California to Require Operators of Motorized Vessels to be Licensed

What is a Vessel Operator’s Card? Beginning on January 1, 2018, the State of California will begin enforcement of Senate Bill 941, which was signed into law by Governor Jerry Brown on September 18, 2014.  To be phased in between January 1, 2018 and January 1, 2025, SB 941 requires the California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways to begin issuing the California Vessel Operators Card (CVOC) to those people who qualify to operate boats on California waterways.

SB 941 is designed to promote boating safety by requiring all persons who operate motorized vessels in California to be trained and pass a written test before they can be issued a Vessel Operators Card.  The Vessel Operators Card is similar to the California Driver License in that the holder of a CVOC will have been properly vetted before the card is issued.  The operator’s identification will be confirmed and his or her valid residency will be verified.  The holder of the CVOC will have demonstrated the knowledge and ability to safely operate motorized vessels.  The CVOC will not require renewal.  Once an operator is licensed, the Vessel Operators Card will remain valid for life.

In 2015, the Division of Boating and Waterways began the process of evaluating and implementing this new law.  Much of SB 941’s requirements have yet to be identified, but once complete the law will be laid out in section 678 of the Harbors and Navigation Code.

How will SB 941 be implemented? The minimum age requirements for those persons who operate motorized vessels is already laid out in section 658.5 of the Harbor and Navigations Code. Beginning January 1, 2018, SB 941 will be phased in by age groups:

• January 1, 2018 for all operators 20 years old and younger
• January 1, 2019 for all operators 25 years old and younger
• January 1, 2020 for all operators 35 years old and younger
• January 1, 2021 for all operators 40 years old and younger
• January 1, 2022 for all operators 45 years old and younger
• January 1, 2023 for all operators 50 years old and younger
• January 1, 2024 for all operators 60 years old and younger
• January 1, 2025 for all operators regardless of age

Who is Exempt for Possessing a Vessel Operators Card? SB 941 does identify certain persons who are exempt from holding a CVOC:

• A visitor from another State. Any person who is temporarily operating a motorized vessel in the State of California for less than 60 days.
• A visitor from another country. Any person who is temporarily operating a motorized vessel in the State of California for less than 90 days.
• A person who is operating a motorized vessel while under the direct supervision of a person who holds a Vessel Operators Card and is at least 18 years of age.
• A person who is operating a motorized vessel in an organized regatta, vessel race or water ski race.
• A person who is operating a rented motorize vessel.
• A person who is in possession of a current commercial fishing license.
• A person who is in possession of a valid marine operator license 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).
• A person who has successfully completed a boating course approved by the Commission on Peace Officers Standards and Training.