HARTFORD, Conn. — As the first day of spring approaches, Connecticut boaters are getting ready to launch on the state’ on the state’s hundreds of ponds, lakes and rivers, but officials say there’s a few things to know this year before hitting the water.

Connecticut contains over 3,000 lakes, ponds and waterways across the state, according to Connecticut’s tourism office. Of these, approximately 2,267 are larger than 10 acres in size. While many of them are restricted or private property, there are 180 public lakes and ponds that allow boating each year.

The Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection owns and operates 117 boat launches statewide on ponds, lakes, rivers and the Long Island Sound.

This year, Connecticut officials expect a busy boating season, as more than 88,000 vessels are registered with the state. Of those, approximately 87,000 are motorized vessels, 1,349 are non-motorized vessels and 483 are commercial vessels, according to DEEP.

“There’s three safety issues boaters should know: No. 1 is that the air temperature is often warmer in the spring than the water temperature. What happens is some folks go out and feel like it’s a nice warm day, but they are not dressed appropriately. So you want to dress for the water temperature not the air temperature,” said Jacob Budris with DEEP’s boating division.

“No. 2, we encourage everyone to wear a life jacket.” Budris said. “Everyone should own a life jacket and have it ready, it is a critical safety tool.

“Third, we want people to actually inspect their safety gear. A lot of people buy things like first aid kits but don’t actually inspect them. Make sure you look at your gear and know how to use it,” Budris added.

In Connecticut, all boats with motors — regardless of length — and all sailboats powered by sail alone — 19 1/2 feet or longer — must be registered before launching, according to officials. The bulk of registrations in 2023 were for recreational vessels with 89,172 along with 527 commercial vessels, according to data. Of that, 87,935 were motorized vessels and 1,237 were non-motorized vessels. Connecticut continues to see a decline in boating registrations after a brief increase during the pandemic, when lockdown measures saw more people doing outside activities.

Vessels must be registered with the state’s Department of Motor Vehicles. Connecticut vessel registration fees vary based on boat length and hull material, ranging from $7.50 for small vessels under 12 feet and up to $525 for boats 65 feet or longer, according to the DMV. A standard one-year registration is generally $107 on average.

In addition, under Connecticut law, anyone operating a motorized boat or a sailboat 19.5 feet or longer must hold a valid boating certificate. Motorboats and motorized personal watercraft must obtain a safe boating certificate or certificate of personal watercraft operation through DEEP before heading out on the water. Classes usually take around eight hours and can be completed on a Saturday.

Boaters this year also must purchase an Aquatic Invasive Species Stamp ahead of the boating season for $7, officials said. Anyone who operates a motorboat or personal watercraft on Connecticut’s inland waters, including the designated inland waters of the Connecticut, Housatonic and Thames Rivers, is required to purchase the stamp, according to a DEEP spokesperson.

Boaters can also choose to purchase a Vessel AIS Decal for $25. The decal is assigned to a particular vessel and allows anyone operating that vessel to operate in compliance. The proof of purchase is a decal that must be affixed to the vessel.

The spread of aquatic invasive species such as hydrilla has been a major concern in Connecticut over the last few years. Aquatic invasive species are non-native plants or animals which, when introduced into aquatic environments and left unchecked, can cause significant harm to native wildlife species, water quality and recreational opportunities for boaters and anglers, according to DEEP.

The stamps act as the primary source of funding for the state’s lakes, ponds and rivers preservation accounts, which provide grant funding to non-profit groups and municipalities for research, treatment and education campaigns that combat invasive species.

Officials are reminding boaters to follow state protocols and always inspect their boats for any vegetation before entering the water. Upon leaving the water, boaters should drain all the water out of their boat and let it fully dry. DEEP officials said they recommend letting a boat dry for five days before re-entering a body of water to help prevent the spread of invasive species.

“We like to stress the clean, drain and dry method to ensure you’re not transporting invasive species,” Burris said. “You want to make sure your boat is clean and you give your boat an adequate time to dry out. Boats should be left to dry for 48 hours to up to five days. If drying is not an option, then wash everything down with soap and water before returning it into another body of water.”

An aquatic invasive species stamp can be purchased through DEEP’s online sportsmen licensing website.

Before boaters get on the water this spring, DEEP is also reminding them to:

— Always wear a life jacket. Statistics show that most boating fatalities could be avoided by wearing a life jacket. DEEP recommends that all operators and passengers always wear a life jacket, no matter one’s boating or swimming ability.

— Check your safety equipment. Before heading onto the water, boaters should inspect all safety equipment and replace anything that’s damaged or expired.

— Check fire extinguishers and fuel systems. Fires on boats are generally a springtime occurrence and with a little vigilance such occurrences can be prevented.

— Avoid alcohol. Alcohol and boating just don’t mix. The sun, wind, noise, boat vibration and motion can intensify the effects of alcohol and drugs which can quickly impair coordination, judgment and reaction time.

— Get a vessel safety check. Starting Memorial Day weekend and throughout the summer, DEEP seasonal employees will be deployed at many state boat launches to provide a vessel safety check free of charge.

— Check the weather. Boaters should consider the weather forecast when planning a trip and always keep an eye out for weather changes while on the water.

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