Central Lincoln County Adult Education

This is the course that meets Maine’s requirement for people born on or after January 1, 1999 to operate boats inland and coastal waters. Learn boating skills from experienced boaters who patrol midcoast coastal waters from Small Point to Port Clyde.

TOPICS INCLUDE: Introduction to Boating: types of power boats, boating terms, sailboats paddle boats, and engine types. Boating Laws: Boat registration, regulations, hull identification numbers, required safety equipment, Federal boating laws, state boating laws, and reporting accidents. Safety Equipment: life jackets, fire extinguishers, sound-producing devices, visual distress signals, anchors, and other safety equipment. Safe Operation and Navigation: buoys and beacons, aids to navigation, navigation rules, docking, and the dangers of alcohol on the water. Boating Emergencies: hypothermia, boating accidents, man overboard, capsizing, emergency radio calls, carbon monoxide dangers, and weather. Trailering: types of trailers, lights, hitches, towing a trailer. Sports and Boating: water-skiing, hunting and hunting gear, personal watercraft operation, and other boating tips.

New Maine Boating Law: to operate a boat over 25 hp, on inland and coastal waters persons born on or after Jan. 1, 1999 must have taken an in-person Boat America course, pass an exam, have the state’s Boat America card, and be registered in the Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife data base. Completing this course satisfies the requirements.