SOCIAL CIRCLE, Ga. (AP) — State Department of Natural Resources officials are reminding Georgians that boater education courses will soon be required for some vessel operators.

Officials say boaters born on or after Jan. 1, 1998 will be required to take the state's boater education course beginning July 1.

Department officials say boaters will be exempt from the course if they are licensed by the Coast Guard, are operating a vessel on a private pond or lake or can prove that they've completed a similar approved boater education course in another state.

Officials say the course will be offered in class, on line and through a home study program.

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