Calhoun County Fairgrounds – March 7, 2020
In 2018 the Coast Guard counted 4,145 boat accidents in the United States that involved 633 deaths, 2,511 injuries and approximately $46 million of property damage nationwide. Vessels in the State of Texas were involved in 204 of those accidents, which resulted in 38 fatalities, 123 injured people and $1,800,266.47 of property damage.
When boater education data was known, 74% of deaths occurred on boats where the operator did not receive boating safety instruction, compared to 18% of the deaths that occurred on vessels where the boat operator had received a nationally approved boating safety certification. Calhoun County residents identified boating safety as an area that they wanted the Calhoun County Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service to focus on. As a result of the input from the community the Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service/Texas Sea Grant Boating Safety Series will have a classroom and hands-on Boaters Education Course on March 7, 2020 from 8:30am – 4:00 pm at the Calhoun County Agriculture Building in Port Lavaca. Successful completion of this course will provide the participant with the Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Boaters Education Certification.
The TPWD Boaters Education Certification is required for anyone born on or after September 1, 1993 who operates any vessel over 15 horsepower, wind-blown vessel over 14 feet and all personal watercraft. Participants should dress for the weather on the day of the class. Expect to be outside for 2-3 hours. The cost of the course is $20 which is due at the door. Participants must register for the class at https://tpwd.elementlms.com/course/boater-education-classroom-course-965/. Lunch will be provided courtesy of Coastal Bend Marine.
The Boating Safety Series courses are designed to provide a hands-on boating education to the public. The goal is prevention of boating and water related accidents. If you have any questions, please contact Capt. RJ Shelly at the Calhoun County Texas A&M Agrilife Extension Service office (361) 552-9747.
