City offers boating safety tips with season underway

Published 8:30 am Thursday, June 4, 2026

With prime boating season now underway, the city of Mercer Island reminds the public that all vessel operators age 50 and under are required to take an approved boating education course to command their watercrafts with a motor stronger than 15 horsepower.

“The Mercer Island Police Department’s Marine Patrol Unit serves a vital role in keeping our waters safe, but you can do your part,” the city said about taking a course in compliance with the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and a Washington state-approved boating education course.

For information about the courses, which some boaters may have already taken, visit: https://tinyurl.com/56xfm3eh.

To ensure everyone’s safety on the water, the city notes that all vessels — including canoes, kayaks and stand-up paddleboards — must carry U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jackets for every passenger on board (children under 12 are required to always wear a life jacket while the vessel is moving); people should never operate a vessel under the influence of alcohol or drugs; boaters should check weather forecasts before leaving (especially if venturing far from shore) and know and respect their ability (and limits) to safely operate a boat; and boaters are reminded to carry a sound-producing device, a flashlight, a Type B fire extinguisher and a first aid kit.