For Immediate Release

Date: May 5, 2005

Boater Education Compliance

The Oregon State Marine Board wants to remind boaters 45 and younger to take a boating safety course and apply for their permanent boater education card. A boater education card is required when operating a powerboat over 10-horse power.

“Last year, over 600 citations were issued to boaters who did not have their boater education card,” says Ashley Massey, the mandatory education coordinator for the Marine Board. Failure to have a boater education card carries a $94 citation.

The boater education card costs $10 and is good for life. Studies show that educated boaters are less likely to be involved in accidents. “The goal is to reduce accidents, injuries and property damage on Oregon’s waterways,” says Massey.

Boaters can attend a classroom course, go online and take an approved internet course or sign up at your local sheriff’s office to take an equivalency exam (designed for experienced boaters). Classroom and internet courses charge a nominal fee to take the exam and equivalency exams are free. Visit the Marine Board’s website at www.boatoregon.com or call 503-373-1405 ext 273 for classroom locations, approved internet courses, or listings and contact information about equivalency exams.

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