By Kathi O'Shea February 23, 2021 10:46 am clipart.com BELLINGHAM, Wash. — Local boaters have three opportunities to take advantage of online boater education starting in April. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Bellingham and San Juan Islands Flotilla offers the 8-hour Basic Boater Education Course over Zoom in April, May and June. The course is meant for anyone wishing to learn safe boating skills and qualify for a Boater Education Card, which is required for operating a powerboat greater than 15 horsepower. The course fee is $20.00 and the on-line course handbook costs $5.00 to download. Upon successful completion of the eight-hour course, attendees may submit a copy of their individual “Certificate of Accomplishment” with a $10 fee to be issued a Washington State Boater Education Card.