News

GRDA Police offering free boater safety courses

Feb 10, 2022

To help prepare both new and experienced boat operators for upcoming summer days on the water, the Grand River Dam Authority Police Department is once again offering free boater safety courses on select Saturdays, March through June.

GRDA has seven course dates available for those who need to complete boating certification, as well as those who are looking for an information refresher before hitting the water. Those Saturday course dates are March 12 and 26, April 2, May 7 and 21 and June 4 and 18. All courses will be held from 8AM to 5PM at the GRDA Ecosystems and Education Center, located at 420 Highway 28 in Langley.

Those who need to complete a course include children between the ages of 12 and 16 (without a valid driver’s license). Per the Kyle Williams Safety Boating Act, which became Oklahoma law in 2007, children and teens in this age range must complete a boater safety course before operating vessels powered by a motor of more than 10 horsepower or a sailing vessel 16 feet or longer.

A possible insurance benefit, opportunity to learn something new (including rules specific to Grand and Hudson lakes), the chance to set an example for younger boaters and the chance to get reacquainted with boating safety are all good reasons for adults to participate in a class as well.

This one-day course will teach all participants about boating terminology, boating maintenance, safe and courteous operation, navigation regulations, docking and maneuvering skills, equipment requirements and boating laws.

GRDA wants to help everyone to boat safe, smart and certified this summer. Do that by participating in a boater safety education course.

GRDA is Oklahoma’s largest public power 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: employees, electricity, economic development, environmental stewardship, and efficiency.