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MARINE PATROL DIVISION

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Boater Education Course

November 12, 2011

The Grant County Sheriff’s Office will be offering a boater education course on November 12, 2011, at Grant County Public Works 124 Enterprise St. Ephrata WA.  The class will run from 8 AM to 5 PM with an hour lunch break.   

Washington State has adopted a law requiring boaters operating vessels with 15 horsepower or more to complete a boater education course.  The requirement for when people have to complete the course is based on their age.  It started with younger persons being required to have completed course first.  This year persons 35 years old and younger are required to have completed the course.  For 2012 persons 40 years of age and younger are required to have completed the course.  Person born before January 1 1955 are exempt from the course requirement.  Children 12 years old and older are welcome to participate in the course.  Persons required to have the course who are found operating vessels without the required boater education card are subject to an infraction and termination of their voyage. 

Boater education has been recognized as an effective way to reduce boating accidents and fatalities.  The course follows a nationally recognized curriculum including navigation rules,  navigational aids, boat towing, boating etiquette, and boating rules and regulations.  The course includes discussions on required equipment and things to be aware of during different boating activities.  The requirement for boater education includes personnel watercraft, which are dealt with as small vessels. 

 This boater education course is offered free of charge.  Persons successfully passing the 75 question multiple choice open book test at the end of the course will be issued a certificate of completion allowing them to apply for their state boater education card.  Persons wishing to attend are requested to pre-register with the Grant County Sheriff’s Office at 509 754-2011 ext 468 or bbeissner@co.grant.wa.us by Thursday 11/10/2011. 

 For any persons needing the course who can not make this classroom presentation a home study book and test can be picked up at the Sheriff’s Office in Ephrata or the course can be taken online.  Links to online courses can be located on Washington State Parks and Recreation web site, under the Boating Program section.

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	The Grant County Marine Unit is active all year patrolling the waters of Grant County. The Marine Unit routinely responds to boaters and persons in distress on the waters of Grant County. The Marine Deputies are specially trained in the following areas: Boat Handling Marine Law Enforcement and Education Basic/Advanced Boat Collision Investigation Instructors in Boating Safety Personal Watercraft swift Water Rescue
	The experience and training of the Marine Unit provides a valuable 24 hour service to the citizens of Grant County and to those that visit the waters of Grant County.   The Marine Unit patrols the waters of Grant County to promote boating safety and to enforce Grant County Ordinance (6.08) and Washington State Boating Laws RCW 79a.60. County ordinances are currently under revision and will be posted when complete.   Please do your part and take a boating safety class. Contact the Grant County Sheriffs Office for the next class we will be offering at 800-572-0119 ext 468 or 509-754-2011 ext 468.  For boating classes being offered in your area go to www.boatwashington.com.
	The Grant County Marine Unit wishes you safe and enjoyable boating wherever you choose to boat. Please know the water that you choose to boat on. Contact the jurisdiction that you’re going to boat in for possible hidden hazards on bodies of water. Knowing the water you choose to boat on could “keep you out of deep water”.