Contact: Ken Silfven, 517-284-6027
Agency: Natural Resources
A boating safety class will be offered at Belle Isle Park Saturday, May 20. It is sponsored by the Michigan Department of Natural Resources and the Detroit Yacht Club. The class, free of charge, will run 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Detroit Yacht Club, One Riverbend Road, Belle Isle Park, Detroit.
The registration deadline is May 11 at 4 p.m. Participation is limited to the first 25 registrants. Anyone interested must register by contacting the DNR’s Detroit Customer Service Center, 1801 Atwater St., in person or at 313-396-6890. The center is open 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.
The course covers vessel basics, navigation rules, nighttime navigation, emergencies, boating laws and regulations, equipment requirements, and more. Lunch will be provided.
Participants who complete the course will receive a boater education certificate, which is required in most circumstances to legally operate a motorized vessel in Michigan.
Following the class, there is optional, hands-on training that lets participants practice what they have learned. This includes basic operation of a motorized watercraft on the water while accompanied by a conservation officer.
Boaters born after June 30, 1996, and most personal watercraft operators who operate a vessel in Michigan, must have a boater education certificate.
While not everyone needs a safety certificate to legally operate a boat or personal watercraft in Michigan, conservation officers encourage everyone who operates a vessel to enroll in a safety course.
As an alternative to attending classes, students can take an online exam to obtain a boater safety certificate. For information, explore the “Boating Safety Classes” on the DNR website www.michigan.gov/boating. These courses cost approximately $30 each.
The Michigan Department of Natural Resources is committed to the conservation, protection, management, use and enjoyment of the state’s natural and cultural resources for current and future generations. For more information, go to www.michigan.gov/dnr.
