Learn to safely navigate Southwest Florida’s waterways

America’s Boating Course helps boaters learn Florida laws, in addition to boat handling, navigating and anchoring.

America’s Boating Club Fort Myers wants boaters to learn the rules and regulations of the water. It’s offering America’s Boating Course to the general public.

People will learn all aspects of boating, including Florida laws, boat handling, navigating and anchoring. This course is approved by the state of Florida for boaters of all types of watercraft. Florida law requires persons born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 to complete this course prior to operating a vessel powered by a motor of 10 horsepower or more. Most boaters who complete this course also enjoy savings on their boat insurance.

Most boating accidents and fatalities occur in benign conditions, with calm waters. In the vast majority of accidents, the simple lack of experience and maintaining a proper lookout was the cause. This ABC course teaches the importance of keeping a “seaman’s eye” at all times. “Where data was known, 3 out of 4 deaths in 2022 were associated with vessels where the operator did not have boating safety instruction,” said Scott Szczepaniac, Recreational Boating Safety Specialist for the Coast Guard’s 7th district, which includes South Carolina, Georgia, Florida and the Virgin Islands. Nationally, “Yet the vast majority of them had over 100 hours of boating experience.”

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“Of the 636 boaters who died in fatal accidents in 2022, the number of operators who had taken a boating class from our organization was zero,” said Bob Moro, administrative officer for the Fort Myers Power Squadron. “No other organization can claim that. You don’t learn how to be safe on the water by going for a boat ride. You learn that in a classroom.”

Registration and a short introduction to the course begins on Sunday, Feb. 25, from 2 to 3:30 p.m. If you miss registration, you can still take the two-session class. It begins on Sunday, March 3, from 2 to 6 p.m. and ends on Sunday, March 10. That class runs from 2 to 6:30 p.m., and includes a short test required for receipt of a Florida Boater ID card. The cost is $50, or $60 for couples sharing educational materials, which includes a comprehensive boating manual that is yours to keep. Complimentary refreshments are included. The squadron building is located at 3145 Royalston Ave. For details or to register, contact Commander Sam Bonilla, AP at 612-418-7821.

The Fort Myers Power Squadron is the oldest America’s Boating Club Squadron in the area, serving the Fort Myers boating community for 70 years. ¦

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