For Immediate Release

Date: June 3, 2005

Boater Education Program Reaches 100,000 Boat Operators

The Oregon State Marine Board has reached a milestone in its mandatory boater education program, issuing card number 100,000 on May 25.

Last year the Marine Board recorded 52 boating accidents, the lowest number of accidents ever. According to Ashley Massey, Mandatory Boater Education Program Coordinator for Marine Board, educated boaters are five times less likely to be involved in boating accidents than non-educated boaters. “Since the program started in 2003 we have had an 85 percent compliance rate, which is outstanding,” says Massey, “The great news is that we are starting to see a reduction in boating accidents, property damage and injuries. We hope this trend continues.”

The mandatory education program has been phased in, based on age, since 2003. This year, boaters 45 and younger are required to carry their boater education card. The boater education card is a once-in-a-lifetime requirement and applies only to people operating powerboats greater than 10 hp. Youths 12-15 need to be supervised with a card holding adult while operating boats great than 10 hp. Once a person has taken a boating safety course, he or she may apply for their permanent card. The cost of the card is a one-time $10 fee.

For more information on how to obtain your boater education card, visit Marine Board’s web site at www.boatoregon.com or call (503) 373-1405 x273.

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