Sheriff’s department offers boating education program

Whatcom County Sheriff’s Office Marine Services Unit will offer a boater education course for Washington boaters.

This eight-hour course will provide boaters the basics of safe boating that all recreational boaters should know.

This course was developed specifically for the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission and is taught by deputies certified by the agency.

The course will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. December 8 and again on the following Saturday at the Marietta Fire Station Training Room, 752 Marine Drive, Bellingham, Washington Class size is limited, so participants need to pre-register for the course by December 5 by calling or e-mailing Deputy Smith at 360/676 6650 or sheriffboatsafety@whatcomcounty.us.

The Adventures in Boating Washington, A Course on Responsible Boating manual and exam will be provided at the class for a $10 fee.
Beginning January 1, boat operators ages 12 to 20 years old will be required to carry a boater education card when operating a boat on Washington’s waterways.

The law applies to operators of motorboats of 15 horsepower or greater. The card requirement will be phased in through 2014, when all boaters born on or after January 1, 1955, will be required to have a card.
Boaters born before January 1, 1955, are exempt from this law. Cards cost $10 and are good for a lifetime.

For more information about the class, please contact deputy Smith at 360/676-6650 or sheriffboatsafety@whatcomcounty.us.

For information on the Mandatory Boating Safety Education Program, visit www.parks.wa.gov. Click on “boating”