BOATsmart! USA Knowledge Base

Modules and Lessons

1. Boating Basics
   1. Boating Basics
   2. Boating Basics Continued
   3. The Hull
   4. Hull Styles
   5. Definitions: Parts of a Boat
   6. Definitions: Parts of a Personal Watercraft
   7. Engine Types
   8. Your Boat’s Gross Load Capacity and Horsepower Recommendations
   9. Determining Your Boat’s Capacities
   10. Personal Watercraft Capacities
   +5 more lessons
2. Boating Equipment
   1. Lifejackets and Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)
   2. What is a ‘Coast Guard-Approved’ Lifejacket/PFD?
   3. Lifejacket Classifications and Types
   4. Type I: Offshore Lifejacket
   5. Type II: Near-Shore Buoyancy Vest
   6. Type III: Flotation Aid
   7. Type IV: Throwable Device
   8. Type V: Special-Use Devices
   9. Federal Regulations for Inflatable Lifejackets
   10. Understanding Lifejacket/PFD Labels
   +23 more lessons
3. Getting on the Water
   1. Checking Local Weather and Water Conditions
   2. Boater Skill Level and Poor Weather Conditions
   3. Using Your Local Weather and Water Reports
   4. Using Your Local Weather and Water Reports Continued
   5. Identifying Dangerous Weather and Water Conditions
   6. Staying Safe in Stormy Weather
   7. Staying Safe in Stormy Weather Continued
   8. Checking For Local Hazards
   9. What is a Float Plan?
   10. Maintaining Your Boat
   +19 more lessons
4. Safe Responsible Boat Operation
   1. Environmental Laws and Regulations
   2. Litter Laws
   3. The Disposal of Toxic Substances
   4. Information Placards and Waste Management Plans
   5. Human Waste Disposal
   6. Human Waste Disposal Continued
   7. Aquatic Nuisance Species
   8. Boating and Alcohol and/or Drug Use
   9. The Effects of Drinking Alcohol and/or Using Drugs While Operating a Boat
   10. The negative effects of drinking alcohol while boating include:
   +5 more lessons
5. Navigating the Waterways
   1. The Navigation Rules : Disclaimer
   2. Common Navigation Rule Violations
   3. Determining Your Position and Course of Direction
   4. Determining the Risk of Collision
   5. The Responsibility Between Vessels Rule
   6. Determining Right-of-Way
   7. Collision Avoidance Rules: Powerboats - Head-on Approach
   8. Collision Avoidance Rules: Powerboats - Port (Left) Approach
   9. Collision Avoidance Rules: Powerboats - Starboard (Right) Approach
   10. Collision Avoidance Rules: Powerboats - Overtaking
   +17 more lessons
6. Other Water Activities Emergency Preparation
   1. Diving and Snorkeling Requirements
   2. Towed Sports
   3. Towed Sports Safety
   4. Using Hand Signals
   5. Carbon Monoxide
   6. Propeller Strike Awareness
   7. Operating a Personal Watercraft: Handling Characteristics
   8. How to Re-Board a Personal Watercraft from Deep Water:
   9. Personal Watercraft Accident Risks
   10. Small Boats and Situational Awareness
   +24 more lessons