New Hampshire § 270-E-22 - Section 270-E:22 Commercial Vessels; Penalty; Examination Requirements.

§ 270-E-22. Section 270-E:22 Commercial Vessels; Penalty; Examination Requirements.

I. Any person who shall use any commercial vessel or commercial outboard motor on any public waters in this state without a certificate of inspection, or shall act as captain, master, pilot, engineer or operator on any such boat or launch without having passed a written examination administered by the department and, if operating a commercial passenger vessel 34 feet or greater in length, a practical exam administered by the department demonstrating proficiency in the operation of such vessel, and having been certified by the department in that capacity, or shall so act when his or her certificate has been revoked or suspended, or who shall violate any rule adopted by the department with reference to the inspection, equipment, or operation of such vessels or launches, shall be guilty of a misdemeanor if a natural person, or guilty of a felony if any other person. II. The commissioner, after hearing, may revoke or suspend the certificate of any captain, master, pilot, or engineer of any commercial vessel for violation of RSA 270 or the rules and regulations prescribed thereunder. III. All licenses to operate a commercial vessel shall expire 5 years from the date of issuance. IV. A person who possesses a valid license issued by the federal government shall be exempt from the written examination requirements of this section. V. The commercial vessel written examination shall be based upon the minimum knowledge requirements of the New Hampshire boating safety certificate required by RSA 270-D:10, as well as the state's commercial vessel laws and rules found in Saf-C 400. In order to receive a commercial boat operator certification as described in this section a person shall achieve a minimum score of 80 percent on the written examination. VI. The provisions of this section shall not apply to vessels on tidal waters that fall under the commercial vessel jurisdiction of the United States Coast Guard.