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Boating Safety Education Law
California Vessel Operator Certification Legislation Temporarily On Hold
AB 1458 (Duvall), sponsored by Recreational Boaters of California (RBOC), would require all operators of motorized vessels to pass an examination and obtain a life-time certificate before they operate a vessel.
Due to a variety of reasons, Assembly Member Michael D. Duvall, R-Brea, decided to not move the bill forward this year but instead introduce a similar bill next year.
Unlike many states, California law does not require recreational boat operators to be trained in safe and legal boat operation. The California Department of Boating and Waterways (Cal Boating) is in the process of talking with stakeholders about this issue and exploring the many options available.
Cal Boating is neither supporting nor opposing a boating safety education law, but is facilitating a comprehensive discussion and gathering ideas. This process has included two public meetings so far, one in Los Angeles (July 2006) and one in Sacramento (August 2006). Notes from the meetings are provided below.
At the first meeting, information was presented on boating education requirements in other states and the impact these requirements have had on boating safety. The information provided is available through the links at right. In addition, participants discussed the various forms that boating education law could take in California and the different ways such a law could be implemented. The consensus from the meeting and in comments from the public submitted through this web site has been strong support for requiring boat operators to have some type of safety training.
The second meeting focused on specifying the requirement for education and how it might be developed as a law. Participants were provided with information about the options followed by a thorough discussion and an opportunity to indicate which options they felt most favorable toward. More information about this process is available below.
If you would like to comment on the proposed legislation or wish to be further involved in this process, please email Margarita Sanchez at msanchez@dbw.ca.gov. If you would simply like to comment on the idea of boating education, please submit your comments in the box provided below.
Los Angeles Boating Safety Education Meeting
- July 20, 2006,
Radisson Hotel Los Angeles Airport, La Jolla Room
6225 West Century Boulevard, Los Angeles - Notes from Los Angeles Meeting
- Press Release from Los Angeles Meeting
Sacramento Boating Safety Education Meeting
- August 17, 2006
Clarion Hotel, Terrace Room
700 16th Street, Sacramento
Tele: (916) 444-8000. - Notes from Sacramento Meeting
- Press Release from Sacramento Meeting
Background Information
- State Boating Safety Education Laws and Requirements Digest
- 1998 Boating Safety Advisory Committee Report (4.2 MB File)
- SB 1287 (1999, Davis) Operation of Vessels: boating safety courses.
- SB 387 (1999, Karnette) Boating Safety and Education.
Articles
- NTSB Pushes Mandatory Boater Education
- "Cal Boating Hosts Mandatory Boater Education Symposium" - The Log. July 27, 2006
- "Coast Guard Boater Education Initiative Fails" - The Log. July 13, 2006
You are welcome to provide your comments on a potential boating safety education law by emailing boated@dbw.ca.gov.