Rounder
Adventures in Boating - Washington Handbook Washington State Parks & Recreation

It's the Law!: Before Going Out
Operator Age and Boater Education Requirements

Operators must obey laws that require boater education and regulate a vessel’s registration and operation.

Current requirements are as follows and will remain in effect.

  • You must be at least 14 years of age to operate a personal watercraft legally.
  • It is illegal to lease, hire, or rent a personal watercraft to anyone under 16 years of age.

Future requirements have been set by a Washington boating safety education law that was passed in 2005.

  • This new law will be phased in as shown here so that all boaters, unless exempted, must obtain a Washington Boater Education Card by January 1, 2014. The law applies to operators of vessels that are powered by motors of 15 horsepower or more.
  • Under the new law, no one may operate or permit the operation of a power-driven vessel with an engine that is 15 horsepower or more, including a personal watercraft, unless the operator:
    • Is at least 12 years of age if the vessel is not a personal watercraft or is at least 14 years of age if the vessel is a personal watercraft and …
    • Has in his or her possession a boater education card (if required) or is accompanied by and is under the direct supervision of a person at least 16 years of age who has a boater education card or who is not yet required to have the card.

For details on the mandatory boating safety education law and information on who is exempt from this law, visit: www.parks.wa.gov/boating/boatsafefaq.asp on the Internet.

Persons required to have a Boater Education Card must carry it on board whenever operating.

Washington Boater Education Card age phase-in requirements

Washington Boater Education Card Washington Boater Education Card

Separator
Washington Parks
& Recreation
Get Started!
Boating Basics
It's the Law!
Required Equipment
Washington State Info

Washington boating handbook
Printable PDF Version
of Handbook

< Back to Previous Page Table of Contents Go to Next Page >
 
Online boating safety handbook last modified: September 2, 2009
Email with questions or comments about this web site.
  Copyright © 1998-2010 Boat Ed. All rights reserved.
Review Boat Ed's privacy policy.
 
Rounder