how to boatsmart florida boating safety course

What is the Florida boating safety course?

The official BOATsmart! Florida Boating Safety Course is approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and recognized by the US Coast Guard. BOATsmart! has provided online boating safety education across North America since 2013.

How do I prepare for the Florida boating safety test?

Boat operators in Florida can prepare for the Florida Boating Safety Test by completing the BOATsmart! Course. The 3-hours course can be completed online from your own home, and includes animated, narrated, and illustrated content for boat operators of all ages. The BOATsmart!

What is the how to boat Smart program?

The How To Boat Smart program is nationally recognized and NASBLA–approved. By completing a boating safety course, you will be able to have a safer, more enjoyable time on the water. Many insurance companies offer a discount for successful completion. Florida boaters have three ways to become certified in boating safety with the

Why choose state approved boating safety course?

State Approved boating safety course is 100% narrated, brilliantly illustrated and includes animated lessons that keep it fun and help you retain the knowledge you need to boat safely.

Is the BOATsmart exam hard?

HOW HARD IS THE TEST? The online boating test is open book and consists of 50 multiple choice questions. You'll need at least 75% (38 out of 50) to pass. Everything you need to pass is covered in the BOATsmart!

How do I reprint my boating license in Florida?

Florida Boating Safety Education I.D. Card are replaced by the FWC at no charge. For a replacement card, please contact the Florida Fish & Wildlife Conservation Commission Division of Law Enforcement at 850-488-5600, or e-mail the FWC at [email protected] for further instruction.

What happens if you fail the BOATsmart exam?

Can I retry the boating license if I happen to fail? Yes, the BOATsmart! Exam includes retries at no charge. However, you must wait 24 hours from the time of completion before retrying the boat license either online or in-person.

How long does it take to get a Florida boating license?

Some do charge a small fee and the course may take up to eight hours to complete. All boater education courses require you to take an exam and get at least 80% of the answers to pass the course. When you do pass, you will get a temporary card while you wait for your Boater Education Card.

How do you find my Boaters license Florida?

Replacement Florida Boating Education ID Cards are issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, and typically arrive within 2-3 weeks. You can contact the FWC by email at [email protected] or by calling 850-488-5600 for more information about replacement cards.

Does a Florida boaters license expire?

According to the FWC, Florida does not have a "boating license". The Boating Safety Education Identification Card is proof of successful completion of the educational requirements to start boating, and has no expiration date.

What side of the buoys do you go on?

The expression “red right returning” has long been used by seafarers as a reminder that the red buoys are kept to the starboard (right) side when proceeding from the open sea into port (upstream). Likewise, green buoys are kept to the port (left) side (see chart below).

How do I contact BOATsmart?

BOATsmart!®'s Customer Service Centre is staffed with boating safety professionals to help boaters 7 days a week from at 1-877-792-3926.

How do you navigate buoys?

0:381:39How to Read Water Buoys and Markers - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipRemember the phrase red bright returning. And keep the red even-numbered on your right the green oddMoreRemember the phrase red bright returning. And keep the red even-numbered on your right the green odd-numbered buoys will be on your left as you return from open water or head upstream.

How much does a Florida boating license cost?

You can obtain your Florida Boating Safety Education I.D. Card in 3 easy steps: Pay the one-time fee of $34.95 – free unlimited retries of the final exam. Study the Florida Boating Safety Course, and pass the final exam.

What do I need to drive a boat in Florida?

In order to operate a motorboat of ten (10) horsepower or greater, Florida law requires anyone who was born on or after Jan. 1, 1988 to successfully complete an approved boating safety course and obtain a Boating Safety Education Identification Card issued by the FWC.

What is required to have on a boat in Florida?

All vessels are required to have onboard a wearable USCG-approved personal flotation device (PFD) for each person. The PFDs must be of the appropriate size for the intended wearer, be in serviceable condition, and within easy access. The state of Florida urges all people onboard a boat to wear a life jacket.

How long does it take to get a boating safety certificate?

A person operating a boat within 90 days after completing a NASBLA-approved Boating Safety Course, who has photo ID and a certificate showing proof of completion of a Boating Safety Course. The certificate must display the person’s first and last name, their date of birth and the date the course was completed.

How many horsepower do you need to get a boating license in Florida?

The Florida Boating License is required for any person born on or after January 1st, 1988 in order for them to operate a boat with a motor of 10 horsepower or more. To obtain a Florida Boating License, boaters must complete a NASBLA-approved Boating Safety Course, or pass an equivalency exam.

What is a non-resident boater?

A non-resident who has in their possession proof that he or she has completed a NASBLA-approved Boating Safety Course or equivalency examination from another state. A person who is operating a boat within 90 days of purchasing the boat and has available for inspection, a bill of sale meeting Florida’s requirements.

What is a master boater?

A person licensed by the USCG as a master of a vessel. A person operating exclusively on a private lake or pond. An operator who is accompanied on board by a person who is at least 18 years old and who has obtained a Boating Safety Education ID Card, provided that the person is responsible for the safe operation of the boat.

How old do you have to be to operate a boat in Florida?

In Florida, no person under 14 years of age is permitted to operate a personal watercraft (PWC), even if they have obtained their Boating Safety Education ID Card.

What are the issues with boating?

Issues such as seeing and being seen by other boaters, reckless operation, noise levels and environmental concerns.

Do you need a boating license in Florida?

According to Florida’s boating license Boat operators in Florida are required to obtain a Boating Safety Education ID Card (commonly referred to as a ‘boating license’) and are required to carry it on board during boat operation. They are also required to carry photo ID on the boat while operating. The Florida Boating License is required ...

Online Courses

Florida Virtual School Outdoor Education Course: (Free for Florida residents ages 12 to 18.) The only course in the nation to combine both hunting and boating safety.

Florida Virtual School Outdoor Education Course

Florida Virtual School Outdoor Education Course: (Free for Florida residents ages 12 to 18.) The only course in the nation to combine both hunting and boating safety.

How to get a Florida boating safety card?

After you have successfully completed an approved Florida boating safety course, please follow these steps: 1 Check with your course provider or instructor to see if they will automatically send a request to FWC to issue a card. Many online course providers, and some classroom providers, automatically submit a ID card request to FWC for all of their students who successfully complete an approved Florida course. (Because the course providers are not affiliated with FWC, they must send student information to FWC in order for a card to be issued.) If your course provider automatically sends a request to FWC for your card, you should receive that card within 2 to 3 weeks. 2 If the course provider or instructor is not going to submit the information for FWC to issue a card, you can do so using the course completion certificate you receive from the provider after you have passed the course. For online courses, make sure you can print a copy of this certificate from their website or that you can get an electronic copy. If you take a classroom course, make sure your instructor provides proof of completion. This proof can be a card or certificate, but in order for FWC to issue a boating safety ID card, the proof of completion must have the following information:

How to get a copy of my FWC certificate?

Along with the copy of your proof of course completion, submit a request for a card by mail (to the address below) or by e-mail to [email protected] with your name , date of birth, return address, phone number and proof of completion of the course:

Can you use a FWC card after you have passed a course?

If the course provider or instructor is not going to submit the information for FWC to issue a card, you can do so using the course completion certificate you receive from the provider after you have passed the course.

How to get a boat smart certification?

Then take the certification exam at home and mail it to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission for grading and certification.

How many horsepower is required for a Florida boating safety course?

Any person born on or after January 1, 1988, must have a Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card and photographic ID to operate a vessel powered by a motor of 10 horsepower or more (see page 19 for specific requirements regarding the Boating Safety Education ID Card).

What are buoys and markers?

Buoys and markers are the “traffic signals” that guide vessel operators safely along some waterways. They also identify dangerous or controlled areas and give direc- tions and information. As a recreational boat or PWC operator, you will need to know the lateral navigation markers and non-lateral markers of the U.S. Aids to Navigation System.

How many rules of navigation should every operator follow?

To prevent collisions, every operator should follow the three basic rules of navigation.

How to contact FWC instructor?

Share the learning experience with other boaters and a qualified instructor. Call 850-488-5600 or log onto the FWC website to locate the next classroom course in your area.

What is the difference between a sailboat and a powerboat?

Power vs. Sail:The powerboat is the give-way vessel. The sailboat is the stand-on vessel.

Is Boat Ed responsible for any claims?

Boat Ed is not responsible or liable for any claims, liabilities, damages, or other adverse effects or consequences to any person or property caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly from the application or use of the information contained in this publication. P1212 www.kalkomey.com.