New free boat validation decals required by March 1

Andrew McKean

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New boat validation decals are needed starting March 1  

Attention boaters: New free boat decals are required before you launch your boat this year.

 

The red validation decal obtained for motorboats, sailboats or personal watercraft (PWC) will expire on Feb. 28, 2008. The boat validation decal that is needed before launching boats this spring is green in color and is valid through Feb. 28, 2011.

 

To keep Montana boaters consistent with federal boating laws that changed in 2005, state law requires Montana owners of motorboats, sailboats and PWC to validate their registration every three years by placing the following on their water craft: 1) a permanent registration decal and 2) two validation decals that expire every three years. Boaters must have all three decals properly displayed on their boats before putting them in the water.

 

Boaters who have already permanently registered their boats, sailboats or PWC must obtain the two boat validation decals every three years at FWP regional and area offices or by visiting the FWP website at Boat Validation Decals (http://fwp.mt.gov/hunting/licensedraw/boat_decals.aspx). Validation decals ordered over the FWP website will be delivered by mail. Be sure to bring your current registration receipt issued by your county treasurer to your FWP office or have the information available when using the website to obtain the free decals. Boat owners may also call FWP offices and have the decals mailed to them.

 

If you are in the process of buying a boat or plan to buy one this season, the first set of validation decals will be issued to you when you permanently register the boat or PWC in your name at the county treasurer’s office. Subsequent sets of validation decals (after Feb. 28, 2011) will be issued to you by visiting your FWP regional or area office or going to FWP’s web site and ordering the decals online.

 

For more information, go to the FWP Montana Boating Laws page at http://fwp.mt.gov/fishing/regulations/boatrestrictions.html or contact FWP’s Region 6 office at 406-228-3700.