MONTGOMERY – The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Marine Patrol Division has announced upcoming available dates throughout the fall season for prospective boaters to enroll in the Boating Basics and License Course that will be taught by Troopers within ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division.
The course will be offered in three different locations near Lewis Smith Lake. The first will be held on Saturday, Sept. 24 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Crane Hill Volunteer Fire Department in Cullman County. The instructor for that course will be Bart Lindsey, and his contact information is [email protected]. Two courses will be held in Arley in Winston County. The first will be on Saturday, Oct. 15 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Arley Volunteer Fire Department with Trooper Kyle Stephenson as the instructor. His contact information is [email protected]. The second class in Arley will be on Saturday, Nov. 18 from 9 a.m. until 5 p.m. at the Helicon Volunteer Fire Department. Trooper Kasey Pruitt will be the instructor. Contact him at [email protected].
For more information, or to enroll in a class, contact the Marine Patrol instructor via the email provided. A one-time application fee of $5 cash will be charged. There will be a $36.25 issuance fee for the license.
ALEA’s Director of Public Safety Colonel Jimmy Helms said, “As we transition from summer to fall, activities will begin to slow down on Alabama’s waterways, however, the fall season is an excellent time to take full advantage of ALEA’s boating and license course and receive hands-on education from local Troopers in your area, so you are prepared to enjoy any season on our state’s waterways.”
Corporal Robert Ping from ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division Northern District added, “Our Marine Patrol Troopers are the perfect instructors for these live classes and do a wonderful job. The live classes allow for interaction with the instructor, and they are structured with an emphasis on the issues of your local bodies of water.”
Citizens who complete the Boating Basics course will receive a certificate in the mail after Troopers submit the individual’s information to the Agency’s Driver License Division. The Driver License Division will then add the vessel class to their Alabama Driver License. Please note that it may take up to 10 business days before the customer can go online to alabamadl.alea.gov or visit their nearest county probate office to purchase their updated Alabama Driver License. Children 12 years old or older are eligible for a vessel operator’s license, however, they will not be able to operate alone until the age of 14.
