GRDA holding safe boating courses March - June

With the busy boating season fast approaching, many folks are already planning their lake outings. However, before you get too far into that schedule, the Grand River Dam Authority wants to remind you to save some space on your calendar for some upcoming lake-related events.

Of course, those events start with safety and education. As in past years, GRDA will be hosting Kyle Williams Safe Boating Courses this spring and summer. Intended to help educate young boaters, the course was named after a 12-year-old Oklahoma boy who was killed in a personal watercraft accident on Lake Eufaula in 2004. To help prevent such tragedies in the future, his family pushed for a law requiring boater education for teens. The Kyle Williams Safe Boating Act became law in 2007. It prohibits children between the ages of 12 and 16 years of age; without a valid driver’s license, from operating any vessel powered by a motor of more than 10 horsepower, or sailing vessel 16 feet or longer, without first completing a state-approved boater safety course.

GRDA Police will be offering these courses, for free, on selected Saturdays, March through June (courses run from 8AM to 5PM).  Most courses will be held at the GRDA Ecosystems and Education Center in Langley (420 Hwy 28), though GRDA is also planning one course at the GRDA Engineering and Technology Center in Tulsa (9933 E. 16^th Street) on Saturday, June 1. The Langley dates include March 16, April 27, May 11 and June 22.

While children in this age group need to take the course for certification, older adults are also encourage to participate. A possible insurance benefit, opportunity to learn something new (including rules specific to Grand and Hudson lakes) and, ultimately, the chance to set a safe example for younger boaters, are all good reasons for adults to attend.

For more information on the courses, visit grda.com or contact the GRDA Police Department at (918) 256 0911.

Headquartered in Vinita, GRDA is Oklahoma’s state-owned electric utility; fully funded by revenues from electric and water sales instead of taxes. Each day, GRDA strives to be an “Oklahoma agency of excellence” by focusing on the 5 E’s: electricity, economic development, environmental stewardship, employees and efficiency. 

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