July 19 or August 16 Time: 9:00am – 5:30pm Where: West Marine Store – Education Room
1516 W. Brandon Blvd, Brandon FL < map >
Fee: $40 (and only $35 for each additional family member!)
Limited to 25 people - register early!
Do you need a basic course on safe boating practices?
How about the people who ride on your boat and — in an emergency — should know the basics of handling your boat safely?
Those who successfully complete the ABS program and exam become eligible to obtain a state-recognized Safe Boating ID card. Many insurance companies will offer discounts when you have obtained your Safe Boating card . This is the ideal basic boating safety course for busy individuals just starting out in boating or those needing a boating safety refresher or individuals who may be unable to attend our more in-depth Boating Skills and Seamanship Course.
Register online or contact our Public Education Officer at 1-800-704-4216.
To find out when other courses are offered in Brandon,
sign up for the Channel 24 Public News e-mailing list.
Note: If you do not live in or near Brandon, Florida,
locate the courses nearest you anywhere in the US
or in District 7 (FL, SC, GA, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands)
The longer, more in-depth Boating Skills and Seamanship (BS&S) program is recommended for safer boating. The quick, one-day ABS program is really for those who want an introduction to the longer course or who already know a lot about boating, navigation, knots, etc., and just want to get the Florida Safe Boating ID Card.
Anyone born after 9/30/80 is required by law to carry a Florida Safe Boating ID Card when operating a water vessel. Both programs will enable a boater to obtain this card.
ABS is sponsored by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), and recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard. Learn first-hand from an experienced local member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
Who should take America's Boating Course?
The whole family! ABS is the perfect family course.
Casual boaters who want basic boating knowledge but don’t need a “captain-level course.”
Experienced boaters who need a refresher course.
You!
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.
Boaters who successfully complete the course and exam are awarded certificates and are eligible to receive state-recognized Safe Boating ID cards.
Additionally, you'll receive a CD - at no extra cost! - of the course for a fun, interactive, take-home refresher of the lessons.
Many insurance companies will offer discounts on boat insurance to individuals who successfully complete boating courses such as this.
To find out when other courses are offered in Brandon,
sign up for the Channel 24 Public News e-mailing list.
Note: If you do not live in or near Brandon, Florida,
locate the courses nearest you
anywhere in the US
or in District 7 (FL, SC, GA, Puerto Rico, US Virgin Islands)
Flotilla 74 - Brandon, Florida
Topics include:
Boaters who successfully complete the course and exam are awarded certificates and are eligible to receive state-recognized Safe Boating ID cards.