NAUTICAL KNOWLEDGE "101" RECREATIONAL BOATING EDUCATION CLASS
Course Description:
Ages 15 And Up (The age requirement is only a recommendation due to the chart work and familiarization involved)
Price: $159.00
The Course includes the use of charts and your own student manual for note taking and future quick reference.
This training will help enhance and clarify many of the topics covered in the the required training for the Alabama Boating Education and Operator Certification/License required by law. This training applies to the following age groups both resident and non resident.
NO ONE UNDER THE AGE OF 12 YEARS MAY OPERATE ANY MOTORIZED VESSEL (INCLUDES PERSONAL WATERCRAFT, SUCH AS A SEA DOO, WAVERUNNER ETC.) ON ALABAMA'S WATERWAYS. CERTIFICATION / LICENSE REQUIREMENTS FOR ALABAMA RESIDENTS:
- Must be 12 years old or older to be eligible for a vessel operator's license but cannot operate alone until the age of 14.
- Operators 12 or 13 years old, after obtaining the vessel operator's license, can only operate if there is someone 21 years old or older on board, who also has a vessel operator's license in possession, and is seated in a position to take immediate control of the vessel if necessary.
- Operators 14 years old or older, after obtaining the vessel operator's license, may legally operate without supervision.
NOTE: The operator certification/license must be in possession at the time of operation.
CERTIFICATION / LICENSE REQUIREMENTS FOR NON-RESIDENTS:
Non-residents 12 years old and older, may operate on Alabama waters up to 45 days per calendar year without having to obtain a vessel operator's license. If operating a vessel for more than 45 days per calendar year, the non-resident must get an Alabama Non-Resident Vessel Operator's License. Non-residents who have obtained a vessel certification or license from their home state may use that in lieu of the Alabama Non-Resident Vessel Operator's License. HOWEVER: Non-resident vessel operators 12 or 13 years old, can only operate if there is someone 21 years old or older on board, who either has a valid vessel operator's license in possession or falls under the 45-day exemption period because of non-residency status, and who is seated in a position to take immediate control of the vessel if necessary.
Any boat operator who was born prior to April 28, 1954 is exempt from this requirement.
This course is a 2 day blended, lecture-based, hands-on 16 hour course taught on weekends (or on any day for private classes, please call for details).
The Nautical Knowledge "101" class includes both lectures and hands-on training and covers:
a. Boat familiarization and terminology
b. Basic overview of rules of the nautical road
c. Buoy and daymarker training including intracoastal waterway familiarization
d. Chart familiarization
e. Float plan familiarization and use
f. Use of GPS and depth sounder and your magnetic compass
g. Boat handling, including general navigation training to leave the dock and arrive at the
dock without panicking. Basic line handling and securing a boat to a cleat
h. Anchoring preparation and anchoring, includes best anchoring locations and bottoms
I. Man Overboard actions
j. Lifejacket familiarization and Alabama Law requirements
k. Trailering your boat including preps to launch and recover from a public boat launch
l. Basic engine and trailer maintenance and troubleshooting
m. Basic fire safety, including fire extinguishers and what to do in the event of a fire
n. Use of the VHF radio including Digital Selective Calling and reporting emergencies
o. Tides and currents and sunrise/sunset
p. Boating under the influence
q. Finding marina facilities and the use of boating guides
r. Beaching your boat
s. Emergency actions while underway or ashore
t. Briefing your family or guests before leaving the dock
u. Caring for our ecosystem, what can we all do to help.