BOATER EDUCATION

For many, Memorial Day weekend was the start of summer; and summer is the season for boating.

From 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. Saturday, June 10, Rochester Ducks Unlimited and the Lake Manitou Association will be offering a free boater education class which offers many benefits for safe boating. Lunch will be provided, and registration is required.

The course will be held at Moose Lodge 1107, 1911 Westside Road, Rochester.

The six-hour course is designed for beginning boaters, and the information should be able to be understood by anyone age 12 and up, but others could benefit as well. Those who are 15 and without a driver’s license need the certification to operate most larger boats. Also, Kosciusko County DNR officer Ashley Jackson noted members of the Amish community may also find certification useful.

While the course is also available online, a fee is required to take the test. The in-person class, on the other hand, offers the test for free. Furthermore, said Jackson, “When you take the inperson class, more information is retained.”

Those who stay for the entire class and take the test at the end will benefit in other ways as well. Some states require certification to operate a boat out-of-state, said David Horvath, one of the class organizers. So if you are considering a fly-in trip or boating out of state, the class could help. Horvath added that some insurance companies offer a discount for obtaining safety certification.

The class covers the basic parts of the boat, including navigation instruments, as well as the laws governing boating, such as limits regarding speed and alcohol consumption. Crucially, the class also addresses boater safety.

Both Jackson and DNR Captain Jet Quillen emphasized the importance of keeping Coast Guard-approved life jackets on hand for everyone on the boat.

“A big thing is having life jackets,” said Quillen. “It’s unfortunate to see a lot instances where if life jackets had been in use there might not have been a fatal accident.”

“A common mistake is going out on the water without being prepared,” said Jackson. Don’t just have the life jackets on hand; let people know where they are.

And while the DNR realizes boating is an opportunity to “have a good time and relax, take a break from the daily grind,” Quillen said, he also emphasized “having a designated boat opera- tor is key.” len. “Even if the boat sits a week it can transfer invasive plant species. Cleaning all vegetation before putting in is key.” n the hot D fy w d n d e n

For one, alcohol consumption can lead to inattention, the number one cause of boating fatalities, even if the driver is not legally intoxicated.

Staying hydrated in the hot sun is also important. Dehydration can also magnify the effects of alcohol.

“Take your time when you’re on the water, and stay hydrated,” said Quillen. “Anticipate other boaters on the waterway.” This includes watching out for those behind the boats on water skis and inner tubes.

For more information or to register, call Mary Ellen Lowe at (574) 835-1219 or David Horvath at (574) 952-1876.

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It is also important for boaters to regularly clean their boats to prevent spreading invasive species, especially if you are visiting multiple waterways. “Spray all vegetation off the boat when you’re leaving,” said Quil-

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