January 12, 2007

Dear BoatU.S. Member,

We are writing to advise you that the Virginia Legislature will soon consider a bill, House Bill 1627, Boating Safety Education, that would require all motorboat and PWC operators to take a boating safety course and carry a certificate showing successful completion of a written test.

BoatU.S. supports this legislation because we believe it will make our crowded waterways safer for everyone by helping insure that boaters know the basic rules of the road and because all of the surveys we have done over the years have told us that our members support phased-in mandatory education.

We have, however, asked for two clarifications: First, that if a boater has taken a course in the past and has proof of successful completion, that person does not have to take a new course. Second, we have also recommended that a provision be added grandfathering operators with significant experience, such as having owned and operated a registered boat for the past 20 years.

As drafted, the bill calls for an eight-year phase in, by July 2016, all motorboat operators will need to have taken a course. PWC operators have a 4 year phase in, by July 2011.

There are many ways you can satisfy this requirement, including taking the free BoatU.S. internet course or a course in the classroom. You may also use your existing USCG license.

If you'd like to see our outline of the bill: http://www.boatus.com/gov/alert.htm

You can view the entire bill at: http://leg1.state.va.us/cgi-bin/legp504.exe?071+ful+HB1627

If you agree, after the reviewing the bill, that this legislation deserves your support, we encourage you to contact the following legislators and let them know of your support of this bill as there will be a hearing January 17 before the Virginia House Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources Committee.

1. Delegate Kathy Byron (the bill's sponsor): delkbyron@house.state.va.us
2. Delegate Kirkland Cox (Chair of the House Agriculture, Chesapeake, and Natural Resources Committee): delkcox@house.state.va.us
3. Your state Delegate and Senator: Click here to find their names, addresses, phones or to send an email: http://conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/main?openform

We'd also appreciate seeing your comments. Please cc us at: GovtAffairs@BoatUS.com. Thanks for helping support safe boating.
 
Margaret Podlich, Vice President
BoatU.S. Government Affairs
GovtAffairs@BoatUS.com
703-461-2864