2024 Boating Course Schedule:

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About Boating Safety / PWC

Our course is NASBLA Approved!

* INTRODUCTION TO BOATING -- types of boats; different uses of boats; outboard, stern-drive, and inboard engines; jet drives.

* BOATING LAWS -- boat registration; hull identification number; required safety equipment; operating safely and reporting accidents; protecting the marine environment; Federal boating laws; and PWCs.

* PERSONAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT -- personal flotation devices ("life jackets"); fire extinguishers; sound-producing devices; visual-distress signals; first aid kit; anchor; safety equipment and PWC.

* SAFE BOAT HANDLING -- bow riding; substance abuse; entering, loading, and trimming a boat; fueling portable and permanent tanks; steering with a tiller and a wheel; docking and mooring; knots; filing a float plan; checking equipment, fuel, weather, and tide; using charts; choosing and using an anchor; safe PWC handling.

* NAVIGATION -- the U.S. Aids to Navigation system; types of buoys and beacons; navigation rules; avoiding collisions; sound signals; PWX "tunnel vision."

* BOATING PROBLEMS -- hypothermia; boating accidents and rescues; capsizing; running aground; emergency radio calls; engine problems; boating problems and PWC.

* OPERATING REQUIREMENTS FOR A PERSONAL WATERCRAFT (PWC)

* 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, WATERSKIING, 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.

The successful completion of this one day Boating Safely Course will qualify the student to apply for the State of Connecticut Boating Safety Certificate (License) including PWC. Many insurance companies will offer discounts on boat insurance to individuals who successfully complete boating courses such as this.

Kayaking and Paddling Safely

Geared toward kayakers, any skipper will learn from this intense course. From basic safety concepts to how to survive an on water calamity. This course bridges the gap in learning resources for paddle sports in tidal waters.

Highlights include: -Tips on buying a kayak, -Safety equipment you should own and know how to use, -Understanding water and how it affects your vessel, -Weather, and what to do when conditions quickly deteriorate, -Nautical charts, how to use your compass, and plot your course, -When and how to communicate with the US Coast Guard, and others, -How to deal with large commercial vessels, -What to do in an Emergency, -Special hazards you should be aware of.   8 hours    Cost   $60

Charts, Navigation and GPS

 A combined class that ties together electronic navigation and the tried and true method of plotting a course on a paper chart.

 Charts:  Learn to read a chart and understand all the symbols displayed on a chart.  Learn to read water depth, contour lines and underwater obstructions.  Understand latitude and longitude and be able to determine location in those terms.  Learn what the compass rose is and the difference between magnetic and true north.  Understand what magnetic variation is.  Learn to read the aids to navigation buoys and how they are represented on the chart.  Learn to read how objects on land are represented on a chart.

Navigation is designed to teach the boater how to plot a course, determine location in terms of latitude and longitude. Use the compass rose to determine course direction, take relative bearing sightings and how to label the lines.  Learn how to plot a course in both true and magnetic heading and convert one to the other.  Learn how to calculate boat speed, time and distance on the water.  Learn the proper use of dividers, parallel rules and other plotting tools.

GPS:   This class is designed as an introduction to the world of navigation using GPS.  The satellite system along with a basic understanding of how satellite navigation operates and  the advantages & disadvantages of relying on electronic navigation devices.  An overview of piloting is presented demonstrating how the effects of wind, current, compass

errors and the ability of the helmsman can cause the vessel to deviate from the desired course.  Specific functions of GPS units are broadly discussed.  It is left to the student to become familiar with student owned models.

CT Coastal Boaters Certificate Awarded

To students that have an SBC certificate

6 hours ( 2hrs per night, 3 nights )  Cost $60

Combination Sailing and ABS (when available)

Our combined sailing and ABS class will not only provide your State  of  Connecticut required Safe boating PWC Certificate it will teach you the basics of sailing.

About Boating Safety and Let's Go Sailing is a combined class for the boater making the transition from power to sail or the beginning sailor with limited or no boating experience.

Learn about the effects of wind, waves, current, and tides, understand sailboat hardware, running and standing rigging, sail handling & care, points of sailing and sail trim, sailing navigation rules.

Articulated sailboat model is used to demonstrate the points of sailing along with a mockup of a sailboat to identify and demonstrate the proper use of sailboat hardware and rigging.

The proper use of the required safety equipment is discussed along with the federal and state legal requirements associated with sailboats.

The class is designed to provide the student with all the information necessary for a successful first sail.

For directions

For additional information please E-mail: Flotilla 24-3

PRIVACY POLICY

TERMS AND CONDITIONS 

Refunds & Exchanges: If you are unable to attend, you may select an alternate class date to attend in exchange.

Page last modified: 2/2/2024