Safe boating saves lives, and to help National Safe Boating Week kick off, Jayhawk Marina at Hillsdale State Park will offering a safe boating course next Sunday.

Also, Wildlife and Parks will offer a vessel safety check lane at the marina that day.

Taking a safe boating course will make compliance with Kansas’ age requirement law easy, and it may make boaters eligible for discounts on personal watercraft or boat insurance.

Classes will begin at 8 a.m. and end about 3 p.m. Space is limited, so call (913) 557-9900 to reserve a spot.

Courtesy vessel safety checks will be performed in the parking lot of Jayhawk Marina from 8 a.m. until 4 p.m. No citations are issued, and the results of the safety check are not reported to any law enforcement agency.

Boat owners will be supplied with a copy of the evaluation so they may correct any deficiencies found as a result of the inspection.