KELSEYVILLE, Calif. – The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 8-8 is offering an approved boating course on Friday, May 25.

The cost is $25 per person.

As of 2018, there is a new boating law that requires vessel operators to take a boating course and acquire a lifetime California Boater Card.

The California Parks and Recreation Department, Division of Boating and Waterways has designed this program so that all age groups are phased in by 2025.

For 2018, those under 21 are required to take and pass an approved boating course. For 2019, those under the age of 26 years will be required to obtain a Boater Card.

Like most things in life, this law has exceptions. First, a person renting a motorized vessel is not required to possess a Boater Card. However, keep in mind the person renting a vessel is responsible for knowing the law for safe and legal boat operation. It is the operator not the rental company who is liable.

Secondly, another exception is when you are under the supervision of someone 18 years or older who is in possession of a Boater Card. So parents and grandparents who want to supervise their kids under 21 years while they operate a motorized vessel, to supervise you must have the Boater Card.

If you took an approved boating course between Jan. 1, 2015, and Dec. 31, 2017, and received a certificate, you have until June 1, 2018, to “grandfather” in for the Boater Card. This is another exception to the new 2018 boating law.

To learn more about this law look up www.CaliforniaBoaterCard.com. This site contains the application which must be completed before you submit the copy of your certificate and your check for $10 to the Division of Boating and Waterways.

Contact Flotilla Staff Officer for Public Education Betty Strach at 707-657-3029 for more information.