On-Water Skills

Preparation

• Recognize and obtain forecasts of local weather conditions.
• Determine current and wind direction.
• Check inventory, location and operation of U.S. Coast Guard required safety equipment.
• Check the engine systems applicable to your boat: engine controls, mechanical and fluids daily checks, ventilation, and cooling.
• Check electrical system applicable to your boat: main battery switch, electrical control panel, and batteries.
• Check bilge pump system as applicable to your boat: operation of manual and electrical pumps, intake maintenance, and alarms.
• Inspect anchoring system applicable to your boat: anchors, shackles, rodes, chafing equipment and windlass.
• Operate a VHF radio including: operation of controls, channel usage, procedure words, weather channels, and a radio check.
• Conduct pre-start procedure for engine and equipment used.
• Put on a life jacket.
• Pre-check all other equipment specific to your boat not indicated above.
• Tie and state use of the following knots and line handling techniques: cleat hitch, bowline, round turn with two half-hitches, and coiling.

Docking and Close-Quarters Maneuvering

• Use appropriate helmsman and crew coordination for departure suitable to the conditions: line handling, fending off and boathandling.
• Use appropriate helmsman and crew coordination for arrival suitable to the conditions: deploying fenders, boathandling, stopping and tying up.
• Maneuver in close quarters: speed and momentum control, windage and prop walk control, and command of the crew.
• Start, stop and back the boat with appropriate shifting techniques.
• Turn boat 180 degrees in close quarters.
• Control the boat at minimum control speed using intermittent power.
• Hold position at an anchored object bow into the wind and stern into the wind with minimal throttle actions.

Navigation (Piloting)

• Identify Aids to Navigation in the harbor and local waters.
• Identify chart symbols and corresponding visual observations.

Navigation Rules, International-Inland

• Apply Navigation Rules while underway.

Boat Control in Open Water

• Transition from displacement speed to high speed safely and in control.
• Steer a compass course and a range with minimal rudder controls.
• Turn safely at high speed.
• Slow and stop the boat safely after operating at high speed.

Anchoring

• Anchor the boat with appropriate scope.
• Retrieve an anchor.

Emergency Procedures

• Approach and recover safely a simulated person in the water.
• Simulate procedure and operation of VHF radio in emergency situations.

Securing a Boat

• Clean the boat; install any covers.
• Set electrical and bilge systems for dock operation.
• Secure locks, hatches, lockers, docklines and fenders.

Classroom Topics

Preparation

• Identify weather information sources.
• Understand weather recognition and forecasting techniques for a day cruise.
• Understand types, carriage and use requirements of life jackets.
• Understand use of a float plan.
• Understand applicable federal, state and local regulations.
• Understand additional equipment appropriate for the boat and location.
• Understand trip planning that includes consideration of distance, time and fuel consumption, and identifying local hazards.
• Understand procedures for crew briefing, including how to move safely around a boat.
• Understand proper fueling techniques and inherent dangers.
• Understand the prevention, dangers and symptoms of cold water immersion and hypothermia.
• Understand the dangers, symptoms and avoidance practices associated with carbon monoxide poisoning.
• Understand the effects of drinking alcohol or using drugs while boating and the boating laws pertinent to operating a boat while under the influence.
• Understand the prevention, symptoms and first aid treatment of heat emergencies, hypothermia and seasickness.

Systems

• Be familiar with nomenclature for basic parts of the boat and engine.
• Briefly describe the fuel and electrical systems; understand troubleshooting for common engine problems.
•  Understand the sequence for determining blocked engine cooling system circulation.
• Understand how to check battery voltage, and consumption and recharging.

Powerboat Theory

• Understand basic powerboat hull shapes and how they affect turning.
• Understand how wind and seas will affect handling.
• Understand the concept of pivot point and turning radius.

Docking

• Understand the differences and alternatives for leaving and returning in different wind and current directions.
• Understand how to heave a line.

Navigation (Piloting)

•  Understand Aids to Navigation (buoys, daymarks, regulatory marks and other marks) specific to your local waters.

Navigation Rules, International-Inland

• Understand the concept of constant bearing and decreasing range to avoid collisions.
• Understand basic Navigation Rules, International-Inland, for collision avoidance and appropriate sound signals.
• Understand navigation light requirements for recreational boats.
• Know divers flags and understand appropriate actions.

Boat Control in Open Water

• Understand the appropriate methods for handling significant waves and large wake.
• Understand boathandling for adverse weather conditions and dangerous inlets.

Emergency Procedures

• Understand person in the water rescues, including: Race Track, Lifesling, Williamson Turn, constant visual contact, communications, rescue plan, sequence of maneuvers, boathandling.
• Understand the dangers associated with approaching a person in the water.
• Understand approved distress signals.
• Understand appropriate methods for assisting a conscious person from the water.
• Understand the procedure for anchoring in the event of engine and/or windlass failure.
• Understand procedures after running aground.
• Understand use of fire fighting equipment on board: regulations, types, location and operation.
• Understand the requirement to render assistance to a boat in distress to the extent you are able.
• Understand the boating accidents that require an accident report as well as how, when and where to file the report.

Anchoring

• Understand anchoring procedures and appropriate amount of scope.
• Understand types of anchors and their advantages and disadvantages.
• Understand how to determine the required scope of an anchor rode.