With “love in the air” and spring and the boating season just around the corner, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary offers an idea for boaters to help them stay safe all year long.
One of the best gift ideas for boaters is to sign them up for a boating education course. Knowledge is power, and it has been statistically shown that boaters who have taken a safety class are far less likely to be involved in a boating mishap or fatality.
In New York State, all individuals born on or after 5/1/96 are now required to successfully complete an approved course in boater education in order to operate a motorboat. For those born before that date, no course is required.
Operators may not operate a Personal Watercraft (JetSki®, SeaDoo®, etc.) unless they are at least 14 years of age and hold a boater safety certificate for an approved course, or have a certificate holder who is 18 years or older on board the watercraft.
A Boating Safely Class will be held February 16, 17, and 19 from 6 to 9 p.m. at the Hilton Baptist Church, 50 Lake Avenue in Hilton. This course is for all boaters including certification for Personal Watercraft Operators. New boaters are encouraged to attend; attendance at all three classes is mandatory; upon successful completion, the student will receive a certificate and boating card the last night of class. The cost for this class is $30 per person.
To register for the class, contact Betty Benoit at 747-0222 or visit www.safelyboating.org.
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