America’s Boating Course scheduled Oct. 3
America’s Boating Club Golden Isles, will offer America’s Boating Course on Saturday, October 3, from 8:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. at UGA Marine Extension, 715 Bay St., Brunswick. The course is open to members and the general public. The course fee is $25, with an optional course book available for $35. Lunch will be provided. For registration and additional information, visit bit.ly/4wRzQ51.
Led by certified instructors, the one-day course covers boat handling, navigation rules and aids to navigation, right-of-way rules, safe operation of watercraft, required and recommended safety equipment, boating emergencies, and state-specific laws and regulations. Rather than focusing solely on rules, the course emphasizes practical knowledge and the decision-making skills needed before and while on the water.
The course is approved by the Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA DNR) and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) to fulfill Georgia’s requirements for boater safety education. Those who successfully complete the course receive certificates and wallet cards, which may also qualify them for savings on boat insurance.
The course is appropriate for both new and experienced boaters, from teens to adults. Couples and families often attend together to learn and strengthen their boating skills, and some participants have returned to take the course more than once.
Rick Ellis of St. Simons Island completed the course twice—once before purchasing a boat locally and again afterward. Ellis, whose boating experience had primarily been on Georgia lakes, said, “Even with years of experience, I was completely unprepared for the challenges of handling a boat and following the rules of the road on the area waterways. It was a great education, and I’m sure my wife and I will attend it for a third time at some point for another brush up.”
For responsible boaters, understanding regulations, safety requirements and local conditions is essential to fully enjoying time on the water. Proper training develops the skills, judgment and confidence needed to make good decisions every time a boat leaves the dock.
“Until someone has been behind the wheel on the local waters, you really don’t appreciate the constantly changing weather, strong currents and tides, and traffic on the waterways that can challenge even the most experienced boaters,” Ellis said. “The class really made a difference in building our comfort level and boating skills.”
America’s Boating Club Golden Isles is a nonprofit boating organization serving Coastal Georgia and the surrounding area. The local club is affiliated with America’s Boating Club, a nationwide organization dedicated to boating education, safety, on-the-water activities and community service.
