Safety Classes
The Monica Burguera Foundation is holding a free boating safety class in English and Spanish once a month.
The classes, taught by U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary-certified instructors, cover everything boaters need to know about watercraft safety, and aim to cut down on boating accidents and fatalities. They are offered in English and Spanish.
Thanks to the MBF’s e efforts, 8,000 students have completed the program and earned a USCG Auxiliary Certificate of Accomplishment and a Florida Boating Safety Identification card, which is required to operate a boat for people born on or after January 1, 1988.
Many insurance companies offer 10-15 percent discounts for boaters with a USCG certificate.
Subjects covered in the class include: an introduction to boating, personal safety, boat handling, navigation, boating problems, radiotelephone operation, trailering, water sports and legal and state requirements.
How to Register
You can register for a class directly on the US Coast Guard website. Once there, provide your zip code and submite. You may select any class called Boat America or Navegando América. Those classes are sponsored by the Monica Burguera Foundation. You may also contact us for assistance.
The MBF was established in memory of Monica Burguera, a 20-year-old Florida International University student who died in a tragic boating accident during the 2006 Columbus Day Regatta weekend festivities in Miami.
Graduates
| Year | Classes | Total Students | Under 17 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2008 | 16 | 264 | 73 |
| 2009 | 11 | 112 | 36 |
| 2010 | 17 | 339 | 59 |
| 2011 | 22 | 497 | 52 |
| 2012 | 22 | 628 | 72 |
| 2013 | 26 | 716 | 76 |
| 2014 | 31 | 979 | 99 |
| 2015 | 31 | 948 | 152 |
| 2016 | 30 | 822 | 192 |
| 2017 | 27 | 643 | 94 |
| 2018 | 25 | 514 | 75 |
| 2019 | 28 | 609 | 128 |
| 2020 | 28 | 1,239 | 348 |
| 2021 | 22 | 1,118 | 69 |
| 2022 | 25 | 753 | 86 |
| 2023 | 24 | 741 | 57 |
| 2024 | 4 | 86 | 5 |
| 17 yrs! | 389 | 11,008 | 1,673 |