Boating Safety Course
hosted by Cama Beach Foundation, The Center for Wooden Boats, State Parks
Saturday, February 9, 2019
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Cama Center within Cama Beach State Park
8:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Cama Center within Cama Beach State Park
Cama Beach Foundation, The Center for Wooden Boats, Cama Beach State Park, and Washington State Parks' Boater Education Program have partnered to help boaters be prepared for the upcoming season by taking a 1-day BOATING SAFETY COURSE. This course is open to everyone 12 years of age and older. The course fee is $10.
Two ways to sign up:
Why be certified in boating safety? For many boaters and personal watercraft users, it’s the law. In Washington state, boaters born after January 1, 1955 who operate a vessel with a 15 horsepower engine — or greater — must be certified and carry a Boater Education Card to prove they passed an accredited boating safety education course.
How do boaters get certified? Generally, boaters have three options: an instructor-led course; an online self-study; or (for boaters who already have a lot of boating experience) a home study and equivalency exam. Each course gives a strong foundational knowledge of boating safety, emergency procedures, and navigational rules.
“People recreating on the water are responsible for knowing the laws and keeping themselves and others safe,” said Suzi Wong Swint with Cama Beach Foundation. “An instructor-led boating safety course is optimal, as is allows people to get local knowledge and ask questions on the spot.”
How do boaters obtain a Boater Education Card? After completing and passing our state-approved boating safety course, students must apply for a Boater Education Card with their proof of certification. The fee for the card is $10. The card is good for your lifetime and meets requirements for recreational boating in Canada and many other states. More information about applying for a boater education card can be found at www.boatered.org.
Parking: A Discover Pass is required for parking at Cama Beach State Park but your registration includes a 1-day Discover Pass.
Lunch: There'll be a 30 minute lunch break. Lunch is NOT included with your registration. Participants are welcome to bring your own lunch or purchase something from the Cama Beach Cafe which is located within Cama Center. Here's their menu.
Some important things to know:
Two ways to sign up:
- Register and pay online: Click Here.
- Download the registration form & send it in with a check: Click Here.
Why be certified in boating safety? For many boaters and personal watercraft users, it’s the law. In Washington state, boaters born after January 1, 1955 who operate a vessel with a 15 horsepower engine — or greater — must be certified and carry a Boater Education Card to prove they passed an accredited boating safety education course.
How do boaters get certified? Generally, boaters have three options: an instructor-led course; an online self-study; or (for boaters who already have a lot of boating experience) a home study and equivalency exam. Each course gives a strong foundational knowledge of boating safety, emergency procedures, and navigational rules.
“People recreating on the water are responsible for knowing the laws and keeping themselves and others safe,” said Suzi Wong Swint with Cama Beach Foundation. “An instructor-led boating safety course is optimal, as is allows people to get local knowledge and ask questions on the spot.”
How do boaters obtain a Boater Education Card? After completing and passing our state-approved boating safety course, students must apply for a Boater Education Card with their proof of certification. The fee for the card is $10. The card is good for your lifetime and meets requirements for recreational boating in Canada and many other states. More information about applying for a boater education card can be found at www.boatered.org.
Parking: A Discover Pass is required for parking at Cama Beach State Park but your registration includes a 1-day Discover Pass.
Lunch: There'll be a 30 minute lunch break. Lunch is NOT included with your registration. Participants are welcome to bring your own lunch or purchase something from the Cama Beach Cafe which is located within Cama Center. Here's their menu.
Some important things to know:
- U.S. Coast Guard statistics indicate that of the accidents where the level of operator education was known, 80 percent of boating deaths occurred on boats where the boat operator had never received boating education instruction.
- Boat operators born before January 1, 1955, are exempt from the Washington requirement but may choose to get a card if they plan to go boating in Canada or Oregon, which require proof of having completed a boating education course. The Washington State Boater Education Card is valid in those two areas.
- As of January 15, 2018, more than 314,000 Washingtonians have a Boater Education Card.
- Forty-nine states and U.S. territories require proof of completion of a boating education course for operators of some powered vessels.
- When required by law, the fine for not carrying a valid Boater Education Card in Washington state is $99.
Updated January 4, 2019
