To round out this week of back to the basics, we have arrived at the time to discuss California’s Boater Card requirements. When such programs are introduced, many people feel that it is just another piece of red tape. However, studies show that the vast majority of boaters who get into accidents have never taken a safety course, so it is good policy to get those who share our waterways with us educated! If you own a boat that you operate in Califronia, you will be required to have a card by 2025, perhaps earlier, depending on your age:
- January 1, 2018 Persons 20 years of age or younger
- January 1, 2019 Persons 25 years of age or younger
- January 1, 2020 Persons 35 years of age or younger
- January 1, 2021 Persons 40 years of age or younger
- January 1, 2022 Persons 45 years of age or younger
- January 1, 2023 Persons 50 years of age or younger
- January 1, 2024 Persons 60 years of age or younger
- January 1, 2025 All persons regardless of age
The process to get the card is fairly straight forward. You take an approved boating course, then you submit your course certificate, an application and a $10 fee. Once you have the card, it is good for life. As such, you might as well take care of it now, while you have plenty of time on your hands! You can follow the written or video instructions on the website.
The best way to take care of the course requirement is via our very own ABC course that I outlined yesterday. However, if you don’t particularly like online learning, the state has set up a good, old fashioned, correspondence course. Download the PDF, then send an email to request the exam, which will be snail mailed to you.
I will be back on Monday with a week long celebration of Earth Day!
Keep safe, keep learning,
Keep safe, keep learning,
Tanya Weimer
SEO