OLYMPIA — Many committed boaters continue spending time on Washington waters through the fall and winter, according to an announcement by the Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission. 

State Parks urge boaters “to be prepared, and take a boater safety class to  enhance their skills and learn how to be safe on the water.”

To encourage participation in these safety precautions, the Washington State Parks Boating Safety Program and Seattle Seahawks teamed up to launch a contest highlighting boating education. Boaters who take a boater safety class and apply for a boater education card, a requirement for many boaters, will automatically be entered to win prizes. 

Prizes include an autographed football and autographed replica jersey, and the grand prize of Seahawks VIP game package that includes four tickets to the Dec. 29 Seahawks game at CenturyLink Field in Seattle, an autographed replica helmet, two adult-sized life jackets and more.

The Boater Education Sweepstakes can be found at www.seahawks.com/boatered. Prize winners will be selected beginning Oct. 7, with the grand prize winner selected Nov. 7.

The main purpose of the Safety Program is to increase the pubic’s awareness of safe boating practices and life jacket wear, which helps to decrease the number of boating fatalities and makes the water safer for all boaters.

A boater education card is not a license, but is mandatory for boaters ages 12 to 50 who operate motorboats with 15 horsepower or more. In 2014 the card will be required for all boaters born after Jan. 1, 1955.

Boater education options can be found at www.parks.wa.gov/boating.