Press Releases
05/08/2020
DEEP Announces Availability of Safe Boating Online Learning
New boaters can obtain their required boating certificates online
In order to continue to provide safe boating courses to residents during the COVID-19 pandemic, the Connecticut Department of Energy and Environmental Protection (DEEP) is now providing safe boating courses online.
Governor Lamont’s Executive Order 7JJ, issued on May 6, 2020, suspends certain legal restraints and enables DEEP and its partners to provide safe boating courses online during the COVID-19 pandemic. DEEP suspended in-person boating classes in March.
“We are very excited to resume safe boating education while keeping students, staff and our instructors safe,” DEEP Commissioner Katie Dykes said. “With the technology available today, this was just a natural development.”
The Executive Order provides for online classes taught by DEEP, private boating class providers, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, and U.S. Power Squadrons. The classes will be held on an interactive videoconferencing platform which provides the opportunity for dialogue between the instructors and students. The Executive Order will also allow the students to take an online examination at the end of the class.
Successful completion of DEEP’s eight-hour boating safety course is required before obtaining a Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation which is necessary to operate a boat or personal watercraft on Connecticut’s waters. DEEP and its partners typically provide boating safety education to approximately 9,000 students per year.
Starting Saturday, May 9, to sign up for a DEEP safe boating class online, or for additional information on boating requirements in Connecticut, please visit https://portal.ct.gov/DEEP/Boating/Education/Boating-Classes
For more information on boating in Connecticut, visit https://portal.ct.gov/boating, or follow DEEP’s boating division on social media.
Facebook: BoatingInConnecticut | Twitter: @CTBoatingInfo | Instagram: ctdeep_boating
- Twitter: @CTDEEPNews
- Facebook: DEEP on Facebook
Contact
DEEP Communications
DEEP.communications@ct.gov
860-424-3110