Contacts:
 
Dave White, New York Sea Grant, P: 315-312-3042, E: dgw9@cornell.edu

Drew Wickham, CNY Boat Show Manager, P: 585-526-5460


U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 21 Commander John Steinbarge will instruct young boaters on proper safety practices as part of the Young Boater safety certification training being offered at the 2015 Central New York Boat Show. Steinbarge is seen here presenting the USCGA Wear It Award! for excellence in educating the public about life vest safety to David G. White of New York Sea Grant at the 2014 show in Syracuse, NY. Photo: Brian P. Whattam

Syracuse, NY, January 16, 2015 - The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and New York Sea Grant are alerting youth ages 10-17 to register now for the annual free Young Boater Safety Certificate Training to be offered at the February 11-15, 2015 Central New York Boat Show at the NYS Fairgrounds in Syracuse, NY.

Successful completion of the 8-hour course and proctored exam is required for youth to legally operate a motorized boat or watercraft alone on New York State waters.

Pre-registration is required for the limited space seating for the two-part course that will be taught by U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 21 personnel at the Central New York Boat Show on Wednesday, February 11 from 6pm to 8:30pm AND Saturday, February 14 from 9am to 2:30pm in the Horticulture Building Seminar Room. New York Sea Grant is taking registrations by phone at 315-312-3042.


Gene Little of the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Ithaca explained one of the many safe life preservers used in a in-water life jacket demonstration to Edwin Bender of Lowville and his sons, 12 year old Justin 12, and 10 year old Brian. Comments on public survey forms distributed at various NY boat shows that offered the Clean and Safe Boating Program indicate an increased awareness of the importance of wearing life jackets and of the most current boating laws and regulations. Photo: Stephen D. Cannerelli, Syracuse.com


Each youth registering for the course will receive three free admission passes into the 2015 Central New York Boat Show that is New York’s largest and oldest boat show. The five-day event fills three buildings with more than 500 boats of all styles, water recreation equipment; marine accessories; boating, fishing and Adirondack guides; charter captains and yacht clubs; and exhibits by waterfront destinations, tourism organizations; and local, and federal law enforcement agencies.

The 2015 edition of the award-winning New York Sea Grant Discover Clean & Safe Boating vessels will be at the show with information on life jacket and boating safety, voluntary watercraft inspection for boat owners and operators to help slow the spread of aquatic invasive species.

The February 11-15, 2015 Central New York Boat Show hours are 1pm-9pm Wednesday-Friday, 10am-9m Saturday, and 10am-5pm Sunday at the NYS Fairgrounds. Admission is $10/person, children 13 and younger enter free, with free parking and shuttles. Learn more at www.cnyboatshow.com.


More Info: New York Sea Grant

New York Sea Grant (NYSG), a cooperative program of Cornell University and the State University of New York, is one of 33 university-based programs under the National Sea Grant College Program (NSGCP) of the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). The NSGCP engages this network of the nation’s top universities in conducting scientific research, education, training and extension projects designed to foster science-based decisions about the use and conservation of our aquatic resources. Through its statewide network of integrated services, NYSG has been promoting coastal vitality, environmental sustainability, and citizen awareness about the State’s marine and Great Lakes resources since 1971.

For updates on Sea Grant activities: www.nyseagrant.org has RSS, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube links. NYSG also offers a free e-list sign up via www.nyseagrant.org/coastlines for its flagship publication, NY Coastlines/Currents, which is published several times a year.