US boating license: state boater education cards
Skipper by day, close to shelter
Units62
Modules8
Ready now45
Done0
Set by each state: who needs it, the approved courses and the test. California's home-study test has 60 questions (80% to pass); New York's classroom final has 50 (76%). The card is for life.
What you study
COLREG
Inshore skipper
- Who the rules apply to, and key definitions
- Look-out, safe speed, risk of collision and action to avoid it
- Narrow channels and traffic separation schemes
- Sailing vessels, overtaking and head-on situations
- Crossing: who gives way, who stands on
- Responsibilities between vessels
- Restricted visibility
- Quiz: the steering and sailing rules
- Lights you show and see on a small boat
- Lights: definitions, power-driven and towing vessels
- Lights: sailing, fishing, restricted and anchored vessels
- Quiz: lights and shapes
- Vessel lights in 3D
- Sound and light signals
- Distress signals (Rule 37 and Annex IV)
- Quiz: sound signals
- Game: sound signal guess
- Key terms: COLREG
- COLREG foundations check
IALA
Inshore skipper
Meteorology
Crew
Inshore skipper
- Practice: read a forecast and decide whether to go
- Quiz: marine weather
Ropes and knots
Crew
Emergencies
Crew
- Safety equipment and the crew safety briefing
- Fire on board: prevention and fighting
- Safety on board: foundations check
Manoeuvring
Inshore skipper
- Propeller walk, rudder, wind and current
- Berthing and leaving the berth
- Docking simulator
- Towing and being towed
- Anchoring manoeuvres: choosing a spot, letting go and the anchor watch
Ship and engines
Inshore skipper
Law and watchkeeping
Inshore skipper
- Boating rules: licences, documents, required equipment and zones
- Quiz: boating rules
- Boating rules check
State boating agencies (NASBLA-approved courses)United States: all licences