The University of Washington has a unique blend of water-based research, academic and recreation activities. A wide range of boats support these activities, from small paddle craft to large oceanographic vessels. UW students, faculty and staff operate boats in a large variety of locations in Washington state, around the United States, and internationally. For UW vessel operators, prioritizing personal safety and stewardship for the environment is paramount.
University departments oversee day-to-day boating activities, training and vessel maintenance according to UW policies and standards set forth in the University’s Boating Safety Manual.
The UW Boating Safety Program is administered by Environmental Health & Safety (EH&S) boating safety program manager. All vessels owned and operated by the UW fall under the program’s purview.
What you need to know
There are federal, state, local and University requirements for safely operating boats that apply to both motorized and non-motorized vessels. The requirements are included in the UW Boating Safety Manual.
What you can do to stay safe
The UW is committed to safe boating. If you observe potentially unsafe practices, conditions or have questions, please feel free to report it confidentially to the boating safety program manager.
In order to stay safe, do not conduct any vessel operations without the proper training. You must be authorized by your departmental boat owner to conduct boating operations in affiliation with the UW.
When conducting UW boating operations, observe the following:
- Follow the standards in the UW Boating Safety Manual.
- Do not operate vessels without approval.
- Provide a float plan to a shore-based contact.
- Plan your boat operations in weather conditions appropriate for those operations and vessel size.
- Ensure required emergency equipment is on site.
Exposure Response and Reporting
UW personnel are required to submit an incident report to Environmental Health & Safety for any work-related event that results in an injury, illness, exposure to hazardous materials, or fire, regardless of the work location. UW personnel are highly encouraged to submit work-related near-miss events. Visit the Incident Reporting page for more information.
More information
Training opportunities are currently being offered to UW personnel based on unit/department need, including:
- Motorboat Operator Training Course (MOTC) - 24 hours
- Motorboat Operator Instructor Training Course (MOITC) – 36 hours
If you have questions regarding training, or do not know who your Unit/Department Vessel Manager is, please contact the boating safety officer.
Depending on the size of the vessel, safety regulations may originate with the state of Washington, federal Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA), the U.S. Coast Guard or the University of Washington. Some of the UW’s larger vessels are also part of University-National Oceanographic Laboratory System.
- Washington State Department of Labor and Industries (L&I) guidelines for boating safety
- Uninspected Vessel Requirements 46 CFR Chapter I Subchapter C
The Boating Safety Program oversees the safe use of water vessels of all sizes and classes by faculty, staff, students and approved volunteers at the University of Washington who are using these vessels as required by their employment or education.
The purpose of the Boating Safety Program is to:
- Ensure the personal safety of boat operators, crewmembers and occupants
- Maintain compliance with federal, state and local regulations
- Ensure environmental stewardship
Frequently asked questions
Yes, several departments have boats available for use on UW research projects. You will need to either be trained and approved as a vessel operator by that department prior to boat operations, or you will need to contract a boat operator to run the vessel for you.
Please contact the Boating Safety Program manager at divesafe@uw.edu for a list of current contacts.
Yes, the UW Boating Safety Program oversees all University of Washington-owned vessels. If you are using a UW-owned, non-motorized paddle-craft then you must follow the paddle-craft guidelines in the Boating Safety Manual.
Find more information about the Thomas G Thompson research vessel on the Oceanography department website.
Yes. You need to establish – and follow – a process for informing a shore-based colleague about the field activities you will be conducting on behalf of the UW. This is true for both motorized and non-motorized boating activities. You are encouraged to use the UW Float Plan in the UW Boating Safety Manual as it contains all the elements that should be included in any float plan, including when/who to call for emergency assistance for an overdue staff member.