BOATERS EDUCATION CLASSES

— Mandatory boating education began Jan. 1, 2001. This law affects operators of sailboats and motor-powered craft.

Anyone born on or after Jan. 1, 1986, and of legal age to operate a motorboat, must have successfully completed an approved Arkansas Game and Fish Commission Boating Education Course and carry proof while operating a motorboat on Arkansas water.

The law also affects operators of sailboats.

The Arkansas Boating Education Course teaches the fundamentals of safe and responsible boating. This is necessary to reduce loss of life, personal injury and property damage while increasing boating enjoyment for outdoor enthusiasts. The basic six-hour boating course includes: Arkansas boating law, boat classification, registration and trailering, personal flotation devices (life jackets, etc.), rules of the road,maintenance and boating accidents.

The program is administered through the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, and taught through a corps of trained volunteer and professional instructors on a statewide basis.

Instructor led or online classes are available. For more information, call 621-1152 ext 32, or visit www.agfc.com.

School, Pages 9 on 03/17/2010