Learning about boating safety is extremely important.
By improving your knowledge of boating,
you'll benefit yourself,
your passengers,
and everyone else on the water.
Even if you don't plan to be the operator,
if you're going to be aboard a recreational vessel,
you can significantly increase the likelihood of having a safe and enjoyable experience
by taking a safe boating course.
Boater education teaches how to properly operate boats,
navigate waterways,
respond to onboard emergencies,
and comply with federal and state safety regulations.
Whether your idea of boating is fishing,
water-skiing,
sailing,
or cruising,
boater education will help prevent personal injuries and property damage.
Planning, departing, steering,
stopping, getting on plane,
anchoring,
and docking are subjects of classroom, online, and on-the-water sessions.
Boat types, engines, safety equipment,
lines and knots,
differences among bodies of water,
and weather and currents are all topics in boating safety courses.
Rescuing a person overboard,
using visual distress signals,
and understanding Navigation Rules are also covered.
Like driving a car on a highway,
running a boat on open water requires following the rules of the road,
and learning how to do so safely can make the difference between enjoying a memorable experience
and suffering the tragedy of a lifetime.
Boating rules, signals, and best practices
correspond to automotive speed limits, traffic lights, and driving etiquette.
Always wear a life jacket when underway,
run at speeds appropriate for the waterway and traffic,
and never operate a vessel while impaired.
The goals of boater education include not only to become a safer boater, but also to become a better boater.
And boating seminars and courses
help make the water safer and more enjoyable for everyone
by reducing instances
of irresponsible and risky behavior.
Over seventy percent of boating accidents are caused by operator error,
and in more than four-out-of-five recent US boating fatalities, where the level of boater education was known,
the operator had not taken a boating safety course.
Less than thirteen percent of all recreational boating deaths in recent years involved vessels
where the operator had taken a boating safety course meeting national standards.
Boater education is not just for novices.
Courses for experienced boaters cover advanced piloting,
digital chart-plotting,
and electronic navigation.
Children's courses are available in classroom,
coloring book,
and online versions,
where kids can learn age-appropriate boating information
in fun interactive formats.
It's never too early to learn boat safety.
For people who typically boat as passengers, there are resources,
such as seminars, which provide a rudimentary understanding of a boat’s operation in case the boat operator becomes incapacitated.
Contact your insurance agent to learn about discounts of five percent or more
to boaters who successfully complete an accredited safe boating course.
More than forty states now require boat operator certificates for recreational boating.
Where can you obtain your boater education?
Many levels of safe boating courses, from introductory to advanced,
are available throughout the country
in classrooms and online.
Some are free-of-charge,
others have an associated cost.
With numerous specialty topics in versions tailored for boaters of all ages,
there are many excellent choices.
Visit USCGBoating.org and search for "boating safety courses."
Certified instructors offer classes through qualified volunteer member organizations including the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
and United States Power Squadrons - America's Boating Club.
State boating agencies also provide classes.
So, take responsibility now.
Choose and complete the most appropriate safe boating course for you and your passengers.
Boater education saves lives!