9.1 MANDATORY BOATING SAFETY EDUCATION PROGRAM IN WASHINGTON

Beginning on January 1, 2008 the state of Washington will be gradually phasing in a Mandatory Boater Education requirement. It will be phased in according to age, eventually requiring all vessel operators over the age of 12 years on boats with 15 horsepower or greater, will be required to have a Washington State issued Boater Education Card. This will indicate that a boating safety education class or its equivalent has been successfully completed by the card holder.

Persons who do not have a boater education card and are 12 years of age or older may operate a vessel with more that 15 HP if accompanied by and under the direct supervision of a responsible person 16 years of age or older who has their boater education card.

By January 1, 2016, all boat operators meeting the requirements will have an education card.

Mandatory boater safety education will be phased in as follows:

• January 1, 2008 – All boat operators twenty years old and younger;
• January 1, 2009 – All boat operators twenty-five years old and younger;
• January 1, 2010 – All boat operators thirty years old and younger;
• January 1, 2011 – All boat operators thirty-five years old and younger;
• January 1, 2012 – All boat operators forty years old and younger;
• January 1, 2013 – All boat operators fifty years old and younger;
• January 1, 2014 – All boat operators sixty years old and younger;
• January 1, 2015 – All boat operators who are required to have a card will be phased in.

Certain individuals will be exempt from meeting Washington's Mandatory Education requirement, for example: persons who have a vessel operator's license, or persons visiting Washington State.

All boat operators born before January 1, 1955 will not be required to have a boat operator education card.

Persons who believe that they know the boating safety rules and do not wish to take a course will have the option of taking an equivalency or challenge examination to demonstrate their knowledge of boating safety.

9.2 CONTINUING EDUCATION

Although Washington State has begun implementing a mandatory boating safety education program, becoming a certified boater should not be seen as the final step in the process. Becoming a better and safer boater is a continuous process. Boating safety requirements are constantly being updated and expanded in order to make Washington's waterways a safe place for everyone. All boaters are expected to stay up to date on any new requirements which may come about as well as all existing ones. Boating safety is everyone's responsibility, at all times.

9.3 BOATING SAFETY EDUCATION AND RENTING

Washington State's mandatory Boater Education Card requirements contain a provision for people who rent vessels. ALL PERSONS who operate a motorized rental vessel of 15 HP or more are required to review a Motor Vessel Rental Safety Checklist. There is no exemption in the law if a person already has a mandatory boater education card; this requirement applies to a person even if that person has a Boater Education Card. Each person who operates a rented vessel must review the checklist with the business providing the vessel.

A person must be at least 16 years of age must in order to rent a PWC.