Oklahoma Lawmaker Mulls Mandatory Boater Safety Class

An Oklahoma lawmaker says he is considering introducing a bill requiring new boaters to undergo mandatory training before they are allowed to operate boats on Oklahoma waterways.

Ardmore Republican Rep. Pat Ownbey held a legislative interim study on the issue Thursday with members of the House Public Safety Committee.

Ownbey says he was prompted to study the issue following the death of an Ardmore woman in May during a nighttime boating accident at Lake Murray.

Oklahomans between the ages of 12 and 16 are required to take a boater education course before operating a boat in the state.

Ownbey says he envisions his bill would apply to individuals born after a certain date so that experienced boaters would not be required to take the course.