For Immediate Release

Date: Feb. 6, 2004

Classroom Courses Excellent Choice for Boaters

Medford area boat operators who are 40 or younger and don’t yet have their boater education card should consider signing up for a classroom course offered at the Rogue Community College.

“Classroom courses offer more than just basic qualification for your mandatory boater education card,” said Ashley Massey, mandatory boater education program coordinator for the Oregon State Marine Board. “It takes more time but it also offers more, and we think students will appreciate the skills and information gained at the class.”

2004 is the second year of the Mandatory Boater Education law phase-in. In 2005, the age requirement to carry a card will increase to 45 and younger. It will continue to increase until all boaters are included in 2009. The law was passed by the 1999 Oregon Legislature with the goal of reducing accidents, injuries and fatalities on Oregon’s increasingly crowded waterways. More than 66,000 Oregon boaters already have their card.

The next Boat Oregon class is at the Rogue Valley Community College, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Feb. 7. The class will be repeated again on March 13. Cost is $36. Call Rogue Community College at (541) 245-7619.

Boaters may also opt for Internet courses or equivalency exams offered by county marine officers. Full information is available on the Marine Board website at www.boatoregon.com.

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