Mandatory boating safety education is well on its way to becoming a reality for Washington boaters. In 2005, a bill requiring boat operators to successfully complete a boater safety education course was passed by the Legislature and signed into law by Governor Christine Gregoire.
The boater education law adds Washington to a list of 36 other states that have similar educational requirements for operating a boat. Patterned after an Oregon statute, the law requires completion of a basic boating class or passage of an equivalency exam to obtain a Boater Education Card.1 The card will be required for operation of a boat with 15 horsepower or more.
Though mandatory, the Boater Education Card differs from a driver’s license. It is obtained once and is good for life. The card indicates that the boat operator has a basic level of boating safety knowledge, like a diploma.
Like the Oregon law, the Washington law has a phase-in period for compliance. By January 1, 2008, boaters 20 years of age and younger will be required to obtain their Boater Education Card. Then by January 1, 2009, boaters 25 years of age or younger will be required to obtain a card. The phase-in period continues in five- to 10-year age increments until 2016, by which time all boat operators over 12 years of age will be required to have a card. Boaters born before January 1, 1955, will be exempt.
The Washington State Parks & Recreation Commission’s Boating Safety Program administers the provisions of the new law. Administration is totally supported by the $10 Boater Education Card user fee. The program is entirely funded by boaters for boaters, and is not accompanied by any tax increase.
The Boating Safety Course
The principal feature of the new law is successful completion of a boating safety course. The course may be taken in a classroom setting, by individual study or online. Prices and requirements vary depending on the type of course taken. The following is a compendium of course options:
The Classroom Option. Classroom courses vary in length and cost, depending on the course provider. Classes offer students the chance to interact with an instructor who is an experienced boater, as well as to learn specific local boating information and network with other boaters. When boaters pass the test (70% or better for in-class courses), they are issued a certificate of completion and a Boater Education Card application. Students must mail a completed application and supporting documents to:
Washington State Parks Boating Programs
P.O. Box 34333, Seattle, WA 98124-1333
The following organizations offer boating education classroom courses:
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary,
America’s Boating Course (ABC)
- Course length: Eight- to 12-hour course
- When: One full day; two half days; or one night a week for four to seven weeks
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary,
Boating Skills and Seamanship
- Course length: Eight- to 13-lesson course (exceeds minimum state requirements)
- When: Weekly for six to seven weeks
U.S. Power Squadron Boating Course
- Course length: Seven weeks (exceeds minimum state requirements)
- When: Six or seven two-hour classes
U.S. Power Squadron BoatSmart Course
State Parks Boating Programs Classes
- When: One full day or two half days;
- Schedule: http://www.parks.wa.gov/boating/ Boating%20-Safety%20Class%20Schedule.pdf
- Fees for each class vary
Community Colleges. Some community colleges will be offering a Boating Safety Education course in the fall of 2007. Contact a local community college for availability. Fees vary.
Online Courses. The following organizations offer online courses that are approved by Washington State Parks and meet state mandatory boater education requirements. Course fees range from $10 to $35:
Adventures in Boating,
http://www.boat-ed.com/wa/index.htm
Boater Exam.Com,
http://www.boaterexam.com/usa/washington/
Marine University,
http://www.boater101.com/courseintro.aspx
Each test has 75 questions. Students must score at least 80% to pass online courses. There is no waiting period to retake a failed test. There is no limit on how many times the test can be taken to pass.
Home Study Course. The Washington State Parks Boating Programs also allows boaters to take a home study course. To request a copy of the Adventures in Boating Course Manual, send an email to boating@parks.wa.gov or call 360-586-6592. Complete the test included in the manual and return the test to the address below.
Once boaters pass the test (70% or better), they will be sent a certificate of completion and a Boater Education Card application. Boaters must mail the completed application and supporting documents to:
Washington State Parks and Recreation
Commission Boating Programs
P.O. Box 34333, Seattle, WA 98124-1333
Steven D. Robinson is a partner at Karr Tuttle Campbell and an avid boater.
1 See RCW § 79A 60.630, et seq.
