March 2017 Newsletter: President’s Report

Boating safety on Ballston Lake is a very important consideration for all who enjoy boating.

John Gill, our Safe Boating Committee Chairman, has addressed the issue of safe boating in this newsletter. Educating a boater, whether it is a young new boater, or a well seasoned boater is the topic of my discussion. I have been a member of the United States Power Squadron for over thirty six years.

The primary purpose of this organization is boating education. Once again it is my goal to teach the elementary Squadron Boating Course to explain the necessary basic information for safe conduct when boating on Ballston Lake. There are a set of accepted "rules of the road" for meeting and crossing situations on lakes and rivers. Wouldn't our lake be a safer body of water if most of us
knew the basic rules for meeting other boats?

I would like to teach this course in the early Spring of 2017. New York State required the course be eight hours and have a proctored final exam. The Power Squadron basic course fulfils all NYS requirements. Upon completion of the course one receives a certificate and a card to carry whenever out boating. This course is open to young people 10 years of age and older to certify completion of the course in order to drive a boat. This is a reminder to owners of "personal water craft" that all persons who operate these must be 14 years of age and must have taken the required boating course.

I will teach the course in four two hour sessions over a two week period at the Ballston Lake Fire House. The course fee is $30.00 for the first family member and each additional member of the family will be $15.00. The fee covers a textbook and all other paperwork.

If you have any questions about this course or its fees, please contact me. My goal is to educate as many boaters as possible so we have a safer, more enjoyable season of boating for all.

Peter Herman