N. M. USCG Auxiliary - America's Boating Course (ABC)- Course Description
America's Boating Course (ABC) is provided by the New Mexico units of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and fits the needs of New Mexico boaters, especially the young boater and sports enthusiasts. These 8-hour courses meet the new boating education course requirements of the State of New Mexico and they are offered on weekends as well as evening classes offered over two to four nights.
- Once you pass this formal class exam with a least a grade of an 80, you will receive both a certificate of completion and an education card for your wallet. This recognition card is honored just about every state in the country (including New Mexico) .
- Plus, you will receive two free nights camping at a New Mexico State Park.
This pass is good for non-reservation sites only.
- In addition, many boat insurance companies will offer discounts on boating insurance to boaters who successfully complete America's Boating Course. Check with your insurance carrier.
Though not an on-the-water course, certified Coast Guard Auxiliary instructors will provide practical examples and hands-on training on several key boating requirement areas. The boat and water safety course topics include:
Introduction to Boating: types of power boats; sailboats; outboards; paddle boats; houseboats; different uses of boats; various power boating engines; jet drives; family boating basics.
Boating Law: boat registration; boating regulation; hull identification number; required boat safety equipment; operating safely and reporting accidents; protecting the marine environment; Federal boat law; state boating laws; personal watercraft requirements.
Boat Safety Equipment: personal flotation devices ("life jackets"); fire extinguishers; sound-producing devices; visual-distress signals; dock lines and rope; first aid kit; anchors and anchor lines; other boating safety equipment.
Safe Boating: bow riding; alcohol and drug abuse; entering, loading, and trimming a boat; fueling portable and permanent tanks; steering with a tiller and a wheel; docking, undocking and mooring; knots; filing a float plan; checking equipment, fuel, weather and tides; using charts; choosing and using an anchor; safe PWC handling; general water safety.
Navigation: the U.S. Aids to Navigation system; types of buoys and beacons; navigation rules (sometimes referred to as right-of-way rules); avoiding collisions; sound signals; PWC "tunnel vision."
Boating Problems: hypothermia; boating accidents and rescues; man overboard recovery; capsizing; running aground; river hazards; strainers: emergency radio calls; engine problems; equipment failures; carbon monoxide (CO); other boating and PWC problems.
Trailering, Storing and Protecting Your Boat: types of trailers; trailer brakes, lights, hitches, tires, and bearings; loading, balancing, and towing a trailer; towing (and backing) a trailer; boat launching and retrieving; boat storage and theft protection; launching, retrieving and storing a PWC.
Hunting and Fishing, Water-skiing and River Boating: carrying hunting gear and weapons in a boat; fishing from a boat; water-skiing safety guidelines and hand signals; water-skiing with a PWC; navigating rivers, and other boating tips.
In addition, all of the boating New Mexico state boating laws and Federal boating laws (used on federally managed lakes) are covered.Class materials are set for an 8th grade reading level or about 12 years of age.
Registration
Registration for local sessions of America's Boating Course (ABC) costs $15.00 and includes an 80-page course manual and other materials. Sign ups by children 13 and under require a parent or responsible adult to register to take the course with the child. Unattended children 13 and under may not register for the course. Each student must bring to the class a positive ID that identifies who you are. Students without a positive ID will not be admitted to the class.
Local classes may be taken in-person at a time and place scheduled by the New Mexico Coast Guard Auxiliary.
For a current list of all New Mexico classes, click here. Look for the classes with RON BECK as the Instructor.
For more information regarding locally scheduled classes, you may also use the following contact information:
- NM Coast Guard Auxiliary - Albuquerque
Ron Beck (ronbeck@comcast.net) or (505) 293-7543
Ben Gardiner (bsvmgardiner@juno.com) or (505) 298-0116
- NM Coast Guard Auxiliary - Las Cruces/El Paso
George Lockhart at (915) 877-1613
- NM Coast Guard Auxiliary - Durango, CO and Farmington, NM
Dean Goodman (dgoodboy@mydurango.net) or (970}884-0500
- NM Coast Guard Auxiliary - Elephant Butte
Colleen Elliott (celliott2@earthlink.net ) or (915) 581-7689
Len Schlesinger (lschlesinger@cybertrails.com ) or (928) 339-1967
Other Ways to Take America's Boating Course
In addition to local, in-person classes, America's Boating Course can be taken in three other ways.
(NOTE: these optional methods of taking the ABC course cost $34.95 and require additional steps to be certified by the State of New Mexico) :
On the Internet
By Home-Study using an 80-page course manual , or
With a CD
www.AmericasBoatingCourse.com
The course manual, CD and online course contain identical material, except for state-specific boating law, which can only be accessed online. No matter how you like to learn, when you sign up you'll receive a complete package which includes the course manual, the boating course CD, and a PIN number giving you access to the Internet course.
The internet course will only be recognized for the Boater Education Card if it contains the New Mexico Content AND you pass the test with a minimum of an 80. The State of New Mexico will formally recognize this course in the future.
The ABC home study/CD courses require you to take a proctored exam with the State of New Mexico Boating Education Instructors.