Boating Safety Classes

Boating Safety Course Descriptions

Boating Skills & Seamanship

Topics include:

WHICH BOAT IS FOR YOU? Boater's language; types of boats; outboard motors and sterndrives; hull design; uses of boats; other power plants; materials for constructing boats; your intended use; the Coast Guard Customer Infoline; marine surveyors; buying a boat.

EQUIPMENT FOR YOUR BOAT. Requirements for your boat; your boat's equipment; legal considerations; substance abuse; boating accident reports; Vessel Safety Checks.

TRAILERING YOUR BOAT. Legal considerations; practical considerations; the towing vehicle; balancing the load; handling your trailer; pre-departure checks; preparing to launch; launching; retrieving; storing your boat and trailer; theft prevention; Zebra mussels; float plan.

HANDLING YOUR BOAT. Leave with a full tank; fueling your boat; your boat's propellor; cars and boats; twin screws; jet drives; loading your boat; getting started; leaving a pier; "man" overboard; docking; mooring to a permanent anchor; anchoring; towing a skier; heavy weather; small boat safety.

YOUR "HIGHWAY" SIGNS. Protection of ATONs; buoyage systems; waterway marks; how waterways are marked; light characteristics; chart symbols; light structures; lights on bridges; electronic aids to navigation; a word to the wise; navigation publications.

THE RULES YOU MUST FOLLOW. Two sets of rules; to whom do the rules apply; what is a vessel; the general responsibility rule; general considerations; conduct in narrow channels; traffic separation schemes; vessel traffic services; stand-on or give-way; rules for special vessels; risk of collision; bend signals; restricted visibility; vessel lights and shapes; vessels at anchor; diving operations; distress signals; drawbridge signals; penalties.

INLAND BOATING. What special knowledge do you need to boat safely on rivers, lakes, and canals? What do you need to know to operate safely around dams? What procedures should you use in locks?

THE REST OF OUR STORY. Covers a variety of items, such as small boat safety, personal watercraft, hypothermia, conduct of motorboats near sailboats, and carbon monoxide poisoning.

The BS&S course is normally taught in two full days of classroom time. Typically, it will be done on two consecutive Saturdays, but this schedule can change, depending on the situation. The fee for the course is to pay for materials only. The instructors are volunteers from our Flotilla.

AMERICA’S BOATING COURSE (ABC) covers similar subject matter, but is condensed into a one-day course.

Most insurance companies recognize this safety training and offer a discount on your boat policy. Check with your agent to confirm.

Course Schedules - All Public Education Classes

Course

Fee

Location

Class Dates

ABC

$30

U. Maine, Machias, Murdock Book Store Conference Room. (Fee is $35 at the door.)
For further information and pre-registration use our contact form. Presented by Quoddy Bay Flotilla.

June 21, 2008 (Day 1) @ 10:00AM

June 28, 2008 (Day 2) @ 10:00AM

Schedule is subject to change!

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