WA State Parks Partners With Seattle Seahawks On Boating Safety Education
Washington boaters are invited to learn how to boat safely this year and qualify for prizes. Washington State Parks Boating Programs, together with the Seattle Seahawks are launching a contest to highlight boater education.
The opening day of boating season is five months away, but there are still dedicated boaters on the water during winter. Since boating is year around in Washington, State Parks Boating Programs urges boaters to take a boater safety class, get a boater education card to learn how to be safe on the water and to qualify for a Seattle Seahawks VIP game package. The 100,000th boater card recipient will win four field access passes and four tickets to a 2012 Seahawks game at Century Link Field in Seattle.
“We want everyone to have fun and participate in the contest, of course, but the most important thing is to learn about boating smart and responsibly,” said Don Hoch, State Parks director. “The most important single thing people in boats can do to stay safe is to wear a life jacket.”
The goal of State Parks Boating Programs is to educate and inform the public about the importance of boating safety. The program’s main purpose is to increase the public’s awareness of boating safety, which helps to decrease the number of boating fatalities and makes Washington’s waterways safer for all boaters.
The boater education card is not a license and is mandatory for boaters ages 12 to 40 years when operating motorboats with15 horsepower or greater. The card requirement for other age groups will be phased in through 2014. Boaters born before Jan. 1, 1955, are exempt from this law.
To get a boater education card, boaters must first take a safety course approved by Washington State Parks in a classroom, online or through a home-study course. Once boaters have taken a class and passed the test, they need to send to State Parks a completed application, certificate of completion and a one-time $10 fee required to receive the card.
Boaters are urged to visit the Boating Education Center at the 2012 Seattle Boat Show Jan. 27 through Feb. 5 to find out how to get a boater education card, participate in a drawing to win an autographed Seattle Seahawks helmet and to meet the Sea Gals. More information on how to win the helmet will be provided at the Boat Show and the Sea Gals will make an appearance 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 28.
To learn how to get your boater education card, visit online at www.boatered.org or contact the Boating Programs at (360) 902-8555. Winners of the both contests will be notified by phone or e-mail.
The Commission manages a diverse system of more than 100 state parks and recreation programs, including long-distance trails, boating safety and winter recreation. The 98-year-old park system will celebrate its 100th anniversary in 2013.
Washington State Parks is now on Twitter at WaStatePks_NEWS and YouTube at WashingtonStateParks.

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