About Boating Safety and Boat Ed
New Ways to Gain State Water Safety or Boating Skills Certification
Jun 9, 2009
About Boating Safely is a comprehensive boating safety course offered nationally by the Coast Guard Auxiliary. This course is composed of seven lessons that are offered in an on-line format, a traditional classroom setting or are available for self-study.
Lesson Topics in About Boating Safety
- Introduction to Boating – An overview of boat types, ways boats are utilized, power options, and hints for boating with a family.
- Boating Law – Federal and state registration and regulation requirements, required onboard safety equipment, marine environmental protection, accident reporting and requirements for personal watercraft.
- Boat Safety Equipment – Use of lifejackets, fire extinguishers, warning devices, distress signals, seamanship, first aid kits, anchoring, and other useful gear.
- Safe Boating – Use of alcohol, boat stability, fueling practices, boat operation, mooring or docking, float plans, currents, tides, weather conditions and general safety practices.
- Navigation – An introduction to the U.S. Aids to Navigation system, navigational buoys, rules of the road, collision avoidance, and safety signals.
- Boating Problems – Addresses issues like hypothermia, boat accidents, recovery of a man overboard, capsizes, running aground, river hazards, emergency radio use, engine or equipment failures, and carbon monoxide (CO) poisoning.
- Trailering, Storing and Protecting Your Boat – A discussion of boat trailers, trailer maintenance, and how to tow a boat safely. Includes hints on launching, backing and loading a boat.
- Hunting and Fishing, Water-skiing and River Boating – Use of a boat for specific purposes like hunting, fishing, water-skiing and river operations.
About Boating Safety Course Tied to On-line Testing Program
A new twist to the Auxiliary’s boating safety program is the availability of on-line testing through Boat Ed to meet state requirements for boater safety education or licensure. Forty-two of the United States now offer on-line testing for graduates of the About Boating Safety course. Many states are now offering copies of their safe boating handbooks and certification testing through this public-private partnership with the Boat Ed organization.
Boat Ed is working with the US Coast Guard Auxiliary, US Power Squadrons, and National Association of Boating Law Administrators. Boat Ed offers access to on-line courses, classroom schedules, practice tests and examinations. Classroom courses can also be found by calling 1-877-875-6296.
Learning about safety and boating skills makes for a better boater. Prepared boaters are safer boaters. Many insurance companies offer discount on their premiums to boaters that have completed a safety. Between the About Boating Safety course and on-line testing with Boat Ed, it has never been easier to complete a safety class and gain a state safety certification.
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