National Safe Boating Week Tip #5 - Take a Boating Safety Class

Taking a boating safety class is one of the first steps all boaters should take to ensure their safety on the water. According to the U.S. Coast Guard statistics, 70 percent of accidents were caused by operators with no formal boating education. Boats aren’t like cars and the levers and gears are not as simple to figure out, plus boats don’t have brakes like a car does. Getting the chance to learn how to operate your boat and maneuver safely from one place to another is important as is learning the Rules of the Road for navigating the waterways including knowing what to do when encountering various buoys and signs.

Every state has a different set of regulations as to who is required to take a boating safety class that vary depending on age and the type of boat being operated. While new boaters should take classes to learn the basics, even experienced boaters can benefit from taking a boating safety class, especially because boating laws may have changed over the years. An added benefit is that many boating insurance companies offer a discount if a boat owner completes an accredited class. And, with both classroom and online classes available, there is no excuse why you can’t take a boating safety class before the boating season starts.

To find a class approved in the state where you’ll be boating, go to the U.S. Coast Guard website’s directory of boater education sources. You can also take a state-of-the-art interactive, online boating safety course from our friends at iLearntoBoat.com and a portion of the proceeds will benefit the Sea Tow Foundation.