AMERICA'S BOATING COURSE
America's Boating Course is a six to eight-hour, course designed to
appeal to hunters, anglers, personal watercraft operators and other boaters who
cannot find time for a full, comprehensive course.
America's Boating Course is a 6 to 8 hour course of must-have
boating safety information. Taken in conjunction with your state specific
boating laws, America's Boating Course is a NASBLA approved boating
safety course.
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;
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 this course.
Individuals who successfully complete the course and exam are awarded
certificates and cards.
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