The Savannah-Chatham County police marine unit is offering a boating safety class aimed at teenagers who will soon be required to complete such a course to legally operate a boat in Georgia waters.

The free class is being held May 18 at the police department's Metro Training Center at the Savannah Mall. It's open to anyone age 12 and older.

A couple of deadly and high-profile accidents on state waterways prompted Georgia lawmakers this year to approve requiring boating safety classes for anyone born since 1998. Gov. Nathan Deal signed the measure into law last month.

The safety class requirement kicks in at the beginning of next year, when it will essentially affect boat operators age 16 and younger.

Tags: teen, boating, boating deaths, Savannah-Chatham Metropolitan Police, boat fatalities, boating safety course