The Mattituck-Laurel Library is making it easy for tweens and teens in our area to become certified to lawfully operate a boat or personal watercraft by offering a safe boating course approved by New York State. The course is open to young residents of any town.
All individuals born on or after May 1, 1996 are now required to successfully complete an approved course in boater education in order to operate a motorboat. Operators may not operate a personal watercraft (JetSki, SeaDoo, etc.) unless they are at least 14 years of age and hold a boater safety certificate issued by New York State Parks, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary or the U.S. Power Squadron for having completed an eight-hour classroom based course of instruction.
The New York State Parks’ Bureau of Marine Services safe boating course starts at the Mattituck-Laurel Library this month. A copy of the third edition of the “New York Safe Boating Textbook: A Course on the Safe Operation of Boats and Personal Watercraft” can be downloaded to your computer, phone, or tablet. Hard copy textbooks will be available at the class for those who would like one.
The course is for youngsters ages 10 to 18 who plan to operate a boat, or age 14 and up who plan to operate a jet ski alone on New York State waters.
The course will be held on Saturdays from April 22 through May 20 from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. The library is located at 13900 Main Road, Mattituck.
Class size is limited to 15 students; a fee of $10 is required. All students must pre-register and a gift will be given to all who complete the course.
For more information or to register, contact the Mattituck-Laurel Library at 631 298-4134.
