The Bush Administration apparently thinks so, as the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) announced their Small Vessel Security Strategy today to help reduce terror risks associated with small boats.  DHS is essentially hoping to institute a Neighborhood-Watch type program among boaters to help fight terrorism.  The full strategy is available on the DHS website.
This strategy came [...]

Washington State passed legislation in 2005 requiring all boaters to carry a Washington Boater Education Card if they are operating a sailboat or powerboat with a 15HP or larger engine.   This card is not like a drivers license, however, in that it does not need to be renewed - once you obtain your knowledge of basic [...]

Raingear…. check!  Food for your three-day cruise… check!  Sunglasses for that rare glimpse of sun…. check! Fire extinguisher and visual distress signals…. what???
Before going out for your first cruise of the year, make sure you have all of the Coast Guard required equipment on your boat, and that it is all is up-to-date and functioning.  We [...]

The official marine mammal of Washington state - the orca whale - received protection from Governor Christine Gregoire last Friday when she signed House Bill 2514 to create a 300-foot “vessel-free” buffer zone around orcas.  The law provides the Department of Fish and Wildlife with enforcement tools to better protect the endangered Southern resident whales.
After [...]

The $40 billion/year boating industry is struggling to stay afloat during what appears more and more to be the beginning (or middle?!) of an economic recession.  Between rising fuel prices and lacksidasical sales that have been dropping almost every month since 2004, the boating industry has been hit early with manufacturing layoffs, plant closures, and abruptly [...]

WWW.BOATBLUE.ORG is the Web site of The National Marine Manufactures Association (NMMA) which claims to be the “nation’s largest recreational marine industry trade association, representing over 1,600 boat builders, engine manufacturers, and marine accessory manufacturers”. Recently the Web site alerted the boating public to a recent court ruling that would require all recreational boats to [...]

The WA DOT Ferries Division series of Ferry Advisory Committee (FAC) public meetings begin tonight from 6:30 to 8:30pm at the Bainbridge Commons on Bainbridge Island.  New Assistant Secretary David Moseley will be introduced to the public and the meetings will discuss current operational issues and talk about the work leading up to a revised long-range plan for [...]