New law requires safety course for young boaters | Local & State | Macon.com

Beginning July 1, Georgia law will require all people born after Jan. 1, 1998, to complete the course before operating any motorized vessel on state waters. The regulation does not apply on private lakes and ponds.

Boaters also need to realize they must lower the throttle to idle within 100 feet of any vessel which is moored, anchored or adrift outside normal traffic channels. The same is true when traveling near a dock, pier, piling, bridge or person in the water.

Personal watercraft operators also must not jump the wake of another vessel within 100 feet.

Young boaters will need to learn all these rules to pass the required course, which is offered in the classroom through local DNR offices and online at www.goboat georgia.com.

via New law requires safety course for young boaters | Local & State | Macon.com.