Summer is the time of year that most of us flock to lakes, rivers, and ocean beaches to enjoy the numerous recreational opportunities California’s waterways have to offer. When the weather heats up, most of us want to cool down and one of the most popular recreational activities is boating.
In California, there are more than 4 million registered boaters. Throughout the state’s history, numerous laws and programs have been enacted to address boating safety and enhance vessel operator education. Yet, California remains one of only five states that do not require individuals to take a boating safety course before operating a vessel.
In many boating accidents, vessel operators freely express they do not know the rules of the water and unfortunately, in some instances, this has led to people being severely injured or killed. In 2012, there were more than 473 boating accidents, 247 injuries, 53 fatalities, and $5.7 million in property damage associated with these accidents. Almost all vessel operators involved in these recreational boating accidents had little to no formal boater education.
A number of families who have endured a boating accident tragedy approached me to author legislation to require vessel operator education because they are astonished that the State of California does not require this prior to getting behind the helm of a motorized vessel.
In response to this, I introduced Senate Bill 941, which would require individuals to pass a basic exam and obtain a vessel operator card from the Division of Boating and Waterways in order to operate a motorized vessel on waterways in California. The requirement to obtain a vessel operator card would apply initially to operators 20 years of age or younger with a phased-in implementation date depending on the age of the individual.
When enjoying the state’s waterways, everyone deserves to be safe and we know that boating education works. This is why statewide boating organizations and law enforcement are supporting my efforts to reduce water accidents and save lives. If you are operating a vessel this summer, I encourage you to take a moment to familiarize yourself with waterway rules by visiting the Division of Boating and Waterways website and viewing its “ABC’s of California Boating—A Guide to Boating Law and Safety at dbw.ca.gov/Pubs/Abc/.
