The parents of Austin Stephanos, one of the two Tequesta teens lost at sea last July, are sponsoring safe boating classes for youngsters in north county.

“I don’t want any other parents to go through what we went through,” said Blu Stephanos, the father of Austin Stephanos.

Austin and Perry Cohen, both 14, never returned after leaving Jupiter Inlet on July 24 in their 19-foot SeaCraft boat.

“It’s a soup-to-nuts class. We go over navigation, how to leave and enter a dock, anchoring, life preservers and the legal aspects of boating,” Barth said.

The class, which is scheduled from 8:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m., normally would cost $35. The fees are being paid by the AustinBlu Foundation said Stephanos.

“Austin would be proud of this. He would want us to protect other kids,” said Carly Black, Austin’s mother.

Boat-safety legislation inspired by the loss at sea of the two Tequesta teenagers is winding its way through the Florida Legislature.

The measure by Rep. MaryLynn Magar, R-Tequesta, is aimed at encouraging boaters to buy an emergency position indicator radio beacon (EPIRB) or personal locator beacon for their watercraft. A similar bill by Sen. Joe Negron, R-Stuart, is awaiting final action in the Florida Senate.

Source: Palm Beach Post