Public Education Programs
Vital to the success of the Coast Guard Auxiliary's national boating safety efforts is an informed and knowledgeable boating public. The Coast Guard and the Auxiliary believe that education is the best approach to preventing accidents. Members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary present public education programs as a service to the boating public.
The State of Florida requires any individual 21 years of age or under to have passed a Safe Boating Course before operating a powered boat on public waters. They must carry their Florida State Certification card whenever they operate a power boat. The Coast Guard Auxiliary offers two such programs, and they are mentioned below.
The New "ABC" Program - America's Boating Course
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Here for our Program SchedulesSeveral different types of public education programs have been designed to cover a wide variety of subject areas. These programs vary in length and subject matter. Although all Auxiliary units teach the same basic programs, an effort is made to personalize the program for the geographic area covered. Here is a brief description of the most frequently offered programs.
Boating
Skills and Seamanship:
This program, designed
with powerboaters in mind, covers six lessons.
The first
six lessons are called the core subjects and are the minimum required to receive
a Florida State Certification card.
| Chapter 1 - Which Boat is For You | Know what you want and what you get when buying your first boat, next boat or last boat |
| Chapter 2 - Equipment for Your Boat | Learn how to smile confidently and make a friend of your local water cop |
| Chapter 3 - Trailering Your Boat | Learn how to avoid a shipwreck on the highway |
| Chapter 4 - Handling Your Boat | Learn how to swagger on the deck after barely kissing the dock with your boat |
| Chapter 5 - Your "Highway" Signs | Learn what all those poles sticking out of the water mean. |
| Chapter 6 - Rules You Must Follow | Learn who goes first and when you're wrong when you think you have done everything right |
Basic
Coastal Navigation: This
program, designed for more advanced study, covers compass adjustments, chart
reading and course plotting.
There is a practical problem each week that builds
on each chapter and concept that you learn.
America's Boating Course:
One of our newer programs,
this is a condensed version of Boating Skills and Seamanship.
This
program is often taught for Personal Water
Craft owners. It teaches you what
you need to know to safely operate this exciting, but accident-prone vessel.
America's Boating Course is also a good program for those of you with larger
vessels who simply do not have the time right now for a longer program.
Those who complete this program will receive their Florida
State Certification card.
The National Association of States Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approves all of the adult programs for content. Contact your insurance agent for any applicable discounts. Certificates are awarded to all graduates. The Auxiliary teaches the basic rules of safe boating to thousands of participants in multi-lesson programs annually.
Call 727-469-8895 for more information
