Safe Boating: A Gift That Keeps on Giving BY GREG FONZENO
Coast Guard-certified instructors. Unlike the conventional class, Did you purchase a new boat last year? If so, you are among the which is completed in a single day, the virtual class divides the thousands of people across the country who sought the calm of chapters into three sessions. Regardless of the mode, auxiliary our waterways to escape the chaos of COVID-19. Coast Guard members present the material, answer your statistics show a dramatic increase in new questions and demonstrate boating safety. boat sales during the past year. Unfortunately, 2022 Boating In-person classes will be at the Roberts they also show a dramatic increase in School Community and Education Center boating accidents and fatalities, as well. Safety Class Dates (4681 School St., Acworth). Program This increase in sales and accidents brings In-person materials are $30, and family discounts are with it the clear need for increased boater Feb. 12 • March 5 • April 2 • May 7 available. Gift certificates for safety classes are education. The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary June 11 • July 9 • Aug. 13 • Sept. 10 available, and make great stocking stuffers. has scheduled safe boating classes for 2022, For more information, email Greg Fonzeno which include such topics as know your Virtual at flotilla22pe@gmailcom. Registration boat, before getting underway, navigating the April 21, 23, 24 • May 26, 28, 29 forms are available at https://tinyurl.com/ waterways, operating your vessel safely, legal June 23, 25, 26 • July 28, 30, 31 cgaux0700202. Scroll down and click on requirements and boating emergencies. Boating Course Info on the left side, then Individuals who successfully complete select Online Registration. Let’s keep our families and friends safe the course and exam meet the Georgia boating certification on the water. requirements and earn certificates and wallet cards. Boaters born after Jan. 1, 1998, must complete a boating safety class approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) to operate a boat or personal watercraft legally in the Greg Fonzeno is the public education officer and vice state of Georgia. commander of the local U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Unit The Coast Guard Auxiliary offers face-to-face classes and (Flotilla 22) at Allatoona Lake. virtual classes via Zoom. The classes feature live presentations by
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TOWNELAKER | January 2022
