Is your boat ready for the season?

Boat tabs are required in Washington and expire every year on June 30. Owners with expired tabs could face fines and now be considered derelict under new legislative definition.

||| FROM SAN JUAN COUNTY COMMUNICATIONS |||

While you are getting your boat ship-shape for the summer season, don’t forget to put Renew Vessel Registration! on your list of to-dos.  Each year in Washington state, boat registrations expire on June 30th and must be renewed.  Renewing is easily done online at Washington State Department of Licensing, or you can renew in person at the County Auditor’s Office Vessel Licenses | San Juan County, WA. You can even sign-up for an annual email reminder, so you never forget to renew!

To boat in Washington waters, you need to have:

• A Washington title, registration card and registration decals before you can use or moor your boat.
• Registration must be onboard whenever you are boating.
• Annual registration decal and boat registration numbers displayed on both sides of your bow.

There are exceptions for government, military and documented vessels or for small vessels like canoes, kayaks and dinghies that are under 16ft with motors 10 horsepower or less. Boaters visiting from out of state can operate for up to 60 days before needing to get a Washington permit.

How are the Washington boat registration fees used?
The fees for titling and registering your boat are calculated at .005 percent of your boat’s fair market value, with a minimum fee of $5.00. The Department of Licensing and its agents, including local county auditors, collect the fees which are transferred to the state’s general fund, which then allocates a portion to Washingtons Derelict Vessel Removal Account (DVRA) Derelict Vessel Inventory and Funding | Department of Natural Resources. Each recreational registration renewal contributes $3.00 to the DVRA with commercial vessel renewals contributing $1.00/foot annually.  For the most recent biennium, the state appropriated $2 million to the derelict vessel account with most of the money going toward reimbursement for vessel removal by authorized public entities, like the San Juan County Derelict Removal Program and the Port of Friday Harbor. Nonresident vessel fees are determined at a variable rate per foot with revenue used to support locally approved boating safety and swim programs.

Who Enforces Vessel Registrations?
Washington State Park rangers, Fish and Wildlife officers, deputy sheriffs, and all other officers with law enforcement authority can enforce the boating laws of Washington. USCG officers also patrol and have enforcement authority on all Washington waters under the jurisdiction of the United States. Boat owners caught with an expired registration are subject to a $125 ticket, with fees starting at $100 for unregistered vessels.

Effective June 11, 2026, New Legislation, HB 2199 – Reducing impacts from Derelict Vessels. 
Derelict vessels cause both short- and long-term pollution. This new bill makes it easier to remove derelict vessels by removing the requirement that a vessel owner be known, able to be located, and exerts control of the vessel. It also allows for the removal of vessels with registrations that have expired by more than two years. This new definition, HB 2199, comes into effect this June, just before current registrations expire on June 30, 2026.

San Juan County Derelict Vessel Program Coordinator, Kari Koski, remarks that they see many vessels in San Juan County with expired registrations. “We note expired tabs while on the water looking for vessels that need attention- what we call Vessels of Concern. Many local boats have registrations that are several years out of date, one of the first signs that it is being neglected. Beyond being legally required, annual registrations are the major funding source for getting derelict boats out of our waters- without that money, we would have a major problem on our hands. Every registration counts towards that fund.” Koski encourages boaters to “Go check your boat registration! It’s not too late to get it up to date and do your part for the Salish Sea this year!”

What Else Do You Need to Know About Boating Requirements in Washington?
Washington State requires every boater operating a personal watercraft or boat powered by a 15 hp motor or more to obtain a Boater Education Card. To get your card, you must pass the Washington Boating Safety Test which you can prepare for by taking an on-line course such as Official Washington Boater Card – BOATsmart!® Washington   or locally through America’s Boating Club of the San Juan Islands Education, (aka Local Power Squadron).

 Relevant URLs:

• Water Safety Reminders as Boating Season Begins | Washington State Parks
• Washington State Department of Licensing
• Derelict Vessel Program | San Juan County, WA

About San Juan County’s Department of Environmental Stewardship
San Juan County’s Department of Environmental Stewardship is responsible for solid waste, marine resources, clean water, cultural resources, and climate and sustainability work. The department offices are located at 1609 Beaverton Valley Rd, Friday Harbor, WA 98250. For more information about San Juan County’s Department of Environmental Stewardship, visit www.sanjuancountywa.gov/839/Environmental-Stewardship.