A person may not operate a motorboat engaged in a wakesurfing activity in less than 15 feet of water or within 300 feet of the shoreline.





Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife





*mefishwildlife.com*






New Wake Boat Laws
wake surfing

Beginning on August 9, 2024, a new law goes into place that prohibits the operation of a motorboat engaged in a wakesurfing activity in less than 15 feet of water or within 300 feet of the shoreline.?

*Wakesurfing activity**:* is defined as an activity that involves using a surfboard, wakeboard, or similar device while being propelled by a motorboat?s wake or while on or in a motorboat?s wake directly behind that motorboat.

Watercraft dealers who sell a motorboat in Maine must provide the purchaser of that motorboat with information related to the boater safety and education courses offered by the department as well as information related to those operators who are required to complete those courses.

*Boater Safety and Education: *Participating in a recreational boating safety education course will teach you how to safely operate and maintain a boat and introduce you to Maine boating laws and resources. A person born on or after January 1, 1999, may not operate a motorboat greater than twenty-five (25) horsepower for recreational boating purposes on inland waters of this State or territorial waters, unless that person is 12 years of age or older and has completed a boater safety and education course. These persons must possess and present a boater safety and education course certificate for inspection upon request to a law enforcement officer. "Exceptions: Registered Maine Guides (hunting, fishing, and recreational guides only), commercial fishermen, daily boat renters, and merchant mariners.?"

A person born after January 1, 1999 is also required to complete a boater safety and education course and be at least 16 years of age to operate a personal watercraft (such as a jet ski) on inland waters and territorial waters of the State or to supervise a person under 12 years of age who is operating a motorboat.

*Learn More* [ [link removed] ]


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Clean Drain Dry
Protect Our Waters from Aquatic Invasive Species

Maine waters, as well as the fish, wildlife, and recreation they support, are threatened each year by introductions of fish, plants, diseases, and other aquatic invasive species that compete with and displace native natural communities. Do your part by learning how to properly clean and dry your watercraft, motor, trailer and equipment before laving water access. [ [link removed] ]







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More information

Maine Boating Laws and Rules [ [link removed] ]

Boating Safety Information [ [link removed] ]

Purchase Your Lake and River Protection Sticker [ [link removed] ]

Online Boat Registration Renewal [ [link removed] ]

Boating Safety Courses [ [link removed] ]

Help Protect our Waters from Aquatic Invasive Species [ [link removed] ]

Label Canoes and Kayaks with a If Found Sticker [ [link removed] ]








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This email was sent to [email protected] using GovDelivery Communications Cloud on behalf of: Maine Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife ?41 State House Station ? Augusta, ME 04333-0041 ? (207) 287-8000 GovDelivery logo [ [link removed] ]