America’s Boating Club Partners and West Marine Partner for Safe Boating Month

Americans have taken to the water in record numbers to enjoy the socially distanced fun and relaxation that boating provides. With more boats and new boaters on the water—many without any boating education—boating accidents and fatalities have been rising around the country.

The nation’s largest volunteer recreational boating safety nonprofit, America’s Boating Club® has partnered with marine retailer, West Marine, to alert boaters of the importance of boating safety and safe boating education this May in honor of National Safe Boating Week, May 22 to 28.

Boaters can sign up online for a free 20-minute training session using the America’s Boating Club’s Boating Skills Virtual Trainer, the industry’s premier interactive simulation-based boating safety program. Free simulator training sessions will be held May 14 to 16 from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in select West Marine stores nationwide.

Each Boating Skills Virtual Trainer session includes audio instruction that emphasizes the goals and approach of the 14 different training scenarios. America’s Boating Club representatives will be on-hand to answer questions as participants practice docking, maneuvering a slalom course, loading a boat onto a trailer, rescuing a person overboard and much more—all in a safe, clean, socially distanced environment.

Additionally, boaters who visit all West Marine stores in May will get free take-home boating safety checklists and cards they can use to request a free Vessel Safety Check from a qualified America’s Boating Club or U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary vessel examiner in their area. West Marine stores will also offer life jacket fittings by its trained associates, safety videos, and much more.

To sign up for a free 20-minute Boating Skills Virtual Trainer session, boaters can use the registration links below or visit the America’s Boating Club Facebook page for links and more information. Spaces are limited, and registration is now open.