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BOATING  

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Department of Education offers public education classes in your area that will teach safe boating skills and seamanship.

For information on a class near you call 1 (800) 563-3370 or 563-3370

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Ohio Boater Education Course

The American Red Cross offers Ohio Boater Education Courses in cooperation with and provided through a grant from the Ohio Department of Natural Resources - Division of Watercraft.

The Ohio Boater Education course is an introductory course in boating and safety. The OBEC is a nationally recognized course. Course topics include the following:

• Required Equipment
• Rules of the Road
• Operation Regulations
• Weather
• Safe Boating Skills

Most insurance companies recognize the Ohio Boater Education Course and often offer a 5% to 10% reduction in insurance for those individuals receiving the Ohio Boater Education Course certification.

The American Red Cross offers courses throughout the year. Course locations include Beachwood, North Olmsted, Cleveland and Geauga County. Course fee is $20 per student and pre-registration is required.

For further information, contact the American Red Cross, Chardon office 285-4911

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Division of Watercraft - Division 5

Contact: 216 361-1212

Nine hour Ohio Boating Education Course
Cities where courses are held:

• Brecksville
• Brook Park
• Burton
• Cleveland
• Fairport Harbor
• Garfield
• Lorain
• Madison
• Orange
• Rocky River
• Strongsville

Courses are held January through June

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U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary - Cleveland

Contact: 632-5295

Boating Skills and Seamanship Courses
Cities where courses are held:

• Chardon (April)
• Euclid (February)
• Mayfield (February)
• Mentor (February)

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Cleveland Power Squadron

Contact: Neil Steiger
216 283-7452

Eight-Week Public Boating Courses
Cities where courses are held:

• Bainbridge
• Bedford
• Eastlake
• Euclid
• Parma
• Shaker Heights
• Twinsburg

Courses are held in February, September and October

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Tips for Safe Boating*

• Be aware of the weather conditions and bring a portable radio to stay aware
• Bring extra gear such as flashlight, extra batteries, matches, maps, flares, sun tan lotion, first aid kit, extra sunglasses. Use a watertight pouch that floats for those items that need protection.
• Tell someone where you are going, who's going with you, and how long you will be gone
• Ventilate after fueling
• Stay dry and warm
• Keep fishing and hunting gear clean and well-packed
• Stay low or near the center when changing seats in a small boat
• Be aware of powerboats that pass by too closely creating a dangerous wake
• Anchor from bow, not stern
• Take a safe boating course

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Canoeing Tips*

• Keep your center of gravity low, and move slowly and deliberately
• Transfer your weight slowly to the bottom center of the canoe
• Board your canoe directly into your paddling position whenever possible
• For maximum control and stability always kneel in canoes, even though some canoes have seats.

To exit the canoe, reverse the above description.

If you have capsized, relax, and make contact with the canoe with your hands. Stay upside down long enough to extract feet and legs from the canoe. Then surface, maintaining contact with the canoe. Keep your eyes open.

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Shipshape is Firesafe*

• Be alert for damage to your boat's fuel system.
• Inspect the fuel tanks annually.
• Be sure the fuel pipe is tightly fitted to fill the plate, and located outside closed compartments.
• If a hose or fuel tank is leaking, replace it before using your boat.
• On a boat with portable fuel tanks, make sure the vents can be closed, and that the tanks have a vapor-tight, leak-proof cap.
• If the boat has powered ventilation (a bilge blower) make sure the blower operates correctly.
• Be sure heating and cooking appliances on board are secure and operate properly.
• Make sure that flammable items are stowed safely, and cannot come into contact with cooking or heating appliances, or hot engine parts
• Make sure Coast Guard Approved fire extinguishers on board are in working order - that gauges register, and that nozzles are clear.
• Look for bare wires or loose electrical connections.
• Do not store small disposable propane cylinders or charcoal lighting fluid on board.
• Conduct a bow-to-stern inspection, checking for loose fuel, gas fumes, and any malfunctioning instruments.

Before casting off get in the habit of completing these five procedures:

1. "Sniff" your bilges for fuel/vapor leaks.
2. Operate the bilge blower for at least four minutes before starting an inboard engine.
3. Make sure the location of your fire extinguishers is known to all passengers.
4. When refueling, close all hatches, ports, and other openings: shut off all engines and motors: and refrain from smoking. Fill all portable tanks on the dock.
5. After refueling, wipe up or wash off any excess or spilled fuel, open all hatches and ports, and let the boat air blow out.

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Remember: You are required by law to report boating accidents

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*Tips courtesy of the U.S. Coast Guard