March 11, 2008

Oswego County Sheriff Reuel A. Todd has announced that three Boating Safety Courses will be held beginning in April 2008.

There is no charge for the training. A parent or guardian must accompany any youths ages 10 through 17 to the classroom on the first day of the course to sign a parental permission form.

New York State Law requires boaters to hold a safety certificate if:

• You operate a personal watercraft and are at least 14 years of age. Until January 1, 2009, those operators age ten (10) through thirteen (13) that have a boating safety certificate may continue to operate a PWC if they are accompanied by:
  
  
  • someone over 18 years of age and
    
    
  • within 500 feet on another personal watercraft or vessel and
    
    
  • within sight of the personal watercraft and
    
    
  • holding a safety certificate of their own.
    
    
• You wish to operate a motorboat (including personal watercraft) and you are at least 10 years old and less than 18 years old.
  
  
• If you are less 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 holds a safety certificate, is on board with you. Anyone may operate a personal watercraft if someone at least 18 years old is riding on the craft and they hold a safety certificate.

Two courses will be at the Oswego County Public Safety Center, 39 Churchill Road, Oswego as follows:

April 19, 2008, 9 AM to 1 PM
April 20, 2008, 12 noon to 4 PM

April 26, 2008, 9 AM to 1 PM
April 27, 2008, 12 noon to 4 PM

One course will be at the Central Square Fire Department, 687 N Main Street, Central Square as follows:

May 3, 2008, 9 AM to 1 PM
May 4, 2008, 12 noon to 4 PM

Students must attend both days of their chosen training course to complete the program.

Pre-registration is required and class size will be strictly limited due to available space. Interested students can register by contacting Jennifer Bertollini weekdays from 8 AM to 4:30 PM at 349-3259.