Boating Education

Learn from the best . . .

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

Need Your Boating Education Certificate?

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is proud to offer About Boating Safely, their new boating education course. This boating education course is an introductory course to meet the boating education needs of recreational boaters, satisfying the boating education requirement
of most state’s laws.

A Boat Safety Course You Can Trust!

Taking About Boating Safely, adopted by the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, will satisfy the state requirements for mandatory boater safety education.

When you review your state’s laws and regulations, you will be confident you are staying current and staying safe. Even if you have been boating for many years, you can always learn something new ‘about boating safely!’

Topics Include

• Introduction to Boating - Types of power boats; sailboats; outboards; paddle boats; houseboats; different uses of boats; various power boating engines; jet drives; family boating basics.

• Boating Law - Boat registration; boating regulation; hull identification number; required boat safety equipment; operating safely and reporting accidents; protecting the marine environment; Federal boat law; state boating laws; personal watercraft requirements.


• Boat Safety Equipment - Personal flotation devices ("life jackets"); fire extinguishers; sound-producing devices; visual-distress signals; dock lines and rope; first aid kit; anchors and anchor lines; other boating safety equipment.


• Safe Boating - Bow riding; alcohol and drug abuse; entering, loading, and trimming a boat; fueling portable and permanent tanks; steering with a tiller and a wheel; docking, undocking and mooring; knots; filing a float plan; checking equipment, fuel, weather and tides; using charts; choosing and using an anchor; safe PWC handling; general water safety.


• Navigation - The U.S. Aids to Navigation system; types of buoys and beacons; navigation rules (sometimes referred to as right-of-way rules); avoiding collisions; sound signals; PWC "tunnel vision."


• Boating Problems - Hypothermia; boating accidents and rescues; man overboard recovery; capsizing; running aground; river hazards; strainers: emergency radio calls; engine problems; equipment failures; carbon monoxide (CO); other boating and PWC problems.


• 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, Water-skiing and River Boating - Carrying hunting gear and weapons in a boat; fishing from a boat; water-skiing safety guidelines and hand signals; water-skiing with a PWC; navigating rivers, and other boating tips.

Course Dates, Times & Locations

1. February 14th, 2009 9:00 am – 5:30 pm Hoffman Estates, IL
   
2. March 7th, 2009 9:00 am – 5:30 pm Hoffman Estates, IL
   
3. March 14th, 2009 8:30 am – 4:30 pm Aurora, IL
   
4. March 15th, 2009 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Hoffman Estates, IL
   
5. April 11th, 2009 9:00 am – 5:30 pm Hoffman Estates, IL
   
6. May 9th, 2009 9:00 am – 5:30 pm Hoffman Estates, IL
   
7. June 9th, 2009 10:00 am – 6:00 pm Hoffman Estates, IL
   
8. July 11th, 2009 9:00 am – 5:30 pm Hoffman Estates, IL
   
9. August 8th, 2009 9:00am – 5:30 pm Hoffman Estates, IL
   
10. September 13th, 2009 10:00am – 6:00pm Hoffman Estates, IL

For more information visit: http://www.a0950701.uscgaux.info/

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