Boating season is here! Safety is always our primary focus as we partner with the Mercer Island Police Department’s Marine Patrol Unit to ensure a safe and fun 2025 boating season in our waters of Lake Washington..

The Mercer Island Police Department has put together a list of boating safety reminders to keep in mind while you’re enjoying the water this season. Please review the attached document and please call 911 for Noise and Wake complaints.

• Boaters over the age of 12 and born after 1955 are required to possess a Washington Boater Education Card on their person when operating a vessel with at least a 15-horsepower motor.
• Current registration is required on all vessels. All vessel registration expires on June 30th.
• The following equipment is required on board at all times when operating a vessel:
  • US Coast Guard approved PFD/life preservers for every passenger on board. Children under 12 must wear one at all times if a vessel is under 19’.
  • Type IV (otherwise known as a boat cushion)
  • US Coast Guard approved fire extinguisher
  • Navigation lights – activated from sunset to sunrise. Jet skis are not allowed to be operated from sunset to sunrise. No other lights are permitted.
  • Distress signals (horn, whistle, flares)
  • Engine blower
  • Carbon monoxide decal
  • Skier down flag
  • Designated skier observer separate from the driver
  • Kayaks/canoes must have a life preserver on board for all passengers on board.
• Safety regulations & reminders:
  • If you are on a crossing course with another vessel that could result in a collision if the other vessel is on the right, it is the stand-on vessel, and you must yield.
  • A sailboat under sail always has the right of way.
  • If two vessels come head-on, each vessel alters course to pass on the right of the other.
  • The speed regulation buoys are placed 300’ / 100 yards from the nearest shore or dock. 8 nautical miles per hour/No Wake (defined as a cresting wave) inside those buoys to shore, or before, under, or after any bridge. Outside of these speed buoys, there is no speed limit. You may go as fast as conditions allow without being negligent or reckless to others.
  • Boaters in Washington State are responsible for any damage their wake causes.

Call 911 immediately if you are experiencing an emergency. Be ready to identify where you are, your address, the name of the facility, landmarks, etc. so others can find you. If you have a GPS on your boat/chart plotter/cell phone, be ready to give your Latitude and Longitude if needed. Give specific identifiers.

Thank you for your partnership to ensure the 2025 boating season is safe, fun and successful!