Boater safety courses to be offered this spring, summer

The Allegan County Sheriff’s Office Marine Division will conduct several boater safety courses this spring and summer.

Classes in this area will be held:

• Tuesday, May 5, and Wednesday May 6, from 5:30 to 8:30 pm at the Wayland Middle School, 701 Wildcat Drive in Wayland. Contact Laurie Zywiczynski at (269) 792-9153 to register. Registration is required. Participants must attend both classes to complete the course. Bring a #2 pencil. There is a fee of $10 payable to Wayland Schools.

• Saturday, May 30, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Green Lake Calvary Church, 608 145th Ave., Caledonia, in cooperation with the A-Round Green Lake Association. No registration is required, just arrive before 8 a.m. Bring a #2 pencil and a sack lunch.  No fees or costs.

Saturday, June 13, from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Sandy Pines Resort. Registration is required. Call (616) 896-8318 to register. Bring a pencil and a sack lunch. No fees or costs.

Anyone who wants to operate a boat in Michigan who are born on or after July 1, 1996, must obtain and possess a valid boater safety certificate.

For those who wish to operate a personal watercraft (PWC), a boater safety certificate is required and must be in possession during operation. The operator must be at least 16 years of age and born after Dec. 31, 1978.

Thosewho are 14 and 15 years of age may legally operate a personal watercraft in Michigan only if they meet certain requirements which include:

·  Obtaining and possessing a valid Boater Safety certificate and
·  Is accompanied on board the PWC by a parent, legal guardian or a person at least 21 years of age designated by a parent or legal guardian or
·  Is operating the PWC at a distance not greater than 100 feet from a parent, legal guardian or designee over 21.

Upon successful completion of the boater safety course, attendees will receive boater safety certificate. Courses are open to anyone 12 years of age or older. All course materials are provided and attendees need only to attend and complete one of these courses to receive their certificate.