About Boating Safely (ABS) is fun and is very comprehensive. This course has been approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators.

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.

• OPERATING REQUIREMENTS FOR  A PERSONAL WATERCRAFT (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.

The successful completion of this one day Course will qualify the student to apply for the State of Connecticut Boating Safety Certificate (License).  Many insurance companies will offer discounts on boat insurance to individuals who successfully complete boating courses such as this.

We offer the following schedule:

Course fee is $75.00 per person. All classes begin at 8:00 AM. Materials and Lunch are included.  

BASIC COSTAL NAVIGATION  

This course provides you extensive training in one of the most important skills of a mariner, the ability to determine where you are, where you want to go, and how to move from the one to the other.  Upon successful completion of both parts you should be able to navigate a small vessel in coastal waters with accuracy and confidence.

We Offer The Following Schedule

For attendance availability and information contact us via  or call 203-924-5702

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Last Updated: 05/09/2008