Nevada participates in Spring Aboard national boating safety and education campaign
During the week of April 17-23, the Nevada Department of Wildlife is joining a nationwide effort created by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators to promote boating education. Developed by NASBLA, and produced under a grant administered by the U.S. Coast Guard, the Spring Aboard campaign brings together state, federal and nonprofit partners to encourage boaters to enroll in a boating education course before boating season kicks off.
“We know from many years of experience that an educated boater is safer, and boating is a lot more fun if you aren’t confused or worried the whole trip,” said Game Warden Captain, David Pfiffner, Nevada’s Boating Law Administrator. “Imagine if you only drove your car four times a year. It would be a very complicated affair, but boating education can clear up the mystery and it will also make you much safer on the water.
Nevada is only one of 49 states and U.S. territories that require some kind of boating education. In Nevada’s case, boaters born on or after Jan. 1, 1983 who operate a boat of 15 horsepower or more on Nevada’s interstate waters are required to complete a NASBLA-approved boating education course. Other state laws vary but Nevada’s courses are nationally recognized by NASBLA and are accepted by most other states.
As part of the Spring Aboard campaign, NDOW’s online course providers will offer incentives and course discounts for students who enroll in or complete a course during the Spring Aboard week, April 17-23. To find Nevada courses or to request a correspondence course, boaters can visit the agency’s web site, www.ndow.org.
The Coast Guard Auxiliary with flotillas in Reno and Lake Tahoe offer boaters a traditional, in class course. “We offer regular course right here in Reno taught by our many volunteers,” said Bill Stolz, a Member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. “The class offers a chance for boaters to ask questions and interact with auxiliary members who often have decades of boating experience.”
Boaters interested in the auxiliary can call Stoltz to sign up for a class at (775) 762-2257. According to 2014 U.S. Coast Guard statistics, boating education makes a difference in accident rates. When the level of operator education was known, 80 percent of boating deaths occurred on boats where the boat operator had never received boating education instruction.
Boating education saves lives,” said Pfiffner. “Spring Aboard is a great opportunity to take a course at a discount and get it done before boating season really picks up.”
The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators is a national nonprofit organization that works to develop public policy for recreational boating safety. NASBLA represents the recreational boating authorities of all 50 states and the U.S. territories. The association offers a variety of resources, including training, model acts, education standards and publications. Through a national network of thousands of professional educators, law enforcement officers and volunteers, NASBLA affects the lives of over 73.5 million American boaters.
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