FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Spring Aboard: Encouraging boaters to Keep Your Edge this boating season
LEXINGTON, Ky. (January 24, 2019) – It may not feel like boating season yet, but boating safety advocates are urging boaters to Keep Your Edge by enrolling in a boating education course this spring. The Spring Aboard – Take A Boating Education Course campaign encourages boaters to get educated prior to the kick-off of the boating season to make the most of your time on the water. Many education providers and partners offer discounts or other incentives for students who enroll in or complete a boating safety course during the week of March 17-23, 2019. Boaters are encouraged to take a boating education course if they have never taken one before, or to take a course as a refresher in order to prepare for the boating season ahead.
“Taking a boating education course is the first thing everyone should do before they go boating. These courses teach you about navigation rules, laws that must be followed in your state and provide safety checklists that will go a long way in helping you and your loved ones have a fun and enjoyable boating season,” says Mark Brown, President of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), lead organization for the campaign. “Whether you are a first time boater or have years of experience, there is always more to learn when taking to the water. Taking a boating education course is one of the best things you can do to prevent accidents on the water.”
U.S. Coast Guard statistics indicate that of the accidents where the level of operator education was known, 81% of boating deaths occurred on boats where the boat operator had never received boating education instruction.
With today’s wide variety of courses available, there’s a course for every boater. There are multiple options, from classroom courses to online offerings that are available anytime to fit your schedule. Education course providers and offerings will vary by state. Check with your local course provider or state boating agency to find out what courses are accepted in your state. Many states require completion of a NASBLA approved course for powerboat rental or operation. To ensure a course qualifies, look for the ‘NASBLA-Approved’ logo.
The annual Spring Aboard campaign is led by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and produced under a grant administered by the U.S. Coast Guard. It is supported by state, federal and nonprofit partners and is open to participation by all states, territories, boating education organizations, instructors, and course providers. For more information, visit www.springaboard.org.
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The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators is a national nonprofit organization that works to develop public policy for recreational boating safety. NASBLA represents the recreational boating authorities of all 56 states and the U.S. territories. The association offers a variety of resources, including training, model acts, education standards and publications. Through a national network of thousands of professional educators, law enforcement officers and volunteers, NASBLA affects the lives of over 73.5 million American boaters.
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