Blog > Boating Safety in Washington
Aug. 9, 2011 at 1:46pm

Boating Safety in Washington

Washington State has some of the most beautiful scenery and best boating opportunities in the country. The Columbia River, Lake Chelan, Puget Sound or any of the hundreds of smaller lakes and waterways make Washington State a popular destination with boating enthusiasts. By following safety guidelines and being properly educated on the dangers of boating will help keep a fun activity from turning into a tragedy.

Recent legislation requires that Washington boaters operating a boat of 15 or more horsepower must carry with them on the water an education card issued on completion of an approved boater education course. Courses can be completed in a classroom, through a home study course or over the internet but, whichever course you choose, check to make sure it is approved.

While the Washington boater education card is commonly referred to as a Boat license Washington State , the education card is not a license; it does not expire, never needs renewal, cannot be revoked and costs only $10. As of 2011 only those boaters aged 12 to 35 are required to carry an education card, with the requirement for older boaters being phased in gradually through 2014. However, boating safety should be the number one priority for all boaters, regardless of age. Taking a boating safety course helps keep Washington waterways as safe as possible for all users.

Safe boating in Washington State requires the usual knowledge of boat handling and safe capacity, in addition to fuelling and navigation, and also knowledge of circumstances not encountered in many other states.

Being on the Pacific coast, Washington State has a number of waterways vulnerable to tsunamis, including Puget Sound. If a tsunami strikes, it is important for boaters to know what to do. Approved boating safety courses detail the appropriate action needed for different scenarios when a tsunami warning is issued.

Boaters should also be aware of local ordinances, such as speed limits and no-wake zones which are common on smaller lakes and around marinas.

As well as the information learned from a boating safety course, boaters should read and keep a copy of the Washington State Parks & Recreation Division publication “Adventures in Boating, Washington Handbook”, which features a wealth of advice on safe boating, including navigation and emergency guidelines. New boaters and also those with experience should find the handbook useful; copies of which can be obtained from the Washington State Department of Printing.

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