PINELLAS COUNTY – The Seminole campus of St. Petersburg College is the site of a State of Florida-approved boater safety class on Saturday, Sept. 27.
A Boat Smart program for power boaters and sailors on basic boating skills and seamanship begins Monday, Oct. 6, 7 to 9:30 p.m., at the Clearwater Sail & Power Squadron building at 100 Cleveland St.
The Sept. 27 program is a one-day, 8-hour course which meets the requirements for certification of youthful operators of a vessel with 10-hp motors or larger. It is offered as a mandatory education class for boating violators.
The course is also a great refresher and may be used for boat insurance discount credit. The course includes an exam and a certificate of completion, which allows the boating violators to resume water activities. Topics include boat types, safety equipment, navigation rules, local charts, and waterway markings. Tuition is $35. The next class is Saturday, Nov. 8. Call 341-3184.
The program in Clearwater will be offered on consecutive Mondays and Wednesdays through Monday, Oct. 20. Instruction is free. Students pay $40 for the course manual and materials. Additional students in the same family pay $20 for the extra homework packet.
Ownership of a boat is not required to attend the course. The program covers Florida boating laws, rules of the road, navigation, safety equipment, basic knots, radio use, emergency procedures and general safety afloat.
Participants with a grade of 80 percent or better qualify for a state boat operators license and eligibility for lower marine insurance rates. Call 441-8775.
