Boat Delivery and Training

In 2016, 80% of recreational boating deaths took place on boats where the individual operating the boat did not have any boating instruction or education according to US Coast Guard statistics. Several states require boater’s complete courses offered online or in the classroom. Courses must be approved by The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) which meet the national education standard before operating a powerboat.

NASBLA and its interagency, Council of Partners, established Boat Operations and Training (BOAT). BOAT is accepted by the US Coast Guard as being the national standard for certification training. National standards have been created to certify the boater’s ability on the nation’s waterways to operate safely and effectively. The certification assures state, local and federal law enforcement along with emergency response boat crews across the country.

The BOAT program, from the US Coast Guard’s Boat Forces training blueprint, encompasses essential maritime management and training elements:

System policy
Training and qualification process
Crew qualification tasks
Manager roles and responsibilities
Crew currency maintenance
Documentation requirements

What training can these captains provide to recreational boaters?

On-water training includes:

Docking and maneuvering
Vessel handling in lake-waters
Anchoring – manual
Anchoring - windlass
Electronic navigation training
Regional boat delivery without owner aboard
Long distance boat delivery with owner training underway

Basic boat handling

Steering and maintaining maximum boat control
How to manage the boat's momentum
Safe slowing and stopping
Backing down a narrow channel
Turning the boat around in tight spaces

Docking concepts

Utilizing steering, shifting, and throttle to dock effectively
Techniques for docking the boat in windy conditions
Station keeping
Ferrying

Intermediate boat handling

Docking and close quarters boat control practices
Backing down and turning around in tight spaces
Open water boat handling
Understanding trim
How to approach wakes

Having all parties on the same page on the open water is crucial. Boat owners getting their family involved in training is beneficial to all those on board. One-on-one and / or Group lessons are always available.

Insurance companies have been known to offer discounts to boaters with a valid On Water Training Certificate.