INSIDE

Have you taken your
boat operator’s class yet?

By Meg Olson

In addition to life jackets and flares, registration decal and a fire extinguisher, state law now requires boaters to take a class in boating safety.

The state’s mandatory boating safety education program went into effect in January 2008, requiring boaters age 12 to 20-years-old to pass a boating safety exam and carry a card when operating a vessel.

Other age groups will be required to have the card in subsequent years until it applies to all boaters born after January 1955 in 2014. Those born before that date are exempt from the requirement.

Cards are available through the state parks department for $10, and they are coordinating boating safety education classes. Classes are available online, as a home-study course or in the classroom. Information is also available online at www.parks.wa.gov/boating by calling 360/902-8844.

Boaters in Canada and Oregon already need to carry boater education cards. Those cards are recognized in Washington and the Washington card will be recognized in those jurisdictions, according to the state parks department website.