BOAT AMERICA – INTRODUCTORY SAFETY CLASS

OXNARD, CA: This summer, the U.S. Coast Guard released a summary of statistics on calendar year 2022 recreational boating incidents, revealing that there were 636 boating fatalities nationwide in 2022. Alcohol continued to be the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents. 75 percent of fatal boating incident victims drowned. Of those drowning victims, 85 percent were not wearing a life jacket. Where boating instruction was known, 74 percent of deaths occurred on vessels where the operator had not received boating safety instruction.

The Coast Guard encourages all boaters take a boating safety course that meets the National Boating Education Standards before they go boating.

The U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Boat America course is an introductory boater certificate course designed for the novice boater. The 1-day course consists of seven core lessons, providing up-to-date knowledge for boating safety. Coast Guard Auxiliary civilian instructors are experienced recreational boaters with in-depth knowledge of boating safety and skills.

Topics include Introduction to Boating, Boating Law, Safety Equipment, Safe Operation and Navigation, Boating Emergencies, Trailering, and Sports and Boating tips.

This Boat America course provides the knowledge needed to obtain a California boating certificate. The Boater Card, issued from the state Division of Boating and Waterways, is required this year for persons 60 years of age or younger.

Class dates (2 options)

Saturday April 13 0r Saturday April 27, 2024,  8:00a.m. to 4:30p.m. U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Training Room, 4201 S. Victoria Ave. Oxnard, CA. 93035.

Register for Class

Cost is $30.00.