BoatSmart

Boot Key Harbor
"Marathon- the Heart of the Florida Keys"

An On-Line Cruising Guide for the Florida Keys & Cuba
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MARATHON SAIL & POWER SQUADRON

BOATSMART™ COURSE
an 8 hr Boating Safety Course that meets Florida Boating Education Requirements

Call for next course dates.
The "BoatSmart" course is an abbreviated version of the regular Boating Course.

The Brady Building is located immediately behind the Panda House Restaurant, across from Publix Grocery. Turn down 52nd St Gulfside, then the first right onto Loggerhead Lane. The Brady Building is the first on your right.

Capt John Inghram teaching one of the classes

SUBJECTS COVERED IN THE THREE CHAPTERS OF THE ILLUSTRATED BOOK INCLUDE:
1. Getting Started; 2. What's Needed and 3. Rules to Live by.
This includes touching base on these topics:

Boat Terms & Types of Boats & Hulls
Propulsion Systems
Selecting the right boat
Finding your way
Boat Handling
Fueling
Preparing to cast off
Weather / local hazards / float plans / equipment checklist / loading gear and passengers / life jackets / starting & warming the engine / training an alternate skipper
Getting underway / leaving the pier
Boats wake / turning / backing / waves / stopping / large vessels / weather / hazards
Docking
Tying up / lines / knots / piers & floats / moorings
Anchoring / correct anchor / types / rode / anchor systems / techniques / setting & retrieving
Water sport safety / special gear / personal care / local knowledge / night activity / emergencies

Personal Watercraft - PWC / Required equipment / life preservers / fire extinguishers / sound producing devices / additional safety equipment / Regulations /Optional Personal Equipment / Safe Operation & Responsible operation
Boating Courtesy
Trailering / trailer & boat size / winch / tiedowns / tow vehicle / trailer hitches / driving with the trailer / backing / launching & recovering
Boat theft prevention
Boating required equipment / life preservers / classes of preservers - features - for children - care
Boat length
Navigation Lights - types - visibility requirements - power vs sail boats - rowboats - anchoring - day shapes
Fire Extinguishers - types - sizes - use - location - maintenance
Flame arrestors
Sound producing devices
Visual distress signals including flares
Additional recommended equipment for PWC, small and large boats, and offshore boats

Boat Registration, numbering & documentation
USCG Boating Safety Standards
Law Enforcement
Rendering Assistance
Responsibilities for equipment, wake, water pollution, oil discharges, sewage discharge, garbage dumping
State & Local Regulations for noise limits & water-skiing
Boater Services - USPS, USCG Auxiliary
Aids to Navigation / daymarks / lateral system / ranges / danger marks / special marks
Sound Signals for navigation
Uniform State Waterway Marking System
US System variations
Navigation rules - inland and international / steering and sailing rules / special circumstances
Adverse conditions & emergencies / life preservers / fuel / grounding / towing / man overboard / low visibility / capsizing & swamping / collision / fire / medical emergencies on the water
Marine Radiotelephone (VHF Radio) / licensing / operating / choosing the channel / CH 16 & 9 / Emergency Calls / routine calls / weather channels / public correspondence / prohibited communications

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