US COAST GUARD AUXILIARY | Flotilla 4-2, Rochester, NY -- 2010 BOATING SAFETY CLASSES --

ALL ABOUT THE "ABS" COURSE

Where and How?

The ABS course and alternate courses are given by different approved organizations and most prominently by the volunteers of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. In the Greater Rochester Area all five of our Flotillas present the course, but do so at different times and different schedules. You can seek out courses near where you live by contacting the closest Flotilla.

FLOTILLA 4-2 CLASSES IN CHARLOTTE

If a central Rochester location works well for you, we invite you to take ABS instruction with FLOTILLA 4-2 at our comfortable and picturesque river-side Flotilla Base in Charlotte.

Classses follow the state mandate of eight hours of instruction. We present the course on monthly schedules in Four, Two-Hour evening sessions, on given evenings from 7PM to 9PM. A few one- or two-day weekend courses are schedules as well. There is plenty of free parking and during breaks you can enjoy viewing the Genesee river traffic! Click here for our current schedules.

The required text, ABOUT BOATING SAFELY, a full-color, 68-page study guide.
The Boating Safety Certificate
A laminated Boating Safety Wallet Card to be kept with you when operating your boat.
COST:
$25.00 for each student
$10.00 for materials

COURSE CURICULUM

ABS - ABOUT BOATING SAFELY

The course will be taught by experienced members of Flotilla 4-2 of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. We often have guest instructors. The instruction includes an easy-to-follow power point presentation and class participation.

TOPICS COVERED IN THE COURSE 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.
BOATING PROBLEMS -- hypothermia; boating accidents and rescues; capsizing; running aground; emergency radio calls; engine problems; boating problems and 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; waterskiing safety guidelines and hand signals; waterskiing with a PWC; navigating rivers.

Many insurance companies will offer discounts on boat insurance to individuals who successfully complete boating courses such as this. Check with yours!