Western Outdoor Times - Times Spent Outdoors: Priceless!

Summer boating season is in full swing and you've been enjoying your time on the water. Has it all been good so far?

Maybe you've found yourself in a situation where, perhaps, you felt less-than-confident behind the wheel, or simply got a sense that something didn't feel safe. The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water has the fix for that: Taking a free online boating safety course can help make you feel good behind the helm – prepared, more confident, and able to handle situations that pop up.

If that's not a good enough reason, the U.S. Coast Guard reports that 74% of boating fatalities occur on boats where the boat operator did not have boating safety instruction.

Recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard and approved by NASBLA for 36 state boating license agencies, the Foundation's free boating safety course allows you to start and stop at any time, fitting into your busy schedule. When completed, you may print your state's boating safety education certificate. More than 2.3 million boaters have taken the course since it was first offered in 1997.

"Whether you're new to boating or experienced doesn't matter," says Ted Sensenbrenner, BoatUS Foundation director of boating safety. "Everyone stands to gain by taking a boating safety education course – including all of the boaters who share waters with you," he added.

The BoatUS Foundation Boating Safety course covers state and federal regulations on how to operate your boat safely and legally. This includes rules of the road including navigation, boating etiquette, waterway traffic and common boating hazards, trip planning, communication, required safety equipment including the importance of life jackets, safe refueling, environmental considerations, basic maintenance and more. Animations, videos and knowledge assessments ensure you get the most out of the course.

To take your state's course, go to BoatUS.org/Free.