
§ 12 Enforcement of chapter 
§ 12A Operation without personal flotation devices or in overloaded or unsafe condition 
§ 13 Arrest without warrant; entry upon private lands 
§ 13A Scuba divers; display of diver's flag required 
§ 13B Kayak instructors; first aid and safety certification requirements; student training 

Added by St. 2024, c. 350, § 12, effective April 8, 2025

§ 14 Penalties; proceedings 
§ 15 Scope of chapter; local regulations; approval of ordinances and by-laws 
§ 17 Enforcing officers; reports to director 
§ 18 Laws applicable 
§ 19 Severability 

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