07-09-2004, 12:30 AM
Lincoln, Neb. Classes are now forming for 14- to17-year-olds, who must successfully complete a boating safety course before operating a boat or personal watercraft anywhere in the state.
As of Jan. 1, 2004, everyone under 18 years of age operating a boat, including personal watercraft, anywhere in Nebraska, must have successfully completed a boating safety course and have a valid boating safety certificate in his or her possession, according to Herb Angell, Nebraska Boating Law Administrator.
Angell says a new Nebraska law requires that only people 18 years of age and older be allowed to operate boats, including personal watercrafts, in Nebraska waters. The lone exception will be that a person 14 years of age or older who has not yet reached their 18th birthday may operate a boat if he or she has satisfactorily completed a boating safety course approved by the Commission and has a valid boating safety certificate in his or her possession.
"The Nebraska Boating Basics safety course consists of a minimum of six formal classroom hours and is taught by instructors approved by the Commission. Students must score 70 percent or higher on the exam to be certified," Angell said.
Nebraska will recognize the successful completion of boating safety courses certified in other states so that people 14 - 17 years old may operate a boat in this state. The person must, however, provide proof of having successfully completed a certified boating safety course in the other state. It is important to note that completion of the Home Study Boating Education Course does not fulfill personal watercraft education requirements for persons under 18 years.
Angell says the new law is important because boating accidents fatalities continue to occur in Nebraska and "year after year we still find that almost all of the people who died while boating had no boating safety education."
"The education courses are required for certain boat operators, but that does not mean that all boat operators cant voluntarily take the course," he said. "The advantage is safe boat operation, which may save a life, and a possible reduction in your boat insurance premium."
Here are the latest additions to the growing list of Boating Education Classes scheduled across the state. For information regarding classes, contact your local Game and Parks Commission office or check on the Commissions web site. Classes are forming and interested people are urged to register early to be sure they become certified prior to this years boating season.
Information about upcoming classes is available on the Boating page at Nebraska Game and Parks Commissions web site, www.outdoornebraska.org. Additional information will be posted as it is received, so check back often to learn about new classes forming in your area.
Newly scheduled classes include:
July 10 --9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. – Columbus
Sealand Marine, Hwy. 30 and 16 Ave., to register contact Sealand Marine, (402) 562- 6615. $10 registration fee.
July 12 and 14 -- 6 p.m. -10 p.m. – Bennington
Library, to register contact Jean Goble at 402-397-2916, $10 registration fee, attendance required at both sessions for certification.
July 10 – 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. – Lincoln
Sheriffs Association Building, Nebraska State Fair Park, to register contact Claire Coleman at 402-466-9022, $10 registration fee.
July 17 and 24 -- 8:30 a.m. - noon -- Yankton, S.D.
Yankton EMS Office, 805 Capital, to register contact Larry Hintgen at 605-665-5622 or All Season Power Sports at (605) 665-5216. $10 registration fee.
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As of Jan. 1, 2004, everyone under 18 years of age operating a boat, including personal watercraft, anywhere in Nebraska, must have successfully completed a boating safety course and have a valid boating safety certificate in his or her possession, according to Herb Angell, Nebraska Boating Law Administrator.
Angell says a new Nebraska law requires that only people 18 years of age and older be allowed to operate boats, including personal watercrafts, in Nebraska waters. The lone exception will be that a person 14 years of age or older who has not yet reached their 18th birthday may operate a boat if he or she has satisfactorily completed a boating safety course approved by the Commission and has a valid boating safety certificate in his or her possession.
"The Nebraska Boating Basics safety course consists of a minimum of six formal classroom hours and is taught by instructors approved by the Commission. Students must score 70 percent or higher on the exam to be certified," Angell said.
Nebraska will recognize the successful completion of boating safety courses certified in other states so that people 14 - 17 years old may operate a boat in this state. The person must, however, provide proof of having successfully completed a certified boating safety course in the other state. It is important to note that completion of the Home Study Boating Education Course does not fulfill personal watercraft education requirements for persons under 18 years.
Angell says the new law is important because boating accidents fatalities continue to occur in Nebraska and "year after year we still find that almost all of the people who died while boating had no boating safety education."
"The education courses are required for certain boat operators, but that does not mean that all boat operators cant voluntarily take the course," he said. "The advantage is safe boat operation, which may save a life, and a possible reduction in your boat insurance premium."
Here are the latest additions to the growing list of Boating Education Classes scheduled across the state. For information regarding classes, contact your local Game and Parks Commission office or check on the Commissions web site. Classes are forming and interested people are urged to register early to be sure they become certified prior to this years boating season.
Information about upcoming classes is available on the Boating page at Nebraska Game and Parks Commissions web site, www.outdoornebraska.org. Additional information will be posted as it is received, so check back often to learn about new classes forming in your area.
Newly scheduled classes include:
July 10 --9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m. – Columbus
Sealand Marine, Hwy. 30 and 16 Ave., to register contact Sealand Marine, (402) 562- 6615. $10 registration fee.
July 12 and 14 -- 6 p.m. -10 p.m. – Bennington
Library, to register contact Jean Goble at 402-397-2916, $10 registration fee, attendance required at both sessions for certification.
July 10 – 8 a.m. - 4 p.m. – Lincoln
Sheriffs Association Building, Nebraska State Fair Park, to register contact Claire Coleman at 402-466-9022, $10 registration fee.
July 17 and 24 -- 8:30 a.m. - noon -- Yankton, S.D.
Yankton EMS Office, 805 Capital, to register contact Larry Hintgen at 605-665-5622 or All Season Power Sports at (605) 665-5216. $10 registration fee.
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