Northern New Jersey Sail & Power Squadron, a unit of the United States Power

Squadrons (USPS), will offer the New Jersey State Police approved Boating Safety Course at James

Caldwell High School from 7 p.m. to 9:15 p.m. beginning Tues., March 22.

.The course will run every Tuesday evening for seven weeks which includes a night for review, and a

night for the required state examination. The cost of the course is $85.

Legislation in NJ was passed a number of years ago requiring all boaters, 16 years

of age or older, operating a power driven vessel including a personal watercraft (PWC), to complete a

boating safety course. The legislation requires a minimum of eight hours of instruction with at least six

hours of in-classroom study and a proctored examination. Those successfully completing the course

will receive a NJ Marine State Police certificate that must be in the operator’s possession

when on the waters of the state. Failure to exhibit the certificate is presumptive evidence that the

person has not completed an approved boating safety course and is subject to a fine. This certificate is

separate from the license required for boating on lakes.

Registration is made through the Continuing Education office at James Caldwell High School, after 6

p.m., Mon. through Thurs. Call 973-228-2092. Questions concerning the

USPS course can also be addressed to the Boating Course Chair Bob Rosselot at 973-228-5329;

email: rosselot17@aol.com.