Improving on-water powerboat handling skills can help boaters operate confidently (credit: Jon Meyer).
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CHICAGO, April 11, 2023 – Driver’s education – or sitting behind the wheel of a vehicle, safely navigating streets and roads with a professional instructor at your side – is an important step in becoming a safe driver. If you’re looking to get at-the-helm experience on a recreational boat, that’s more difficult – until now. A new partnership between Boat Safe Chicago, Carefree Boat Club, and the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water brings a series of three-hour courses for beginner and experienced boat operators this summer to the 31st Street Boat Harbor in Chicago.

Courses are offered aboard 19- to 26-foot single-engine powerboats. “You’ll get real hands-on experience, helping you learn how to safely maneuver a boat and build confidence,” said Alan Dennison, program supervisor for BoatUS Foundation. “These courses are great for those who just bought a boat, as well as anyone seeking to increase their boat handling skills.”

The four courses offered include Introduction to Powerboating, Precision Docking & Boat Handling, Open-Water Boat Handling and Open-Water Advanced Maneuvering. All depart from Carefree Boat Club Chicago at 3155 South Lake Shore Drive at 31st Street Harbor.

Class size is limited to four students per vessel, ensuring each student gets sufficient time at the helm under the watchful eye of a U.S. Coast Guard-licensed captain certified to teach the National Safe Boating Council modular curriculum.

Courses begin April 7 and are affordably priced at $249 per person. The minimum age to participate is 16 years old. Early registration is encouraged, and there is a three-person minimum for courses to run.

This partnership is one of 17 locations across the U.S. with BoatUS Foundation On-Water Training programs. Sign-up at BoatUS.org/Chicago.

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About the BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water:

The BoatUS Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water is a national leader promoting safe, clean and responsible boating. Funded primarily by donations from the more than 800,000 members of Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), the nonprofit provides innovative educational outreach directly to boaters and anglers with the aim of reducing accidents and fatalities, increasing stewardship of America's waterways and keeping boating safe for all. A range of safe and clean boating courses – including the nation's largest free online boating safety course – can be found at BoatUS.org/Courses.