The waters of Florida. Gorgeous, turquoise waters teeming with fish, marine mammals, and all types of wildlife. There is a special beauty in these rivers, lakes, and ocean coastlands, a uniqueness unmatched by anywhere else in the world.
To truly enjoy the sights these wonders of the world have to offer, to be surrounded by nothing but the blue, you need two things: A boat and the knowledge to properly use one.
Boating education might not be the most fun-sounding of topics, but it is a must to take advantage of an environment not quite like any other. The steps to do so are not as difficult as one might expect either, read on to discover how you too can obtain your Florida boating license and slip into the realm of Florida’s waters in safety.
How to Start
When it comes to getting your boater’s license, chances are you might not know where to start exactly. There are a lot of websites out there claiming to get you one and you might not know who to trust. If you don’t have the right certification or a false card you could be fined, especially if you get into trouble while on the water. Thankfully, the state of Florida has a handy, reputable source that will let you get on your way to education in no time.
The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission is dedicated to both protecting the environment of Florida and ensuring people are able to enjoy it in a safe manner. This government-funded organization focuses on the conservation of the animal life within Florida such as the residents of the Everglades and the ever-charming manatee.
Despite their focus on wildlife the FWC also is able to provide you with plenty of resources to help you on your way to getting your own boater education card with a variety of legitimate classes. From nonprofits to the United States Coastguard, all sorts of groups host these courses.
Picking a Boating Education Course That Is Right for You
There are two types of courses you can take to get your boater education card: in-person in an actual classroom or online. This is up to you. Both styles of courses are FWC approved and upon their completion will provide you with a certificate confirming you have completed your boating safety course.
Most in-person courses are held at different locations state-wide. You can visit a particular course’s website or call for more information on where they are being held as well as their prices. It is worth noting that some may only be available for a particular county and prices may vary by location.
You can do online courses, you guessed it, online! These courses are not too expensive, the priciest reach about $50.00 and go all the way down to no charge at all.
What to Do After Your Course
Once you have finished your boating education and have your boater’s license there’s only one thing you really can do.
Get out there and enjoy the water!
