Full Notification

DATE: June 29, 2022

INCIDENT: Informational Bulletin from Department of Parks and Recreation regarding California Boater Card Enforcement

LOCATION: Colorado River and Lake Havasu


SUMMARY: This bulletin serves as a notification regarding the requirement of motorized vessel operators to obtain and possess a California Boater Card. The law became effective Jan. 1, 2018. 

The law, which is being phased in by age, prohibits the operation of a vessel that is propelled by an engine on the waters of the state except by a person who is in possession of a valid vessel operator card, referred to as the California Boater Card, developed and issued by the California Department of Parks and Recreation Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW). Certain persons are exempt from the requirement, as specified by law. Violation of the law’s provisions is an infraction and requires a court to order a person who violates those provisions to complete and pass a boating safety course approved by DBW. 

As of Jan. 1, 2022, all boat operators 45 years of age or younger are required to be in possession of a valid California Boater Card when operating a motorized vessel on a California waterway. By 2025, all operators of motorized vessels will be required to have a California Boater Card. The full phase in schedule can be found below. 

To obtain a California Boater Card, a boat operator must successfully complete an approved boating safety education course, pass the course exam and apply for the card through DBW. The cost of the lifetime card is $10, and all the money goes toward operating the California Boater Card program. Once issued, the California Boater Card remains valid for an operator’s lifetime. Boating Safety education courses must be approved by the State of California and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. For a complete list of approved courses, please visit CaliforniaBoaterCard.com. 

Initially, DBW took an educational approach on the requirement of the new law. To date, the program has issued approximately 132,000 cards. DBW is recommending that officers begin to cite all vessel operators who are not in compliance under the law when stopped due to violation of other laws or any negligent operation. In addition, DBW requests officers remind all vessel operators that obtaining the boater card is not an option, it is the law and it will be strictly enforced. All operators can be directed to CaliforniaBoaterCard.com to apply for a card and learn more information about the law. 

California Boater Card Statutory information below: 
Harbors and Navigation Code § 678 (add) – Vessel Operators’ Education and Certification Cards.
678. (a) On or before January 1, 2018, the division shall develop a vessel operator card to be issued pursuant to this article. 
(b) The division shall issue, or cause to be issued, a vessel operator card to a person who provides the division with proof that the person has passed a vessel operator examination approved by the division or a vessel operator course that includes an examination and is approved by the division pursuant to Section 668.1 or 668.3. 
(c) A vessel operator card shall be valid for the life of the person to whom it is issued. 
678.11 (a) Subject to the schedule in subdivision (b), a person shall not operate on waters subject to the jurisdiction of the state a vessel that is propelled by an engine, regardless of whether the engine is the principal source of propulsion, unless the person has in his or her possession a vessel operator card issued by the division pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 678. 
(b) A person is subject to subdivision (a) according to the following schedule: 
(1) On and after January 1, 2018: A person 20 years of age or younger. 
(2) On and after January 1, 2019: A person 25 years of age or younger. 
(3) On and after January 1, 2020: A person 35 years of age or younger. 
(4) On and after January 1, 2021: A person 40 years of age or younger. 
(5) On and after January 1, 2022: A person 45 years of age or younger. 
(6) On and after January 1, 2023: A person 50 years of age or younger. 
(7) On and after January 1, 2024: A person 60 years of age or younger. 
(8) On and after January 1, 2025: All persons, regardless of age. 
(c) This section does not apply to any of the following: 
(1) A person who is a resident of another state or a foreign country who is operating a vessel and meets either of the following requirements: 
(A) The person is temporarily using the waters of this state for a period not to exceed 60 days, and meets the applicable requirements, if any, of his or her state of residency. 
(B) The person is temporarily using the waters of this state for a period not to exceed 90 days, and meets the applicable requirements, if any, of his or her country of residency. 
(2) A person operating a vessel while under the direct supervision of a person 18 years of age or older who is in possession of a vessel operator card issued pursuant to subdivision (b) of Section 678 or who is not required to possess a vessel operator card pursuant to paragraph (6). 
(3) A person operating a vessel in an organized regatta or vessel race, or water ski race. 
(4) A person operating a rental vessel. 
(5) A person who is in possession of a current commercial fishing license. 
(6) A person who is in possession of a valid marine operator license, for the waters upon which the licensee is operating, issued by the United States Coast Guard, or who is in possession of a valid certificate issued pursuant to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watch keeping for Seafarers, 1978, as amended. 
(7) A person who has successfully completed a boating course approved by the Commission on Peace Officer Standards and Training. 

The full text of the law can be found at the following link: 
http://leginfo.legislature.ca.gov/faces/billNavClient.xhtml?bill_id=201320140SB941 

More Information about the program found here: CaliforniaBoaterCard.com.

For press releases, news, and information, follow the Colorado River Station on Twitter at: @CORiverStation or on Facebook and/or Instagram @SBCSDColoradoRiverStation.

Refer: Marine Enforcement Unit

Station: Colorado River Station

Phone No. (760)326-9200


SHANNON D. DICUS, Sheriff-Coroner
San Bernardino County Sheriff-Coroner Department