Boater ed. becomes mandatory for some operators after July 1st

SOCIAL CIRCLE - What do you know about life jacket safety, the 100-foot law, minimum age limits for boat operators, boating under the influence? These are just a few examples of things you should know before operating a vessel on public waters, according to the Georgia Department of Natural Resources' Law Enforcement Division.<br /> <br /> How important is boater education? So important that beginning July 1, completion of a boater education course will become mandatory for all vessel operators born on or after January 1, 1998. <br /> <br /> "In an effort to provide a mechanism for ensuring that Georgia boaters are knowledgeable, boaters will be required to complete a boating education course," says DNR Lt. Col. Jeff Weaver, assistant director of Law Enforcement. "After all, tragedy can happen quickly and making an effort to learn boating laws, rules and regulations can potentially save a life