ALEA’s Marine Patrol Division Announces 2026 Boating Basics and License Course Schedule

T.L. Sullivan | The Weekly Ledger News | Area Lake News

MONTGOMERY, Ala. — The Alabama Law Enforcement Agency’s (ALEA) Marine Patrol Division is preparing for another season of its Boating Basics and Vessel Operator License Courses, offering free, in-person classes at locations across the state.

According to ALEA, the courses are designed to provide citizens with essential boating safety education while allowing participants to interact directly with local ALEA Troopers. The in-person format also allows for more hands-on instruction and region-specific guidance tailored to waterways frequently visited by residents.

Citizens who successfully complete the Boating Basics course will receive a certificate by mail after Troopers submit the participant’s information to the Agency’s Vessel Registration Unit. ALEA’s Driver License Division will then add the vessel class designation to the individual’s Alabama Driver's License.

Officials note that it may take up to 10 business days after course completion before participants can visit alabamadl.alea.gov or their nearest county probate office to obtain an updated Alabama Driver's License.

Children aged 12 and older are eligible to obtain a vessel operator’s license; however, they are not permitted to operate a vessel alone until the age of 14.

Northeast Alabama Boating Course Schedule:

Guntersville

Date: Feb. 22

Time: Noon – 6 PM

Location: Guntersville Rescue Squad

Address: 2350 Miller Street, Guntersville, AL 35976

Instructor Contact: James.Young@alea.gov

Centre

Date: Feb. 28

Time: 8 AM – 4 PM

Location: Cherokee County EMA

Address: 260 Cedar Bluff Rd., Centre, AL 35960

Instructor Contact: Eric.Watson@alea.gov

Gadsden

Date: Feb. 28

Time: Noon – 6 PM

Location: River Rocks Campground

Address: 1 Riverview Ln., Gadsden, AL 35901

Instructor Contact: Jacob.Mayo@alea.gov

Wedowee / Lineville Area

Date: Feb. 28

Time: 9 AM – 5 PM

Location: Wedowee Marine South

Address: 9681 AL-48, Lineville, AL 36266

Instructor Contact: Jarred.brown@alea.gov

Scottsboro

Date: March 14

Time: 10 AM – 4 PM

Location: Goose Pond Colony Resort (Clubhouse)

Address: 417 Ed Hembree Drive, Scottsboro, AL 35769

Instructor Contact: Jonathan.Colquitt@alea.gov

Gadsden

Date: March 21

Time: Noon – 6 PM

Location: River Rocks Campground

Address: 1 Riverview Ln., Gadsden, AL 35901

Instructor Contact: Jacob.Mayo@alea.gov

Wedowee / Lineville Area

Date: March 21

Time: 9 AM – 5 PM

Location: Wedowee Marine South

Address: 9681 AL-48, Lineville, AL 36266

Instructor Contact: Jarred.brown@alea.gov

Sylacauga

Date: March 28

Time: 9 AM – 4 PM

Location: J. Craig Community Center

Address: 2 West 8th Street, Sylacauga, AL 35150

Instructor Contact: Charles.Pinkard@alea.gov

Centre

Date: March 28

Time: 8 AM – 4 PM

Location: Cherokee County EMA

Address: 260 Cedar Bluff Rd., Centre, AL 35960

Instructor Contact: Eric.Watson@alea.gov

Oxford

Date: April 11

Time: 10 AM – 5 PM

Location: Oxford Civic Center

Address: 401 McCullars Lane, Oxford, AL 36203

Instructor Contact: Charles.Pinkard@alea.gov

Scottsboro

Date: April 11

Time: Noon – 6 PM

Location: Goose Pond Colony Resort (Clubhouse)

Address: 417 Ed Hembree Drive, Scottsboro, AL 35769

Instructor Contact: Jonathan.Colquitt@alea.gov

Scottsboro

Date: April 25

Time: Noon – 6 PM

Location: Goose Pond Colony Resort (Clubhouse)

Address: 417 Ed Hembree Drive, Scottsboro, AL 35769

Instructor Contact: James.Young@alea.gov

To view the complete statewide course schedule, citizens are encouraged to visit ALEA’s official website or you can click here.

For additional details or to enroll in a course, participants should contact the Marine Patrol instructor listed for the desired class. ALEA advises that a one-time $5 application fee (cash) is required, along with a $36.25 issuance fee for the vessel operator’s license.

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