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BOAT RENTAL BUSINESSES
(LIVERIES)

Boat rental businesses (liveries) are regulated by the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission.  Livery operators are required to comply with regulations relating to inspections, record keeping, safety orientations, required equipment, and accident reporting.  Specific requirements can be found in the Commission's regulations at:  58 Pa. Code Chapter 117. Boat Rental Businesses (pacodeandbulletin.gov).

Livery must comply with the Commission's guidelines for safety orientations, including:

    • a review of the laws and regulations applicable to the type of boat being rented
    • local conditions and known boating hazards on the waters on which the boat will be used 
    • proper handling characteristics of the rented boat
    • the use of safety equipment such as life jackets, fire extinguishers and visual distress signals (if applicable)

When renting a boat on Pennsylvania waters, livery operators must provide instructions to renters. Instruction may be provided in group settings. Presenters must have a permanent boating safety education certificate issued by the Commission.  

Livery operators may request safety orientation materials by contacting the PFBC Bureau of Boating at 717-705-7851.

Unpowered Boat Rental agents are required to:

  • Display the Commission-provided safety orientation poster summarizing Pennsylvania regulations and boating tips relating to the proper operation of unpowered boats.
  • Review each item on the poster with all individuals renting or using a boat.
  • Describe all known boating hazards on the waters where the renter will use the boat. 
  • Provide all required safety equipment in accordance with the Commission's regulations.

Motorboat Rental agents (less than 25 horsepower) are required to:

  • Display the Commission-provided safety orientation poster summarizing Pennsylvania regulations and boating tips related to the proper operation of motorboats.
  • Review each item on the poster with all individuals renting or using a boat.
  • Identify the designated area of operation. 
  • Describe all known boating hazards on the waters where the renter will use the boat. 
  • Provide all required safety equipment in accordance with the Commission's regulations.

Motorboat Rental (greater than 25 horsepower AND all personal watercraft)
In addition to the motorboat rental items above: 

  • Operators who were born on or after January 1, 1982, must possess a boating safety education certificate to operate a motorboat greater than 25 horsepower or a PWC.  If an operator does not have a boating safety education certificate issued or approved by the Commission, the livery must following the procedure below to issue a Commission-provided temporary certificate.
    • Show the video supplied by the Commission to everyone who will be renting or operating a rented boat.
    • Administer the Motorboat Rental Examination to all operators of the rented boat. 
    • Provide every operator of the rented boat a Temporary Boating Safety Education Certificate for Rented Watercraft on a template provided by the Commission. The livery operator or designee and the customer must both sign the certificate.
    • Instruct the operator that the Temporary Boating Safety Education Certificate for Rented Watercraft is valid only for the rental period and must be in the operator's possession. 

Rental boat operators are encouraged to be safe, have fun and always wear a life jacket – even if not required by the boat rental business.