The Black Diamond Police Department is hosting two boating safety classes this spring to get you ready for the warmer weather.

It’s Washington state law that anyone operating a boat with 15 horsepower or greater needs to carry a state Boater Education Card, but the BDPD encourages anyone operating a water craft – from sailing and kayaking to doing yoga on a paddle board – attend the class to go over the basics of water safety.

According to the U.S. Coast Guard, 74% of boating deaths in 2022 occurred on vehicles where the operator had not received boating safety instructions. Additionally, operator inattention and operator inexperience are the No. 1 and 2 known primary contributing factors to deaths and accidents.

Though boating is, for obvious reasons, more popular in the summer – which means there are more injuries and fatalities in total – the injury-to-fatality ratio is higher when the weather turns cold; for example, December and January 2022 saw the highest fatality rate, followed by October, so even those boating in the off-season are encouraged to attend.

And beyond general safety information, the classes lets attendees meet other experienced boaters and learn about local boating information as well.

The first class will be on Sunday, March 31, and the second on Saturday, April 27. Both classes will be at the Black Diamond Police Department and go from 8 a.m. to 6 p.m.

At the end of the class, students will only need to send in their Boater Education Card application to Washington State Parks by sending in a copy (emphasized) of proof of class completion, as well as a $10 check or money order, made out to Washington State Parks.

If you want to ask questions about the class, or to register, email Joann Sloss at jsloss@blackdiamondwa.gov or call 360-851-4450. Anyone attending under the age of 14 must be accompanied by an adult.