Connecticut Department of Energy & Environmental Protection

Emergency Burn Ban In Effect 10/26/24 - An emergency burn ban is now in effect for all Connecticut State Parks, Forests, and Wildlife Management areas, prohibiting the use of all outdoor grills, firepits, and campfires, and the kindling and use of flame outdoors. DEEP and local agencies are working to contain several active fires across the state. Please avoid all affected State Parks and Forests, as well as the blue-blazed Mattabesett Trail. The Enduro Trail in Voluntown and portions of North Stonington within the Pachaug State Forest are closed at this time. Please note that today's forest fire danger report remains at an 'extreme' level. More information about the current fire danger, burn ban and recommended safety measures can be found here

Frequently Asked Questions

Safe Water Skiing Endorsement
Do I need a Safe Water Skiing Endorsement?
If you are going to operate a vessel or a personal watercraft (i.e. jet ski, wave runner, sea doo) on Connecticut waters that is towing a skier, tube, or have anyone riding the wake of the vessel, the operator must:
  • Be age 16 or older,
  • Have a valid boating certificate from Connecticut or a reciprocal state  (Rhode Island, New York, Massachusetts or New Hampshire) or have a valid Coast Guard operator’s license and
  • Possess a Connecticut Safe Water Skiing Endorsement
Those that obtained their certificate or license prior to October 1, 2015, are grandfathered and do not need to get the endorsement. If you successfully completed a Connecticut boating course leading to certification after October 1, 2015 and you are at least 16 years or older, your endorsement will print on your certificate.
How do I get a Safe Water Skiing Endorsement?
If you need to get a Safe Water Skiing Endorsement, visit https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Boating/Safety/Safe-Waterskiing-Endorsement to take the online class.

If I am 15 years old or younger and was towing people behind my boat last year, am I allowed to tow again this year?

No, under the safe water skiing law, you must be at least 16 years old.

If I am 15 years old and the Safe Water Skiing Endorsement does not print on my certificate, what should I do?

When you turn 16 years old you will have to re-print your certificate in the Online Sportsmen’s Licensing System. 

 If I am from out of state and want to tow a waterskier in Connecticut, what do I need to do?
  • If you received your certificate from a reciprocal state (New York, Rhode Island, Massachusetts or New Hampshire) before October 1, 2015, you are grandfathered and do not need to do anything.
  • If you received your certificate from a reciprocal state after October 1, 2015, you must obtain your safe water skiing endorsement.  Visit https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Boating/Safety/Safe-Waterskiing-Endorsement to take the online class.
  • If you are from a non-reciprocal state, you will need to take a Connecticut approved boating class or successfully pass the Equivalency Exam.
Content last updated March 2021