June 11, 2010
Vol. 40, No. 203

For more information, contact Sgt. Gregory Rhodes, 302-739-9913 or 302-542-6102, or Joanna Wilson, Public Affairs, 302-739-9902.

DNREC Boating Safety Office honors Andy Smith as Volunteer of the Year

The Delaware Office of Boating Safety, part of the DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife, recently recognized Sussex County volunteer instructor Andy Smith as its Boating Safety Volunteer of the Year for his work in 2009.

Smith has taught multi-week basic boating and seamanship courses and the day-long state safe boating course at least twice a year for more than 12 years, working with hundreds of students. Smith also serves as public education officer for the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 12-09, based at Indian River Inlet. 

Sgt. Greg Rhodes, boating education specialist with the Delaware Office of Boating Safety, presented a framed limited edition print of the 2009 Delaware Duck Stamp to Smith at the Flotilla’s monthly meeting June 8 at the U.S. Coast Guard Station Indian River.

“Our office really appreciates Andy’s contribution to safe boating,” Rhodes said. “Delaware has consistently had one of the lowest boating-accident rates in the country, and these courses contribute to that cause.”

“Teaching is a joy, a pleasure,” Smith said. “It’s fun. But I don’t do it alone. Flotilla members John Wallo, Bill Tower, John Morrill, Jim LaValley, Dick Stevenson, and John Ballantyne commit their time and knowledge too.”

For more information on Delaware boating safety programs, please visit www.dnrec.delaware.gov/fw/Boating/Pages/BoatingSafety.aspx or contact Sgt. Greg Rhodes at 302- 739-9913 or email gregory.rhodes@state.de.us.