Mandatory Boater Safety Education

The Marine Services Unit promotes boating safety and education in all facets of their work: boating enforcement contacts, educational literature, boating safety inspections, public presentations and special events.

The ability to make direct one-on-one contact with the boating public is a great benefit in terms of promoting boating safety. Currently, all boaters in Washington State age 30 and under are required to take or have taken a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and Washington State approved boating education course to operate a boat with a motor rated over 15 horse power. With an emphasis on boating education before enforcement, our personnel have a wide range of tools to offer the boating public.
Our boating program is mandated by the Washington State Parks and Recreation commission to provide boating education to the public. We meet this requirement through the following:

• Boating Safety Classes: Please visit  Adventures in Boating – Washington for more information on obtaining your Washington Boater Ed card online.
• Boating Safety Literature: By developing safety material to hand out during enforcement contacts, we ensure the boating public is informed about the federal, state, and local requirements for boating.
• Appearances at Public Events
• Community Presentations: Schools and clubs
• Media Presentations: Interviews and demonstrations

Adventures in Boating - Washington
The Washington State Parks (NASBLA approved) boating safety course is offered online at Adventures in Boating – Washington.  This course covers general aspects of boating, Washington State law and boating safety. Topics include boating equipment, marine environment, trip planning, boat operations, personal watercraft, emergency preparedness and much more.