Deadline Approaches for Homestudy Boating Course

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Correspondence/Home Study | Equivalency Exam | Basic Boating Courses

Note: The Marine Board is recommending that homestudy courses be ordered no later than Dec. 21 to allow for slower delivery times during the high-volume holiday season. The board does not guarantee delivery.

Salem - Nearly 1000 boating safety exams are pouring into the Oregon State Marine Board office each week as boaters try to beat a Dec. 31 deadline. "After January 1, the Marine Board's homestudy course will no longer be an option for boaters trying to meet the new Mandatory Boater Education requirements," said Marty Law, Education Coordinator for the Oregon State Marine Board. "Other options are in place, but many people are choosing to take the test at home while they still can."

"We expect the volume of mail will double in coming weeks," said Law. "It's going to be a very busy holiday season for us."

Starting in 2003, operators of power boats greater than 10 horsepower, and youths age 12-15 operating any size power boat, will be required to carry a boater education card when operating a power boat. The card shows that the boater passed an approved boating safety course or equivalency exam. "There are already many ways to meet the requirement," said Law, "including Internet courses, classroom courses and equivalency exams. We're working now to make sure there are class and testing opportunities available statewide. Still, the homestudy course has been a convenient way to meet the requirement early."

The homestudy course, called "Boat Oregon, A Guide To Responsible Boating," is available from the Marine Board via mail-order for $4. "It takes six to eight hours to study the book and complete the test," said Law. "Take the test, mail it in and, if you pass, we'll send you a diploma. As soon as the Boater Education Card applications are available, we'll mail you one so you can apply for your card."

Why the change? "The law set January 1, 2001, as the starting date for the Mandatory Boater Education program, so we felt we needed to play under the existing rules until that date," said Law. "Actually, the only change after January 1 is that instead of taking a self test, the boater will take an equivalency exam under the watchful eye of a proctor. This adds some security to the process." Law says the homestudy book will continue to be available for boaters who want to prepare for the equivalency exam at home without taking a classroom or Internet course. "We still encourage people to find a classroom course because we think they get the best exposure to information. But, if they learn the material in the book or on the Internet, they're still better off than they were before. That's the bottom line."

For more information on the program, check the Marine Board web site at www.boatoregon.com. To order a homestudy book, send $4 to BoatOregon, Oregon State Marine Board, PO Box 14760, Salem, OR 97309 (checks payable to OSMB). Include $1 for each additional book. All self-tests must be postmarked on or before December 31 to be processed or they will be returned.