Boater’s Safety

The Pentwater Yacht Club (PYC) is once again sponsoring  on site BOATER SAFETY CLASSES.   The main purpose of the boater safety education course is to train knowledgeable, safe and responsible boaters. Topics covered include general boating and water safety, navigational rules, causes and prevention of crashes, operation and fueling techniques, environmental concerns and reporting responsibility.   Any motorized boat operator born after June 30, 1996, is required by law to pass an approved boater safety course and to carry a boater safety certificate. In addition, boater education is also required for all PWC operators born after December 31, 1978. 

The classes are open to the public,  free of charge and have no age limit.  The July and August sessions are each a two day Boater Education class.  Participants must attend both days to complete the class. A test will be given on the second day of class and attendees must pass the test (80%) to earn a boater safety certificate.  There will be a halfway break during each class day and the PYC will offer refreshments for each attendee.

The DNR website link has a great description of the class, current Michigan Law regarding a motorized boat operator and I know from experience that Tim Simon is a patient, kind instructor and gives great logical descriptions with the reasoning involved in making the correct decision presented on an age appropriate level and, encourages questions.  Officer Simon reviews the test prior to the students taking (on day 2 of the class) and discusses the reasoning that allows the student to choose the correct answer based on knowledge they have gained in the class.  The DNR site says no age limit but students under 10 years “shall be accompanied by a parent, legal guardian or other adult approved by parent or legal guardian”.

There will be two sessions of  2 day classes held at the PYC on the following dates in July and August:

• Tuesday & Wednesday, July 8 & 9th from 8-12 noon.
• Tuesday & Wednesday, August 12th & 13th from 8-12 noon

Interested individuals can register or find more information by visiting the DNR website links: