Compliance Guides

Pennsylvania Regulatory Guide

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission oversees and enforces regulations for boating in the state, focusing on safety and environmental conservation. Responsible for setting standards, licensing, and safety measures, the commission aims to ensure a secure and sustainable boating experience on Pennsylvania's waterways. Through education initiatives, they promote responsible boating practices, contributing to the preservation of aquatic ecosystems while enhancing recreational enjoyment. On this page, we navigate you through everything you need to have in place in order to ensure that your boat rental business is compliant with Pennsylvania's regulations, along with some other important things to keep in mind.

Boxes you need to tick

These are requirements as defined by law:

Age Requirement

Cannot rent a personal watercraft to a person 15 years of age or younger.

Persons 11 years of age or younger cannot operate a motorboat with 25 or more horsepower.

License Requirement

Boating safety education certificates are required for operators born on or after January 1, 1982.

Safety Checklist

A livery operator shall offer to all persons renting boats an orientation/introduction to boating safety and conditions.

A livery operator shall offer to all persons renting boats an orientation/introduction to boating safety and conditions, including a review of the laws and regulations applicable to the type of boat being rented and the waters on which the boat will be used. The Executive Director will provide guidance in the preparation of this orientation. Persons who produce a Boating Safety Education Certificate issued or approved by the Commission under § 91.6 (relating to certificates) are exempt from review.

Inspections

A livery operator shall permit inspection of equipment, facilities and documentation.

A livery operator shall permit inspection of equipment, facilities and documentation required by this chapter by a waterways conservation officer or other officer authorized to enforce the code.

Rental Agreement

Boat rental transactions shall be made using a written agreement…

Boat rental transactions shall be made using a written agreement, specifying the name and address of the lessee, the number of persons in the lessee’s party and date of departure.

The information provided is intended to be general and informative, and should not be interpreted as regulatory, legal, or insurance advice. It does not constitute professional advice from a licensed insurance agent and does not establish an attorney-client or insurer-insured relationship. This information should not replace the counsel of a qualified legal, regulatory, or insurance professional. Always consult with a qualified professional for legal, regulatory, or insurance advice pertaining to your specific circumstances.

Boat Rental Accident Reporting

If the accident results in an injury that requires treatment beyond first aid, a written boating accident report must be submitted within 48 hours. If the accident results in damage to the boat or other property exceeding $2,000, or if there is a complete loss of the boat, a written boating accident report must be submitted within 10 days. All reports are confidential and for the use of the Commission for boating safety purposes only. Boating Accident Report Forms (PFBC 260) are available on the Commission’s website. Reports must be sent to: Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission, Bureau of Boating, P.O. Box 67000, Harrisburg, PA 17106-7000.

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A livery operator shall submit a boating accident report for all reportable accidents involving one or more of the rental boats in accordance with Chapter 101 (relating to boating accidents). This requirement is in addition to the requirement that the operator of the boat file a boating accident report.

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Rental Boat Accident Reporting Form

Report Accident

Pennsylvania Regulatory Guide

Boxes you need to tick

Keep in mind when renting out boats

Required

Recommended

Not required

Boat Rental Accident Reporting

Federal Regulation

Compliance by State

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