Mandatory Boater Education in WA

[minaret]

Just received a notice from the state saying that WA will now require a boater education card similar to a driver's liscence.


www.boatered.org

[Astrid]

Sounds very much like the Canadian Pleasure Craft Operator's Card requirements.

[IdoraKeeper]

Not aware of how old you are, if you were born in the early 1950's you may be old enough to be exempt. My wife is not but I am. I am curious what the curriclum is and what the expense is. I will guess it's a user fee in disguise. I need to save money for all the extra haulouts I will need now that bottom paint is likely to be ineffective. Therefore I am glad to be exempt.

Todd

[Astrid]

According to the FAQ on the site link:

No. RCW 79A.60.64 states that people born before Jan. 1, 1955, are exempt from needing a Boater Safety Education Card. Many older boaters are still getting cards anyway because they boat in Canada and Oregon. Canada and Oregon do not exempt people born before Jan. 1, 1955.

It appears that the requirement has been gradually phased in by age group starting in 2008:

2008 12 years to 20 years old
2009 25 years and under
2010 30 years and under
2011 35 years and under
2012 40 years and under
2013 50 years and under
2014 59 years and under
After 2014 All boat operators except those exempted elsewhere in RCW 79A.60.640

[GordMay]

Originally Posted by IdoraKeeper

... I am glad ...
Todd

I pleased to hear that you are pleased.

The fee is certainly a huge $10 cash grab.

... people born before Jan. 1, 1955, are exempt from needing a Boater Safety Education Card. Many older boaters are still getting cards anyway because they boat in Canada and Oregon. Canada and Oregon do not exempt people born before Jan. 1, 1955.
➥ Mandatory Boater Education

Oops, Astrid was quicker than I.

[John A]

$10 per person to guarentee that people who have studied can pass a mulitple choice questionair.

Boats under 65 feet can nolonger us copper botttom paint, while larger boats, who use more paint, are exempt.

Meanwhile the infastructure contines to be flushed down the tollet.
The positive side of all this is that we got what we voted for.

[IdoraKeeper]

Originally Posted by GordMay

I pleased to hear that you are pleased.

The fee is certainly a huge $10 cash grab.

... people born before Jan. 1, 1955, are exempt from needing a Boater Safety Education Card. Many older boaters are still getting cards anyway because they boat in Canada and Oregon. Canada and Oregon do not exempt people born before Jan. 1, 1955.
➥ Mandatory Boater Education

Oops, Astrid was quicker than I.

Okay, okay you both know that I love BC...I will submit and pay up...I would hate to miss out on the gulf islands this summer.

Todd

[Ironhorse74]

I got mine online. More expensive, but I could do it at my leisure. My irritation is that Oregon has one too. I am fine on the Columbia. However if I want to go up the Willamette and anchor off one of the festivals in the summer in downtown Portland I have to get an Oregon card. More of a tax than a safety issue.

[AntiqueTri]

Since I will be taking possession of my boat in Washington, I will be exempt cause I'm old enough, but does this mean the Canucks will chect for this when I head up north and fine me accordingly?

I went on a sea trial a few weeks ago and sailed between the bridges in Vandcouver without a safety card. I suppose I aml very lucky to not be in the canadian equivalent of Gitmo for this flagrant disregard for the rules. Is any card from any state good enough?

How far offshore does this reach when I sail past Oregon this fall?

http://hotsaucefun.blogspot.com/

[Ironhorse74]

Ok I take back my last statement. Just read the official Oregon boaters website.

Boater Education/Information Boater Education FAQ's

Yes. Exemptions apply to:
Out-of-state and foreign visitors: If they will be boating in Oregon for less than 60 days or hold a boater education card from another state.
Boaters with a current Coast Guard Boat Operator License: Boaters such as guides and barge operators who hold a current Coast Guard Boat Operator License are exempt from the requirement.

[Astrid]

Since I will be taking possession of my boat in Washington, I will be exempt cause I'm old enough, but does this mean the Canucks will chect for this when I head up north and fine me accordingly?

A US boater is exempt from being required to have PCOC as long as the stay in Canadian waters is less than 45 days. US boaters having an equivalent US state operators card or marine safety certificate are also exempt.

[S/V Illusion]

Anything that has even a remote possibility of decreasing the stupidity of some boaters I've seen is a good thing. Licenses usually don't preclude stupidity but it doesn't hurt to try. If someone is that upset about a $10 charge, you're in the wrong leisure activity.

[Bash]

Originally Posted by S/V Illusion

If someone is that upset about a $10 charge, you're in the wrong leisure activity.

But certainly not in the wrong forum.

[sailorboy1]

Originally Posted by S/V Illusion

Anything that has even a remote possibility of decreasing the stupidity of some boaters I've seen is a good thing. Licenses usually don't preclude stupidity but it doesn't hurt to try. If someone is that upset about a $10 charge, you're in the wrong leisure activity.

Seems to work pretty well for the people driving cars!

Come on now, it's a fee to collect money but they have to have something to pin it to.

[S/V Illusion]

Originally Posted by Bash

But certainly not in the wrong forum.

maybe it should be named the cruiser complaint forum