According to a new law enacted Dec. 1, 1999, those 12 to 16 must carry proof of age and proof they have completed a boating safety class while behind the wheel on the water.

John Heyer, public relations officer with the U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, will be one of the volunteers teaching boating safety classes in March and April.

“Sign up now and get to the classes as soon as you can,” Heyer encourages teens.

North Carolina wildlife officers will also teach the classes.

The next class is scheduled for April 1, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center on N.C. 24-27 in Albemarle.

Call Heyer at (704) 279-4316 or Fred Gurley at (336) 461-4844 to pre-register.

The six-hour courses are offered all in one day or on two consecutive days. The fee is $15.

The classes are off to a slow start.

“Since the warm weather is still on-again off-again,” says Heyer, “teens aren’t responding very well.”

He urges teens to sign up for April or May classes.

“We don’t want a hundred or 200 people in a class,” he says, “because we have to issue the picture IDs. And don’t wait until June, when you want to get out on the water.”

Heyer says there will be a ticket issued after a warning period if teens do not have their ID cards and course certificates with them on the water.

The law also requires that children under 12 be accompanied by an adult and that everyone wear life jackets.

The course is designed to teach people basic safety rules. For example, personal water craft don’t have lights and shouldn’t be in the water until an hour after daybreak. They should be out of the water an hour after sundown.

“We have some people riding out there in the pitch dark,” Heyer said.

Other course dates available are as follows:

• April 29, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Badin Shores Resort.
• May 8 and 9 at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center, 6 to 9 p.m.
• June 26 and 27 at BadinShores Resort, 6 to 9 p.m.
• July 15 at the Stanly County Agri-Civic Center, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.