Boating on the 4th of July

One of the busiest boating holidays will be here before we know it - 4th of July. There's no better time to take a boat out on the water than Independence Day. Summer is in full swing so the weather is beautiful and most people are off work and school so the whole family can enjoy a day on the water. It's the perfect way to cap off your long weekend.

With the increase in boats on the water, and people celebrating, boating safety is that much more important. Independence Day,

Memorial Day, and Labor Day often account for more than one-third of annual boating accidents and fatalities. So with that in mind, here

are some tips that will allow you to stay safe when taking the boat out on this holiday weekend.

No matter how much experience you have, it's 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 Weather-Wise 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.

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

WHO you're with, including name(s) and phone number(s) of all passengers

WHAT you're boating on - boat type and registration information

WHEN how long you're going to be gone

WHERE you're 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)

Make Proper Use of Lifejackets Did you know that 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're going to be in and around the water, proper boating safety includes knowing how to swim.

Leave your Pooch at Home! More dogs are lost on the 4th of July than any other day of the year. Make sure they have their license tags on their collars, just in case. And leave them safe at

home.

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.

For more information and for Boating Safety classes, as well as the online course and proctored exam, that are NJ State Police Approved and NASBLA Certified, go to www.BoatSafeUS.com. Our Instructors will provide you with a fun-filled and educational look at Boat Safety in New Jersey.

All of 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, pass the exam - Be on the water for 4th of July!

www.BoatSafeUS.com

Exam Sessions:

Toms River Elks

600 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ 08753

Monday, 6/20/2022, 6:00pm to 7:30pm (Parking Lot)

Friday, 6/24/2022, 8:00pm to 9:30pm (Indoors/Hall)

Saturday, 6/25/2022, 8:00am to 9:30am (Parking Lot)

Sunday, 6/26/2022, 8:00am to 9:30am (Parking Lot)

Tuesday, 6/28/2022, 6:00pm to 7:30pm (Parking Lot)

Tuesday, 6/28/2022, 8:00pm to 9:30pm (Indoors/Hall)

Crystal Point Yacht Club

3900 River Road, Point Pleasant, NJ 08742

Tuesday, 6/21/2022, 6:00pm to 7:30pm (Parking Lot)

Friday, 6/24/2022, 6:00pm to 7:30pm (Parking Lot)

Tuesday, 6/28/2022, 6:00pm to 7:30pm (Parking Lot)

Beach Haven Fire Company

Corner of S Bay Ave & Amber St, Beach Haven, NJ 08008

Sunday, 6/26/2022, 3:00pm to 4:30pm (Indoors/Hall)

Saturday, 7/2/2022, 8:30am to 10:00am (Indoors/Hall)

Saturday, 7/16/2022, 3:00pm to 4:30pm (Indoors/Hall)

Brigantine VFW

121 31st Street South, Unit A, Brigantine, NJ 08203

Monday, 6/20/2022, 6:00pm to 7:30pm (Parking Lot)

Friday, 7/1/2022, 6:00pm to 7:30pm (Indoors/Hall)

Thursday, 7/7/2022, 8:00pm to 9:30pm (Indoors/Hall)

Bayville VFW

383 Veterans Blvd, Bayville, NJ 08721

Friday, 6/24/2022, 5:00pm to 6:30pm (Indoors/Hall)

Thursday, 6/30/2022, 6:00pm to 7:30pm (Indoors/Hall)

Friday, 7/15/2022, 8:00pm to 9:30pm (Indoors/Hall)

Friday, 7/22/2022, 8:00pm to 9:30pm (Indoors/Hall)

Osbornville Baptist Church

366 Drum Point Road, Brick, NJ 08723

Saturday, 6/25/2022, 10:30am to 12:00pm (Parking Lot)

Thursday, 6/30/2022, 6:00pm to 7:30pm (Parking Lot)

Full Class in 1 or 2 sessions: Bayville VFW

383 Veterans Blvd, Bayville, NJ 08721

Thursday, 7/14/2022 and Friday, 7/15/2022, 6:00pm to 9:30pm (Both Days)

Thursday , 8/18/2022 and Friday , 8/19/2022, 6:00pm to 9:30pm (Both Days)

Thursday , 9/1/2022 and Friday , 9/2/2022, 6:00pm to 9:30pm (Both Days)

Beach Haven Fire Company

Corner of S Bay Ave & Amber St, Beach Haven, NJ 08008

Sunday, 6/26/2022, 08:00am to 4:30pm One Day Class

Saturday, 7/16/2022, 08:00am to 4:30pm One Day Class

Monday, 7/18/2022 and Wednesday, 7/20/2022, 6:00pm to 9:30pm (Both Days)

Sunday, 7/24/2022, 08:00am to 4:30pm One Day Class

Sunday, 7/31/2022, 08:00am to 4:30pm One Day Class

Tuesday, 8/2/2022 and Thursday, 8/4/2022, 6:00pm to 9:30pm (Both Days)

Sunday, 8/14/2022, 08:00am to 4:30pm One Day Class

Brigantine VFW

121 31st Street South, Unit A, Brigantine, NJ 08203

Tuesday, 7/5/2022 and Thursday, 7/7/2022, 6:00pm to 9:30pm (Both Days)

Monday, 7/18/2022 and Wednesday, 7/20/2022, 6:00pm to 9:30pm (Both Days)

Tuesday, 8/9/2022 and Thursday, 8/11/2022, 6:00pm to 9:30pm (Both Days)

Mays Landing VFW Post 220

1209 N. Cape May Ave/Route 50, Mays Landing, NJ 08330

Monday, 6/20/2022 & Wednesday,6/22/2022, 6:00pm to 9:30pm (Both Days)

Tuesday, 7/19/2022 & Thursday,7/21/2022, 6:00pm to 9:30pm (Both Days)

Tuesday, 8/16/2022 & Thursday,8/18/2022, 6:00pm to 9:30pm (Both Days)

Toms River Elks

600 Washington Street, Toms River, NJ 08753

Wednesday, 6/22/2022 and Friday, 6/24/22, 6:00pm to 9:30pm Both Days

Monday, 7/11/2022 and Wednesday, 7/13/22, 6:00pm to 9:30pm Both Days

Tuesday, 8/16/2022 and Thursday, 8/18/22, 6:00pm to 9:30pm Both Days