JUNO BEACH, Fla. — In a vital initiative for the Treasure Coast boating community, the Loggerhead Marinelife Center (LMC) has announced a new partnership designed to save lives and protect local waterways. Honoring the memory of two local teenagers whose disappearance captured the hearts of the entire region, the center is launching the Perry J. Cohen Boating Safety & Stewardship Course.
This comprehensive educational program is a collaboration with the Perry J. Cohen Foundation. It is designed to teach young people the essentials of safe vessel operation while instilling a deep respect for marine conservation. The initiative is particularly significant for residents across the Treasure Coast, where boating is a central part of the lifestyle.
The course was established to honor the legacies of Austin Stephanos and Perry Cohen. The two 14-year-olds vanished on July 24, 2015, after departing from Jupiter on a fishing trip. Despite a massive search effort that spanned the Atlantic, the boys were never recovered. Their boat was eventually discovered months later near Bermuda, with authorities concluding the vessel likely capsized during a storm.
More than a decade later, the tragedy continues to drive safety improvements in Florida’s boating community. Pamela Cohen, the founder of the Perry J. Cohen Foundation and Perry’s mother, expressed the importance of this new venture.
Collaborating with Loggerhead Marinelife Center allows us to continue honoring Perry’s legacy in a meaningful and lasting way. By educating young people on boating safety and ocean stewardship, we are honoring Perry’s memory while helping protect lives and the waters he loved.
The inaugural session is scheduled to debut this March, with subsequent sessions to be held throughout the year. The curriculum offers a robust mix of classroom theory and practical application. Students will begin instruction at the Loggerhead Marinelife Center in Juno Beach before moving to hands-on, on-the-water training at the renowned Chapman School of Seamanship in nearby Martin County.
Participants in the course will cover critical maritime topics, including:
Upon successful completion of the program, graduates will meet the requirements necessary to obtain a Florida Boating Safety Education Identification Card, which is a legal requirement for operating powerboats in the state.
Hannah Campbell, Vice President of Education at Loggerhead Marinelife Center, highlighted the dual focus of the program. She noted that the course aims to transform the next generation of boaters into “confident, capable navigators and fierce, informed protectors of sea turtles.”
Thanks to the financial support of the Perry J. Cohen Foundation, this vital training is offered at no cost to participants. The program is open to individuals aged 14 and older. Residents interested in the program are encouraged to visit the Loggerhead Marinelife Center website for registration details as the March launch date approaches.
