Boating safety for county residents

Nassau County Executive Edward P. Mangano and Police Commissioner Lawrence W. Mulvey announce that the Police Department’s Marine Bureau will be conducting New York State certified Boating Safety Course for residents of Nassau County.

The 8-hour course will be divided into two consecutive 4-hour sessions. Courses are available: Saturday and Sunday Jan. 22 and 23 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday Feb. 5-6 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday and Sunday March 19-20 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. and Saturday and Sunday April 2-3 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.

Courses will be held at the Nassau County Police Academy located at 200 Second Ave., in Massapequa Park. In order to obtain a safety certificate, registrants must attend both 4-hour sessions.

The boating safety course is designed as a comprehensive boating course teaching the fundamentals of safe boating operation approved by the National Association of Boating Law Administrators.

The 8-hour classroom instruction will include the following topics: accidents and emergencies, boat operation, boating related activities, boats and motors, equipment, fueling and ventilation, marine environment, navigation, numbering and registration, personal watercraft, rules of the road and safe loading and powering.

You must hold a safety certificate if: You operate a personal watercraft and are at least 14-years-old. 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 at least 10-years-old, you may operate a motorboat (non personal watercraft) only if someone over 18 or someone between the ages of 10 and 18 who hold 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.

In addition to attending both 4-hour sessions, registrants must pass a final exam to receive certification. Registration is limited to 35 individuals each session. You can only register online at www.ncpdmarinebureau.com

Additional details on this course and other boating information is available on the NCPD Marine Bureau web site (www.ncpdmarinebureau.com)