Submitted by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Bellingham and San Juan Islands Flotilla is offering two opportunities for boaters to take an online, Washington State Basic Boater Education Course.

The course is for anyone wishing to learn safe boating skills and qualify for a Boater Education Card, issued by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. All Washington state residents must carry a Boater Education Card while on the water operating a power boat greater than 15 horsepower. This includes people over 12 years of age and applies to anyone who was born after January 1, 1955. The class is National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved for mandated boater education. Successful completion qualifies the participant for a Washington State Boater Education Card issued by Washington State Parks Boating Program (separate application and $10 fee).

Cost: $20 registration plus separate downloaded book for $4.99 – or $30 Registration and receive a printed book. The books may be shared.

The eight-hour course is broken into two-hour sessions over four days and will be online using Zoom. At the end of the final class, there is a closed book test which we will help you prepare for.

Monday, May 8 through Thursday, May 11 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Classes are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for two hours.

Monday, June 5 through Thursday, June 8 from 6:30 p.m. – 8:30 p.m. Classes are Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday for two hours

For more information and reservations visit www.BLIaux.com. For reservations or any questions, please email boatingsafetyWA@gmail.com

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian component of the U.S. Coast Guard and supports the Coast Guard in nearly all mission areas. The Auxiliary was created by Congress in 1939. For more information, please visit www.cgaux.org