A Course for Safe Boating

Chapter 3 u Vessel Operation

 Introduction

Photo courtesy of CSU Long Beach Sailing Association

Hear that? The water is calling you!

No matter where you boat in California, a water adventure awaits you—each one as big and unique as the state itself. It can be as majestic as paddling a kayak around San Francisco Bay within view of the Golden Gate Bridge. Or as heart–thumping as riding the raging flows of the Lower Kern. You can canoe the quiet might of the lower American River in fall, or fish the mountain splendor of Lake Almanor. Something wilder? Make waves on a personal watercraft at Lake Perris. Getting away? Set sail with friends on the crystal Pacific Ocean out of Mission Bay. So many adventures—all a lot more fun for you and everyone else when you learn how to boat safely and confidently, and prevent accidents. This course will cover the basics to show you how. Play It Safe Almost one million pleasure craft are registered in California and more than four million boaters including paddle craft owners. That’s a lot of Californians having a lot of adventures. Unfortunately, many boaters will get hurt. The Coast Guard reports about 4,730 boating accidents each year in the United States—causing approxi- mately 700 deaths, 3,000 injuries and $36 million in damage. About 86% of all boating deaths occur on boats where the operator has not completed a boating safety education course. The good news—boaters can prevent many of these accidents by learning safety and using common sense.

WHAT YOU’LL LEARN This course will teach you:  Personal safety  Basic boating guidelines  Boating law and rules of the road  Basic operation of a variety of vessels  Accident prevention and rescue You’ll also develop the skills and knowledge to make the most of your adventure on California’s waterways. 

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California Boating  A Course for Safe Boating