05-31-2009, 11:13 AM
Frankfort, Ky. - Although this spring's weather has been cool and damp so far, it will break soon. Once we have a week or two of temperatures consistently above 80 degrees, people will start packing for a trip to the lake - and then remember their teenager needs a safe boating card before zooming away on a Jet Ski.
Waiting until the last moment will cause stress and cost money.
"It can be done quickly," said Capt. Mike Fields, commander of the operations support branch of the law enforcement division of Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. "You can take an on-line course for $29.50, but it will require pretty significant effort to obtain your certification."
A better choice is to avoid the last-minute rush and enroll in a free boater education class. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources offers these courses throughout the state twice a month. Class schedules and on-line course information is listed on the department's Internet page, fw.ky.gov.
Operating a boat or personal watercraft safely requires education and practice. "A parent that insists on driver education for their children should insist on boater education before a family vacation at the lake," said Col. Bob Milligan, director of law enforcement for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. "On the water, you only get one chance. You only get one mistake."
In Kentucky, a person must be 12 or older to operate a boat with a motor of 10 horsepower or more. This includes personal watercraft. Boat operators who are 12 to 17 years old must have a Kentucky Safe Boating Certificate Card or a certificate showing successful completion of a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved boater education course in order to operate a motorboat of 10 horsepower or greater.
"If you are coming from out of state, we accept their boating education certification as long as the certification is NASBLA approved," Fields said.
Boater education isn't just some bureaucratic obstacle to clear. Among the lessons taught in these classes is the importance of wearing a personal flotation device, as known as a life vest. Boating safety education saves lives.
"A huge majority of people killed in boating accidents have no formal boating education," Fields explained. "It is nearly 90 percent. So, boating education will keep you alive. The longer a state's had boater education, the lower the fatality rate in boating accidents in that state."
All boaters in Kentucky are strongly encouraged to pick up a copy of the 2009 Kentucky Fishing and Boating Guide for a review of all boating laws and for more information on boating education. The guide is available at Kentucky Fish and Wildlife's homepage at fw.ky.gov in a printable format. The guides are also available wherever fishing licenses are sold, at county clerk's offices or you may request one by calling 1-800-858-1549.
Also, if you haven't renewed your boat registration or placed the new 2009 stickers on your boat, you must do so before launching your boat this month. Boat registrations expired April 30. A ticket is a bad way to start the summer boating season.
-30-
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages, regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit of those resources and for public enjoyment. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. For more information on the department, visit our web site at fw.ky.gov.
Contact:<br />
Lee McClellan (800) 858-1549 ext. 4443
Waiting until the last moment will cause stress and cost money.
"It can be done quickly," said Capt. Mike Fields, commander of the operations support branch of the law enforcement division of Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. "You can take an on-line course for $29.50, but it will require pretty significant effort to obtain your certification."
A better choice is to avoid the last-minute rush and enroll in a free boater education class. The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources offers these courses throughout the state twice a month. Class schedules and on-line course information is listed on the department's Internet page, fw.ky.gov.
Operating a boat or personal watercraft safely requires education and practice. "A parent that insists on driver education for their children should insist on boater education before a family vacation at the lake," said Col. Bob Milligan, director of law enforcement for Kentucky Fish and Wildlife. "On the water, you only get one chance. You only get one mistake."
In Kentucky, a person must be 12 or older to operate a boat with a motor of 10 horsepower or more. This includes personal watercraft. Boat operators who are 12 to 17 years old must have a Kentucky Safe Boating Certificate Card or a certificate showing successful completion of a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved boater education course in order to operate a motorboat of 10 horsepower or greater.
"If you are coming from out of state, we accept their boating education certification as long as the certification is NASBLA approved," Fields said.
Boater education isn't just some bureaucratic obstacle to clear. Among the lessons taught in these classes is the importance of wearing a personal flotation device, as known as a life vest. Boating safety education saves lives.
"A huge majority of people killed in boating accidents have no formal boating education," Fields explained. "It is nearly 90 percent. So, boating education will keep you alive. The longer a state's had boater education, the lower the fatality rate in boating accidents in that state."
All boaters in Kentucky are strongly encouraged to pick up a copy of the 2009 Kentucky Fishing and Boating Guide for a review of all boating laws and for more information on boating education. The guide is available at Kentucky Fish and Wildlife's homepage at fw.ky.gov in a printable format. The guides are also available wherever fishing licenses are sold, at county clerk's offices or you may request one by calling 1-800-858-1549.
Also, if you haven't renewed your boat registration or placed the new 2009 stickers on your boat, you must do so before launching your boat this month. Boat registrations expired April 30. A ticket is a bad way to start the summer boating season.
-30-
The Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources manages, regulates, enforces and promotes responsible use of all fish and wildlife species, their habitats, public wildlife areas and waterways for the benefit of those resources and for public enjoyment. Kentucky Fish and Wildlife is an agency of the Tourism, Arts and Heritage Cabinet. For more information on the department, visit our web site at fw.ky.gov.
Contact:<br />
Lee McClellan (800) 858-1549 ext. 4443