Derelict vessel removal fee. Commercial vessels must pay a derelict vessel removal fee of $1 per foot of vessel length. This fee is collected at the same time as the personal property tax and doesn’t apply if no personal property tax is due. Tax based on ownership. The Department of Revenue bills and collects personal property tax. The tax is based on who owns the vessel on …
If you live in Washington and bought the boat in another state, you must title and register your vessel within 15 days of its purchase. You must notify the Washington Department of Licensing by calling the service center at (360) 902-3770; TTY (360) 664-8885 within 15 days if your vessel is abandoned, destroyed, lost, stolen, or recovered; if you change your address; or if you lose …
There may be an unlit space of several hundred yards between the lights displayed on the bow and stern of the composite formed by the commercial vessel and its barge (s). Learn to recognize commercial vessel lights if boating on rivers, harbors, or coastal waters. Unit 2 …
Many recreational boaters in Washington are required by law to complete a boating safety course and carry a Washington State Boater Education Card. Whether you cruise, sail, kayak, fish, or do yoga on a stand up paddleboard, you are responsible to know …
Q. How long does it take to complete the course? To ensure that all Washington boater safety topics are properly covered, the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission requires every approved online boater safety course to include a minimum of three hours of study time.
Washington State requires at least one U.S. Coast Guard approved Type IV PFD (ring buoy OR seat cushion) on all recreational boats in excess of 16 feet in length, in ADDITION to the wearable PFD required for each person onboard. All persons being towed behind a vessel are considered to be onboard.
All operators born on or after January 1, 1955, must have the Washington Boater Education Card to operate a vessel powered by a motor of 15 or more horsepower. Anyone under the age of 12 years may not legally operate a vessel powered by a motor of 15 or more horsepower.
Operators are exempt from needing to get the license if they are: Licensed by the U.S. Coast Guard as a master of a vessel. Operating on a private lake or pond.
Commercial ships have limited views from the bridge and require long distances to come to a full stop—often ¾ to 1½ miles. Recreational vessel operators in shipping lanes need to watch for large ships and keep the following in mind. Avoid commercial shipping traffic lanes by as wide of a margin as possible.
Washington Boater Education Card—mandatory for boats with motors 15 (or more) horsepower. Throwable flotation device. Type B-1 fire extinguisher. Visual distress signals—day and night time.
In Washington, you must have a Washington title, current registration certificate, and current registration decals to operate or moor a vessel. Exceptions to registration and titling are: Vessels that are not propelled by a motor (canoes, kayaks, etc.) and sailboats under 16 feet in length without a motor.
Getting a Mandatory Boater Education Card If you are boating in Washington, you must have a Washington State Boater Education Card with you when operating a boat 15 horsepower or greater. If you were born before January 1, 1955, you are exempt.
The Washington State Boater Education Card is valid for your lifetime and meets requirements for recreational boating in Canada and many other states.
When navigating through a no wake zone, state and federal regulations generally require that the captain observe the slowest-possible vessel speed to maintain steerage, but no greater than 5 MPH. The goal is to minimize the wake created by boats passing through the zone.
If two powered vessels approach each other in a head-on situation Both Should Stay Right And Prepare To Give Way. That means to pass each other port to port, or left side to left side, just like cars on a highway.
Your boat gets swamped far from shore. What should you do? Stay with the boat, and signal for help.
Find out how to register your boat or documented vessel in Washington State.
Want to use your boat while visiting Washington? Find out if you need a permit and how to get one.
Find out how to change the address on your boat title or registration.
Find out how to get the sticker you need to warn passengers of the dangers of carbon monoxide.
Find out about fuel tax refunds for marine use, aquatic invasive species, and more.
To operate a motor driven boat of 15 horsepower or greater, a person must be at least 12 years of age or older and complete a boating safety course that is accepted by Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission.
No person under 12 years of age can operate a motorboat of 15 or more horsepower. Persons who do not have a boater education card and are 12 years of age or up can operate a vessel with more that 15 HP if accompanied by and under the direct supervision of a person 16 years of age who has a boater education card.
The BoatUS Foundation's Online Course is the only FREE Online Boating Safety Course approved by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. Register Today.