New Online Course Teaches Boating Situational Awareness
S.C.A.N. Course Tackles Distracted Boating, Leading Cause of Accidents
According to the U.S. Coast Guard’s annual recreational boating accident statistics, “operator inattention” and “improper lookout” consistently rank among the top five contributing factors in boating accidents. To help tackle this issue, the BoatUS Foundation has introduced a new online micro course, “S.C.A.N. – Improving Boater Situational Awareness”. This free, 30-minute course is designed to help boaters recognize and avoid distractions, improve situational awareness, and sharpen their overall boating safety skills—all in a format that fits into even the busiest schedule.
Participants will learn how to maintain a proper lookout, apply key nautical rules of the road, and use the S.C.A.N. method (Search, Concentrate, Analyze, Navigate) to stay alert and avoid collisions. The course also highlights common distractions and offers practical tips to manage them, promoting a safer, more enjoyable time on the water.
Engaging video scenarios and interactive quizzes help learners practice key techniques and reinforce their understanding. By the end of the course, participants will be equipped with the essential skills to navigate the water confidently and responsibly.
“The growing list of distractions aboard a boat only made us more determined to offer a new and innovative accident avoidance course that will sharpen anyone’s skills,” said BoatUS Foundation Director of Boating Safety Ted Sensenbrenner.
The new course was developed with support from a grant provided by the U.S. Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety and funding from the Sport Fish Restoration and Boating Trust Fund.
While the S.C.A.N. course does not fulfill any state education requirements, the Foundation also offers the only free online boating safety course that provides required NASBLA boating safety certification in 37 states, as well as a range of other paid courses.
For more, go to BoatUS.org/Courses.
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