Washington State Parks manages over 100 state parks throughout the state, and administers programs beyond park boundaries, one of which is the Boating Program. The Boating Program provides statewide leadership in recreational boating safety and environmental education and outreach. The goal of the program is to reduce accidents and fatalities, increase stewardship of Washington waterways, and keep recreational boating a safe, accessible and enjoyable pastime.
The Boating Program’s responsibilities include:
Administering the Mandatory Boater Education Program, which includes issuing Washington State Boater Education Cards.
Conducting public safety campaigns and outreach that promotes safe-boating behaviors.
Monitoring the use of vessel registrations fees by local governments.
Providing funding, training, and recognition to Washington’s maritime law enforcement so they are well equipped to educate the public, enforce recreational boating laws, investigate accidents, and assist boaters in distress.
Managing the statewide recreational boating accident reporting system.
Administering the Clean Vessel Act Grant Program, which includes providing funding for waste disposal systems to service recreational vessels and boater education programs to promote public awareness about boat sewage and its proper disposal.
For more information, visit
goboatingwa.com.
