The Navigation Rules: Disclaimer The navigation rules contained in this course summarize basic navigation rules for which a boat operator is responsible on inland waterways. Additional and much more i...

Boat Navigation in Restricted Visibility Boat navigation at night, or during periods of reduced visibility can be dangerous. Boaters should take additional care when operating at night or during perio...

The Boat Operator’s Ultimate Responsibilities As the boat operator, you are completely responsible for: The operation of the boat. The safety of every passenger on board the boat. Any activities tha...

Boating and Alcohol Laws Unfortunately, boating under the influence (BUI) is a significant issue on American waterways. In fact, boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs is a factor in approxim...

Responsible boaters understand that every time they place a boat in the water, they risk polluting the marine environment. Keep the waters clean by following both the federal and state laws that are i...

Towing and Boat Trailering Boat trailering safely isn’t difficult. It’s a matter of choosing the right towing equipment, using common sense when loading and unloading your boat and being conf...

Maintaining Your Boat Don’t let a breakdown spoil a great day on the water. As a responsible boater, you must check and maintain your boat and its equipment on a regular basis. This practice will fa...

What is a Float Plan? A Float Plan, also called a Trip Plan, is a document that outlines your expected travel journey while boating. Consider it a way of leaving a footprint on the water that can be f...

Checking the Weather and Water Keeping an eye to the sky is an important part of planning any outdoor adventure. In many cases, both your safety and your enjoyment of the outdoor trip will depend enti...

Sound Signal Devices Sound signals are used to attract the attention of other boaters and to aid with navigation. A sound signalling device can be a whistle, a bell, a horn or a gong. All of these dev...