| DNR rangers to
stricly enforce new age rules for boat operators As warmer
weather continues and many Georgians head out for
some time on the water, the Georgia Department of
Natural Resources, Wildlife Resources Division
reminds young boaters that there is now a law
that restricts boat operation for individuals
under age 16.
The
Georgia General Assembly also has provided a way
for young people to operate boat or personal
watercraft, either by taking a boating safety
course or under the supervision of an adult.
“Convervation
rangers spent last summer educating people about
the new minimum age restrictions for operating
boats and personal watercraft, but this summer,
the law will be strictly enforced,” says WRD
chief of law enforcement Col. Walt Taylor.
“We don't want to take the fun out of being
on the water, but we do want people to be
safe.”
Boaters
have three ways to take a boating safety course
in Georgia. The classroom course is a free,
six-hour class, taught by WRD conservation
rangers and volunteers, that covers the basics of
boating.
Contact
the local WRD law enforcement office for a list
of classes.
Boaters
also can go to boat-ed.com on the Internet,
review the material in each chapter, and take a
practice test for no charge. To receive state
certification that fulfills Georgia's
requirements for operating a boat or personal
watercraft, boaters can pay a $15 charge and take
the certified boating safety test.
Another
option for boaters is the home study course.
Boaters can receive a “Boat Georgia”
manual and a boating safety video by ordering it
on the Internet at boat-ed.com or by calling
1-800-460-9698. The cost of the course is $24.95
plus shipping and handling.
After
reading the manual and watching the video,
boaters can take the enclosed boating safety
certification test. Then, boaters mail their test
answer sheets to Boat Ed, Inc. with a $5 boating
safety certification fee to have their tests
graded in order to receive their certification.
Minimum
boat operator age requirements are based on the
age of the boat operator and size of the vessel.
For
information on the minimum age requirements for
boat operators or other boating safety issues,
phone (706) 846-8448.
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