Those of you who read NAUTICAL LOG know that great importance is placed on safety at sea and this in turn comes from training. It is my opinion that each and every seafarer should hold a license indicating this training has been completed. One of the nautical Blogs that we follow and indeed read each day is BITTEREND hosted by Captain Richard Rodriguez. Captain RR is a well known and excellent instructor resident in the Pacific Northwest. Also he is well known to many of you from his service as a Vessel Assist Captain during the Spring and Summer boating seasons from Friday Harbor WA. The courses he teaches lead to a full United States Coast Guard (USCG) license. There is another excellent source of training and licensing and these are the State Safe Boating Certificates. Putting ones money where ones mouth is NAUTICAL LOG held a USCG Master and also a State of Florida Safe Boaters Certificate.
When NAUTICAL LOG visited the 'Miami International Boat Show' last weekend we had the opportunity to see all the latest USCG and State of Florida maritime reference publications. When we did the State of Florida 'Safe Boating Certificate' in 1999 the booklet "Boat Smart" was version 'A' the latest copy of "Boat Smart" is Version 'G'. It is greatly improved from the original and Floridian boaters should obtain the latest Version 'G' and reference only it contact www.myfwc.com/
Florida Law requires that persons born on or after January 01, 1988 complete a NASBLA approved boater education course prior to operating a vessel powered by a motor of 10 horsepower or more. NAUTICAL LOG believes every boater should have this training besides it is a plus when purchasing marine insurance. The NASBLA approved course can be studied on line and after a practice test one can take the real thing. Each State has its own course so a Florida boater should take the State of Florida course and so on. You will receive a credit card style certificate which is kept with a photo ID, such as your drivers license, when you go boating.
When NAUTICAL LOG took the test years ago it consisted of 55 questions, this is now expanded to 75 questions. They are carefully selected and cover all the course subject matter well. So there you are a little effort and you will become a knowledgeable, capable and safe boater.
"CODICIL"
Just after this was posted my March 2010 "Yachting" arrived with the days mail. For those of you who know Jay Coyle his column is always worth a read. His irreverent style this month is 'Captain Schmaptin' about the joys of license renewal health requirements. Do not miss it!!
As to how this applies to the NAUTICAL LOG Post above well with the State Safe Boating Certificates there are no 'health requirements'. By having your State Drivers License as your photo ID you have already agreed to any testing. So have a laugh with Jay Coyle and go ahead and become a State Safe Boater with no USCG procedures.
Good Watch.
When NAUTICAL LOG visited the 'Miami International Boat Show' last weekend we had the opportunity to see all the latest USCG and State of Florida maritime reference publications. When we did the State of Florida 'Safe Boating Certificate' in 1999 the booklet "Boat Smart" was version 'A' the latest copy of "Boat Smart" is Version 'G'. It is greatly improved from the original and Floridian boaters should obtain the latest Version 'G' and reference only it contact www.myfwc.com/
Florida Law requires that persons born on or after January 01, 1988 complete a NASBLA approved boater education course prior to operating a vessel powered by a motor of 10 horsepower or more. NAUTICAL LOG believes every boater should have this training besides it is a plus when purchasing marine insurance. The NASBLA approved course can be studied on line and after a practice test one can take the real thing. Each State has its own course so a Florida boater should take the State of Florida course and so on. You will receive a credit card style certificate which is kept with a photo ID, such as your drivers license, when you go boating.
When NAUTICAL LOG took the test years ago it consisted of 55 questions, this is now expanded to 75 questions. They are carefully selected and cover all the course subject matter well. So there you are a little effort and you will become a knowledgeable, capable and safe boater.
"CODICIL"
Just after this was posted my March 2010 "Yachting" arrived with the days mail. For those of you who know Jay Coyle his column is always worth a read. His irreverent style this month is 'Captain Schmaptin' about the joys of license renewal health requirements. Do not miss it!!
As to how this applies to the NAUTICAL LOG Post above well with the State Safe Boating Certificates there are no 'health requirements'. By having your State Drivers License as your photo ID you have already agreed to any testing. So have a laugh with Jay Coyle and go ahead and become a State Safe Boater with no USCG procedures.
Good Watch.
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