“Behind The Wheel” & Challenge Test-Out
This two-day course covers both classroom and practical, on the water training. The basic powerboat cruising course is a US Coast Guard and National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved training, meeting all state and national boating education certificate standards. Applies to anyone looking to upgrade their beginner knowledge to intermediate. This course stands ideal to those who has taken the Safe Powerboat Handling Certification or handled a single outboard powerboat by having a minimum of 10 times applicable seamanship & maneuvers knowledge experience ready for the next level to safely operate a twin outboard engine powerboat improving navigation knowledge and boat handling skills
Upon the Safe Powerboat Handling Certification or previous same level boating experience, students will be expected to know the basic beginners single outboard powerboat applicable navigation knowledge and hands-on operator practical experience to upgrade an intermediate twin outboard level, covering equipment requirements, rules of the road, aids to navigation, preparation, environment regulations, safety and emergencies.
Group Sessions Available
ON-THE-WATER SESSIONS
· Engine & electrical systems
· Bilge & head systems
· Starting procedures
· Docking
· Leaving & returning to a slip
· Close-quarters maneuvers
· Open-water maneuvers
· Anchoring
· Plotting & tracking a safe course to a destination
· Determine position with bearings & GPS
· Determine time/speed/distance
· Person in Water rescue
CLASSROOM SESSIONS
· Safety, prep & weather
· Maneuvering concepts
· Equipment requirements
· Prep & fueling procedures
· Navigation rules of the road
· Aids to navigation
· Variation, deviation, compass rose
· Aids to navigation
· Limitations of electronic navigation
· Environment regulations
On-Water Skills
· U.S. Coast Guard required safety equipment.
· Engine, Electrical, Bilge Pump, Head Systems and Starting Checks.
· Forecast of local weather Recognition & Application.
· Advance Docking and Close-Quarters Maneuvering.
· Navigation (Piloting)
· Navigation Rules, International-Inland.
· Boat Control in Open Water.
· Plotting & Tracking Safe Course Destination.
· Chart & GPS Lat & Long Position.
· Anchoring.
· Man Overboard Rescue Procedure & Life Sling Application.
· Estimated Position & Course to Steer by Distance, Time & Speed
· VHF radio operation & distress channel usage.
· Aids to Navigation, harbor and local waters.
· Identify chart symbols and corresponding visual observations.
· Compass course and a range with minimal rudder controls.
Classroom Topics
· Safety Equipment, Regulations & Preparation.
· Weather information sources.
· Maneuvering Technique & Tactics.
· Float plan strategy.
· Applicable federal, state and local regulations.
· Additional safety equipment for boat and location.
· True, Variation, Magnetic, Deviation, Compass Calculations.
· Estimated Position & Course to Steer by Distance, Time & Speed Calculations.
· Trip planning by distance, time, speed, fuel consumption, and identifying local hazards.
· Crew briefing, including how to move safely around a boat.
· Proper fueling techniques and inherent dangers.
· Dangers, symptoms and avoidance practices associated with carbon monoxide poisoning.
· Prevention, symptoms and first aid treatment of heat emergencies, hypothermia and seasickness.
· Buoys, day marks, regulatory marks and other marks) specific to local & ocean waters.
· Navigation Rules, International-Inland, for collision avoidance and appropriate sound signals.
· Navigation light requirements for recreational boats.
· Water rescues, including: Race Track, Life sling, Williamson Turn, constant visual contact, communications, rescue plan, sequence of maneuvers, boat handling.