Earlier this week, I was at home debating my options. It was rainy, cold and windy. A fishing trip didn’t seem like a good idea. Thinking about how much rain we had, I thought maybe it was time to start building that ark. But the price of wood has skyrocketed. So, I finally managed to do something that I had postponed for a long time. I took the online boat education course in South Carolina and earned my Boat Education Certificate.
You do not need to take an approved boater training course to operate a boat in South Carolina, unless you are under the age of 16 and want to operate a jet ski or a boat powered by an unsupervised boat. 15- power engine or more. I have already passed that age requirement and operated a boat without incident for decades. At one point, I had a six-passenger license from the US Coast Guard before I let it expire.
I didn’t need to take the class, but I thought it would be a good update. The preferred method for sailor education classes is face-to-face, many of which are free. But the online version fits my schedule better. I visited the SC Department of Natural Resources website (dnr.sc.gov/education/boated.html), signed up for the online version ($ 34.95 plus $ 5 for SC boat continuing education cards) and dove for several hours in boat education.
The class is divided into six units and, at the end of each unit, you answer a short multiple-choice questionnaire.
The first unit started with “Parts of a Boat”. Arch. Stern. Gunnel. Cleat. Lights. Free board. Elementary things that, if you don’t know, you shouldn’t operate a boat anyway. You quickly learn about port, which is the left side of the boat, and starboard, the right side.
You advance in the differences between displacement hulls (sailing boats) and gliding hulls (motor boats and personal watercraft). You learn that personal watercraft are subject to the same laws and requirements as any other vessel, in addition to some specific laws for jet skis. Next came the sailboats and, as I don’t sail, there were some terms of navigation that I didn’t recognize.
I learned how a boat’s capacity is determined – boat length times boat width divided by 15.
The float plans and their needs are explained, and you can download a float plan for extended tours. At a minimum, you must inform a responsible person when you are leaving, where you are going and when you plan to return. Give this person a phone number to contact your local authorities if you do not return as expected. Contact this person when you return or decide to extend your time in the water.
The correct way to supply a boat is explained, as well as towing tips. Novice sailors must practice towing, especially in reverse, in an open field or parking lot before their initial launch and recovery. Courtesy on the boat ramp is also detailed.
There’s a section about us, and we’re not talking about nautical miles per hour. You learn how to tie an eight, a bow line, an anchor fold and a stud hitch, as well as the proper way to tie a boat loop.
You develop what you have learned as you progress through the class. Sailors have three main responsibilities – to practice good navigation; maintain adequate vigilance; and maintain a safe speed.
I found that I was not familiar with the terminology, such as the ship giving way and the stand-on ship. The ceded vessel must take early and substantial steps to stay well away from other vessels, stopping, slowing or changing course. Avoid crossing in front of other boats. Any change of course and / or speed must be large enough to be easily apparent to another vessel. (A series of small changes should be avoided.) The stationary vessel must maintain its course and speed, unless it becomes apparent that the vessel that is yielding is not taking adequate measures. If you need to act, don’t turn in the direction of the outgoing ship or cross in front of it.
Unit 3 presents navigation aids and the meanings of the red nun buoy, the green can, the day marks of the red triangle and the day marks with green squares. Returning to the right of the sea means keeping the red markers to the right of your boat (starboard side) when you are operating your boat.
As you progress through the lesson, sailors are taught about the effects of alcohol, accidents and how to avoid them and the importance of not only carrying the appropriate personal flotation devices (PFDs), but also the importance of using them. Fire extinguishers, hypothermia, first aid and climate are explained. The instructional part of the lesson ends with Sharing Your Boat Fun.
To receive the Boater Training Certificate, you must successfully complete a 60-question questionnaire. You can take a 60-question practice test before taking the real one. I am happy to report that I passed with a score of 96 percent. I feel like I already knew most of the course material. South Carolina is already one of the main states in the country based on the number of sailors and that number continues to rise. For those just starting out on a boat, do yourself a favor and do this or one of the many other Boater Education Lessons before getting into the water. And those cold, rainy winter days are a good time to take the course before it’s time to really get out and enjoy the waters of our state.