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.