(a) Unless otherwise provided in this chapter, the Commissioner of Energy and Environmental Protection shall administer the provisions of this chapter and for such purpose shall have exclusive jurisdiction of all waters of the state, subject to the authority of the United States in respect to the navigable waters of the United States.

(b) In the performance of his duties under part II the commissioner shall: (1) Classify all waters and all vessels for the purpose of establishing uniformity in the regulation of such waters and such vessels; (2) prescribe uniform navigation aids for state waters and regulate the use of such aids; (3) establish restricted zones or sea lanes within navigable waters and adopt regulations pertaining thereto for the purpose of protecting the natural ecology of such waters and the abutting shoreline from environmental damage resulting from marine accidents which cause the release of petroleum products or other hazardous substances and materials into the waters of the state, provided before establishing such lanes, zones and regulations the commissioner shall consider at least the following factors: (i) The danger in transporting the type of material; (ii) the evidence of deleterious incidents arising from the transportation of such hazardous materials; (iii) available alternatives; (iv) the public need; and (v) the effect on interstate commerce; and further provided any such regulations promulgated by the commissioner shall list and define the substances and materials which are classified as hazardous; (4) prescribe uniform standards for safety devices and equipment required by part II and certify the types of devices and equipment which meet such standards; (5) designate and assist the several towns in designating prohibited and restricted boating areas and waters limited to special boating purposes and prescribe uniform standards for the marking and regulation of such areas; (6) adopt such regulations respecting water skiing and underwater swimming and diving as he finds necessary for public safety; (7) study, plan and recommend the development of boating facilities, safety education and means of improving boating safety; (8) in cooperation with the Department of Public Health, investigate matters relating to and recommend means of improving boating sanitation; (9) cooperate with the Department of Transportation concerning regulations governing the operation of seaplanes on state waters; (10) cooperate with the United States and the several states in promoting uniformity of boating laws and regulations and their administration and enforcement; and (11) subject to the applicable provisions of chapter 54 and the limitations of part II, adopt such regulations to provide for public safety and environmental quality as he finds necessary to administer and enforce the provisions of said part and to promote the safe use and protection of waters and the safe operation of vessels; provided the commissioner shall make no regulations respecting the operation of vessels on Long Island Sound except as are necessary to secure inshore waters and establish and secure restricted areas.

(c) In the performance of his duties under part III the commissioner shall: (1) Establish, by regulations adopted in accordance with the provisions of chapter 54, criteria for the issuance of marine dealer identification numbers; (2) establish a uniform system for the display of motorboat identification numbers in conformity with such system as the United States may employ pursuant to the federal Boat Safety Act of 1971; (3) provide in such system for the display of distinctive marine dealers’ identification numbers; (4) compile and publish periodically boating accident statistics and submit such statistics, together with copies of all accident reports and other reports or studies, as required, to the secretary of the department of the United States in which the United States Coast Guard is operating; and (5) subject to the applicable provisions of chapter 54, adopt such regulations to provide for the public safety as are necessary to administer the provisions of part III.