Boating and Waterways seeks input on mandatory boating education

SACRAMENTO—California Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) has proposed a new set of regulations to govern the state’s boating card and education requirements. Members of the boating public have until Jan. 28 to provide input and comment on the proposed rulemaking, which updates and clarifies requirements of the California Boater Card (CBC) program. A major proponent of the proposed rulemaking: mandatory safety education prior to the issuance of an official boater card. “Statistics show that states with some form of mandatory boating safety education have fewer accidents and fatalities. In 2016, there were 588 boating accidents in California, which resulted in 266 injuries, 50 fatalities and $3,911,886 in property damage. Only two of the 50 boat operators involved in a fatal accident had taken a formal boating safety course,” the proposed rulemaking document stated. “Boaters learning safe boating practices can prevent boating accidents.” “The CBC program may cause an increase in persons taking and passing boating safety examinations, and this may positively impact businesses providing these examinations,” the proposed rulemaking document later stated. Fees already being collected for the CBC would cover associated costs for a mandatory boating safety education requirement. “Fees collected for CBC’s will be deposited into the Vessel Operator Certification Account, established...