We promote boating safety through our Public Education Program. We believe a knowledgeable, informed boater is a safer boater. Prevention of accidents and problems on the water are major goals of our Public Education Program.
Our Boating Skills and Seamanship course is taught by our certified instructors each spring and fall.
If you're interested in an exciting and highly interactive boating safety course, check out America's Boating Course.
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; water skiing safety guidelines and hand signals; water skiing with a PWC; navigating rivers.
For more information on our courses and upcoming schedules, contact one of our Flotilla Staff Officers for Public
Education, Al McCallister (803) 749-9269 or Don Davis (803) 781-7150.
You can also visit the
Boating Skills and Seamanship or the America's Boating Course
section of the Coast Guard Auxiliary National Web site for more detailed descriptions of our courses