Save Up to 30% with Online Captain's License Training Programs

ABA has partnered with Mariners Learning System to offer a suite of six US Coast Guard-approved online captain’s licensing courses at up to 30% off. Courses from “six pack” to master 25/50/100 ton licenses can be taken online, at your own pace, in the comfort of your home or on the road.

Upon completion of a course, taking a proctored exam, and meeting other requirements such as documenting sea time and passing a physical examination, you simply submit the application package (within one year) to the nearest Coast Guard Regional Exam Center. Upon review and approval, they will issue you the license. To date the system has trained more than 15,000 students, with a 98.7% exam pass rate. Learn more and sign up today!

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Handling Hypothermia

Even on warm days, midwinter waters can be cold enough to kill. Hypothermia, the lowering of body temperature, isn't something that happens only to people who fall overboard; in fact, you don't even have to get wet. But a good soaking greatly enhances the process by which the victim loses heat, and that process has to be interrupted and then reversed in order for the internal temperature to return to normal operating levels. Learn how to aid a victim of hypothermia.

Also read, Hypothermia and Cold Shock—The Risks of Off Season Boating.

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Celebrate the Season with Your 5% BoatersWorld.com Member Discount

The holidays have arrived! Be sure to take advantage of your 5% ABA member discount on all purchases at BoatersWorld.com (Please note: Boater’sWorld.com is a separate entity from the Boater's World stores and is alive and well – and on standby for your business. It’s only the Boater’s World stores that are no longer in business.)

There are no coupons, no codes, no hassles – just start shopping. ABA members receive:

• 5% savings on all products purchased online from BoatersWorld.com through ABA Online®
• Discount is immediate vs. other boat product programs where you have to spend $300 first
  
• Discount automatically applied at final check-out
• Pay no sales tax
• Free shipping on orders over $100 if shipped within the Continental U.S.¹
• Discount ONLY applied when shopping BoatersWorld.com through ABA Online®

Not an ABA member? Join today and start shopping! Your 5% discount will more than pay for your membership – only $15 per year!

¹Free shipping & handling on all new merchandise orders over $100...excludes Auction, Clearance, Limited Specials, Oversized and Heavier Items, and UPS service to AK & HI.

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Boating News

• Attention Florida boaters — Earlier this year, Florida Governor Charlie Crist signed the Jobs for Florida Bill, CS/SB-1752, which contained the Florida Boat Sales-Use Tax Cap legislation. The $18,000 Boat Sales and Use Tax Cap became effective on July 1, 2010 and limits the 6% Florida state sales tax on a boat purchase, or the use tax for currently owned vessels to $18,000. With the new cap on the dollar amount, buyers of a boat with a price tag above $300,000 will benefit.
  
  
• Attention Maine boaters — Maine Governor John E. Baldacci signed into law, becoming effective on August 1, 2010, a provision that reduces the amount of Maine sales tax to be paid by non-residents who choose to purchase and keep a boat in Maine. Non-residents who purchased a boat in Maine on or after August 1, 2010, and use it in the state for more than 30 days are entitled to a reduction in sales tax that effectively brings the sales tax rate to 2%. Non-residents who purchase a boat elsewhere and bring it to Maine within the first year of ownership and who have not paid sales tax elsewhere may be subject to use tax - but at 2% - effective if vessel is found to be in Maine on or after August 1, 2010.

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20% Member Discount on 2011 Waterway Guides

ABA members receive a special 20% discount on any of the renowned Waterway Guides, the only cruising guide of its kind that is updated annually by experienced on-the-water cruising editors. Waterway Guides are indispensable cruising companions for mile-by-mile navigation information, comprehensive data on more than 3,800 marinas, and “Goin’ Ashore” articles on ports along the way.

The guides feature helpful aerial photographs with white-lined routes, detailed planning maps, and a “Skipper’s Handbook” with essential cruising information and advice. Each Waterway Guide is approximately 500 pages and feature flexible spiral bindings and heavy laminated covers.

• Bahamas — Bahamas Islands and the Turks and Caicos Islands
• Chesapeake Bay — Chesapeake Bay, Delaware Bay and Delmarva Atlantic coast from Cape May, NJ to Norfolk, VA
• Atlantic ICW — Norfolk, VA, along the Intracoastal Waterway to Jacksonville, FL
• Southern — Florida’s east coast, St. John’s River, Okeechobee Waterway, Keys, Florida’s west coast and Gulf of Mexico to Brownsville, TX
• Northern — Atlantic coast from Cape May through Maine, as well as the Hudson River, Long Island Sound and Cape Cod Bay²
• Great Lakes — Great Lakes and inland portions of the Great Loop Cruise from NY to the Great Lakes and from Chicago to the Gulf of Mexico²

Take advantage of this special 20% discount and order your Waterway Guides by calling 800-233-3359 or visit www.waterwayguide.com and remember to use the promo code ABA10.

²2010 editions are still available.

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Winter Boating Pointers

Winterize ~ There’s no better way to protect an investment or assure a trouble-free return to the water when spring arrives. Click here for a helpful checklist.

Winterization Mistakes ~ Some boat owners visit their boats in early spring and find them nearly underwater. Don’t make these mistakes which might cost you big bucks or even your boat.

Winter Inventory ~ Winter is a good time to review the U.S. Coast Guard list of minimum required safety equipment to assure that your boating equipment is up to standard and in sound operating condition. Review this list.

Read more boating pointers...

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Boating Humor

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Thank you for your ABA membership and/or subscription to Seamanship Training®. Every time you use your member benefits, you not only benefit personally, you help support ABA’s mission to promote boating safety, affordability, growth, and a clean environment.