Sports
Memorial Day Weekend and Safe Boating
Boating Safety Tips! Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kickoff to the summer season and thousands of boaters will be out on the waters
![WWW.BoatSafeUS.com](https://patch.com/img/cdn20/users/22538049/20230505/052039/styles/patch_image/public/000000-bob-boat-website___05172020294.jpg)
Memorial Day weekend is the unofficial kickoff to the summer season and thousands of boaters will be out on the waters. Unfortunately, it can be a dangerous combination of alcohol, fast watercraft, congestion, and sloppy boating practices.
No matter how much experience you have, it is always a good idea to review boating safety rules before you go out boating. Here are some basic boating safety tips to help you stay safe:
Be Aware of the Weather Always check local weather conditions before departure; TV and radio forecasts can be a good source of information. If you notice darkening clouds, rough changing winds or sudden drops in temperature, play it safe by getting off the water.
Find out what's happening in Long Branch-Eatontownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
Follow a Pre-Departure Checklist Proper boating safety includes being prepared for any possibility on the water. Following a pre-departure checklist is the best way to make sure no boating safety rules or precautions have been overlooked or forgotten.
Develop a Float Plan Whether you choose to inform a family member or staff at your local marina, always be sure to let someone else know your float plan. This should include
Find out what's happening in Long Branch-Eatontownwith free, real-time updates from Patch.
WHO you are with, including name(s) and phone number(s) of all passengers
WHAT you are boating on - boat type and registration information
WHEN how long you are going to be gone - time you're leaving and returning
WHERE you are going / trip itinerary
HOW to get in touch with you - types of communication and signal equipment onboard, such as an Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB) or Personal Locator Beacon (PLB)
USE YOUR LIFEJACKETS! The majority of drowning victims are the result of boaters not wearing their lifejackets? Make sure that your family and friends aren't part of this statistic by assigning and fitting each member of your onboard team with a life jacket prior to departure. Children under 12 are REQUIRED to wear them at all times. Wear it!
Avoid Alcohol Practice boating safety at all times by saving the alcohol for later. The probability of being involved in a boating accident doubles when alcohol is involved and studies have shown that the effects of alcohol are exacerbated by sun and wind.
Learn to Swim If you are going to be in and around the water, proper boating safety includes knowing how to swim.
Get a Free USCG Vessel Safety Check Take advantage of a free vessel safety check from the US Coast Guard. They offer complimentary boat examinations to verify the presence and condition of certain safety equipment required by state and federal regulations. They will provide a specialist to check out your boat and make helpful boating safety tips and recommendations.
Use Common Sense One of the most important parts of boating safety is to use your common sense. This means operating at a safe speed at all times (especially in crowded areas), staying alert at all times and steering clear of large vessels and watercraft that can be restricted in their ability to stop or turn. Also, be respectful of buoys and other navigational aids, all of which have been placed there to ensure your own safety.
If the primary navigator is injured or incapacitated in any way, it's important to make sure someone else can follow the proper boating safety rules to get everyone else back to shore.
Take a Boating Safety Course - which is REQUIRED in NJ. Beginning boaters and experienced experts alike need to be familiar with the boating safety rules of operation. Boater education requirements vary by state; however, some require validated completion of at least one boating safety course. So whether you are in New Jersey or going to another state - know their specific certification requirements. Our course is NASBLA approved and recognized by most other states.
For more information and for Boating Safety classes that are NJ State Police Approved and NASBLA Certified, go to www.BoatSafeUS.com or call 609-613-2339. Our instructors will provide you with a fun-filled and educational look at Boat Safety in New Jersey. All our instructors at Boat Safe US, LLC are certified and approved to instruct by the NJ State Police Marine Division and our course is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA).
Take the class - Be on the water for Memorial Day!
In NJ, you can take the in-person class, or take an on-line class and join us for the proctored exam. Boat-Ed.com and BoaterExam.com as online course providers.
Full, In-Person Classes (Includes Exam!)
Manville - Monday & Wednesday, 5/8/2023 & 5/10/2023
Atlantic Highlands - Tuesday & Thursday, 5/9/2023 & 5/11/2023
Toms River - Tuesday & Friday, 5/9/2023 & 5/12/2023
Beach Haven - Saturday, 5/13/2023
Point Pleasant Beach - Monday & Thursday, 5/15/2023 & 5/18/2023
Clifton - Tuesday & Wednesday, 5/16/2023 & 5/17/2023
Keyport - Tuesday & Thursday, 5/16/2023 & 5/18/2023
Mays Landing - Tuesday & Thursday, 5/16/2023 & 5/18/2023
Bayville - Wednesday & Friday, 5/17/2023 & 5/19/2023
Toms River - Saturday, 5/20/2023
Beach Haven - Sunday, 5/21/2023
Parsippany - Monday & Wednesday, 5/22/2023 & 5/24/2023
Point Pleasant Beach - Monday & Tuesday, 5/22/2023 & 5/23/2023
Waretown - Monda & Wednesday, 5/22/2023 & 5/24/2023
Atlantic Highlands - Tuesday & Thursday, 5/23/2023 & 5/25/2023
Scotch Plains - Tuesday & Thursday, 5/23/2023 & 5/25/2023
Toms River - Tuesday & Friday, 5/23/2023 & 5/26/2023
Parsippany - Saturday, 5/27/2023
Clifton - Monday & Wednesday, 5/30/2023 & 5/31/2023
Mays Landing - Tuesday & Thursday, 5/30/2023 & 6/1/2023
Exams for the Online Course:
Cherry Hill - Sunday, 5/7/2023
Manville - Monday, 5/8/2023
Manville - Wednesday, 5/10/2023
Marlton - Wednesday, 5/10/2023
Princeton - Wednesday, 5/10/2023
Atlantic Highlands - Thursday, 5/11/2023
Clifton - Thursday, 5/11/2023
Toms River - Friday, 5/12/2023
Beach Haven - Saturday, 5/13/2023
Parsippany - Saturday, 5/13/2023
Toms River - Saturday, 5/13/2023
Beach Haven - Sunday, 5/14/2023
Waretown - Monday, 5/15/2023
Clifton - Tuesday, 5/16/2023
Beach Haven - Wednesday, 5/17/2023
Clifton - Wednesday, 5/17/2023
Bordentown - Thursday, 5/18/2023
Keyport - Thursday, 5/18/2023
Mays Landing - Thursday, 5/18/2023
Point Pleasant Beach - Thursday, 5/18/2023
Bayville - Friday, 5/19/2023
Atlantic Highlands - Saturday, 5/20/2023
Manville - Saturday, 5/20/2023
Toms River - Saturday, 5/20/2023
Toms River - Saturday, 5/20/2023
Beach Haven - Sunday, 5/21/2023
Beach Haven - Sunday, 5/21/2023
Atlantic Highlands - Monday, 5/22/2023
Parsippany - Monday, 5/22/2023
Waretown - Monday, 5/22/2023
Point Pleasant Beach - Tuesday, 5/23/2023
Scotch Plains - Tuesday, 5/23/2023
Toms River - Tuesday, 5/23/2023
Parsippany - Wednesday, 5/24/2023
Waretown - Wednesday, 5/24/2023
Atlantic Highlands - Thursday, 5/25/2023
Bordentown - Thursday, 5/25/2023
Scotch Plains - Thursday, 5/25/2023
Manville - Friday, 5/26/2023
Toms River - Friday, 5/26/2023
Atlantic Highlands - Saturday, 5/27/2023
Beach Haven - Saturday, 5/27/2023
Parsippany - Saturday, 5/27/2023
Parsippany - Saturday, 5/27/2023
Toms River - Saturday, 5/27/2023
Toms River - Sunday, 5/28/2023
Clifton - Tuesday, 5/30/2023
Clifton - Wednesday, 5/31/2023
Somers Point - Tuesday, 5/9/2023
Brick - Saturday, 5/13/2023
Brick - Saturday, 5/27/2023
#boat, #boating, #NJ, #NJSP, #Marine, #BoatSafetyCertificate, #BoatLicense, #BoatSafe, #BoatUS #MemorialDay #WearIT #Atlantic_Highlands #Bayville #Beach_Haven #Bordentown #Brick #Cherry_Hill #Clifton #Keyport #Manville #Marlton #Mays_Landing #Parsippany #Point_Pleasant #Princeton #Scotch_Plains #Somers_Point #Toms_River #Waretown #Westfield #ocean