Why Mandatory Boater Safety Education? Here is why RBAW supports Mandatory Boating Safety Education. Legislation needs to be written by boaters, not politicians. Although the Bill did not pass the 2004 Washington Legislative session, we are planning on a major effort again in 2005. If you have contact with your Legislators during 2004, ask them to support the Boaters' 2004 Senate Bill SSB 6513 and vote in 2005 with responsible boaters to improve boating safety, reduce boating accidents, decrease near misses, improve our enjoyment of the water, and improve our insurance rates. Washington is the 4th highest State in the Union when it comes to boating accidents per 100,000 boaters. The insurance companies know this and your rates reflect this. Each year there is an average of 150 reported boating accidents in Washington. It is estimated that there may be over 1000 unreported boating accidents. Boating accidents result in an average of 30 boating deaths in Washington each year. 87% of operators involved in boating accidents had not taken a boating safety course. Accidents and fatalities in Washington have not decreased substantially since 1985 with status quo voluntary boating education efforts. Mandatory boating safety education in other states has been shown to reduce serious accidents over time. The two most frequent causes of accidents were operator inexperience and operator inattention. 87% of all injuries occurred in boats over 10 HP. Wearing life jackets save lives. 94% boaters have USCG approved life jackets on board, but only 30% of fatality victims were wearing life jackets at the time of death. 70% of all fatality victims were not wearing life jackets. Because Washington is a cold water state, hypothermia contributes to the seriousness of almost all accidents. Boating accidents can be costly. More that $900,000 damage is done to boats and property in boating accidents each year in Washington. Boating accidents can be costly. The US Coast Guard spent over $24 million in Search and Rescue (SAR) costs in the Puget Sound area over the past three years. Boating accidents can be costly. There have been more than 20 SAR incidents in Washington in 2003. Counties report spending over $40,000 for just three of these SAR incidents. Boating accidents can be costly. 76% of all fatalities are due to drowning. In addition there were also near-drowning: Near drowning emergency room costs average $75,000 per victim. Long-term care for near drowning victims average $180,000 per victim. Near-drowning, that result in brain damage, averages $4.5 million over the life of each victim. Boaters have a role to play in supporting Homeland Security. Boating Safety Education would ensure up-to-date information on Homeland Security is available to boaters. WHAT WILL THE PROPOSED BOATING EDUCATION LAW MEAN FOR WASHINGTON BOATERS ? The State Parks Commission will set a minimum standard of boating safety education competency. The standard shall be consistent with the standard established by NASBLA - the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. Generally this will be an 8-12 hour course. The Program shall phase in the mandatory boating safety education program on an age selective basis, such that the phase-in shall include all boaters covered under this program by the year 2014. To obtain a boater education card, a boater would provide a certificate of accomplishment issued a boating educator for taking and passing an accredited boating safety course, or pass an equivalency exam, or provide proof of completion of a course that meets the course standards. GRANDFATHERED: The Program will accept proof of completion of any boating safety education course taken prior, provided such course meets the standard adopted by the commission, provided an update endorsement examination in homeland security requirements is passed. The Program will Incorporate and accredit volunteer boating safety education program courses especially including those offered by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and the United States Power Squadrons. Recognized Internet courses will be available. The Program will incorporate and accredit boating safety education courses provided by commercial and not for profit organizations that meet the standard adopted by the commission. Fees for the Certificate would be in the neighborhood of $10-15 dollars. HERE IS WHAT WAS PROPOSED IN 2004 - RBAW SUPPORTED THESE PROPOSED REGULATIONS: 1) A person may not operate a motor vessel under mechanical power of ten horsepower or more unless: (a) Is at least sixteen years of age and; (b) Obtains a boating safety education card, or; (c) Is accompanied by and is under the direct supervision of a person sixteen years of age or older who is in possession of a boater education card, or who is legally exempted from carrying a boater education card. (2) Exemptions from carrying a boater safety education card include: (a) Any person at least sixteen years of age who rents or charters a motor driven vessel or boat with an engine ten horsepower or greater and completes a commission approved dockside safety checklist before operating the motorized driven boat or vessel; (b) The operator of a vessel engaged in a lawful commercial fishery operation as licensed by the Washington State Department of Fish and Game under RCW 77: (c) Possesses a valid marine operator license issued by the United States Coast Guard; (d) Any person who is legally engaged in the operation of a vessel that is exempt from vessel registration requirements and is used for purposes of law enforcement or official government work; (e) Is not a resident of Washington state and does not operate a motor vessel greater than ten horsepower for more than sixty consecutive days; (f) Is not a resident of Washington state and holds a current out of state or out of country certificate or card that is equivalent to standards required by the commission; (g) Holds a temporary exemption as described under Department of Licensing rules while in possession of a document recognized as a Bill of Sale, that has a date of issuance not in excess of sixty days; (h) Is involved in practicing for, or engaging in, a local, state, or federal government agency permitted racing event where a valid document has been issued by the appropriate agency for the event. (i) Is not required to have a boater education card or certificate of basic boater education under the phase in program developed by the commission. There will be a phase in period based on age of boaters. (3) Unless exempt from so doing, a boater shall carry a permanent boater safety education card or a temporary certificate. (4) In any proceeding for a violation of this Law the court may consider conditionally suspending all or part of the penalty if the defendant agrees to and provides proof of the completion of a mandatory boating safety education course as prescribed and accredited by the commission, within 60 days. Boater News | Home Home | About RBAW | Boater News | Events Calendar Our Members | You Can Help | Join RBAW | Contact Us Design & Development by Dan Larsen