Utah State Parks Boating Tip of the Week

Salt Lake -- With an ever-increasing demand on Utah's lakes, reservoirs and rivers, boaters have the responsibility to learn, practice and advocate safe, courteous and ethical use of our waterways. Responsibilities include learning and obeying boating safety laws and rules, being environmentally conscious, and sharing the waterways with other boaters, swimmers, and anglers.

Recent surveys indicate that more than 80 percent of Utah's registered boat owners have not completed a boating safety course. This implies that a vast majority of Utah's boaters are unaware of the basic safety equipment and navigation rules needed to operate a boat. Not only will successful completion of a boating safety course increase knowledge and participation of boating safety, it can also reduce boat insurance premiums.

For more information about boating safety courses in Utah, or for a free copy of Utah's Boating Course, visit www.stateparks.utah.gov or call (801) 538-2628 within the Salt Lake calling area or 1-800-743-3792 from outside the Salt Lake calling area.