Boaters to Get Course in Safety

Avid boaters and would-be riparians will be able to take a course in safety Saturday before hitting Michigan's lakes this summer.

Dennis Cunningham of Brighton, flotilla staff officer for public education for the U.S. Coast Guard, will teach a boater safety class from 8 a.m.-5 p.m. at the .

Cunningham says this marks his seventh year of teaching the class in Plymouth. He teaches similar courses in Westland and Dearborn Heights. 

The course caters to some broad demographics; attendees range from 12 years old to adults. Cunningham said those who are under 18 need a boater safety certificate in order to drive personal watercraft. For adults, a driver's license will suffice for most watercraft.

With summer fast approaching, Cunningham said the timing is right to teach safety to those who plan to hit the lakes this year.

"We try and do it (early) because of spring," he said. "We can get a jump on it and get people acclimated to thinking the right way."

Lauren Obsniuk, program coordinator for the Plymouth Recreation Department, said turnout this year for the course has been a positive. She said about 14 people already have signed up, and more have expressed interest in taking the course.

While the course facilitates adolescents being able to operate a personal watercraft, safety ultimately is the primary focus of the course. The course isn't focused just on boating basics, such as lighting and telling the difference between port and starboard. Topics include navigation and what to do in an emergency, Obsniuk said.

"The safety issue is the biggest thing," Cunningham said. "We teach a one-day class. You're going to be exposed to trailering, safety, navigation, hypothermia, hull identifications numbers, registration documentation, licenses (and) what equipment you need on the boat, You do get a nice booklet with it."

The day concludes with a test, he said. Those who pass will receive a boater safety certificate. 

Cunningham said most attendees operate watercraft on the area's inland lakes, but some have been fishermen on Lake Erie and the Detroit River, while many of the teens operate watercraft at their parents' cottages. 

Those who are interested in taking the course can call the Plymouth Recreation Department at 734-455-6620.