 About
Boating Safely
The course is fun and it's very comprehensive. About Boating
Safely is a joint project between The United States Coast
Guard Auxiliary and the United States Power Squadrons. In
addition, the course has been approved by the National Association
of State Boating Law Administrators.
Topics include:
- INTRODUCTION TO BOATING -- types of
boats; different uses of boats; outboard, stern-drive, and
inboard engines; jet drives.
- BOATING LAWS -- boat registration; hull
identification number; required safety equipment; operating
safely and reporting accidents; protecting the marine environment;
Federal boating laws; and PWCs.
- PERSONAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT -- personal
flotation devices ("life jackets"); fire extinguishers;
sound-producing devices; visual-distress signals; first
aid kit; anchor; safety equipment and PWC.
- SAFE BOAT HANDLING -- bow riding; substance
abuse; entering, loading, and trimming a boat; fueling portable
and permanent tanks; steering with a tiller and a wheel;
docking and mooring; knots; filing a float plan; checking
equipment, fuel, weather, and tide; using charts; choosing
and using an anchor; safe PWC handling.
- NAVIGATION -- the U.S. Aids to Navigation
system; types of buoys and beacons; navigation rules; avoiding
collisions; sound signals; PWX "tunnel vision."
- BOATING PROBLEMS -- hypothermia; boating
accidents and rescues; capsizing; running aground; emergency
radio calls; engine problems; boating problems and PWC.
- TRAILERING, STORING, AND PROTECTING YOUR BOAT
-- types of trailers; trailer brakes, lights, hitches, tires,
and bearings; loading, balancing, and towing a trailer;
towing (and backing) a trailer; boat launching and retrieving;
boat storage and theft protection; launching, retrieving,
and storing a PWC.
- HUNTING AND FISHING, WATERSKIING, AND RIVER BOATING
-- carrying hunting gear and weapons in a boat; fishing
from a boat; waterskiing safety guidelines and hand signals;
waterskiing with a PWC; navigating rivers.
Many insurance companies will offer discounts on boat insurance
to individuals who successfully complete boating courses such
as this.
Sponsors of About Boating Safely
About Boating Safely is a joint project between The United
States Coast Guard Auxiliary and the United States Power Squadrons.
In addition, the course has been approved by the National
Association of State Boating Law Administrators, and is accepted
by most states to meet boating license or safety certification
requirements.
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