Recreational Boating Safety Program issues half a million boater education cards

OLYMPIA — Over half a million boaters in Washington have completed their boating safety education course, meeting state requirements and making our waterways safer.

So far in 2025, the Washington State Recreational Boating Safety Program has issued over 4,000 boater education cards to people who have completed the course, bringing the total number of cards issued by the program to 500,000.

For 20 years, the Washington State Recreational Boating Safety Program has administered the mandatory boater education card. The program aims to reduce statewide boating fatalities and educate folks on best safety practices while operating a motorized vessel.

Recreation is not without risk. The chilly waters of the Pacific Northwest can be unforgiving, and safety must be on the minds of everyone who plays in and around Washington’s waterways.

“Education, Education, Education,” Rob Sendak, Boating Law Administrator, said. “Knowing the laws and how to stay safe on the water is the most important thing you can do before you head out boating.”

According to Washington’s recreational boating incident data for 2024:

• 13 people lost their lives in fatal boating incidents
• 46% of these fatalities involved human-powered watercraft
• 54% involved non-human-powered watercraft
• 85% of victims were not wearing a life jacket at the time of the incident
• One fatality was confirmed to involve alcohol or drugs
• Victims ranged in age from 11 to 54 years old

Boaters can get their boater education card by passing a state-approved boating safety course. Most boaters complete the course online, and the whole process takes around eight hours.

The boater education card is required for boaters who:

• Operate a vessel with a 15-horsepower (or greater) motor
• Were born after Jan. 1, 1955
• Are 12 years of age or older

The Recreational Boating Safety Program processes an average of 22,000 boater education card applications each year, with the highest volume between May and September, which is peak boating season.

National Safe Boating Week

This year, National Safe Boating Week takes place May 17-23. It is coordinated by the National Safe Boating Council and boating safety partners across the United States and Canada. The campaign gives boaters tools to make responsible decisions daily, such as always wearing a life jacket, carrying the right equipment, and most importantly, getting educated!

Tips for Boating Safety:

• Always Wear a Life Jacket. Wearing a life jacket and encouraging others to do the same is the single most important step to staying safe. The life jacket should be U.S. Coast Guard Approved and fit appropriately.
• Avoid alcohol and drugs. Washington state’s Boating Under the Influence (BUI) law applies to all boats including kayaks, canoes, row boats and inflatable fishing rafts.
• Bring communication devices. Boaters should carry two forms of communication that will work when wet, such as a whistle, waterproof cell phone or Marine radio.
• Check and understand the weather. Boaters should check the weather frequently before and during their boating excursion, keeping an eye on current conditions and forecasts.
• Beware of cold-water shock. The biggest risk is not hypothermia, it's cold-water shock, which occurs in the first stage of immersion. Boaters need to take caution and prepare themselves by always wearing a life jacket.
• Use an engine cut-off switch. Boaters are encouraged to use their engine cut-off switch every time they go boating.
• Get educated. All boaters and paddlers are responsible for knowing the laws and keeping themselves and others safe.

For more information on boating safety, and other resources to promote Safe Boating Week, visit https://www.parks.wa.gov/Boating.