Joe Manchin III, Governor

Frank Jezioro, Director

News Release : August 1, 2006

Hoy Murphy, Public Information Officer (304) 558-3381 hoymurphy@wvdnr.gov

Contact: Sgt. Jim Vance, Law Enforcement Section (304) 924-6211 law@wvdnr.gov

DNR Boater Safety Course in Braxton County August 12

The West Virginia Division of Natural Resources Law Enforcement Section will be offering a Boater Education Course in Braxton County at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers office at Burnsville Lake. The course runs from 9 a.m. until 4 p.m. Saturday, August 12. This is a seven-hour course and students must attend all sessions to receive certification.

State legislation passed in 2000 requires all motorboat operators born after December 31, 1986, to attend this class or receive an equivalency certificate before operating a motorboat (including a personal water craft) on the waters of the state.

The class is open to the public and is free of charge. Anyone who completes the course will receive a certification card which is recognized in all 50 states. In come cases, completion of the course will result in lower boating insurance rates. Students must be at least 11 years old to receive a certification card. Students under the age of 12 must be accompanied by a parent or other adult.

Subjects covered during the course are: All About Boats, Legal Requirements, Navigation Rules, Basic Seamanship, Accident Prevention, and Operating Tips. Classes will be taught by West Virginia conservation officers and volunteer instructors.

Call Sgt. James Vance at (304) 924-6211 Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. to preregister for the course or for information about taking the equivalency exam, or contact your local conservation officer. Students must preregister for the course to be eligible to attend. Please bring your Social Security number with you to the class.

**DNR**