** Contact FSO-PE for Milford Course Fees

## Contact FSO-PE for West Haven Course Fees

Class locations

(4) Clinton Police Department - 48 East Main Street, Clinton

All other class locations are at the addresses posted on the Flotilla link pages.

America's Boating Course (ABC) is fun and is very comprehensive.  This course is a joint project between The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and the United States Power Squadrons.  In addition, the course has been approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators.

Topics include:

• INTRODUCTION TO BOATING -- types of boats; different uses of boats; outboard, stern-drive, and inboard engines; jet drives.
• BOATING LAWS -- boat registration; hull identification number; required safety equipment; operating safely and reporting accidents; protecting the marine environment; Federal boating laws; and PWCs.
• PERSONAL SAFETY EQUIPMENT -- personal flotation devices ("life jackets"); fire extinguishers; sound-producing devices; visual-distress signals; first aid kit; anchor; safety equipment and PWC.
• SAFE BOAT HANDLING -- bow riding; substance abuse; entering, loading, and trimming a boat; fueling portable and permanent tanks; steering with a tiller and a wheel; docking and mooring; knots; filing a float plan; checking equipment, fuel, weather, and tide; using charts; choosing and using an anchor; safe PWC handling.
• NAVIGATION -- the U.S. Aids to Navigation system; types of buoys and beacons; navigation rules; avoiding collisions; sound signals; PWC "tunnel vision."
• BOATING PROBLEMS -- hypothermia; boating accidents and rescues; capsizing; running aground; emergency radio calls; engine problems; boating problems and PWC.
• OPERATING REQUIREMENTS FOR A PERSONAL WATERCRAFT (PWC)
• TRAILERING, STORING, AND PROTECTING YOUR BOAT -- types of trailers; trailer brakes, lights, hitches, tires, and bearings; loading, balancing, and towing a trailer; towing (and backing) a trailer; boat launching and retrieving; boat storage and theft protection; launching, retrieving, and storing a PWC.
• HUNTING AND FISHING, WATERSKIING, AND RIVER BOATING -- carrying hunting gear and weapons in a boat; fishing from a boat; water-skiing safety guidelines and hand signals; water-skiing with a PWC; navigating rivers.

The successful completion of this one day Boating Safely Course will qualify the student to apply for the State of Connecticut Boating Safety Certificate (License).  Many insurance companies will offer discounts on boat insurance to individuals who successfully complete boating courses such as this.