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| What is on board
boater training? |
On board means we train you on
your boat, in your marina, and along your waterway.
Our one-on-one training is extremely comprehensive
and is designed not only to teach you the skill
sets necessary to maneuver your boat in tight quarters
and while underway, but to instruct you on your
boat’s specific systems, required maintenance,
docking lines, and to teach a basic understanding
of general seamanship and the rules of the road.
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| Why is on board
training so important? |
Most boating accidents occur
due to operator error caused by a lack of knowledge
and understanding. As captain, you are responsible
for the safety of your passengers and crew. You
are responsible for the actions and results of your
vessel’s maneuvers while underway. Learning
how to properly operate your boat is best learned
by hands on training with a competent instructor.
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| Why should I
choose American Boat Captains, LLC to perform my
training? |
We are a highly professional
organization that provides marine services to both
the recreational and commercial boating communities.
We fully recognize and appreciate your desire to
protect your investment. Our training focuses a
great deal on boating safety therefore we teach
you the skills necessary to safeguard your investment
as well as the friends and family who share your
time on the water. Our training captains are licensed
USCG masters and captains who thoroughly enjoy teaching
the skill sets necessary to properly operate your
boat. They are dedicated, patient, prudent seamen
who believe that operating a boat is not only an
enjoyment, but a responsibility.
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| Do I have to
own my own boat? |
Yes, we train you on your boat
and in your marina. We do not have training vessels
available.
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| Do you train
sail boaters as well as power boaters? |
No, we do not have a sail-training
program. We only train individuals on powerboats.
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| What is the cost
of training? |
Our one-on-one training package
is $375.00 and is scheduled for four hours. Depending
on your location, we also add travel expenses to
compensate for the cost associated with traveling
to and from your vessel. Please call or contact
us by e-mail to determine the added travel expenses.
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| I have never
operated a boat. Is this training right for me? |
Absolutely. We will tailor our
training course to meet your individual needs. Close
to 50% of our training clients are first time boat
owners with no previous experience. Operating a
boat is unlike anything you may have done in the
past. Please, before taking the helm, call us and
schedule your training.
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| I have some experience
operating a boat. Is this training right for me? |
Absolutely. We will tailor our
training course to meet your individual needs. Close
to 50% of our training clients were previous boat
owners who traded up in size and engine configuration
which requires a completely different set of skills
to effectively maneuver in tight quarters.
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| Will I receive
a training workbook? |
Yes. At the beginning of your
training, we will provide you with a workbook designed
specifically for you. It will include information
necessary to perform a pre-departure checklist,
vessel maintenance, weather, creating a float plan,
conversion charts and light descriptions, as well
as federal regulations and chart explanations. In
addition, following your training you will receive
a copy of the check list used by your training instructor
to rate you on the performance of each task. This
checklist is an excellent aid in practicing the
skills you have learned.
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| What can I expect
to accomplish during the training? |
You will develop a greater level
of self-confidence and knowledge. You will learn
that with practice, you will be able to maneuver
your boat with greater comfort and skill. Operating
in close quarters, moving in and out of your slip,
operating on your waterway, understanding your boat’s
systems, understanding dock lines, anchoring, general
seamanship and many other skills will be part of
your training.
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| What are the
qualifications of my training instructor? |
Each instructor is a fully licensed
United States Coast Guard Master or Captain. Each
Captain has extensive experience operating recreational
and uninspected vessels ranging up to 65 feet and
our Masters are fully qualified inspected vessel
operators with extensive experience up to 100 tons.
Each training instructor is completely familiar
with all types of vessel configurations and power
plant designs including outboard, inboard/outboard
and inboard, both gas and diesel. Some of our instructors
are members of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary
and qualified vessel examiners for the USCG.
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| After the training,
will I be qualified to test for my USCG captain’s
license? |
No. Training for your Merchant
Marine License is a very lengthy and involved process.
You are required to fully understand chart plotting,
the USCG Rules of the Road, you must have a complete
understanding of both seamanship and navigation
and you will be tested by the USCG in each of those
fields.
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| Can I bring
other members of my family along on the training? |
Yes, in fact we encourage those
who will be spending their time on board with you
to sit in on the training. Although our course is
designed as a one-on-one program, we will instruct
members of your family on how to act as crew while
you are at the helm.
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| What happens
if we have bad weather on the scheduled day of training? |
Weather plays a significant role
regarding the training day. We will be in touch
with you 24 to 48 hours days before your scheduled
date to confirm the training. We will proceed with
the training as long as your instructor feels the
forecasted weather will pose no concern. It should
be understood that precipitation will not be the
only deciding factor. If your area is forecasted
to receive higher than usual wind speeds due to
a weather front, we will most likely reschedule.
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| What paperwork
do I need to complete before the scheduled training? |
After discussing your particular
needs we will send you, via US mail, a preliminary
training package that includes our On Board Boater
Training Questionnaire. After a thorough review
of the completed questionnaire, we will tailor a
training program to specifically address your individual
goals and objectives.
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| Am I required
to pre-pay a deposit for the training? |
Yes. We require a deposit of
$100.00 to be sent along with the completed On Board
Boater Training Questionnaire. This deposit assures
that your training will be scheduled and an instructor
will be assigned to your individual needs. It also
assures us that you are serious about your training.
In the event due to some unforeseen reason, you
are not able to follow through with the training
and cannot reschedule an alternate date, your deposit
will be fully refunded. However, we ask that you
contact our office as soon as possible.
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| When is the
balance due? |
At the beginning of your training.
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| What payment
methods do you accept? |
We accept cash or personal checks
made payable to American Boat Captains, LLC. We
also accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American
Express.
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| How
far will your training instructors travel to complete
my training? |
Our corporate office is located
in Blue Bell, Pennsylvania, however we will travel
almost anywhere in the continental United States
to complete your training program. For locations
outside of our normal training region, additional
transportation and if necessary, overnight expenses,
will be added to the cost of the training package.
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| How do I prepare
myself for the training? |
We strongly suggest the purchase
of two books, Chapman’s Piloting and the USCG
Navigation Rules – Inland and International.
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| What equipment
must be aboard before the training begins? |
Your preliminary training package
will contain a list of USCG required safety equipment
necessary to be aboard your particular boat whenever
underway. Your training instructor will inspect
each piece of this equipment to determine if it
complies with USCG regulations. Your instructor
will also teach you the proper use of this equipment
and explain when and how to use it in the event
of an emergency. This equipment check begins by
reviewing your ownership documentation and current
state required registration paperwork.
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| Can I schedule
more than one training session? |
Most certainly. Many of our new,
first-time boating clients have us return for a
second day of training. Our program covers a great
deal of information and although it is scheduled
for a minimum of four full hours of instruction,
it is somewhat demanding.
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| Can I give a
gift of training to a friend? |
Yes. Sometimes it’s often
difficult to think of a gift for a friend or relative,
especially those who seemingly have everything.
Many of our clients have received and undergone
our training program as a result of the generosity
friends and family.
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| How do I start
the training process? |
Simply go back to our home page
and click on the on-line
form. Fill out the first two sections and the
section pertaining to on board boater training then
submit the form. We will be in contact with you
usually within 24 hours. Thank you for allowing
American Boat Captains, LLC to be your boating professionals.
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