NJ to require insurance for boaters?

OLD BRIDGE, N.J. – A New Jersey State Assembly committee released legislation earlier this week that would require all New Jersey boaters to carry liability insurance on their vessels, the Old Bridge Suburban newspaper reported in a story yesterday.

The legislation would require boaters who register their vessels with the state to maintain liability coverage insuring against a passenger’s injury or death. Coverage limits would be set at $100,000 for one person in any accident and $200,000 should an accident injure or kill more than one person, according to the newspaper.

Boat owners who failed to carry the necessary liability insurance would be subject to fines of between $300 and $1,000 and a one-year suspension of their boating license. Boaters who fail to insure their vessels after a first offense would be punished by fines of up to $5,000 and a two-week jail term.

If enacted, New Jersey would become the first state to mandate boaters to carry such coverage, the newspaper reported.

Many, but not all, private marinas in New Jersey already require vessels moored at their docks to be insured in case of an accident that damages marina property or other boats, according to the Suburban.

The Assembly Financial Institutions and Insurance Committee unanimously released the bill. It now heads to the Assembly speaker, who decides if and when to post it for a floor vote.

PWC rules may also be tightened

The state’s Assembly Law and Public Safety Committee has also released legislation that would restrict personal watercraft operations within 100 feet of shoreline or swimming areas, the Asbury Park Press reported in a story today.

The bill (A-918) would widen the current restricted distance of 50 feet, and allow county and local police to enforce the rule, in addition to state police.

The committee’s action was the first step toward bringing the proposal to a vote in the Legislature.

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