NMTA and the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission are urging boaters to take a boating safety course and get their card this winter.
Boater safety education is required by law in Washington state. In 2011, all boaters under age 35 are required to take a boating safety course and get their boater safety card. By 2014, the safety course and card will be required for everyone born after 1954.
There are many ways to take a boater education course. Boaters can choose to take it in a classroom, online, hands-on or through a home study booklet. There also is an equivalency exam for experienced boaters. Once the boater has completed the course or exam, he or she needs to complete an application and pay just $10 for a Boater Safety Card that is good for a lifetime. To apply for the boater card or for more information on boating in Washington, visit www.boatered.org.
“Currently, more than 68,000 boaters have their Boater Safety Education Card,” said George Harris, Northwest Marine Trade Association president.
The best time to take a course and get the card is during the winter. More classes are offered and boaters have time to complete the class, take the test and order the card. Boaters cited for not having the card face an $87 fine. “Waiting until boating season could mean a delay in getting your card. The Washington State Parks Boating Safety Program usually gets a flood of applications the first few days of spring. It will save you time and frustration if you do it now, during the winter,” stated Washington State Parks Director Don Hoch.
Boaters have several options to qualify for the boater card. “The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadron and the local marine law enforcement officers offer interactive classroom training,” explained Douglas County Sheriff Harvey Gjesdal Boaters should visit the State Parks website for a current listing of classroom courses in their area, as well as online and home-study offerings. Boaters also may call the Boating Safety Program at (360) 902-8555 for more information on classes.
Boater safety education is required by law in Washington state. In 2011, all boaters under age 35 are required to take a boating safety course and get their boater safety card. By 2014, the safety course and card will be required for everyone born after 1954.
There are many ways to take a boater education course. Boaters can choose to take it in a classroom, online, hands-on or through a home study booklet. There also is an equivalency exam for experienced boaters. Once the boater has completed the course or exam, he or she needs to complete an application and pay just $10 for a Boater Safety Card that is good for a lifetime. To apply for the boater card or for more information on boating in Washington, visit www.boatered.org.
“Currently, more than 68,000 boaters have their Boater Safety Education Card,” said George Harris, Northwest Marine Trade Association president.
The best time to take a course and get the card is during the winter. More classes are offered and boaters have time to complete the class, take the test and order the card. Boaters cited for not having the card face an $87 fine. “Waiting until boating season could mean a delay in getting your card. The Washington State Parks Boating Safety Program usually gets a flood of applications the first few days of spring. It will save you time and frustration if you do it now, during the winter,” stated Washington State Parks Director Don Hoch.
Boaters have several options to qualify for the boater card. “The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, U.S. Power Squadron and the local marine law enforcement officers offer interactive classroom training,” explained Douglas County Sheriff Harvey Gjesdal Boaters should visit the State Parks website for a current listing of classroom courses in their area, as well as online and home-study offerings. Boaters also may call the Boating Safety Program at (360) 902-8555 for more information on classes.
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