Dec 1, 2002 2 min read

HARRISBURG – The State Senate has overwhelmingly approved a bill sponsored by State Sen. Richard A. Kasunic (D-Fayette) that would establish a boater education requirement before boaters 21 years of age or younger, could operate a motorboat. “By making boaters more knowledgeable, this measure would make Pennsylvania’s waterways safer,” Kasunic said.

Senate Bill 463 would exempt people who already hold safety certificates, landowners operating boats on their own property, people temporarily visiting Pennsylvania and those who have boats with engines of 25 horsepower or less.

The bill, which now goes to the state House of Representatives for consideration, would require people born after Jan. 1, 1982, to complete a boating safety course and have a boating safety certificate before running their boats on Pennsylvania waters.

The new requirement would take effect on Jan. 1, 2003.

Reiterating that “boater safety education works,” Peter A. Colangelo, director of the Fish and Boat Commission, thanked Kasunic and his legislative colleagues for their “persistence and foresight in pursuing this legislation.”

Nearly 200,000 Pennsylvanians already have boating safety education certificates.

“It’s easier than ever to find and take a boating safety course,” Kasunic said

. “Apart from the conventional class setting, the commission has distance learning and home study alternatives through the Internet and video courses.”

Kasunic added that people have plenty of time to get certified because many boating courses are offered during the winter months.