Young Boater Class at Central NY Boat Show

SYRACUSE -- The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and New York Sea Grant will put on a Young Boater Safety Certificate Training at the Central New York Boat Show, held at the New York State Fairgrounds in Syracuse. The Coast Guard Auxiliary and Sea Grant will also hit the water in an indoor pool to demonstrate floatation devices and canoe rollovers.

The free two-part course is for ages 10 through 17 and will be taught from 6 to 8:30 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 14 and from 9 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 16 in the Horticulture Building Seminar Room.

Syracuse Flotilla 21 is involved, with flotilla member and Division 2 Commander John Steinbarge serving as an instructor.

Completing the eight-hour course and the proctored exam are requirements for youth to legally operate a motorized boat or watercraft alone on New York state waters.

Pre-registration is required; call NY Sea Grant at 315-312-3042 or email slm22@cornell.edu. Each person who registers for the youth training course will get three free passes into the 2013 Central New York Boat Show, Feb. 13-17.

Back by popular demand for the 2013 Boat Show are live in-water demonstrations of the five different types of life jackets and life-saving devices. New for 2013 - New York Sea Grant and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will demonstrate canoe safety in the pool in the Horticulture Building.

Personal floatation device (PFD) demonstrations:

• Thursday, February 14 at 7 p.m.
• Friday, February 15 at 7 p.m.
• Saturday, February 16 at noon and 4 p.m.
• Sunday, February 17 at noon and 3 p.m.

Canoe rollover safety demonstrations:

• Saturday, February 16 at 2 p.m. and 6 p.m.
• Sunday, February 17 at 2 p.m.