MANDATORY BOATING SAFETY EDUCATION CLASS OFFERED

Mandatory Boating Safety Education became a reality for Washington Boaters starting January of 2008. Boaters under the age of 26 years old are now required to possess a valid boating safety card when operating a vessel with a motor of 15 horsepower or greater.

Deputies from the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office will be hosting a Safety Education class on Saturday, June 5th. The class will be offered from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm at the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office Training Room, located on the first floor of the Law and Justice Center, 345 West Main Street in Chehalis. The class is limited to the first 25 people to register. There is no fee for the course. To register call Lisa Arthur at (360) 740-2713. The class will be cancelled if there are less than 5 people signed up the week prior to the class.

While it is recommended boaters attend the formal class, vessel operators do have the option to take the safety education class online. The test can be accessed at http://www.boat-ed.com/wa/index.htm . Additional information on the program can be accessed on the Washington State Parks website.

Following is the schedule for when Boating Safety Education cards are required:

January 1, 2008 - All boat operators 12 to 20 years old;
January 1, 2009 - All boat operators 25 years and under;
January 1, 2010 - All boat operators 30 years and under;
January 1, 2011 - All boat operators 35 years and under;
January 1, 2012 - All boat operators 40 years and under;
January 1, 2013 - All boat operators 50 years and under;
January 1, 2014 - All boat operators 60 years and under;
January 1, 2015 - All boat operators 70 years and under;
January 1, 2016 - All boat operators over 12 years will be required to have a card.

Another issue at hand this year is that DOL started sending out renewal notices by email only. It will be the vessel owners’ responsibility to ensure their boat is licensed; otherwise they could face receiving an infraction or be forced to obtain a current license registration before putting the boat into the water.

“For the past two years our marine patrol has issued numerous warnings because the boating education law was new, however, this year we will begin enforcing the rules and citing boat operations who have not taken the required boating safety classes. It is very important that boat operators understand the safety issues surrounding operating a vessel and act accordingly. The class may assist in preventing accidents, injuries or death. We encourage and enforce safe boating on the many bodies of water in Lewis County,” said Sheriff Steve Mansfield.