Ottawa, IL - The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Illinois Waterway Visitor will be offering a free Illinois DNR boating safety course.
The class will be from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday, April 11. This 8-hour class is required to receive your state of Illinois Safe Boating certification. The class will be held at Illinois Waterway Visitor Center at the Starved Rock Lock and Dam along Dee Bennett Road between Ottawa and Utica.
State law requires anyone ages 12 to 17 to have a Boating Safety Education Certificate to operate a motor-driven boat or personal watercraft without adult supervision. This certificate is given to anyone who successfully completes the 8-hour course. The certificate also can be required for boat insurance or for boating in another state.
The class will include instruction in basic boating safety, equipment and requirements, motorboat registration and titling, navigation, basic maintenance, emergency measures and Illinois and federal boating laws. For more information email Park Ranger Bob Petruney at robert.j.petruney@usace.army.mil or call at 815-667-4054.
Release no. 15-023