By Sharyn L. Decker
Lewis County Sirens news reporter
CHEHALIS – Sheriff’s deputies will host a class on Saturday for those who want a boating safety card.
A card is required for anyone 40 years old or younger to operate a vessel with a 15 horsepower or larger engine, according to the Lewis County Sheriff’s Office.
The session is free, although the state charges a $10 fee to obtain the card after passing the test given at the end of the day.
The class runs from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and will be held in the training room on the first floor of the Lewis County Law and Justice Center at 345 West Main St. in Chehalis.
Boating safety education cards can also be obtained by taking a course online, according to the sheriff’s office. For more information, check with Washington State Parks [1].
Next January, the age requirement for a card will encompass all boaters 50 and younger, and the law is set up to change each year until 2016 when all operators over the age of 12 will be required to possess the card, according to Chief Civil Deputy Stacy Brown.
To register for Saturday’s class, contact Lisa Arthur at 360-740-2713.