WASHINGTON BOATING AND ALCOHOL LAWS

It is illegal in the state of Washington to operate any boat while under the influence of an intoxicating substance, such as drugs and/or alcohol. This law is applicable to the operators of both motorized boats and human-powered craft.

In Washington, a person is considered to be under the influence if, within 2 hours of operating a boat, they:

• Have a Blood Alcohol Concentration (BAC) level of 0.08 or higher,
• They exceed the legal limit for boating under the influence of marijuana of 5.0 nanograms
• They are affected by an intoxicating substance such as alcohol and/or drugs.

PENALTIES FOR DRINKING AND BOATING

In Washington, a person convicted of operating under the influence will be guilty of a gross misdemeanour. This is a fine of up to $5,000 and imprisonment for up to 364 days. 

If a person is killed as a result of operation under the influence, the operator may also be convicted of a felony which can also result in fines and imprisonment.

WASHINGTON BOAT REGISTRATION

To operate a boat in Washington, your boat must have a Washington title, registration card and registration decals. You must carry the registration card on the boat whenever the boat is being used. All registered boats must also be titled through the Washington State Department of Licensing. Boat registration expires on June 30th and must be renewed each year. 

To register or title your boat in Washington you must provide the required application form, fees and proof of ownership to the Washington State Department of Licensing.

THESE VESSELS DO NOT REQUIRE REGISTRATION IN WASHINGTON

• Human-powered craft.
• Boats less than 16 feet in length with a motor of 10 horsepower or less, that are only operated on non-federal waterways.
• Boats that are registered in another state or country so long as the operator uses Washington waters for 60 days or less.

CARBON MONOXIDE WARNING STICKERS

In Washington, motorized boats are required to display a carbon monoxide (CO) warning sticker. Operators will receive this sticker upon registering their boat or renewing their registration. If your motorized boat does not have this warning sticker, contact your local vehicle licensing office to obtain one.

DO I NEED BOAT INSURANCE IN WASHINGTON?

Boats in Washington are not required to be insured, however it is recommended. 

Boats in Washington are required to correctly display their registration number and validations stickers. 

Registration numbers and stickers must be displayed as follows:

• The registration number must be painted or affixed to the forward half of each side of the boat and must be clearly visible.
• The registration number must be read from left to right.
• The registration number must be at least 3 inches high and be in bold, vertical, block letters.
• The color of the registration number must contrast with the background color of the boat.
• The letters and numbers in the registration number must be separated by a hyphen or by an equivalent space.
• Registration decals must be affixed on each side of the bow, towards the stern of the boat, in line with the registration number.
• These requirements are also applicable to personal watercraft (PWCs).

RECKLESS BOAT OPERATION REGULATIONS

In the state of Washington, it is illegal to operate a boat in a reckless or negligent manner that may endanger the life, safety or property of another person.

‘Reckless’ boat operation is defined as acting carelessly and heedlessly in willful and wanton disregard of the rights, safety, or property of another.

Examples include:

• Weaving through boat traffic.
• Operating in restricted areas.

NEGLIGENT BOAT OPERATION

Negligent boat operation is defined as operating a boat in disregard of careful and prudent operation, or in disregard of careful and prudent rates of speed, or in a manner that unduly or unreasonably endangers the safety, life, property or other rights of any person entitled to the use of such waters.

Examples include:

• Breaking the navigation rules.
• Creating a dangerous wake.
• Riding on the gunwale, bow or transom of a boat not equipped with adequate railings to prevent falls overboard.
• Not maintaining a proper lookout.
• Body surfing on the wake behind a motorized boat.
• Teak surfing and platform dragging (operating a motorized boat while a person is holding onto the swim platform, swim deck, swim step, swim ladder or any portion of the exterior of the boat’s transom).

MUFFLER AND NOISE LEVEL REQUIREMENTS

All boats equipped with an engine must also be equipped with a muffler system to prevent excessive engine noise.

• The muffler must be in good working order, be well-maintained and must always be in operation.
• An effective muffler does not produce sound levels in excess of 90 decibels (when subjected to a stationary sound level test).
• For engines manufactured on or after January 1st, 1994, the maximum noise level is 88 decibels (when subjected to a stationary sound level test).
• For engines manufactured prior to January 1st, 1994, the maximum noise level is 90 decibels (when subjected to a stationary sound level test).
• When the sound level is being measured from the shoreline, the maximum noise level is 75 decibels.

It is illegal to modify or remove your boat’s muffler system, if doing so will increase the engine’s sound level. Additionally, the use of a muffler cutout or muffler bypass system is illegal, unless the boat is engaged in racing events and is in an area that has been designated for that purpose.

NON-NATIVE AQUATIC SPECIES

Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) pose a risk to Washington’s native aquatic wildlife, ecosystems and to all of Washington’s water-based recreation. Common ANS in Washington state include: Zebra Mussels, Asian Clams, Sea Squirts, New Zealand Mud Snails, Aquatic Weeds, Chinese Mitten Crabs and a variety of Aquatic Weed types.

Unfortunately, Aquatic Nuisance Species (ANS) like these, spread easily from one body of water to the next, which is why Washington state has the following laws in place:

• It is illegal in Washington to transport ANS on boats (of all sizes and types), on boat trailers, on fishing equipment (i.e. bait wells, and buckets, etc.).
• When trailering a boat into Washington state from another state, you are required to have documentation proving that your boat is free of ANS.
• Be aware the state authorities in Washington are permitted to arrest  and detain and boater they suspect to be transporting a boat or any boating equipment that they suspect to be contaminated with ANS.

More information about Washington’s ANS (those prohibited in the state) can be found here: wdfw.wa.gov/ais/species.html

HELP PREVENT THE SPREAD OF NON-NATIVE SPECIES

Boaters in Washington state must actively prevent spreading ANS by taking the following measures each and every time their boat leaves a waterway:

• Looking closely for ANS on the boat, boating gear and your boating equipment and removing anything you discover.
• Pulling the boat onto dry land and draining all of the boat’s components before you trailer the boat away. This includes the bilge, motor, live well, diving equipment, fishing gear and bait buckets.
• Washing, rinsing and air-drying your boat and equipment before you leave the area!
• It’s a good ANS prevention practice to allow your boat to dry thoroughly (for at least 3-5 days) before launching it into a new body of water.