Boat Safety Classes

2015 Classes are offered: 

When	Feb 28, Apr 4, Jun 6, Sept 19 and Oct. 17
Where	Bass Pro Shops in Garland
Cost	Free instruction is provided by certified instructors of the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. The course materials and Texas State Certification are $40 maximum depending tests desired.
	NOTE: Please register no later than 1 week before the course date. If registration is after the deadline you can be added to the next available course. For more information, contact Larry Kessler at auxclalarry@gmail.com or (214) 500-6576.
	Please email or call Larry at the contact information above.

Course Topics

• Introduction to Boating - Types of power boats(sailboats, outboards, paddle boats, houseboats), different uses of boats, various power boating engines, jet drives, family boating basics
• Boating Law - Boat registration; boating regulation, hull identification number, required boat safety equipment, operating safely and reporting accidents, protecting the marine environment, federal boat law, state boating laws, personal watercraft requirements
• Boat Safety Equipment - Personal flotation devices (life jackets), fire extinguishers, sound-producing devices, visual distress signals, dock lines and rope, first aid kit, anchors and anchor lines, other boating safety equipment
• Safe Boating - Bow riding; alcohol and drug abuse; entering, loading, and trimming a boat; fueling portable and permanent tanks; steering with a tiller and a wheel; docking, undocking and mooring; knots; filing a float plan, checking equipment, fuel, weather and tides, using charts, choosing and using an anchor, safe PWC handling, general water safety
• Navigation - The U.S. Aids to Navigation system, types of buoys and beacons, navigation rules (sometimes referred to as right-of-way rules), avoiding collisions, sound signals, PWC "tunnel vision."
• Boating Problems - Hypothermia; boating accidents and rescues; man overboard recovery; capsizing; running aground; river hazards; strainers: emergency radio calls; engine problems; equipment failures; carbon monoxide (CO); other boating and PWC problems. 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.