Covington, LA — The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary's state-approved About Boating Safely course will be taught Saturday, June 9 at the Flotilla Office from 8 a.m. until about 4:30 p.m. The office is located at 2101 N. Hwy 190, Suite 200 in Covington (in the Tammany Home Center).

Louisiana law states: 'No person born after January 1, 1984, shall operate a motorboat powered by a motor in excess of ten horsepower, unless he has successfully completed a boating safety class approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. A person who has completed an approved boating safety class shall be in possession of evidence of such completion when operating such a boat.' This law also applies to operators of personal water craft (PWCs), however, no person under the age of 16 may operate a PWC at any time.

'The Coast Guard Auxiliary's course is valid for all jurisdictions,” explained Jay Culotta, public affairs officer, Northlake Flotilla. “Those who complete the course receive a certificate, as well as a wallet card to be carried by those subject to the age requirement. Without such proof, an operator is subject to large fines and possible termination of the voyage and seizure of the vessel.”

Students will learn about the different types of boats and personal water craft, safety equipment the Coast Guard requires to be aboard a vessel while underway, the rules of the road such as which boat has the right-of-way under varying operating conditions, how to dock a boat, trailering and towing, what the various aids to navigation are and how to read a marine chart.
Their is no cost for the course, unless you decide to take home a book ($15.00). Send an email to NorthlakeFlotilla42@yahoo.com to register before June 8th, so we can contact you if there any last minute changes and to make sure there is enough room, since the classroom can only accommodate about 20 people.

For further information about the course, go to http://uscgaux-northlake.com/boating-safety-2/boating-safety. Other times and dates are available at http://uscgaux-northlake.com/2012-calendar.