www.aboutboatingsafely.com. The course name “About Boating Safely,” begun by the Coast Guard Auxiliary, satisfies the education requirement in Florida and most Southern states and also gives boaters of all ages a solid grounding (no pun intended) in boating safety. Other organizations offer other courses which will satisfy the Florida requirements. About Boating Safely (ABS) covers subjects including boat handling, weather, charts, navigation rules, trailering, federal regulations, personal watercraft, hypothermia and more. Many insurance companies also give discounts for having taken the boater safety education course. Completion of courses qualifies attendees for Florida’s Boater Safety Card. The following are ABS courses (with asterisks **): **Ongoing — Jacksonville, FL. Mike Christnacht. (904) 502-9154. Oct. 5. Go to www.uscgajaxbeach.com for the schedule, location and to register. **Punta Gorda, FL. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 98. Oct. 12, 8-5 p.m. Starting Oct. 22, Tuesday and Thursday evenings, 6-8 p.m. $40 per person, $60 per couple. Preregistration at www.uscgauxcharlotteharbor.org, or (941) 639-3811. Punta Gorda Civic Association, 2001 Shreve Street. **Ongoing — Ruskin, FL, Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 75 Home Study Safe Boating Course. Each month. Home
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study course. $30. Additional family members $10 each for testing and certificates. Tests held bimonthly. Call (813) 677-2354. **St. Augustine, FL. Ongoing. Coast Guard Auxiliary of St. Augustine, FL. St. Augustine campus of St. Johns River State College, 2900 College Drive (off State Road 16), St. Augustine. Preregistration required. Contact Vic Aquino at (904) 460-0243. wow.uscgaux.info/ content.php?unit=070-14-07. ** St. Petersburg Sail and Power Squadron, Nov. 4. Age 12 or older. Free. Materials $35 per family. Two-hour classes held each Monday for seven weeks. 7-9 p.m. St. Petersburg Sailing Center, 250 2nd Ave. SE, Demens Landing, St. Petersburg. Pre-registration required at www.boatingstpete.org, or call (727) 498-4001. US SAILING COURSES IN THE SOUTHEAST (NC, SC, GA, FL, AL, MS, LA, TX) For more on course locations, contact information, course descriptions and prerequisites, go to http://training.ussailing.org/Course_Calendars.htm, or call (401) 683-0800, ext. 644. Check the website, since courses are often added late and after press date. US SAILING Level 1 Small Boat Instructor Course, Clearwater, FL, Oct. 1-4 Clearwater Community Sailing Assoc. Contact Rich white: Richard.white@clearwatercommunitysailing.org.
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