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State specific boating safety courses, the boatus foundation offers the only free online boating safety course developed specifically for your state..

Recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard, approved by NASBLA and your state boating license agency.

Free Alaska Office of Boating Safety boating safety course

Free Arizona Game and Fish Department boating safety course

Free California State Parks Division of Boating and Waterways boating safety course

Free Colorado Parks and Wildlife boating safety course

Free Delaware DNR boating safety course

DC, Washington

Free District of Columbia Harbor Patrol boating safety course

Free Florida Fish and Wildlife boating safety course

Free Georgia Department of Natural Resources boating safety course

Free Hawaii Division of Boating and Recreation boating safety course

Free Idaho State Parks and Recreation boating safety course

Free Indiana Department of Natural Resources boating safety course

Free Iowa Department of Natural Resources boating safety course

Free Kansas Department of Wildlife boating safety course

Free Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife boating safety course

Free Louisiana Department of Wildlife boating safety course

Free state specific boating safety course

Free Maryland Department of Natural Resources boating safety course

Mississippi

Free Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, & Parks boating safety course

Free Montana Department of Fish, Wildlife & Park boating safety course

Free Nevada Department of Wildlife boating safety course

Free New Mexico Energy, Minerals & Natural Resources Department boating safety course

Free New York State Parks boating safety course

North Carolina

Free North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission boating safety course

North Dakota

Free North Dakota Game and Fish Department boating safety course

Free Ohio Division of Parks & Watercraft boating safety course

Free Oklahoma Parks and Wildlife Division boating safety course

Free Oregon State Marine Board boating safety course

South Carolina

Free South Carolina Department of Natural Resources boating safety course

South Dakota

Free South Dakota Department of Game, Fish & Parks boating safety course

Free Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency boating safety course

Free Texas Parks & Wildlife Department boating safety course

Free Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries boating safety course

Free Washington State Parks and Recreation Commission boating safety course

West Virginia

Free West Virginia Division of Natural Resources boating safety course

Free Wyoming Game & Fish Department boating safety course

The following state courses are NOT Approved to satisfy your states mandatory education requirements.

The courses below can be used as a refresher or study guide for an in person class or proctored exam. They can also qualify you for a premium discount on your BoatUS insurance policy.

Connecticut

Massachusetts

New Hampshire

Pennsylvania

Rhode Island

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STATE-APPROVED BOAT LICENSE SAFETY COURSES

Our NASBLA and U.S. Coast Guard approved courses provide the education and certification you need to confidently and legally operate a boat or personal watercraft (PWC) in the United States.

Boating laws and regulations vary by state and Drive a Boat USA makes it easy to understand and meet your state’s specific boating license and education requirements. Our interactive study guides cover essential navigation rules, boat operation, safety equipment, emergency procedures and everything else you need to become a certified boat operator.

Choose Your State Boating Education

Connecticut

Massachusetts

Mississippi

North Carolina

North Dakota

Pennsylvania

South Carolina

South Dakota

Virgin Islands

West Virginia

3 Easy Steps

Study the online course

Pass the online exam

Obtain your Card

 FAQ – Boat Safety Course and Boating License

Do i need a boat license to operate a boat or personal watercraft in the united states.

Boating license requirements vary by state. Most states require some form of boater education or safety certification to legally operate a motorized boat or PWC on state waterways. Check your state’s specific boating laws and regulations.

How do I get my boating license?

In most states, you need to successfully complete a NASBLA and state-approved boating safety course to obtain your boater education card, which serves as proof of boating safety certification. These are often in the form of online courses for convenience.

At Drive a Boat USA, we currently boating education for the following states:

• California boating safety course
• Florida boating safety course
• New York boating safety course

What is NASBLA?

NASBLA is the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. They work with states to approve boating safety courses that meet national education standards. A NASBLA-approved course, such as the one offered by Drive a Boat USA, will satisfy your state’s mandatory boater education requirements.

What topics are covered in a boating safety course?

Boating safety courses teach you the rules and regulations for operating boats and PWC, navigation, required safety equipment, emergency procedures, state-specific boating laws, and more. Study guides and practice exams help prepare you for the certification exam.

How long does a boating safety course take?

Online boating courses allow you to study at your own pace. Expect to spend at least 3-8 hours completing the course and exam, depending on your state’s requirements. Classroom courses may span multiple days.

Is there a minimum age to take a boating safety course?

Age requirements vary by state, but many allow anyone old enough to operate a boat or PWC to take the course, often starting at age 12-16. There is no maximum age limit.

Will I get a discount on boat insurance if I complete a safety course?

Many insurance providers offer discounts for successfully completing a boating safety course. Check with your insurance company for details on boat insurance discounts.

Do I need to register my boat in addition to having a boating license?

Yes, most states require all motorized watercraft to be properly registered in addition to the operator having a boater education card. Registration requirements vary by state and boat size. Check your state’s watercraft registration regulations.

Where can I find more information and resources on boating safety?

The U.S. Coast Guard, your state’s boating agency, and NASBLA all provide comprehensive resources on boating safety, regulations, and approved courses. Many online course providers also offer study guides and practice tests. Check out our blog section for a wide range of boating safety resources.

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Take a Boating Course

Learn on the water, in the classroom, or online. Take a boating course with America’s Boating Club to become a better boater and have more fun on the water.

Online boating education

Get the basics to hit the water in a hurry.

When you’re just starting out,  America’s Boating Course  can get you ready to hit the water in a hurry. In many states, you can get a boating card by taking our course and a state boating test.  Check the boating laws in your state . It’s also available in English and Spanish.

Build your boating skills

Our virtual learning center offers online boating courses, seminars, and webinars  to help you become a better boater while learning at your own pace. Whether you boat on inland lakes, ply coastal waters, or long to cruise to exotic locales, we’ve got training to get you where you’re going.

Surf America’s Boating Channel

America’s Boating Channel offers safe boating videos and boater education digital media created for boaters, by boaters. Learn boating skills, gain boating safety know-how, and boost your knowledge from the comfort of your couch.

In-person boating education

Learn in your own community.

For more than 100 years, the gold standard of boater education has been America’s Boating Club’s comprehensive in-person courses taught at a club in your area. Local clubs offer a variety of courses ranging from Boat Handling and Engine Maintenance to Sail and Celestial Navigation. What’s more, in-person and blended-learning classes allow you to learn from experienced boating mentors eager to share their wealth of boating experience and local knowledge.

Hands-on boating education

Gain confidence at the helm with on-the-water training.

Read about additional on-the-water learning opportunities from America’s Boating Club. Check out Better on the Water from The Ensign magazine .

Discover more about these offerings and others at America’s Boating Club !

Our Drivers Education courses will meet your needs for both US & International Travel and let you save on insurance with our partners .

United States - SaferBoater Certification for Powerboats below 26 Ft

International - IPC  ( International Proficiency Certificate ) for Sailboats & MotorYachts

Women make the majority of boat-buying decisions, but most never learn to drive the boat!

Our SaferBoater "Women Making Waves" course features a certified and experienced female captain and exclusive all-female class that fosters a fun and supportive environment, perfect for building skills and confidence.

Come and embrace the adventure of boating!

We remain open Year-Round and our instructors boast the highest level of certifications & training in the industry.

As an internationally accredited Training School , you have access to a wide variety of education classes, certification opportunities, and personalized skill-building training.

All courses are taught on the water, with classes ranging from 4 to 44 hours, depending on the level of skill or certification desired.

Enroll in Boat School (Power , Sail , Yacht)

On-the-Water Driver's Education for Powerboats equips Boat operators with the Essential Knowledge and Practical Skills Necessary to pass a Skills Evaluation and Knowledge Exam to meet all State Boating Requirements

As a rigorously Trained & Certified US Sailing School, we are one of only a handful of schools in the entire United States authorized to certify you with an international Sailing certification. You Do Not need to be a member of our school

As a rigorously Trained & Certified US Powerboating School, we are one of only a couple of schools in the entire United States authorized to certify you with a MotorYacht IPC certification.  The IPC is required to rent boats in all EU Waters.

Learn How OUR Graduates Save BIG on Boat Insurance

"There is nothing – absolutely nothing – half so much worth doing as simply messing about in boats.”

- Kenneth Grahame

"The instruction was excellent. High quality student instruction along with practical real-world application. Plenty of review on tips and techniques." 

"Captain Robert Meeker was great. He did an incredible job going through the content and explained everything in a clear and concise manner. Highly recommend for all boaters."

Save Big on Boat Insurance!

• 75% of boating accidents involve an operator with no training.
• 42% of new boat buyers get out of boating within 5 years if they have had a negative experience

Protect Your Family

• Boat Fail Videos have drawn the attention of litigation lawyers like never before.  Google "Boat Accident Lawyer" in your area and see what happens

"Outstanding! I feel much more prepared for routine operations and emergencies.”

"Thank you both Tanya & Robert for making this class fun and educational, and being excited and eager to answer and listen to all of our questions. I will definitely recommend this to my friends and family." 

"Very good! Sailed with Tim for years and have always held him and his skills in high regard. I learned so much, even as an expert sailor."

Why Choose Us?

SaferBoater Set the Standard

Any licensed captain can theoretically teach you the basics of how to drive a boat. So what is the SaferBoater Difference?  

To start, we developed the nations First and Only standardized & certified on-the-water training courses.  This means you could visit hundreds of our captains and get the same premier boater training, regardless if you attend a class in Maine, Florida, Texas, or California.

Equally as important, you will gain the knowledge, capability and legal eligibility required to buy, rent & operate boats in each state that requires a boating certificate.

As an added benefit, our curriculum will qualify you for significant savings on insurance with our certified insurance partners.

SaferBoater students also build practical knowledge quicker because we teach our certification lessons first in a classroom and then on a boat! Our hands-on training approach dominates the old, boring classroom-only or online style used by other schools.

Every course we offer is hands-on and water based, with expert instruction provided by Certified Sailing/Powerboat Instructors.  We empower students with the skills and confidence they need to get more out of their boating experience, all while allowing them to become safer boat operators.

We also hold the distinction of being one of the only accredited schools for US Powerboating and US Sailing in the U.S.

Classes are held year-round, with Specialty Programs catering exclusively to women, families, private groups, teens & youth aged 10+, and first-time boat owners.

So while there may be many boat captains, we have the only standardized system available to turn you from a novice to a confident captain in just a few short days.

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Not Sure Where to start?

We offer courses For Beginners up to master captains...so if you have questions, we have answers.

Motorboat Operator Training Course (MOTC)

The Scientific Boating Safety Association’s (SBSA) Motorboat Operator Training Course (MOTC) is entry-level training recommended for persons who will be acting as small vessel operator or crew for SBSA member institutions or other organizations. CSU/OSI (an SBSA Organizational Member) has adopted this course as the foundation for our small boat training program.

Designed for candidates with no prior boating experience, the MOTC is an intensive 5-day, “hands-on” course that provides fundamental training in boating knowledge. During the course, boaters learn about boating regulations, use of personal protective equipment, rescue skills, small boat operations and safe boating practices.  Upon completion of the course, participants will receive their MOTC certification, which is the current training standard for  scientific organizations with active boating programs. This course is free for CSU/OSI consortium students and staff.

The MOTC, and a valid California Boater Card, are the minimum requirements to operate a small vessel for members of the CSU/OSI and SCMI consortiums and students participating in the Catalina Semester course.

Be advised that your home institution may require additional training in local knowledge, vessel characteristics, regional and local regulations, and agency policies, as necessary.

Course Dates and Fees

TRAINING IS PROVISIONAL BASED ON COVID STATE GUIDELINES

PLEASE NOTE: applications must include a copy of your California Boater Card (see Prerequisites below) incomplete applications will not be accepted.

SUMMER 2024 MOTC DATES:

MOTC Session 1: June 3-7, application deadline May 3, 2024 MOTC Session 2: July 15-19, application deadline June 14, 2024

Please Note: The number of participants is limited to a maximum of six per course offering; a minimum of three participants are required to run a course.

Applicants will be considered on a first-come, first-served basis, in the following order: CSU Graduate Students/Staff; CSU Undergraduate Students; SCMI Consortium Members; Other Qualified Applicants.

Cost: Free for CSU/OSI consortium members

$250 for SCMI consortium members participating on a “space available” basis for a scheduled CSU/OSI course

$500 for All other qualified applicants participating on a “space available” basis for a scheduled CSU/OSI course If your organization is interested in scheduling a course for their staff on a contract basis, please contact the SCMI office.

Please note: When conducting cooperative training with other SBSA Institutional Members, CSU/OSI will waive course fees for candidates if the home institution provides a qualified instructor and vessel

MOTC Application Forms

Prerequisite for the course:.

• California Boater Card – Starting January 1, 2018, California law will require boaters to carry the California Boater Card. The curriculum for this NASBLA-approved certification is outside the current scope of the MOTC. There are a number of resources, such as boat-ed.com , which offer online courses for a nominal fee that will satisfy this course prerequisite.

Required Items For The Course:

• Pen, Paper, etc. for taking notes
• If your home institution can’t supply this item, we may be able to provide one (inventory is limited, so this will be on a first-come, first-served basis).
• Closed-toe, non-skid shoes appropriate for boat decks

Recommended Items For The Course:

• Small Dry Bag
• Foul Weather Gear

SBSA Instructors

FAQ About the MOTC

• Is there a certificate for the course, how long is it valid for?
• How much does the MOTC cost?
• What is the typical course schedule?
• I have other commitments and may miss some of the course, will I still be able to complete the course?
• What clothing will I need to bring to the training?
• I don’t have a personal flotation device, will you provide one?
• I’ve never operated a power boat before, will this be a problem?
• I have never trailered a boat, will this be a problem?
• I’m a licensed mariner with many years experience operating boats, what will I learn from this course?
• I need to learn how to operate specific hardware on our institutions boat, will you teach this?
• Can we choose which type of boat we learn to operate?

Questions should be directed to  Darrell Montague , OSI Dive and Boat Safety Officer

820 South Seaside Avenue, Terminal Island, CA 90731

Cell: (626) 399-3308; SCMI: (562) 985-3176

Email:  [email protected]

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Boating Lessons In Your Boat , ON THE WATER  

Welcome to the Boating Community ... Learn to operate your boat from a Licensed Master Captain and CGAUX Coxswain !!!

New York State Safe Boating Classes ... -Conducted inside the Cold Spring Harbor Whaling Museum ... Take the course and explore the museum !!!

https://tbrnewsmedia.com/nys-safe-boating-course-offered-at-the-whaling-museum/

Scroll Down to the Bottom Right Side of the page to ... Ask a Question, Request a Quote, Or to Send a Message !!! 

Explore Our Site ... Learn more !!! about each course, download helpful information, find Federal or State safe boating classes, view informative videos, and more.

Boating Lessons ... Specializing in Runabouts to Motor Yachts !!!  

Vaccinated Instructor ...    The lessons that comprise our curriculum are essentially the same as attending a private boating school ... On Your Boat while Underway!

Welcome to your location ...  Serving New York, New Jersey, Connecticut and Long Island 

A SEAFARER‘S QUIZ!

What is the meaning of...blue monday.

See below for answer

Click Here for NEW SAFETY TiP    The Pirate's Ports 

About captain steve.

View Steve's Certifications

50 Ton Master Captain Upon Near Coastal Waters  and a Coxswain in the USCG  Auxiliary.

               https://join.cgaux.org/

              ... We train Volunteers ...  

Request a Free Vessel Safety Check .

Read my monthly Boating Safety Tips

Disclosure: All of the services offered herein are independently developed and delivered by Captain Steve and his associates. Nothing in this website is intended to imply that the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary has had any involvement with the development of the content of the site nor with the development of the services being offered. It does not participate in the delivery of these services, nor has it sanctioned the courses in any way.

Captain steve stolze is a uscg licensed 50 ton master, and near coastal captain.  he is a life-long boater with on-water experience covering thousands of hours. in addition, steve has 25 years of experience as a member of the u.s. coast guard auxiliary. here he is a coxswain certified facility owner who has donated time during many boating seasons to support the coast guard's on-water operations, and safe boating activities. captain steve is also a uscg certified instructor, a uscg certified vessel examiner, and a board of trustees member for the cold spring harbor whaling museum..

"Congratulations and welcome to the boating community! As an owner/operator you are now responsible for the safety of your family, friends and crew while on your boat; as well as for the safety of other vessels and its passengers in near proximity to your vessel while underway. The services offered through this on-water training program will help to ensure you can operate your boat proficiently, and that you consistently apply recognized safe boating practices." 

Boating Lessons    

In your boat, on the water long island, new york, new jersey, and connecticut, any one, or all of these private boating lessons can be conducted on your vessel., a seafarer‘s quiz ​, q : what is the meaning of...blue monday, a : the day traditionally reserved for dispensing the week's whippings., whether you are a first-time boater, a skipper who wants to learn more, an owner/operator who wants to train a second in command, or if you want to improve the boating skills of your family; this on-water training will provide you with a unique one-on-one experience touching on all the categories listed below..

Helmsmanship, Docking, Vessel Stability

Marlinspike, and Deck Seamanship

Marine Radio, Electronic Navigation, and Radar

Boat Navigation, Charts, Aids, and Rules

Waves, Currents, Tides and Fishing

Environmental Protection

Emergency Preparedness, and Towing

Vessel Relocation, File a Float Plan

Group Presentations

2019 Recreational Boating Statistics

Before Getting Underway

Situational Awareness

Restricted Visibility

Watch Standing

Using the Ship‘s Radio

Second in Command

Being educated reduces risks! Boatopsandsafety.com has developed a series of group presentations that address key safety concerns aligned with a variety of situations that may be encountered while underway.  Each will be presented by Captain Steve, and take approximately one hour to complete including an open Q&A period that follows. 

352.620.8737

Advanced, Hands-On, Skill-Based Training Services

*All classes are now online via Zoom.

Performance Boat Course

Designed for single engine catamaran and V bottom boats running less than 75 MPH, this course teaches hull design, steps, trim & tab positions, turning & recovery techniques, defensive driving, and more.

Center Console Performance Course

A standard of excellence for Center Console or multi use open deck hulls. Our instructors personally guide each driver through advanced skills of handling these new hull types.

High Performance Course

For multi-step V Hull and Catamarans at speeds from 75MPH to 125MPH. This course will teach you safety issues, step hull v bottom & cat hull design, trim & tab settings for all water conditions and more.

Ultimate Performance Course

Our Instructors guide each student through advanced skill training and terminal performance objectives required to safely operate multi-step V Hull and Catamarans that operate at speeds above 125MPH.

Sport Yacht Course

For sport yachts and cruisers 42 feet and longer, this course teaches basic and advanced skills for safely maneuvering your large craft. Both around the docks, and out at sea.

Government Training

Situations in extreme environments require real skill to achieve success. We provide the ultimate training and have a proven track record which demonstrate our excellent government water vessel training methods.

Tres Martin

Brad Schoenwald

Testimonials.

Contact Info

Tres Martin P: 352.620.8737

B   ating Safety First  

Your local lake hopatcong and lake mohawk boating course provider.

ABOUT OUR COMPANY

Boating Safety First is a Morris County based service provider dedicated to conducting boating safet y courses for the recreational boating public in the Lake Hopatcong and Lake Mohawk area.  Our course is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and the New Jersey State Police Marine Services Bureau (MSB) .

OUR MISSION

Provide high quality boating safety courses with relevant up to date boating safety information, to keep you safe on the water.

  BOAT NEW JERSEY COURSE

This course is approved by NASBLA and the New Jersey State Police M SB and provides the necessary education for a receational boater to obtain the mandatory New Jersey Boating Safety Certificate (NJ BSC) to legally operate a power boat or Personal Watercraft on New Jersey inland waters.  Boat New Jersey is an 8 hour course, including the final exam .

Pre-registration is encouraged to confirm enrollment and a seat.

Boat New Jersey consists of six lessons ; Know Your Boat, Before You Get Underway, Operating Your Boat Safely, Legal Requirements of Boating, Boating Emergencies and Enjoying Water Sports.  Each lesson is followed by review questions to reinforce the course information presented and enhance the students learning experience.    

OUR INSTRUCTORS

All of our courses are conducted by highly experienced Boat Instructors, who have undergone extensive training to become New Jersey State qualified instructors.   All of our Instructors are New Jersey State Police certified Boat Instructors.

These individuals are experienced boaters.

• Bachelorette Parties
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Power Boating Lessons

Get out of the classroom and out on the Water with the RentalBoat.com  acclaimed hands-on Boating Course. Because the best way to operate a boat is AT THE HELM and not at your desk.

Are you new to boating? Are you looking to buy a boat and want to ensure that your spouse or kids can safely operate your new vessel? Here at RentalBoat.com we offer the most comprehensive South Florida boating course that is tailored to you so that you can get out on the water and handle a boat like a seasoned captain.  Our United States Coast Guard-certified captains will “show you the ropes” so that you may operate your boat safely with your family and friends.

At RentalBoat.com , we support United States Coast Guard’s mission to minimize loss of life, injury, vessel damage and environmental impact associated with the use of recreational/pleasure boats while providing for an enjoyable maritime experience. Also, when  renting a boat  from us, you will not require one of our captains – you can take your vessel out on your own!

Our “Boating Instruction 101” course is our entry-level course that consist of 3 hours of hands-on instruction at the helm of one of our vessels, under the guidance or our U.S. Coast Guard-approved captain. You will learn to operate our boats here at the marina on the water, not in a classroom. At the end of your 3-hour session, you will have the confidence and skills to safely pilot and maneuver one of our boats – on your own.  Your family and friends will think you have been boating for years. Trust us!

Has it been a few years since you’ve been at the throttles? No problem, Our Boating Instruction 101 is the perfect refresher course to help you remember the ins and outs of safe, enjoyable boating.

Are you an experienced boater who is looking to take your skills to the next level? We offer advanced classes such as multi-engine operation, nighttime operation/navigation and boat trailering/launching/recovery. Our instructors are also available to conduct the lessons aboard your own vessel (up to 100 feet in length, certain restrictions apply).

Our Boating 101 Course Outline:

• Boating Safety including Lifejackets, Flares, Sound Device Instruction
• Boat Docking including tying up, using fenders.
• Boating Steering, Throttle Control & Turning
• Boating Navigation: Reading Channel Markers, GPS, Depth
• Anchoring: Sandbar anchoring, shallow water anchoring

Each course features:

• United States Coast Guard Certified Captain
• All Safety Equipment including life jackets, flares, sound device, throw cushion
• Aboard our beautiful and forgiving 21 or 24 foot Nauticstar Deck Boats
• 2-Hour Boating 101 Course:        $450.00
• 3-Hour Boating 101 Course:        $600.00
• Advanced Courses: Please call for pricing
• Private Boat Handling Instruction: Please call for pricing

Ask about our advanced courses and our Special Offers.

Maximize your time on the water by becoming a more confident mariner.

Boating is supposed to be fun

Becoming a more confident mariner means you will have more fun and relaxation on your vessel, enjoy more time with family and friends and see the New England coast like never before. Our mission is to take the guesswork out of recreational boating so your time on the water is more rewarding and less stressful. A USCG certified Captain with over 35 years of boating experience, I can help you navigate, anchor, dock effortlessly, understand your electronics and teach you basic maintenance, all on your own vessel. For more information feel free to call or email . 

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Motor Boat Training Services

617 913-9647

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• school shooting

Rice University cancels classes after student was killed in dorm room, school spokesperson says

HOUSTON, Texas (KTRK) -- Classes at Rice University have been canceled Tuesday after a female student was shot to death in her dorm room by a man who, police believe, took his own life.

President of Rice University, Reginald DesRoches, identified the victim as Andrea Rodriguez Avila, a junior from Maryland. She and a man who was not a student were found around 4:30 p.m. in her room at Jones College.

"This is a speech that no president wants to make," DesRoches told reporters. "We are communicating with Andrea's parents and are flying them out tomorrow morning."

According to Rice University Police Chief Clemente Rodriguez, Avila missed her classes Monday and a family member could not reach her. The relative requested a welfare check at her dorm room.

Rodriguez said a note, believed to be written by the shooter, was also found and that the two had a dating relationship.

"In general terms, it was a lot about their relationship and obviously having a troubled relationship at this time," Rodriguez said.

The discovery triggered a shelter in place, and the university canceled classes through Tuesday.

Police said they believe the shooter entered the dorm as a guest with Avila. Jones College is one of 11 residential colleges on campus. The shooter's name has not been released.

Counseling resources are available to anyone in need. Police said they had not had prior calls related to the couple.

"We will wrap our arms around our students," DesRoches said.

Rice University sent a statement Monday night:

"Dear Rice community,

We are heartbroken to tell you that earlier today Andrea Rodriguez Avila, a student at Jones College, was found deceased in her room on campus during a wellness check by RUPD. According to investigators at the scene, Andrea is believed to be a victim of homicide. A second individual, who was not a member of the Rice community, was also found deceased in the room. Investigators believe the second individual died from a self-inflicted gunshot wound and may have known Andrea. There was no sign of forced entry into her room. Please be assured that RUPD is working with the Houston Police Department and that our campus is safe.

As you gather to support one another, please respect the Jones community by giving them the space to mourn. We anticipate additional information regarding remembrance and resources to be shared in the coming days.

We mourn the loss of a wonderful person taken from us too soon. If you need someone to talk to, please reach out to your college magisters, RAs, coordinator, or any of our staff from the Rice Counseling Center and Wellbeing Office, who are here to support you at this terrible time. Students in need of support, please contact Wellbeing at 713-348-3311 this number is available 24/7. Faculty and staff in need of support, please utilize the Employee Assistance Program 24/7 at 888-881-5462.

Bridget Gorman, Dean of Undergraduates

Zachary Ball, Magister of Jones College

For more on this story, follow Jessica Willey on Facebook , X and Instagram .

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• SCHOOL SHOOTING
• RICE UNIVERSITY
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Mobile Motorboat Mechanics

Let’s get you back on the water, faster., on-site boat mechanics servicing the southeast.

We Come to You

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Lynch Yacht Sinking Off Sicily Proves as Baffling as It Is Tragic

As bodies were recovered, the authorities and experts wondered how a $40 million, stable and secure vessel could have sunk so quickly.

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By Emma Bubola and Michael J. de la Merced

Emma Bubola reported from Porticello, Italy, and Michael J. de la Merced from London.

Two months after being cleared in a bruising legal battle over fraud charges, the British tech mogul Mike Lynch celebrated his freedom with a cruise. He invited his family, friends and part of his legal team on board his luxury sailing yacht, a majestic 180-foot vessel named Bayesian after the mathematical theorem around which he had built his empire.

On Sunday night, after a tour of the Gulf of Naples, including Capri, and volcanic islands in the Eolian archipelago, the boat anchored half a mile off the Sicilian coast in Porticello, Italy. It chose a stretch of water favored by the Phoenicians thousands of years ago for its protection from the mistral wind and, in more recent times, by the yachts of tech billionaires. The boat was lit “like a Christmas tree,” local residents said, standing out against the full moon.

But about 4 a.m., calamity unfolded. A violent and fast storm hit the area with some of the strongest winds locals said they had ever felt. Fabio Cefalù, a fisherman, said he saw a flare pierce the darkness shortly after 4.

Minutes later, the yacht was underwater. Only dozens of cushions from the boat’s deck and a gigantic radar from its mast floated on the surface of the sea, fishermen said.

In all, 22 people were on board, 15 of whom were rescued. Six bodies — five passengers and the ship’s cook — had been recovered by Thursday afternoon, including that of Mr. Lynch, an Italian government official said, adding that the search was continuing for his daughter.

It was a tragic and mystifying turn of events for Mr. Lynch, 59, who had spent years seeking to clear his name and was finally inaugurating a new chapter in his life. Experts wondered how a $40 million yacht, so robust and stable could have been sunk by a storm near a port within minutes.

“It drives me insane,” said Giovanni Costantino, the chief executive of the Italian Sea Group, which in 2022 bought the company, Perini, that made the Bayesian. “Following all the proper procedures, that boat is unsinkable.”

The aura of misfortune only deepened when it emerged that Stephen Chamberlain, 52, a former vice president of finance for Mr. Lynch’s former company and a co-defendant in the fraud case, was killed two days earlier, when he was hit by a car while jogging near his house in England.

Since June, the two men had been in a jubilant mood. A jury in San Francisco had acquitted both on fraud charges that could have sent them to prison for two decades. There were hugs and tears, and they and their legal teams went for a celebratory dinner party at a restaurant in the city, said Gary S. Lincenberg, a lawyer for Mr. Chamberlain.

The sea excursion was meant as a thank-you by Mr. Lynch to those who had helped him in his legal travails. Among the guests was Christopher J. Morvillo, 59, a scion of a prominent New York family of lawyers who had represented Mr. Lynch for 12 years. He and his wife, Neda, 57, were among the missing.

So, too, was Jonathan Bloomer, 70, a veteran British insurance executive who chaired Morgan Stanley International and the insurer Hiscox.

The body of the ship’s cook, Recaldo Thomas, was recovered. All the other crew members survived. Among them was Leo Eppel, 19, of South Africa, who was on his first yacht voyage working as a deck steward, said a friend, who asked not to be identified.

Since the sinking, the recovery effort and investigation have turned the tiny port town of Porticello, a quiet enclave where older men sit bare-chested on balconies, into what feels like the set of a movie.

Helicopters have flown overhead. Ambulances have sped by with the sirens blaring. The Coast Guard has patrolled the waters off shore, within sight of a cordoned-off dock that had been turned into an emergency headquarters.

On Wednesday afternoon, a church bell tolled after the first body bag was loaded into an ambulance, a crowd watching in silence.

The survivors were sheltering in a sprawling resort near Porticello, with a view of the shipwreck spot, and had so far declined to comment.

Attilio Di Diodato, director of the Italian Air Force’s Center for Aerospace Meteorology and Climatology, said that the yacht had most likely been hit by a fierce “down burst” — when air generated within a thunderstorm descends rapidly — or by a waterspout , similar to a tornado over water.

He added that his agency had put out rough-sea warnings the previous evening, alerting sailors about storms and strong winds. Locals said the winds “felt like an earthquake.”

Mr. Costantino, the boat executive, said the yacht had been specifically designed for having a tall mast — the second-tallest aluminum mast in the world. He said the Bayesian was an extremely safe and secure boat that could list even to 75 degrees without capsizing.

But he said that if some of the hatches on the side and in the stern, or some of the deck doors, had been open, the boat could have taken on water and sunk. Standard procedure in such storms, he said, is to switch on the engine, lift the anchor and turn the boat into the wind, lowering the keel for extra stability, closing doors and gathering the guests in the main hall inside the deck.

12 guests occupied the yacht’s six cabins. There were also 10 crew members.

Open hatches, doors and cabin windows could have let in water during a storm, according to the manufacturer.

Open hatches, doors and

cabin windows could

have let in water

during a storm,

according to the

manufacturer.

Source: Superyacht Times, YachtCharterFleet, MarineTraffic

By Veronica Penney

The New York Times attempted to reach the captain, James Cutfield, who had survived, for comment through social media, his brother and the management company of the yacht (which did not hire the crew), but did not make contact.

So far none of the surviving crew members have made a public statement about what happened that night.

Fabio Genco, the director of Palermo’s emergency services, who treated some of the survivors, said that the victims had recounted feeling as if the boat was being lifted, then suddenly dropped, with objects from the cabins falling on them.

The Italian Coast Guard said it had deployed a remotely operated vehicle that can prowl underwater for up to seven hours at a depth of more than 980 feet and record videos and images that they hoped would help them reconstruct the dynamics of the sinking. Such devices were used during the search and rescue operations of the Titan vessel that is believed to have imploded last summer near the wreckage of the Titanic.

After rescuers broke inside the yacht, they struggled to navigate the ropes and many pieces of furniture cluttering the vessel, said Luca Cari, a spokesman for Italy’s national firefighter corps.

Finally, as of Thursday morning, they had managed to retrieve all but one of the missing bodies, and hopes of finding the missing person alive were thin. “Can a human being be underwater for two days?” Mr. Cari asked.

What was certain was that Mr. Lynch’s death was yet another cruel twist of fate for a man who had spent years seeking to clear his name.

He earned a fortune in technology and was nicknamed Britain’s Bill Gates. But for more than a decade, he had been treated as anything but a respected tech leader.

He was accused by Hewlett-Packard, the American technological pioneer that had bought his software company, Autonomy, for $11 billion, of misleading it about his company’s worth. (Hewlett-Packard wrote down the value of the transaction by about $8.8 billion, and critics called it one of the worst deals of all time .) He had been increasingly shunned by the British establishment that he sought to break into after growing up working-class outside London.

He was extradited to San Francisco to face criminal charges, and confined to house arrest and 24-hour surveillance on his dime. In a townhouse in the Pacific Heights neighborhood — with security people he jokingly told associates were his “roommates” — he spent his mornings talking with researchers whom he funded personally on new applications for artificial intelligence. Afterward, he devoted hours to discussing legal strategy with his team.

Despite his persistent claims of innocence, even those close to Mr. Lynch had believed his odds of victory were slim. Autonomy’s chief financial officer, Sushovan Hussain, was convicted in 2018 of similar fraud charges and spent five years in prison.

During Mr. Lynch’s house arrest, his brother and mother died. His wife, Angela Bacares, frequently flew over from England, and she became a constant presence in the San Francisco courtroom during the trial.

After he was finally acquitted, Mr. Lynch had his eye on the future. “I am looking forward to returning to the U.K. and getting back to what I love most: my family and innovating in my field,” he said.

Elisabetta Povoledo contributed reporting from Pallanza, Italy.

Emma Bubola is a Times reporter based in Rome. More about Emma Bubola

Michael J. de la Merced has covered global business and finance news for The Times since 2006. More about Michael J. de la Merced