LAKE COUNTY, Calif. – The US Coast Guard Auxiliary in Lake County offers California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways-approved boating safety courses that will enable you to get your vessel operator card or California boater card.

A class is scheduled for Saturday, Aug. 5.

This is a one-day class for everyone and the cost is $25 per person. The class size is limited to 10 people.

On Jan. 1, 2018, new boating laws go into effect. California is joining 42 other states in requiring vessel operators to pass an approved boating safety course. ‘’

When proof of completion is submitted to the state, a vessel operator card also referred to as the California boater card will be issued by the Division of Boating and Waterways.

Senate Bill 941 goes into effect in 2018 and states, “...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 (DBW) ...”

The SB 941 rules will be phased in over seven years, 2018 thru 2025.

For Jan. 1, 2018, a person 20 years old or younger will be required to meet the vessel operator card requirement. An exception to this is if the operator is under the direct supervision of someone 18 or older who is in possession of a Vessel Operator Card or is a person exempted from the card requirement.

Like most rules there are the exceptions, and in this case a small number of vessel operators are exempt from the vessel operator card requirements.

This group includes: licensed commercial fishermen, people who passed the boating safety class for Police Officers Standards and Training, visitors from foreign countries or out of state visitors with qualifying conditions, operators in an organized regatta or water ski race, a person in possession of a valid marine operator's license issued by the United States Coast Guard or certification issued pursuant to the International Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers, and the person operating a rented vessel.

For more information about the course call 707-657-3029.