Chapter Two: Washington Laws and Safety Requirements

Washington State Parks Boating Education Coordinator Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission 7150 Cleanwater Lane P.O. Box 42654 Olympia, WA 98504-2654 (360) 586-6592

Failure to stop for law enforcement officer

Any operator of a vessel who willfully fails to stop when requested or signaled to do so by a person reasonably identifiable as a law enforcement officer (Washington State Parks rangers, Fish & Wildlife agents, city police officers, deputy sheriffs and all other officers with law enforcement authority) is guilty of a gross misdemeanor.

Eluding a law enforcement vessel

Any operator of a vessel who willfully fails or refuses to immediately bring the vessel to a stop and who operates the vessel in a manner indicating a wanton or willful disregard for the lives or property of others while attempting to elude a pursuing law enforcement vessel, after being given a visual or audible signal to bring the vessel to a stop, shall be guilty of a class C felony punishable under chapter 7 9A.20 RCW. The signal given by the law enforcement officer may be by hand, voice, emergency light, or siren. The officer giving such a signal shall be in uniform and his or her vessel shall be appropriately marked showing it to be an official law enforcement vessel.

Display of Blue Lights

Only law enforcement boats may use and display blue lights (flashing/strobe) on a vessel. If you observe a blue light, slow down or stop.