The Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office will be offering a New York State Boater Safety course on Saturday, May 21st from 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM at the Lawson Center Boat Museum on Lakeside Drive in Bemus Point. The Lawson Center Museum staff will be providing a light lunch and coffee throughout the program. All registrants for this event must be 10 years of age by May 21st. If you are 18 years of age or older, there is a $10 fee for your permanent boating safety certificate, payable to New York State Parks. The state does not collect a certificate fee for students under the age of 18. Under a new law known as Brianna's Law, all motor boat operators will need a boating safety certificate as follows:
-Those born on or after January 1, 1988 will need a boating safety certificate, beginning in 2022.
-Those born on or after January 1, 1983 will need a boating safety certificate, beginning in 2023.
-Those born on or after January 1, 1978 will need a boating safety certificate, beginning in 2024.
-All motor boat operators, regardless of age, will need a boating safety certificate beginning in 2025.
All operators of personal water crafts or jet skis are required to have a boaters safety certificate, regardless of age. Registration is not required, but the class will be limited to 50 students, so it is recommended to register on the New York State Parks and Recreation website. There is also a link on the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office website under Marine Patrol Division.
Photo by the Chautauqua County Sheriff's Office
