Governor Lamont extends Connecticut's State of Emergency to February 15, 2022 which suspends certain legal restraints enabling DEEP and our partners to provide on-line safe boating courses during the COVID-19 pandemic. Commissioner Dykes also issued an Order with details for this effort.  Specifically, the on-line classes will be held on an interactive videoconferencing platform which provide the opportunity for dialog between the instructors and students.  DEEP will now also allow the boating safety course students or those wishing to take an equivalency examination to take an on-line examination. 

Information for classes can be found below:


Successful completion of the class qualifies a person to purchase for $50 their Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation (CPWO) on the Online Sportsmen Licensing System.  The CPWO allows an individual to operate any recreational vessel up to 65ft. including a personal watercraft. Please check age restrictions for operating vessels with engines greater than 10 horsepower and personal watercraft.

DEEP On-Line Combination Safe Boating / PWC Classes

The on-line classes are 8 hours long and will be held on an interactive videoconferencing platform which provides the opportunity for dialogue between the instructors and students. As part of this instruction, a proctored exam will be administered and graded at the end of the class. Each student must have their own device (i.e. laptop, tablet or smartphone) with audio and video capabilities.

In-Person Combination Safe Boating/ PWC Classes

These classes are at least 8 hours long and range between two and four sessions. 

Safe Boating Course Agents (Private Providers)

Approved Safe Boating Course Agents are organizations that are approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and the State of Connecticut to teach boating education that will lead to certification.