'Spring Aboard' Boating Safety Campaign Begins March 21

OLYMPIA, WA — Spring officially begins Saturday, and Washington state officials are spreading the word about boating safety with warmer days ahead.

This year, the national Spring Aboard campaign runs between March 21 and March 27, spreading the word about how new mariners can enroll in boating education courses before they set sail. In Washington, state law requires that most operators are certified and receive a boater education card before they helm motorized vessels with 15 or more horsepower.

Here are the specific rules and exceptions:

You are required by law to carry a Boater Education Card if:

• You operate a vessel with a 15-horsepower (or greater) motor.
• You were born after Jan. 1, 1955.
• You are 12 years of age or older.

You are exempt if:

• You were born before Jan. 1, 1955.
• You are an operator of a commercial fishing boat and able to show a valid commercial license.
• You are able to show a valid U.S. Coast Guard Marine Operator License.
• You are renting a boat, have completed a watercraft safety checklist provided by the vendor and been issued a temporary card which you must carry with you.
• You operate a government vessel exempt from state registration.
• You are practicing or engaging in a permitted racing event, as long as permitting documentation is available upon inspection at the event site.

You have a 60-day exemption period if:

• You are visiting from another state or country and boating for less than 60 days. After 60 days you must have a Washington state Boater Education Card.
• You hold a valid boater education card from another state. You will need to contact us to confirm if it's valid.
• You have recently purchased your boat and can show the bill of sale with the date of purchase. After 60 days you must have a Washington state Boater Education Card.

According to Washington State Parks, two dozen Washingtonians died in recreational boat incidents in 2020, and all but one involved operators who did not have proper safety education. The dangers are not limited to motorized vessels — state officials said more than half of last year's deaths were among paddlers.

"With the rise in fatal accidents among paddlers, marine law enforcement from around the state strongly encourages all boaters to take a safety course," said Matt Stowers, marine law enforcement coordinator for Washington State Parks. "When people take a boating safety course, they learn a variety of skills that can make them better boaters and help keep our waters safe."

According to state officials, more than 400,000 Washingtonians already have their boater education cards. For those who still need to get certified, there are a few options, even during the pandemic:

After completing a state-approved safety course and exam, residents need to apply for a boater education card, which some classes may offer automatically for a small surcharge. Applying directly through the state costs a one-time fee of $10. Those interested can find a list of approved courses and options on the Washington State Parks website.