The waters around Gloucester and Mathews counties are more active this time of year, which means knowing proper water and boating safety is even more important.

United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 66, Mathews, offers a number of boating courses with the Department of Wildlife Resources to educate boaters. These courses range from an eight-hour Boat America course to one-hour courses on personal watercrafts.

Flotilla 66 Vice Commander Mary McCoig said a few topics covered in the courses include boating operations, man-over-board, navigation and first aid as well as a wide range of other safety information.

McCoig stressed that boaters should always wear a properly fitted personal floatation device when out on the water, especially kids. The USCG requires all vessels to have at least one PFD of proper size for each person on board. The USCG also states that no person can operate a recreational vessel on federal waters with any child under the age of 13 unless they are ...