WHAT IS THE SAFE WATER SKIING ENDORSEMENT The Safe Water Skiing Endorsement has been a part of Connecticut boating education since 2015. In short, it is a “Plus” endorsement on your Safe Boating certificate. It allows an operator to tow either a water skier or someone on an inflatable. Incidentally, the old law allowed operators…
Boating Blog
Engine Cut Off Switch
THE NEW LAW ON ENGINE CUT OF SWITCHES The United States Coast Guard announced on April 1, 2021 that the proper use of the Engine Cut Off Switch (ECOS) and link will be enforced. The link is usually a coiled bungee that connects the boat to the operator while the vessel is underway. It must…
The Preferred Channel Buoys
PREFERRED CHANNEL BUOYS Ah the dreaded Preferred Channel Buoys, what are these beasts? This buoy sinks vessels in the blink of an eye and has been known to cause magnetic disturbances, no of course NOT! Read along and understand they’re not that complicated at all. Preferred Channel Buoys are very helpful and easy to understand.…
Boating and the Weather
DRESS FOR THE WEATHER WHILE BOATING Whether you are out on the lakes or on Long Island Sound weather plays an important role in everyday boating. Weather traits are magnified on the water. Hot days are hotter and cold days are colder. The sun shines off the water into our eyes. The winds get stronger…
High and Low Tides…what should you know
WHAT IS HIGH AND LOW TIDE Tides are the vertical movement of water caused by the gravitational pull of the moon on the earth. As the moon orbits around the earth it actually “pulls” on the surface causing the water to rise beneath it. So as the water level rises in some areas it falls…
The Information on a Capacity Plate is Vital
WHAT IS THE CAPACITY PLATE The Maximum Capacities Label or Plate is required on powerboats less than 20 feet with the exception of inflatable boats. The information on a Capacity Plate displays the Maximum number of Persons and Maximum Weight which includes persons, engine and gear. The information on a Capacity Plate also includes the…
Online Boating Courses are now being Taught
THANK YOU DEEP! The Connecticut DEEP approves online boating courses in 2021. When the pandemic hit, the DEEP acted quickly and had classes open in a short time. We are now able to bring boating education right to your door. In short Connecticut Boating Certificates LLC is having great success with the participation from the…
Hypothermia in Connecticut
Hypothermia is very real in CT We do cover this in class but this is the time of year people are getting excited and want to get out on the boat early so here we go. By the way, I just checked and the water temperature today is 37 degrees. Our highest average monthly water…
Age Restrictions for Boating
AGE RESTRICTIONS So everyone always asks what are the age restrictions for a boating, using a Personal Watercraft, and to Tow a skier. There are a bunch of them! Age restrictions are obviousy needed when it comes to operating any vessel. The laws have been catered to the amount of responsibility one has. The laws…