If new to sailing and in need of tuition, or an experienced boater in need of a refresher course, it is often advantageous to look at the availability of boat handling courses.
The tuition is useful to develop boating and navigational skills.
And it's often a choice of classroom or online study.
A multitude of courses are open to the boating enthusiast such as general boat safety, boating skills & seamanship, GPS navigation, reading nautical charts, and personal watercraft (PWC) safety.
With the course instructed by a fellow yachtsman, and taken by a local boat owner.
These courses provide instruction to boaters at all skill levels (beginner, intermediate, or advanced), and teaches the basics to the more advanced techniques.
With the classes suited to all audiences, such as courses for power boaters, sailors, to personal watercraft users and those to accommodate all boaters.
As well as a choice of fun classes for the kids - in the 4 to 12 year age group.
In addition to gaining the confidence to operate a watercraft safely at sea, there are other benefits.
A boat owner that's taken and passed an approved boat safety course often qualifies for a discount in the insurance premium.
This helps to obtain more affordable insurance rates.
Insurers often ask that courses are approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA).
Boat handling courses are essential to prevent accidents or injury, and helps build the self-confidence of a boat owner in need of basic safety skills, as well as charting and navigation knowledge.