America's Boating Course
Class Schedule -- Spring 2010
MLSPS offers approximately 7 to 10 safe boating classes each year to the boating public (in addition to advanced courses to our members). The following is the current list of ABC classes that we will be offering to the public this spring. We hope, and believe, that these classes will provide for safer boating practices, and fewer accidents and fatalities on the water.
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Upcoming Classes
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Organization
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Start Date
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Time
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Format
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Upper Dublin Middle School
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Mon, 22 Feb
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7:00-9:00
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5 evenings
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Delaware County Community College
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Thu, 11 Mar
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7:00-9:00
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4 evenings
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Delaware County Community College
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Thu, 8 Apr
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6:00-8:00
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4 evenings
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Clews & Strawbridge Marine
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Sat, 10 Apr
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8:30-4:30
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All day Sat
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Clews & Strawbridge Marine
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Sat, 1 May
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8:30-4:30
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All day Sat
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Stoltzfus RV & Marine
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Sat, 15 May
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8:30-4:30
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All day Sat
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Locations:
Upper Dublin Sandy Run Middle School – 520 Twining Road, Dresher, PA
DCCC 1 – Route 322, north from Downingtown, PA
DCCC 2 – Street Road east from Route 252, Newtown Square, PA
Clews & Strawbridge Marine – Route 30, Frazer, PA
Stoltzfus RV & Marine – Route 202, south from West Chester, PA
Registration:
Upper Dublin Middle School – Upper Dublin School District website
Delaware County Community College – 610-450-6534
Clews & Strawbridge Marine –
USPS.org (or follow the link in the table above)
Stoltzfus RV & Marine –
USPS.org (or follow the link in the table above)
If you are interested in an exciting, in-depth boating safety course, check out
America's Boating Course.
Many
boat insurance companies will offer discounts on boating insurance to
boaters who successfully complete America's Boating Course. And, this
beginner boating class will give you the knowledge needed to obtain a
boat license or safety certification in many states.
Read more about the boat course contents and how to enroll!
Boating Safety Topics
The boat and water safety course topics include:
- Introduction to Boating:
types of power boats; sailboats; outboards; paddle boats; houseboats;
different uses of boats; various power boating engines; jet drives;
family boating basics.
- Boating Law:
boat registration; boating regulation; hull identification number;
required boat safety equipment; operating safely and reporting
accidents; protecting the marine environment; Federal boat law; state
boating laws; personal watercraft requirements.
- Boat Safety Equipment:
personal flotation devices ("life jackets"); fire extinguishers;
sound-producing devices; visual-distress signals; dock lines and rope;
first aid kit; anchors and anchor lines; other boating safety
equipment.
- Safe Boating:
bow riding; alcohol and drug abuse; entering, loading, and trimming a
boat; fueling portable and permanent tanks; steering with a tiller and
a wheel; docking, undocking and mooring; knots; filing a float plan;
checking equipment, fuel, weather and tides; using charts; choosing and
using an anchor; safe PWC handling; general water safety.
- Navigation:
the U.S. Aids to Navigation system; types of buoys and beacons;
navigation rules (sometimes referred to as right-of-way rules);
avoiding collisions; sound signals; PWC "tunnel vision."
- Boating Problems:
hypothermia; boating accidents and rescues; man overboard recovery;
capsizing; running aground; river hazards; strainers: emergency radio
calls; engine problems; equipment failures; carbon monoxide (CO); other
boating and PWC problems.
- Trailering, Storing and Protecting Your Boat:
types of trailers; trailer brakes, lights, hitches, tires, and
bearings; loading, balancing, and towing (and backing) a trailer; boat
launching and retrieving; boat storage and theft protection; launching,
retrieving and storing a PWC.
- Hunting and Fishing, Water-skiing 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, and other boating tips.