Boating Course?

If you get a chance read chapmans boating etiquette guide too. Great supplement to the USCG courses, and maybe others. I can only speak of the USCG courses I have taken. But I am sure there are other great programs, certs, and classes to take advantage of. No matter how much you know.... You can always learn more and be a better boater. Just my opinion and and observation.

Heard my favorite line just last weekend. "Been doing this for years....". Haha and my wife's rebutle to the cocky know it all( who didn't even own the boat he was a passenger on). "yeah I can tell"
 
I strongly recommend a boating course and a VHF marine course. You'll just feel so much more confident when your on the water and importantly you'll have some basic skills to handle an emergency and provide extra safety to your passengers. Do it! :)

Terry
 
whoops! :smt101 I mean 'marine vhf radio' not 'vhf marine'! I'm sorry, I can either think or type...I can't do both at the same time:lol:, not without a lot more wine!
 
Lord Farringdon said:
whoops! :smt101 I mean 'marine vhf radio' not 'vhf marine'! I'm sorry, I can either think or type...I can't do both at the same time:lol:, not without a lot more wine!
Click to expand...


The boater’s safety class covers a very basic introduction to VHF Radio Communications.

I agree it does not go into enough detail however this is a introductory course and you could make that argument with the other topics the course covers as well.

The course does a more detailed job covering items like required safety equipment and navigation rules, rules of the road, crossing / meeting situations and aids to navigation.

I could not copy photos and drawings, just text.
Here is an excerpt on the topic from http://www.boatingbasicsonline.com


Although marine VHF radios are currently not a requirement for small recreational boats, this should be high on your list of equipment to carry. You should learn to properly use the radio and, during your passenger orientation, make sure at least one of your guests can also use the radio in case of emergency.

Distress Vs Non-Distress
Distress is defined as a situation where you or your boat are threatened by grave danger with loss of life or of the watercraft being imminent. Running out of fuel, a dead battery or other mechanical problems are not distress situations.
The Coast Guard serves as Search and Rescue (SAR) coordinator for all maritime emergencies and is the appropriate point of contact whenever you are concerned for your safety. If you are in distress, the Coast Guard will take immediate steps to help you. Normally Coast Guard rescue boats and/or aircraft will be sent, but assistance from any available source will be arranged to expedite your rescue.

How To Signal For Help
First you need to be familiar with just a few of the many radio channels available to you. Channel 16 is the hailing and emergency channel. This means that this channel is used to hail (call) another boat, marina, the U.S. Coast Guard, etc. You should not hold conversation on this channel. In non-emergencies use it only to contact another party and then switch to a "working channel" to carry on your conversation. There are many working channels to choose from. Just pick one, say Channel 68, and use it regularly. Another channel to remember is Channel 22A. This is the U.S. Coast Guard's channel. Although you can contact them directly from Channel 16, you can also contact them on 22A.

If you are in distress use "MAYDAY, MAYDAY, MAYDAY" on the radio. If your situation is not a distress, simply call "Coast Guard." Channel 16 VHF/FM and 2182khz HF/SSB are dedicated distress and calling frequencies and are monitored at all times by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Citizen's Band (CB) is not dependable and is not monitored at most Coast Guard stations. If you do not have a radio, attempt to signal a fellow boater who can assist or call the Coast Guard for you. In a distress situation, use flares or any other distress signaling device to catch the attention of another boater.

What To Tell The Coast Guard
While arranging help, the USCG will ask for the following:

Your location or position (Make sure you know where you are at all times).
Exact nature of the problem (special problems).
Number of people on board.
Your boat name, registration and description.
Safety equipment on board.
When It's Not A Distress
The Coast Guard's primary search and rescue role is to assist boaters in distress. If you are not in distress and alternate sources of assistance are available, you should try to contact them directly. If you can not raise alternate assistance directly, the U.S. Coast Guard will normally coordinate the effort to assist you. If you have a friend, marina, or commercial firm such as a towing company that you want contacted, they will attempt to do so.

VHF Radio vs. Cellular Telephones
The Coast Guard does not advocate cellular phones as a substitute for the regular maritime radio distress and safety systems recognized by the Federal Communications Commission and the International Radio Regulations -- particularly VHF maritime radio. However, cellular phones can have a place on board as an added measure of safety.

There is no comparison between cellular phones and VHF marine radio. They provide different services. The cellular phone is best used for what it is, an onboard telephone -- a link with shore based telephones. A VHF marine radio is intended for communication with other ships or marine installations -- and a powerful ally in time of emergency.

If you have a portable or handheld cellular telephone, by all means take it aboard. If you are boating off shore, a cellular phone is no substitute for a VHF radio. But, if you are within cellular range, it may provide an additional means of communication.

Here is the course outline:

1 Introduction

2 Objectives

3 The Boat

Terminology
Boat Types
Measuring Length
Hull designs
Types of hulls
Propulsion
Capacity Plate
Registration and Numbering
Hull ID Number
Engine Systems
Safety Checklist
The Marine Environment
Oil and Hazardous Substances
Disposal of Garbage
MSDs and No Discharge Zones
Hazardous Waste
Aquatic Nuisance Species

4 Required Equipment
Required Equipment
Personal Flotation Devices
Navigation Lights
Fire Extinguishers
Ventilation/Exhaust Blower
Backfire Flame Arrestor
Sound Producing Device
Visual Distress Signals
Recommended Equipment
VHF Radio Communications

5 Preparation
Pre-departure Check List
Trailering
Environmental Conditions
Leeway
Tide and Current
Local Hazards
Float Plan
Preventive Maintenance
Fueling

6 Operations
Operator responsibility
Homeland Security
BUI
Navigation Rules
Definitions
Proper Lookout and Seamanship
Sound Signals
Rules of the Road
Meeting Situations
Crossing Situations
Navigating Narrow Channels
Rules of the Road Review
Commercial Ships
Restricted Visibility
Aids to Navigation
How to Read a Nautical Chart
Intracoastal Waterway
Non-Lateral Informational and Regulatory Markers
Aids to Navigation Review

7 Getting Underway
Line Handling
Marlinspike
Docking/Undocking
Maneuvering Underway
Anchoring
Propeller Strike
Carbon Monoxide
Locks
Dams
Bridge Procedures
Security
Emergency Boat Repairs

8 Accidents and Emergencies
Fatal Vs Non-fatal
Capsizing
Crew Overboard
In Water Survival
Assistance from Shore
Hypothermia
Fires on Board
First Aid
Rendering Assistance
Running Aground
Accident Reports

9 Other Water Activities
Water Sports
Hunting and Fishing
Swimming
Diving and Snorkeling
Paddle Sports
Boardsailing
Skiing and Towing
Personal Watercraft
Sailing

Each chapter has a quiz. At the end is a final exam. All incorrect answers are reviewed.
 
Last edited:
jrm005 said:
Thanks for all the feedback. I am taking the Boating Course from Lighthouse Marine Service at Lake Wylie. Class was tonight and Thursday night.
Click to expand...

Jason, Congrats on signing up and taking the course. Hopefully, you will want to continue to learn and take more classes after the Safe Boating Class.

Have Fun in Class and good luck in continuing to learn more about boating!!!
 
For myself, I much prefer to take the classroom course. The amount of information you will learn about your local boating waters is invaluable.

I took my first boating course from the USPS while in college in the late 60's, and didn't even own a boat at that time. I took it again about 10 years from the USCG Auxiliary, then again last year from the USCGA. I learned new stuff every time I took it.

It will improve your boating skills and knowledge and your level of confidence.
 
Enjoyed the course, it was taught over 2 evenings. Next up is a boat maintenance course, taught by the same group in October.
 
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