California Boater Card soon to be required for Lake Tahoe and other waterways

To increase safety on not only Lake Tahoe, but on waterways across the state, operators of motorized vessels will soon be required to possess a California Boater Card. The first group to fall into this category, those 20 years of age or younger, must have a card by January 1, 2018 with other age groups added annually.

Those renting boats will not be required to get a card, nor will those in the state less than 60 days or holding a commercial fishing license.

The following phase-in schedule for those needing to possess a California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW) card is based on operator age:

• January 1, 2018 Persons 20 years of age or younger
• January 1, 2019 Persons 25 years of age or younger
• January 1, 2020 Persons 35 years of age or younger
• January 1, 2021 Persons 40 years of age or younger
• January 1, 2022 Persons 45 years of age or younger
• January 1, 2023 Persons 50 years of age or younger
• January 1, 2024 Persons 60 years of age or younger
• January 1, 2025 All persons regardless of age

In 2015, there were 503 boating accidents, 232 of those boaters were injured in severity beyond first aid treatment and 49 died. Only one of the boat operators involved in fatal accidents had taken an approved boating safety course.

Since 2006, 476 people have died in California boating accidents.

Increased numbers of boaters taking approved safety courses will benefit all California recreational boaters. To get a card one must pass an approved safety course. To find out where to take the courses, visit http://californiaboatercard.com/courses/