Boater Safety Training

[h2ofowlr]

I let it slip and now tomorrow fishing opens.  Do you dare go out without the card on the salt?  What is the ticket for not having the safety card?  I have been operating a boat for 30 years and now I am going to have to pull some late nights to try to get the card by this weekend.

[Kola16]

Maybe take someone with you that has the card 

[92xj]

Do it online tonight. 

[Mfowl]

I agree, do it online tonight! You can print out a verification that you completed it to use until your card arrives in the mail. I am not sure what the fine is but they will escort you to the ramp and make you take your boat out of the water, seen it happen.

[kisfish]

pm sent

[Mfowl]

Pm sent as well.

[shoot-em-dead]

Do it online like already said. It will take a few hours but then it will be all over. Kinda like a visit to the dentist only the pain stops as soon as you hit print.

[Kola16]

When I took mine, it took way longer than 1 night  I don't know what courses you guys took, but mine made me wait through the stupid videos  I would tell you which one I took, but I don't remember  I guess what I am saying is ask other members which one they took, and if it is shorter than the one I took....
I seen a free one on another forum that I will find. I didn't know about it at the time....


Edit: here it is    http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/Washington.asp

[kisfish]

Kola, I must have taken the same course you did. It will not let you fast forward or anything. I made the mistake of going through the study guide  first, then taking the test online. When you take the exam you get to see the exact material again. Oh well got mine done though.

[Greenhorn]

I am unfamiliar with who is required to have a boaters safety card.  I know my kids had to take the test to operate a jet ski.  Are there age limits or horsepower limits?

[smdave]

Both

•January 1, 2013 – All boat operators fifty years old and younger

Beginning January 1, 2008 and as phased in by age, boat operators 12 years of age or older, on boats with 15 HP or more, are required to have a Washington State issued Boater Education Card

[gaddy]

in 2014 it will be 59 & younger. after 14 anyone born after 1/1/1955

[smdave]

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.
•All boat operators born before 1/1/1955 will not be required to have a boat operator education card.
Age/Horsepower Restrictions

•No person under 12 years of age can operate a motorboat of 15 or more horsepower.
•Persons who do not have a boater education card and are 12 years of age or up can operate a vessel with more that 15 HP if accompanied by and under the direct supervision of a person 16 years of age who has a boater education card.

[DoubleJ]

So, anybody can operate a boat less than 15hp without a card?

[smdave]

So, anybody can operate a boat less than 15hp without a card?

That is the way I read it.