High School Club Sponsors Boating License Class

Ever dream of having your own boat, or at the very least being able to drive one?

Chatham High School's Boating Club is sponsoring a two-day Boating Safety Course from 3 to 6:30 p.m. on May 16 and 17 at the high school art room. Successful completion of the course gives participants a Boating Safety Certificate, which allows the holder to pilot boats up to 60 feet.

Iain Langborgh, the president of the Boating Club, said the certificate "is basically a boating license." The instructor, Robert Alport of the New Jersey Boating Safety School, will teach the basics of boating. According to Landborgh, "They teach you navigation, basic boating terms, skills, safety, precautions, and New Jersey and national laws."

The two-day course will end with a 50-question multiple choice test, at the end of which participants will get the safety certificate which allows the holder to operate powered boats, sailboats and jet skis. "Once (you) get the license you can drive anything from a 12-ft. boat to a 60-ft. fishing boat," Langborgh said.

While not a fundriaser, Langborgh said he hopes the event will raise some awareness about the Boating Club and maybe attract some new members. Mostly, though, "we’re basically doing it just to get as many people the license as possible," he said.

The cost is $65 for Chatham High students and $75 for non-students. To reserve a seat, contact Langborgh at 973-216-5310.