Freedom Boat Club – Fairhaven, MA

Massachusetts sets 12 as the minimum age to operate a motorboat without direct adult supervision, if the operator satisfies the applicable boater safety certificate rule; personal watercraft operators must be at least 16. A child under 12 may operate a motorboat only while accompanied on board and directly supervised by a certificate holder at least 18. Direct supervision requires visual contact and verbal communication at all times while underway.

Certification is phased by birth date under Massachusetts General Laws chapter 90B, section 9E: people born after January 1, 1989, have been covered since April 1, 2026; those born on or before that date must comply by April 1, 2028. Rental operators set their own minimums, so confirm when booking.

Source: Massachusetts Environmental Police and Boat and Recreation Vehicle Safety Bureau (mass.gov)

Yes. Massachusetts requires a boater safety certificate, rather than a boating license, for motorboat and personal watercraft operators born after January 1, 1989; those born on or before that date must comply by April 1, 2028. Personal watercraft operators must be at least 16. Children under 12 may operate a motorboat only under direct onboard supervision by a certified adult age 18 or older.

Rental customers are not generally exempt, and temporary rental certificates are only under consideration for lower power boats. Exemptions include direct supervision, qualifying nonresident certificates, merchant mariner credentials, certain military and commercial fishing operators, and recent boat buyers carrying a temporary certificate. Massachusetts Environmental Police administers the program.

Source: Massachusetts Environmental Police (mass.gov)

From Fairhaven, boaters can explore New Bedford Harbor and the Acushnet River, Nasketucket Bay and Little Bay, or open Buzzards Bay. Pease Park launches into the more sheltered, working inner harbor; the marked channel passes through the hurricane barrier to Buzzards Bay, while small craft can continue upriver.

Seaview Avenue launches onto Nasketucket Bay, with calm, shallow, marsh-edged Little Bay nearby and open water beyond West Island. The harbor entrance and waters off West Island contain numerous rocks, ledges and shoals, so follow current charts and marked routes.

Source: Town of Fairhaven (fairhaven-ma.gov)

Good day-trip choices from Fairhaven are Cuttyhunk Harbor, Mattapoisett Harbor and Pope’s Island Marina in New Bedford Harbor. Cuttyhunk draws boaters with its protected harbor, transient dock space and food vendors at the fish dock. Mattapoisett welcomes visiting boaters with rental moorings, designated anchorage, a transient dinghy area and shops and restaurants a few blocks from the harbor. Pope’s Island Marina provides transient access and a launch connection to New Bedford’s historic downtown, including restaurants, shops, museums and galleries.

Source: Town of Gosnold (gosnold-ma.gov)