When cold weather conspires to keep boaters off the water, it’s time to move inside by the fire and take one of many online boating safety courses 
offered by the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water, US Power Squadrons and Offshore Sailing School partners. Accessible by computer, tablet or smartphone, the series of no-cost and tuition-based courses – now discounted for 2015 – give boating families time to brush up on their boating knowledge, get more confident, meet their state’s boating safety course requirements or even qualify them for a boat insurance discount. In addition to 33 individual, no cost, state-approved boating safety courses, BoatUS offers:
Weather for Boaters: Have you ever had the weather ruin your weekend on the water? What if you could anticipate the weather changes and understand what your observations really mean? From learning to recognize the early signs of changing weather to the basics of understanding storms, squalls, fog and wind shifts – the newest course from the United States Power Squadrons will help you to make an informed decision about weather to go or stay. Cost: $24.95 (formerly $35).
Boating on Rivers, Lakes and Locks: This one is the best for inland boating families. Learn what you must know to boat on our inland waterways with confidence and increase your fun on the water. Created in partnership with the US Power Squadrons, this course will teach boaters the ins and outs of inland boating, from reading a river to navigating locks to boating near dams. Cost: $24.95 (formerly $35).
Partner in Command: Are you a regular passenger or crew on a power or sailboat? Learn essential information on how to assist in the safe operation and become more confident with anchoring, signaling, handling emergencies and more. Cost: $24.95 (formerly $35).
Learn to Sail: Jump-start your sailing life or refresh your sailing techniques with the interactive lessons from America’s #1 Sailing School. With this innovative online course full of video and animations, beginners will gain the knowledge to make sailing a breeze.Cost: $55 (formerly $75).
Clean Boating Course: As boaters, we have a close connection to the health of our waterways. This free course will show you the simple steps you can take to reduce the impact of boating activities on our waterways. There are also four individual courses tailored to boaters in MA, NJ, NC, and TX. Cost: $0.
DSC-VHF Radio Tutorial: What is Digital Selective Calling VHF radio, how does it work, and how can it save lives by working seamlessly with the new nationwide rescue system, “Rescue 21”? This video tutorial, at BoatUS.org/dsc, will show you how. Cost: $0.
It’s easy to start and stop any of courses at anytime, working well with today’s busy schedules. Members of BoatUS, US Power Squadrons, Canadian Power Squadrons, US Coast Guard Auxiliary and Great Lakes Cruising Club receive an additional 20% discount. To see the courses available, go to: BoatUS.org/courses.
