OAKHURST — Register now for a free class to get your California Boater Card. The class will be taught by members of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary on Saturday, May 26, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in the Oakhurst Grill banquet room.
Study materials and tuition are free for this class only. Please reserve your spot ASAP as seats are limited.
Vessel operators ages 16-20 are required to have a California Boater Card as of January 2018. All ages will be required in 2025, and all ages are welcome at the May 26 class.
This class of instruction meets the requirement for California Boater Card Education. Students will send in their completed tests to California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways.
Upon receiving a passing score, a certificate will be issued to the student by California Division of Boating and Waterways. With that certificate, an official California Boater Card will be issued to the student. Fees will apply to obtain the card. The California Boater Card is valid for a lifetime with no renewal fees.
Please go to californiaboatercard.com for general information about the California Boater Card.
Please pre-register by emailing Amy Roussell at amy.roussell@maderacounty.com to reserve your seats.
The California Boater Card shows that its holder has successfully taken and passed a NASBLA/state-approved boater safety education examination. In 2018, the California Boater Card program will be phased in by age for operators of motorized boats on state waterways.
Each year, a new age group will be added to those who are required to possess a valid card. By 2025, all persons who operate on California waters will be required to have one. Once issued, the card remains valid for a boat operator’s lifetime. California Harbors and Navigation Code Section 678.11(b) contains the following phase-in schedule 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
The card is issued by the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways (DBW). DBW began issuing the California Boater Card on Dec. 1, 2017. The lifetime card fee is $10. The lost card replacement fee is $5.
Once DBW has received your application, proof of education and payment, you will receive a 90-day temporary boater card by email. You should receive your official boater card by mail within 60 days.
The Oakhurst Grill is located at 40530 Highway 41 in Oakhurst.
