 If you're interested in an exciting and highly interactive boating safety course, check out America's Boating Course. ABC can be completed in 3 or 4 sessions, Course includes a book and a CD. Purchasing the CD version you can take the course with you anywhere you go, with our without Internet access. The course is fun and it's very comprehensive. America's Boating Course 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.
Individuals who successfully complete the course and exam are awarded PA Boating certificates and cards.
( FYI in PA)
Persons born after January 1, 1982 may NOT operate a boat of 26HP or more unless they have obtained and have in possession a Boating Safety Education Certificate.
All PWC operators must obtain and have in possession a Boating Safety Education Certificate.
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. |
