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Community Corner

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
WWW.BoatSafeUS.com (Boat Safe US, LLC)

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.

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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

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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 – the 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!)

Parsippany Monday, May 22, 2023 & Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Point Pleasant Beach Monday, May 22, 2023 & Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Waretown Monday, May 22, 2023 & Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Atlantic Highlands Tuesday, May 23, 2023 & Thursday, May 25, 2023

Scotch Plains Tuesday, May 23, 2023 & Thursday, May 25, 2023

Toms River Tuesday, May 23, 2023 & Friday, May 26, 2023

Parsippany Saturday, May 27, 2023

Clifton Tuesday, May 30, 2023 & Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Flemington Tuesday, May 30, 2023 & Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Mays Landing Tuesday, May 30, 2023 & Thursday, June 1, 2023

Turnersville Tuesday, May 30, 2023 & Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Manville Saturday, June 3, 2023

Toms River Saturday, June 3, 2023

Parsippany Sunday, June 4, 2023

Beach Haven Monday, June 5, 2023 & Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Point Pleasant Beach Monday, June 5, 2023 & Tuesday, June 6, 2023

South River Monday, June 5, 2023 & Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Bordentown Tuesday, June 6, 2023 & Thursday, June 8, 2023

Longport Saturday, June 10, 2023

Manahawkin Sunday, June 11, 2023

Toms River Sunday, June 11, 2023

Bayville Monday, June 12, 2023 & Thursday, June 15, 2023

Beach Haven Monday, June 12, 2023 & Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Clifton Monday, June 12, 2023 & Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Scotch Plains Monday, June 12, 2023 & Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Atlantic Highlands Tuesday, June 13, 2023 & Thursday, June 15, 2023

Turnersville Tuesday, June 13, 2023 & Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Exams for the Online Course:

Atlantic Highlands Monday, May 22, 2023

Parsippany Monday, May 22, 2023

Waretown Monday, May 22, 2023

Point Pleasant Beach Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Scotch Plains Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Toms River Tuesday, May 23, 2023

Parsippany Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Waretown Wednesday, May 24, 2023

Atlantic Highlands Thursday, May 25, 2023

Bordentown Thursday, May 25, 2023

Scotch Plains Thursday, May 25, 2023

Manville Friday, May 26, 2023

Toms River Friday, May 26, 2023

Atlantic Highlands Saturday, May 27, 2023

Beach Haven Saturday, May 27, 2023

Brick Saturday, May 27, 2023

Parsippany Saturday, May 27, 2023

Toms River Saturday, May 27, 2023

Toms River Sunday, May 28, 2023

Clifton Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Flemington Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Somers Point Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Turnersville Tuesday, May 30, 2023

Clifton Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Flemington Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Turnersville Wednesday, May 31, 2023

Mays Landing Thursday, June 1, 2023

Toms River Thursday, June 1, 2023

Scotch Plains Friday, June 2, 2023

Manville Saturday, June 3, 2023

Toms River Saturday, June 3, 2023

Parsippany Sunday, June 4, 2023

Toms River Sunday, June 4, 2023

South River Monday, June 5, 2023

Waretown Monday, June 5, 2023

Bordentown Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Point Pleasant Beach Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Somers Point Tuesday, June 6, 2023

Beach Haven Wednesday, June 7, 2023

South River Wednesday, June 7, 2023

Bordentown Thursday, June 8, 2023

Toms River Thursday, June 8, 2023

Parsippany Saturday, June 10, 2023

Flemington Sunday, June 11, 2023

Toms River Sunday, June 11, 2023

Clifton Monday, June 12, 2023

Scotch Plains Monday, June 12, 2023

Flemington Tuesday, June 13, 2023

Turnersville Tuesday, June 13, 2023

Beach Haven Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Clifton Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Scotch Plains Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Turnersville Wednesday, June 14, 2023

Atlantic Highlands Thursday, June 15, 2023

Bayville Thursday, June 15, 2023

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