State reminds boaters of safety, registration requirements

Owners of motorboats, sailboats or personal watercraft need to get new, free 2017-2020 validation decals for their watercraft soon. The blue decals expired Feb. 28.

Boaters who have permanently registered their boats, sailboats, or PWC must still obtain two free boat validation decals every three years at FWP regional and area offices, or by going to the FWP website at fwp.mt.gov and clicking Boat Validation Decals.

Owners who order validation decals on the FWP website will receive the decals in the mail. Information included on a current boat registration receipt issued by the county treasurer is needed to obtain the decals in person or on FWP’s website.

For new owners, the county treasurer’s office will provide the first set of validation decals when the watercraft is registered. Boat owners will obtain subsequent sets of validation decals at a FWP regional or area office, or online.

FWP also wants to remind persons using stand-up paddleboard (SUPs) that a life jacket is required to be on board. The use of SUPs has exploded in Montana over the past few years. The vessels are fun, easy-to-use and have equipment requirements, not unlike other vessels.

All SUPs need to have a U.S. Coast Guard approved life jacket on board, and children under 12 years of age must wear a life jacket.

With this increase in popularity more people than ever are participating in this recreational activity. In 2008 the U.S. Coast Guard determined that stand-up paddleboards are considered to be a vessel when used outside a marked swimming area, and that state law applies for safety equipment.

State game wardens will be trying to catch young people doing something right this summer.

FWP and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary have teamed up with McDonald’s and Super 1 Foods stores to hand out coupons for free ice cream cones to young boaters ‘caught’ wearing their life jackets while boating.

The coupons will be given to anyone 16 years of age and under wearing a life jacket while enjoying Montana’s waters. Montana law requires youth under 12 years of age to wear a life jacket when the boat is in motion.

“Having a warden single out someone, especially a youngster, for doing something right is a refreshing way to make a strong impression on a child,” said Liz Lodman, FWP boat education coordinator. “If we can impress on young people the value of wearing a life jacket, we’re helping to protect them and others who may go boating with them in the future.”