Division of Watercraft offers power boating classes

The Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Watercraft is offering a new Power Boating Basics Course that provides novice and untrained boaters the basic skills needed to properly and safely operate a power boat.The eight-hour course is open to the public and is being offered in a three day format, July 11-13 from 5pm to 8pm as well as a one day course on Saturday, July 14 from 8am to 5pm. The class will take place at the Sandusky Watercraft's field office located at 1407 Cleveland Road in Sandusky, Ohio.Class size will be limited. The course fee is $47. A $17 non-refundable deposit must be paid upon pre registering for the course. Participants must be at least 18 years of age, have a valid driver's license and be able to show proof they have completed a boater safety education course approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. These prerequisite boating safety courses are also offered in different locations throughout the area so potential Power Boating Skills students can meet this requirement.Working in cooperation with various boating partners, the Division of Watercraft has developed its new Power Boating Skills Course that is aimed at educating boaters in the safe and proper methods of operating a power boat while at the same time reducing their likelihood of becoming involved in a boating accident. Participants will get hands-on training from certified instructors that will include how to properly launch and retrieve a boat, basic boat docking procedures and basic open water power boat operations.Some of the student objectives the Power Boating Skills course will cover are:• Proper on/off trailer launching and retrieval of a boat at a boat launch ramp• On-water approach and departure from a dock procedures• Man overboard drill, how to rescue a person in the water• Mooring and knot-tying techniques• Proper anchoring procedures• On-water power boat operating basicsFor more information on this exciting boating skills development course, go online to the Division's web site at ohiodnr.com/watercraft/. To register for the course, contact the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, Division of Watercraft's Sandusky Field Office staff at (419) 621-1402 or stop in at 1407 Cleveland Road, Sandusky, OH 44870 Monday-Friday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. to sign up in person.(Information provided by ODNR Division of Watercraft)