Why You Should Choose a NASBLA-Approved Boating Education Course
When it's finally boating season, people across the country are itching to get on the water. If you're new to boat ownership or ready to expand your knowledge, a boating certificate or education course is the first step to being prepared on the water.
A simple internet search will lead you to several resources for boating courses in your area. However, boating certificate courses are not a "to-may-to, to-mahh-to" situation.
Not all courses have a stamp of approval from government and official agencies. However, Boat-Ed courses do!
Why is it important to choose a NASBLA-approved boating education course? Keep reading to find out!
What Is NASBLA (and Why Does It Matter)?
So what is NASBLA, and why is their stamp of approval so critical?
NASBLA is a national nonprofit organization that works to develop public policy for recreational boating safety. They represent the recreational boating authorities of all 50 states and the U.S. territories.
"Official" courses are approved by the state boating safety agencies and the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA). Plus, they are recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard. In fact, Boat-Ed courses are the only ones used by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.
NASBLA Helps Set the Standard for Boater Safety
NASBLA works closely with the U. S. Coast Guard to provide boaters with valuable knowledge of waterway safety, advocate for boating laws, and maintain education and training standards.
Since 2012, boating safety course providers must adhere to stringent standards covering boat ownership and water activities. Course design, state-specific requirements, and course delivery methods are also included in the thorough process of becoming an official course.
Do NASBLA-Approved Courses Really Make a Difference?
Even with all of these steps required to deliver "approved" courses, how do boaters know that a NASBLA course actually makes a difference?
In the latest release of recreational boating statistics from the U.S. Coast Guard (covering data from 2022), the report cites some key areas resulting from improved boater education and safety measures. These stats include:
- 4,040 boating incidents in 2022 (a decrease of 9 percent from 2021)
- The fatality rate was 5.4 deaths per 100,000 (down 1.5 percent from 5.5 deaths per 100,000 in 2021)
- Of the 636 boating fatalities in 2022, 74% of them were due to operator inexperience and lack of boating education
In the report, the U.S. Coast Guard strongly recommends that boaters take an approved safety course to help avoid accidents and prevent deaths on the water. These courses are a vital ingredient to safe boating every season.
Boaters Can Lower Accident Statistics
Each NASBLA-approved boating safety course equips boaters with the knowledge to avoid and anticipate situations that can lead to accidents. If a seal of approval from NASBLA will give you a greater chance of having safe boating experiences, why would you consider anything else?
Taking a boating safety course and adhering to the best practices you learn can save a life!
What Is an Approved Boating Safety Course?
What's the difference between an approved course and what that isn't? Boat-Ed is an excellent example of multi-agency-approved courses that deliver the highest standards of boat safety education.
At Boat-Ed, we want everyone to make safe decisions on the water to avoid boating safety mistakes that can result in injury, loss of property, or loss of life.
Our courses are:
- Approved by the state agency administring each state's Boater Education Card
- Recognized by the United States Coast Guard, meeting the standards of the National Recreational Boating Safety Program
- Approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) to meet the National Boating Education Standards
When taking one of our courses, you can trust that we've put the time and effort into covering every safety requirement to protect you and your friends and family every time you venture out on a boat.
Get Ready for the Season With a Boat-Ed Boating Safety Course
We hope we've explained why a NASBLA-approved boating safety course is important! Once you've taken your online course and passed the exam, your certification doesn't expire. However, to continue learning about staying safe on the water, you can always visit our blog for more safety and educational tips.
Get ready for boating season so you waste no time hitting the water safely! Find the approved course for your state or location in Canada, create your account, and then start learning! Our online courses are available on your phone, desktop, or tablet, so you can learn at your own pace – anywhere!
