MSHP News Release - Boater Education Classes Offered‏

Troop A To Offer Certified Boating Safety Courses In Independence and Smithville

Captain Robert L. Powell, commanding officer of Troop A, announces boating safety certification courses are being offered to the public at the following locations:

1.  Saturday, April 26, 2014 ─ Truman High School, 3301 South Noland Road, Independence, Missouri

2.  Saturday, May 10, 2014 ─ Bass Pro (Independence), 18001, Bass Pro Drive, Independence, Missouri

3.  Saturday, May 17, 2014 ─ Jerry Litton Visitor Center (Smithville), 16311 DD Hwy North, Smithville, Missouri

4.  Saturday, June 14, 2014 ─ Bass Pro (Independence), 18001, Bass Pro Drive, Independence, Missouri

The training will begin at 9 a.m. and be completed at 3 p.m. Students must be present to satisfy requirements for the boating safety card. There is no fee for this course; however, students are required to pre-register online, as seating will be limited and notification may be sent in the event the course is canceled. For more information, to register for this course, or to obtain a complete listing of where other courses are being offered, you may visit the Missouri State Highway Patrol’s website at www.mshp.dps.mo.gov. Once there, select “Divisions”, “Water Patrol Division”, and then “Boater Safety Education & Certification.”

Missouri law requires any person born after January 1, 1984, to carry a boating safety certification card along with a picture ID anytime they operate a vessel, which includes personal watercraft, on Missouri lakes. Any student who successfully passes this course will be eligible to order the boating safety certification card, which costs $15.

In support of "The Drive To ZERO Highway Deaths", the Patrol encourages motorists and watercraft operators to protect themselves by making sure everyone in the vehicle is properly restrained in a seat belt or child restraint and everyone in the vessel is wearing an approved life jacket. Click It 4 Life And Wear It!!