HI THERE!

And welcome to our new blog – thought we’d give you a brief introduction to what it is all about, and what you can expect.

First of all, this blog is the corner of the internet, where you can find opinions, comments and deep-dives about boating and boat services. We hope to keep our posts relatively short, but can’t promise we will be able to resist writing a long read every now and then.

What we can promise, however, is that we will keep it relevant, opinion based and related to what is going on in the world around us and the business we are part of.

Since this is a welcoming blog of sorts we’d like to kick things off with a short guide on steps to take when you’re just getting into boating. For all our experienced boaters there is a quiz from U.S. Power Squadrons boating course at the end to really test your skills.

1. CHECK YOUR STATE LAWS

When it comes to boating, not all states share the same laws or even require a boating license. It’s important when you’re just starting to get into boating that you do your research and find out exactly what your state expects from you. For more information about laws and licenses by state, go to americasboatingcourse.com.

Another step to take is to take boat safety courses. When you’re on the water the last thing you’d want to be lacking in is boat safety. There are courses from America’s Boating Course that will teach you how to stay safe on the water, but also provide you with valuable boating education.

2. LEARN FROM OTHERS MISTAKES

Social media isn’t just full of good times and success, a lot of people take to social media to share their failures and where they messed up. Taking some time to learn from their failures may help prevent you from making their same mistakes. By following people who share their love for boating you will be able to not just learn from them, but also start to participate in the boating community. Knowledge is power and the more you equip yourself with the better off you’ll be when you’re out on the water.

3. TAKE COURSES IN-PERSON

Not everything should be learned via the internet, and boating should not just be observed through social media before you decide to operate a boat by yourself. Much like driving a car, taking an on-water boating course is extremely important.

During these courses you will learn pre-departure preparation, shifting gears, throttle control, docking, station holding, and more.

One place you can take an on-water boating course is through US Powerboating. They hold courses in most states, including Florida, and host them multiple times a year. You can find out more here: https://www.uspowerboating.com/find-a-course/course-providers/.

4. FEAR IS NOT AN OPTION

To all boating beginners: don’t be scared. While boating and boat safety is nothing to take lightly and needs proper education to do correctly, it also isn’t a fear fueled activity either. Boats are large by nature and it’s easy to be intimidated when you first get started, but much like driving a car once you get it you’re golden. Don’t let the large structure of a boat keep you off the water. Embrace it, learn about it, and get onto the water and enjoy it!

QUIZ TIME!

Thank you to everyone who made it this far and hopefully you’ve enjoyed our first blog post! As promised here is a mini-quiz for all our experienced and new boaters out there! Let us know how many you got right!

What do the letters PASS mean when used to describe the operation of a fire extinguisher?

1. Pull the pin, aim at the top of the fire, squeeze the handle, and spray with short bursts so as to conserve the extinguishing agent
2. Pull the pin, aim at the base of the fire, squeeze the handle for short bursts, and spray at the top of the fire
3. Pull the safety pin, aim at the base of the fire, squeeze the handle, and sweep the extinguisher side to side while aiming at the base of the fire
4. Pull the pin, aim at the base of the fire, squeeze the handle, and spray at the edge of the fire

What condition renders a life jacket unserviceable?

1. It is discolored but still airtight
2. It has a torn strap
3. It has been immersed in salt water
4. It has been stained with oil

What is an advantage of pistol-fired red meteor aerial flares over handheld red flares?

1. Burn longer
2. Burn in a pulsing SOS mode
3. Are visible for a longer distance
4. Are suitable only for daylight use

How many portable fire extinguishers are required aboard an 18-foot powerboat with installed fuel tanks but with no fixed fire-suppression system?

1. None
2. One
3. Two
4. Three

What is the next step after running the engine compartment blower for at least four minutes, and before starting the inboard gasoline engine?

1. Close all engine compartment vents before starting the engine
2. Open the compartment cover and sniff for traces of gasoline fumes
3. Grab a VHF radio in case a distress call must be made
4. Turn the blower off for at least one minute before starting the engine

Which category of life jacket is designed to turn an unconscious person face up in the water?

1. Offshore/Type I
2. Nearshore/Type II
3. Flotation Aid/Type III
4. Special Use Devices/Type V

Answers: 1.C, 2.B, 3.C, 4.B, 5.B, 6.A