About Boating Safely (ABS)

This beginner boating safety class provides the knowledge needed to obtain a boat license or safety certification in many states. Many boat insurance companies offer discounts on boat insurance to boaters who successfully complete a boating safety class.

TOPICS INCLUDE

• Introduction to Boating

• Boating Law
  Boat registration; boating regulation; required boat safety equipment; reporting accidents; Federal boat law; state boating laws; personal watercraft requirements.

• Boat Safety Equipment
  Life jackets; fire extinguishers; sound-producing devices; visual-distress signals.

• Safe Boating
  Alcohol use; fueling portable and permanent tanks; docking, undocking and mooring; filing a float plan; checking equipment, fuel, weather; 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; avoiding collisions; sound signals; PWC "tunnel vision".

• Boating Problems
  Hypothermia; boating accidents and rescues; man overboard recovery; capsizing; running aground; river hazards; emergency radio calls; other boating and PWC problems.

• Trailering Your Boat
  Lights; hitches; tires; loading; balancing; towing; boat launching and retrieving; boat storage and theft protection; launching, retrieving and storing a PWC.