New boater education laws hit the Columbia
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TRI-CITIES, Wash. -- Safer times on the water, and a safer summer all around. We start this evening, by looking back on the hot, sunny day we had today. Days like this mean lots of boaters along the Columbia, Even as strict new boating laws take effect.
Keri Gross has been boating for years on the columbia.. and had some close calls.
She says, "Jet skis getting too close, little boats in the wake, jumping the barges.. You just gotta be aware of whats going on on the river."
Aiming to make that possible? A new boater education law that puts more pressure boaters like Keri.
Deputy Tom Morton explains, "Requires boaters under a certain age to have the boater education card.
The laws have gotten more and more strict every year. This year, 40 years and younger, next year, 50 years and younger and by 2014, every driver on the water will have to have their boater education card.
Some boaters have complained that they've been boating for years and feel like they're already safe. They say they don't want to be re-educated, but Keri isn't one of them.
Keri tells KEPR, "I think a refresher would be great. Im probably the best cause for that. Im in my 50's.. Whens my turn to take the test?
Deputy Morton looks around, "I just wanna make sure you guys have life jackets."
There's more to it than just wearing life jackets. The classes and tests, whether you take it online or in a classroom, take 10 to 16 hours to complete. And they say it's not easy.
Keri says, "Where are you supposed to be.. Starboard, port, you gotta know that."
Morton replies, "Theres rules to the road on the water -- aids to navigation.. red ones, greeen ones, what do they mean? You learn all that."
But the good thing is, you only have to pass once. Morton says, "It is not a license. That's a common misconception. Once its issued, they way the law is written now, its good for life."
And it's only $20-50, depending on how you do it. KEPR learned the online side was a little more expensive than going to the sheriff's dept. And it could save you from being handed a 90-dollar ticket.
Morton continues, "Everybody have one? Alright thanks. You folks have a great day."
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In addition to the new regulations, every boat single registration in Washington expired today. You can get new tabs at the sheriff's department or your county auditors office.
Keri Gross has been boating for years on the columbia.. and had some close calls.
She says, "Jet skis getting too close, little boats in the wake, jumping the barges.. You just gotta be aware of whats going on on the river."
Aiming to make that possible? A new boater education law that puts more pressure boaters like Keri.
Deputy Tom Morton explains, "Requires boaters under a certain age to have the boater education card.
The laws have gotten more and more strict every year. This year, 40 years and younger, next year, 50 years and younger and by 2014, every driver on the water will have to have their boater education card.
Some boaters have complained that they've been boating for years and feel like they're already safe. They say they don't want to be re-educated, but Keri isn't one of them.
Keri tells KEPR, "I think a refresher would be great. Im probably the best cause for that. Im in my 50's.. Whens my turn to take the test?
Deputy Morton looks around, "I just wanna make sure you guys have life jackets."
There's more to it than just wearing life jackets. The classes and tests, whether you take it online or in a classroom, take 10 to 16 hours to complete. And they say it's not easy.
Keri says, "Where are you supposed to be.. Starboard, port, you gotta know that."
Morton replies, "Theres rules to the road on the water -- aids to navigation.. red ones, greeen ones, what do they mean? You learn all that."
But the good thing is, you only have to pass once. Morton says, "It is not a license. That's a common misconception. Once its issued, they way the law is written now, its good for life."
And it's only $20-50, depending on how you do it. KEPR learned the online side was a little more expensive than going to the sheriff's dept. And it could save you from being handed a 90-dollar ticket.
Morton continues, "Everybody have one? Alright thanks. You folks have a great day."
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In addition to the new regulations, every boat single registration in Washington expired today. You can get new tabs at the sheriff's department or your county auditors office.
