Thousands of Missourians have taken a special boating safety course since this time a year ago, but the State Water Patrol says thousands more should be taking that course. Thirty-three states have boating safety programs and most make it mandatory. Missouri is not among the mandatory states. The State Water Patrol started offering the safety program last year, put it on the Internet during the off-season, then taught the course to thousands of school children during the winter and spring. After a winter of teaching teenagers, the Water Patrol says there are far more Missouri teenagers who know about safe boating than there are adults who know about it.
