The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) is offering a free two-day boater safety course at its Region 5 headquarters in Ray Brook on April 29 and 30. Anyone born after May 1, 1996, must pass an approved boater safety course to legally operate a motor boat.

The Safe Boating Course teaches the fundamentals of safe boating operation and is approved by the National Association of Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), Certified Instructors and DEC.

Police Officers teach the course, which includes eight hours of class room instruction divided between two days.

Students must be 10 years old to take the class. The course will be given at DEC Region 5 Headquarters at 1115 State Route 86, in Ray Brook. The course runs from at 9 am to 2 pm on Friday, April 29, and from 9 am to noon on the Saturday April 30.

Instructors will issue students a temporary Safe Boating Certificate good for 90 days upon completion of the course. Adults age 18 or older, must submit $10 to the Bureau of Marine Services to receive a permanent safe boating certificate.

Call (518) 897-1303 to pre-register for the course. Class size is limited. Advise instructors in advance if the student requires any special accommodations.

Photo by John Warren.