By By ERIKA PICKLES / Niles Daily Star
NILES – One simple class is all it takes to keep you safe and ticket free while enjoying the water this summer.
Boaters safety classes have become a priority for anyone wishing to enjoy the water and Sgt. Phil Esarey of the marine division of the Cass County Sheriff's Department said there are two classes left this summer.
The next class will be held on Saturday, July 14, at the Indian Lake Yacht Club in Dowagiac. The last class of the summer will be held on Saturday, July 28 at the Cass County Conservation Club in Union. Both classes will take place from 8 a.m. to 2:30 p.m.
"We recommend that everyone take boaters safety classes to educate themselves on how to be safe in the water, but anyone born after Dec. 31, 1978 has to take the class in order to operate a boat or personal watercraft," Esarey said.
Anyone 12 years old can operate a boat only, while those 14 and older may operate both a boat and a personal watercraft.
"After the personal watercrafts became so popular, there were a lot of accidents so the state decided it was necessary to educate people to learn how to properly operate watercraft," Esarey explained.
Esarey said during these classes, people learn how to properly use all of the safety equipment on boats and watercrafts, including fire extinguishers, flotation devices and learn the rules of the water.
"Pretty much all rules stay the same each year, but this year, instead of only a few civil infractions, we have 34," which means a lot more tickets can and will be handed out if people are abusing the laws of the water or don't have a boaters safety certificate.
To sign up for a Boaters Safety class or for more information, please call the Cass County Sheriff's department at 683-1577.
"The Cass County Sheriff's department really wants people to enjoy the water this summer, but people just need to be safe and know the rules," Esarey added.