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Local Boating Classes

About Boating Safely

 

ABS
    Next Class
 

        Monthly

 

2013 Class Dates - Must have Reservation 

5/11 , 6/8 , 8/10 , 9/14 , 10/12 , 11/9
  

Class times on Saturday will be 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM. $10.00

 

Location
 
Cowlitz County Search & Rescue Building,
1800 Western Lane, Kelso, WA 
 
call Dick 360 931 0846 to register 
or for more information on the class.

This 8 hour boating class will give you the knowledge needed to obtain a boat license or safety certification in many states. Many boat insurance companies will offer discounts on boating insurance to boaters who successfully complete About Boating Safely.

TOPICS INCLUDE

  • 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.
  • Hunting and Fishing, Water-skiing 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, and other boating tips.

Public Education Classes     
Oregon Boaters Education CardWashington Boaters Education Card


 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
For information regarding
 
Boating classes in the Longview, WA area contact Les Czarnecki   phone 360 431 5505
 
Classes are inexpensive and can help reduce your insurance cost.
 
Who needs Mandatory Boater Education?
 
ALL Oregon Resident boaters need to carry a boater education card when operating powerboats (including personal watercraft or any motorized watercraft) greater than 10 hp.
 
In Washington the law is being phased in by operator age over several years.
In 2012 all Washington Residents who are 40 years of age and younger must have a Washington Boater Education Card when operating a powered vessel over 15 hp. 
 
age table 

The rules of the waterways

 
crossing diagram This diagram showes who has the right of way and which vessel must give way or change course according to the Nav Rules. The vessel on the right always has the right of way. In the event of an accident, this will determin who is at fault
meeting and overtaking diagram In the event of overtaking, the vessel being overtaken has the right of way and is called the stand on vessel. The vessel overtaking is the give way vessel and must avoid the vessel ahead. When two vessel meet head on or close to head on, each vessel should pass on the right if possible.
 
Contact: 
Les Czarnecki:        360 431 5505
Dick Mullinax:          360 931 0845