Article 1.4 - Vessel Operators’ Education and Certification Cards

Sections (3)

Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 433, Sec. 1. (SB 941) Effective January 1, 2015.

(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

Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 433, Sec. 1. (SB 941) Effective January 1, 2015.

(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 Watchkeeping 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.

§ 678.15

Added by Stats. 2014, Ch. 433, Sec. 1. (SB 941) Effective January 1, 2015.

(a)A violation of this article is an infraction.

(b)A person convicted of an infraction for a violation of this article shall be punished as follows:

(1)For an initial conviction, by a fine of not more than one hundred dollars ($100).

(2)For a second conviction, by a fine of not more than two hundred fifty dollars ($250).

(3)For a third or subsequent conviction, by a fine of not more than five hundred dollars ($500).

(c)A

fine imposed on a vessel operator pursuant to subdivision (b) shall be waived, if the vessel operator provides proof that he or she had a valid vessel operator card at the time of the citation.

(d)(1) In addition to the fines imposed by subdivision (b), the court shall order a person convicted of violating this article to complete and pass a boating safety course approved by the division pursuant to Section 668.3.

(2)If a person who is ordered to complete and pass a boating safety course pursuant to paragraph (1) is 18 years of age or younger, the court may require that person to obtain the consent of a parent or guardian to enroll in that course.

(3)A person who has been ordered by a court to

complete a boating safety course pursuant to paragraph (1) shall submit to the court proof of completion and passage of the course within seven months of the date of his or her conviction. The proof shall be in a form that has been approved by the division and that is capable of being submitted to the court or a state or local agency approved by the division through the United States Postal Service or another certified means of transmission.