Why Take a Boating Safety Course?

With the weather getting warmer in Northern California, many people are leaving their homes for some good old-fashioned outdoor recreation. Whether it’s hiking, fishing or boating, nature has so much to offer. No matter the outdoor activity, though, safety must come first. This is especially true when it comes to boating.

Like automobiles and construction equipment, motorboats are considered heavy machinery. As such, those who operate boats in Lewiston, CA are required to carry a California Boater Card, which can be obtained by completing an approved boating safety course. Marinas and the seafaring community in Lewiston, CA take boating safety seriously to ensure everyone can have aquatic outdoor fun safely. In addition to it being required by law, here are some other reasons to take a boating safety course.

Discounts on insurance

Many insurance companies will offer you a discount if you are able to provide proof that you’ve recently taken a boating safety course. For completing something that is required by law in many states anyway, you can also save some money, making this a nice added perk.

How to operate a boat

As mentioned above, boats are considered heavy machinery, with one main difference being that they’re not anchored to the ground like a car or a forklift. In some ways this can make them harder to control and maneuver, because you are operating a floating vessel that is affected not only by the water, but by the wind as well. You will learn the necessary techniques for everything from launching and docking your boat in the marina in Lewiston, CA to how to perform emergency stops if something suddenly appears in front of you.

How to navigate on the water

Believe it or not, there are traffic laws out on the water just like on the road. It is imperative that anyone looking to operate a boat learn these laws, which entail everything from encountering another vessel to operating with restricted visibility. The navigational portion of the course will also clue you in to what certain signs and symbols mean, as well as anchoring your boat and maneuvering around dams, docks and bridges. These are all valuable pieces of knowledge.

How to handle boating emergencies

The main goal of a boating safety course is to reduce the chance of accidents occurring out on the water. In fact, according to the U.S. Coast Guard, of deaths that occurred on boats in 2019, 70 percent of the time the operator had no boating safety instruction. The state of California ranked second in reported boating accidents in 2019, and third in boating deaths in the same year. If something terrible were to happen while boating, it would be of great help to know what to do, because it could save someone’s life.

Sign up for a boating safety course today

When it comes to operating a boat safely, knowledge is power. Once you’ve taken a boating safety course in Lewiston, CA, you are ready to head to the marina and hit the water. This summer, when the weather gets hot, come visit Trinity Alps Marina, a family owned and operated outfit where we offer all the marine services you could ever need. We look forward to welcoming you!

Categorised in: Boat Safety

This post was written by Writer