On Saturday, November 18, 2023, Flotilla 56 of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary is set to conduct a comprehensive Boating Safety Course, spanning from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm. at American Legion Post 39, located at 1530 Old Dixie Highway in Vero Beach.
The course will cover a wide array of topics, including:
- Detailed knowledge of your vessel, including parts and specific nautical terminology.
- Pre-departure procedures such as the importance of a float plan, fuel management, and the ins and outs of trailering, launching, and retrieval of your boat.
- Mastery of maritime navigation, encompassing the rules of waterway navigation, understanding night navigation and lighting systems, utilizing navigation aids, as well as techniques for anchoring and navigating through locks and dams.
- Safe vessel operation techniques, including the principles of loading, trimming, handling, steering, docking, casting off, and anchoring, as well as personal watercraft (PWC) operation, environmental stewardship, and maintaining courtesy on the water.
- A rundown of legal requirements for operating a boat, including age restrictions, registration processes, safety regulations, and state-specific laws.
- Strategies for managing boating emergencies, addressing boating accidents, personal injuries, weather-induced emergencies, and the protocols for seeking and rendering aid.
Pricing Information:
- The primary family participant’s fee is $20.
- Each additional family member can join for $10.
- High school students are invited to participate free of charge.
If you were born after January 1, 1988, you MUST have this certification to operate a power boat in Florida. It’s the law.
Please be aware that beginning in 2024, the fee per person will rise to $30.
Participants who complete the course and pass the examination will be awarded certificates and will also receive a Florida State Boater’s ID card as proof of their achievement.
To secure your spot, please register by reaching out to Tom McCarty at 401-523-2925 or via email at Tgm.uscgaux@gmail.com.
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