Release Date:  April 1, 2008
Contact:  Kathy Popielski, popielskik@trocaire.edu
716-821-1210, Ext. 1006


BUFFALO, N.Y. -  Get ready for the 2008 boating season – enroll today in Trocaire’s New York Safe Boating course. This course is designed as a comprehensive boating course, teaching the fundamentals of safe boating operation.  A safety certificate may be obtained by completing this New York Safe Boating course.

Approved by the National Association of Boating Law Administrators, the course requires a minimum of eight hours of classroom instruction and includes the following topics:  Accidents & Emergencies, Boat Operation, Boating Related Activities, Boats & Motors, Equipment, Fueling & Ventilation, Marine Environment, Navigation, Numbering & Registration, Personal Watercraft, Rules of the Road, and Safe Loading & Powering.

What are the legal requirements of who is required to complete a boating safety course?  You must hold a safety certificate if:

1.    You operate a personal watercraft (PWC) and are at least 14 years of age.  Until 2009 operators age 10-13 can still operate with restrictions.

2.    You wish to operate a motorboat (including personal watercraft) and you are at least 10 years old and less than 18 years old.

3.    If you are under 10 years old you may operate a motorboat (non-PWC) only if someone over 18, or someone between the ages of 10 and 18 who hold a safety certificate, is on board with you.

4.    Anyone may operate a personal watercraft  (PWC) if someone at least 18 years old is riding on the craft and they hold a safety certificate.

The course will be taught by Dr. Michael LaFever, a NYS Certified Instructor.  Classes are available on Tuesday, April 22 and Tuesday, April 29 from 5:30 – 9:30 p.m. or Saturday, April 26, from  8:00 am – 4:00 pm and the fee is $35.00.

For more information or to register for the course, contact MaryAnn Chernowski in the Lifelong Learning Office at 827.2435 or chernowskim@trocaire.edu.