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Now is time to plan for boating safety courses
SOURCE: The Official Internet site for the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources
Now is time to plan for boating safety courses
MADISON – With more than 15,000 inland lakes, 42,000 miles of rivers, and 1,000 miles of Great Lakes shoreline, Wisconsin’s waterways are a focal point of outdoor recreation. As the estimated 1.5 million boaters gear up to use these waters this year, courtesy, safety and education are important issues.
State conservation wardens say boaters can help make this year a safer more enjoyable experience by being certified in boating safety. Boating safety certificates are available through courses taught by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or the U.S. Power Squadron.
“We know that our boating safety graduates have fewer accidents and problems on the waterways simply because they know more about boat and motor maintenance, navigational rules, knots, first aid and other topics taught in the course, “ said Chris Wunrow, DNR recreational safety warden in northern Wisconsin. He added that it is now easier than ever to find a boating safety course. Courses are listed by county on the Recreational Safety Education pages of the DNR Web site. Boating safety courses generally begin to be offered starting in February or March and many courses are offered through the summer.
To operate a boat in Wisconsin, children ages 10 or 11 must be accompanied by a parent or an adult at all times. Those who are 12 to 16 can operate a boat with a parent or adult on board or by themselves if they have passed an approved boating safety course and have their certificate with them.
For personal watercraft (PWC) use, children ages 12 to 16 are required by law to have a boating safety certificate. Adult supervision on a PWC does not take the place of a safety certificate.
“People 16 or older in Wisconsin can operate a boat or PWC without a safety certificate. But studies show that people who don’t have boat safety training are five times more likely to be involved in a fatal boating accident than someone who has taken a safety course,” Wunrow said. “Most insurance companies also offer discounts to graduates of a boat safety course.”
There is also an Internet boating safety course that can be taken on-line instead of through the traditional classroom course that gives students the opportunity to earn a boating safety certificate.
“This online course really helps get the boating safety message to those youth and adults who find it difficult, if not impossible, to attend one of our regular classes,” Wunrow said. “Before this online course, our options for those people who weren’t able to find a course to fit their schedules were very limited. Now, with a computer and access to the Internet, they can take an approved course when it is convenient for them.”
But the online course isn’t for everyone. The material is written at a 14-year-old reading level and is not recommended for children younger than that. Younger children are encouraged to find a traditional boating safety class.
After covering the basics, students take an online test. A $10 fee covers the cost of taking the exam and the cost of the safety certificate, the same price as through traditional classroom instruction.
To take the online boating safety course or to find a classroom course near you, go to the DNR’s boating safety Web page.
FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT: Chris Wunrow (715) 635-4112 or the following regional recreational safety wardens: Jeff Dauterman, Antigo Service Center - (715) 623-4190; Donna Juncer, Green Bay Service Center- (920) 662-5129; April Dombrowski, Oshkosh Service Center – (920) 303-5443; William Yearman, Eau Claire Service Center - (715) 839-3717; Patrick Lisi, Fitchburg Service Center - (608) 275-3253; John Bronikowski, Sturtevant Service Center - (262) 844-2383; or John Plenke, Waukesha Service Center - (262) 574-2163
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