Safety guide

A GUIDE TO BOATING AND SWIMMING SAFETY RESOURCES PRESENTED BY LAKESIDE ON LANIER

Boater Education Courses with Certification Exam

Basics of Boating - America's Boating Course • Course: Meets Georgia DNR and NASBLA requirements for boater and PWC certification; covers boat handling, safety equipment/procedures, rules of the road, boat types/terminology. • Instructors: America’s Boating Club – Atlanta (formerly Atlanta Sail and Power Squadron) • When: 3-session classes begin on Wednesday, June 30 • Cost: $25 per student; plus optional course textbook • Information/registration: americasboatingclubatlanta.org/ or Email - ABC@usps-atlanta.org

Boating Safely & Personal Watercraft Certification - USCGA

• Course: NASBLA certified entry level classroom-only course with test for boater education and PWC certification. Covers basic boating terminology, “rules of the road,” navigation, operation, legal requirements, emergencies, water etiquette and more. • Instructors: U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary volunteers • Minimum age: 12 • When: 2021 Schedule TBD • Where: U.S. Coast Guard Flotilla 29, 6595 Lights Ferry Rd., Flowery Branch • Cost: Individuals $34.95 • Private lessons also available for groups or organizations outside normal schedule by calling Flotilla Commander Chuck Kelemen, 770-714-0888. • Information/registration: Harry Lasher, hlasher@bellsouth.net, 404-861-4216; http://wow.uscgaux.info/peclass.php?unit=070-02-09

On-Line Courses • www.boat-ed.com and http://www.boaterexam.com/usa/georgia include study guide and Georgia Certification Exam with unlimited exam attempts; cost is $29.50 payable upon exam passage. Temporary certificate printed upon passage; permanent card mailed. • http://www.boatus.org/onlinecourse/Georgia.asp offers free course, exam and print your own certificate; mailed certificate $5. • Other certification courses offered at www.boatcourse.com, www.boatingbasicsonline.com, and www.pwcsafetyschool.com.

Other Boater Education Opportunities (Certification exam not included)

• Professional Tutoring: Captain’s Training, on-line or in person tutoring designed to prepare individuals for exams required for certification and licensure for maritime jobs by instructor Steve Johnson, retired US Coast Guard, experienced ship navigator, deck officer, and USCG license instructor for Sea School. www.navteach.com, stevejohnson@navteach.com, 770-3120989.

• Advanced Boating Classes in piloting, marine communications, and other boating skills offered periodically by the Atlanta Sail and Power Squadron. www.atlantasboatingclub.com. Vessel Safety Checks • Atlanta Sail and Power Squadron offers vessel safety check-ups by appointment. http://atlantasboatingclub.com/vessel-safety-check/vessel-safety-check-signup. • Vessel Safety Checks by appointment: Both U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and United States Power Squadrons offer vessel safety check-ups at your boat by appointment. www.safetyseal.net.

Sailing Classes • Windsong Sailing Academy: Basic and advanced sailing training and certifications including engine maintenance, marine electrical systems, coastal and celestial navigation as well as marine meteorology offered by Windsong Sailing Academy through the DeKalb County Parks and Recreation Service. Public and private week evening and weekend classes available. Fees vary. www.WindsongSail.com. (770) 967-1515.

Frances Meadows Aquatics and Community Center

• Location: 1545 Community Way, Gainesville. • Information/registration: (770) 533-5850, www.gainesville.org/swim-lessons • Lessons: Swimming and water safety program for all ages and levels, age 6 months to masters, basic aquatics safety to skill proficiency for competitive swimmers, lifeguard training. • Splash Aquatic Club: Competitive swimming groups for Rookie (age 4) through Masters (age 18 and older to improve fitness, develop better technique, or train for competition. Cumming Aquatic Center

• Location: 201 Aquatic Circle, Cumming • Information/registration: (770) 781-1781 www.cummingaquaticcenter.com (register online) • Lessons: Swimming and water safety program ranges from toddler-age in Parent Child Aquatics Program to teens and adults in Learn to Swim and Adult Aquatics Program. Private or semiprivate lessons available. Fees and schedules vary. Competitive swimming and diving programs, Masters Swim Team also available. Lifeguard certification offered. Brenau University

• Location: Brenau Fitness Center, 500 Washington St., SE, Gainesville • Information/registration: www.brenautigers.com, Blaire Bachman, (770) 534-6279, bbachman@brenau.edu. • Lessons: Custom private swim lessons for all ages and abilities. Brenau Masters Swim Team offers practice and competitive program for swimmers of all levels, high school age and older.

University of North Georgia Gainesville Campus

• Location: 3820 Mundy Mill Rd., Oakwood • Information/registration: https://ce.ung.edu/wconnect/ace/, (678) 717-2377 • Swim lessons: For ages 3 (must be potty trained) and older range from introduction to water skills to swimming and skill proficiency. Check website for dates.

NOTE: Please contact Lakeside on Lanier News to list additionalboating and water safety classes. lakesidenews@mindspring.com. Georgia Mountain YMCA

• Location: 2455 Howard Rd., Gainesville • Information/registration: http://www.hallcountyymca.org/jawalters/programs/youth-swimming-lessons/, 770-297-9622 • Swim lessons: For all ages and levels, parent-child swim, Masters Swim Program, water fitness, water safety, life guard certification. Fees and times vary.

Contacting USCGA in an emergency on Lanier

The USCGA Operations Center with watch stander is open from mid-May through September, weekends and holidays, from 1 p.m. until 7 p.m., and can be reached by VHF/ FM marine radio on Channel 16 or by cell phone by calling 770-967-2322.

NOTE: Please contact Lakeside on Lanier News to list additionalboating and water safety classes. lakesidenews@mindspring.com.

By Pamela A. Keene

By the middle of June, one of Lake Lanier’s most enduring landmarks will be no more. The familiar green trusses of Browns Bridge are being removed as the widening project nears completion.

“The contractor, Scott Bridge Company, is currently working to remove the green trusses from the bridge,” said Natalie Dale, spokesperson for the Georgia Department of Transportation.“This work is ongoing, and it is expected to take about three more weeks to remove the green steel truss portion of the bridge.”

People driving across the new lanes will soon be doing doubletakes as they traverse the lake via Georgia 369. Boaters, many of whom rely on the green steel framework to guide them up or down the lake’s channel, may also find themselves checking their GPSs to verify their location.

The contractor is responsible for the removal and disposal of the former bridge structure. The project, with a contract completion date of June 29, 2021, is replacing the existing two-lane steel truss bridge over Lake Lanier. The original structure was built in 1955.

PHOTOS BY VICKI HOPE Above: A bright red crane is used to remove the beams of Browns Bridge. Left: A worker continues the dismantling of the familiar green beams of Browns Bridge.

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