Boating Safety
Participation in a boating education course will teach how to properly operate and maintain a boat. There are a few options of course types to choose from.
Note: Persons 16 years of age and under 18 years of age MAY NOT operate a personal watercraft unless they possess on their person identification showing proof of age and proof of successful completion of a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved boating safety course unless they are accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older who physically occupies the personal watercraft.
Online Boating Courses
These online courses are approved by the NASBLA and are recognized in the State of Maine.
America's Boating Education Course This course can be completed in any of three ways:
BoatUS Foundation Online Course This is a free course that can be completed online by participating in six lessons and successfully completing the final exam. Choose when and where to take your course via a desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile phone.
Paddlesports Safety Online - Please Note that this course is NOT approved to replace a NASBLA approved boat operator course. This is an optional safety program specific to paddlesports. View the Paddlesports Safety Flier (PDF).
Support with Financing Education
Finance Authority of Maine (FAME)
FAME is an independent State agency that develops and administers programs related to the financing of both higher education and business in the State of Maine. Find out the basics about financial aid - what is it, are you eligible - and details of State programs.
US Department of Education Financial Aid Information
How to find and apply for aid, Student Guide, FAQ about loans, repayment
The Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid
FastWeb
Search college scholarships, grants, and loans
Types of Aid
Outdoor Safety: Camping Tips
Whether you are roughing it in a tent or planning a family outing to a national forest, there are many ways to make sure your experience is fun and safe.
Consider the following safety tips:
Participation in a boating education course will teach how to properly operate and maintain a boat. There are a few options of course types to choose from.
Note: Persons 16 years of age and under 18 years of age MAY NOT operate a personal watercraft unless they possess on their person identification showing proof of age and proof of successful completion of a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved boating safety course unless they are accompanied by a person 18 years of age or older who physically occupies the personal watercraft.
Online Boating Courses
These online courses are approved by the NASBLA and are recognized in the State of Maine.
America's Boating Education Course This course can be completed in any of three ways:
- on the Internet,
- by studying an 80-page course manual, or
- with a CD.
BoatUS Foundation Online Course This is a free course that can be completed online by participating in six lessons and successfully completing the final exam. Choose when and where to take your course via a desktop, laptop, tablet, or mobile phone.
Paddlesports Safety Online - Please Note that this course is NOT approved to replace a NASBLA approved boat operator course. This is an optional safety program specific to paddlesports. View the Paddlesports Safety Flier (PDF).
Support with Financing Education
Finance Authority of Maine (FAME)
FAME is an independent State agency that develops and administers programs related to the financing of both higher education and business in the State of Maine. Find out the basics about financial aid - what is it, are you eligible - and details of State programs.
US Department of Education Financial Aid Information
How to find and apply for aid, Student Guide, FAQ about loans, repayment
The Smart Student Guide to Financial Aid
FastWeb
Search college scholarships, grants, and loans
Types of Aid
- Grant Programs
- Loans
- Scholarship Search
- Education Tax Benefits
- Financial Aid Programs from Finance Authority of Maine
- Maine's NextGen College Investment Plan
Outdoor Safety: Camping Tips
Whether you are roughing it in a tent or planning a family outing to a national forest, there are many ways to make sure your experience is fun and safe.
Consider the following safety tips:
- Pack a first aid kit - Your kit can prove invaluable if you or a member of your group suffers a cut, bee sting, or allergic reaction. Pack antiseptics for cuts and scrapes, tweezers, insect repellent, bug spray, a snake bite kit, pain relievers, and sunscreen.
- Bring emergency supplies - In addition to a first aid kit, this includes a map, compass, flashlight, knife, waterproof fire starter, personal shelter, whistle, warm clothing, high-energy food, water, and insect protection.
- Learn the ABC's of treating emergencies - Recognizing serious injuries will enable you to attend to a victim until medical help arrives.
- Before you leave, find out the weather report - When you arrive at the site, watch the skies for changes and carry a compact weather radio. In inclement weather, find shelter until the worse passes. Stay dry - wet clothes contribute to heat loss. Also, keep sleeping bags and important gear dry at all times.
- Arrive early - Plan your trip so that you arrive at your actual campsite with enough daylight to check over the entire site and to set-up camp.
- Check for potential hazards - Be sure to check the site thoroughly for glass, sharp objects, branches, large ant beds, poison ivy, bees, and hazardous terrain.
- Avoid areas of natural hazards - Check the contour of the land, and look for potential trouble due to rain. Areas that could flood or become extremely muddy can pose a problem.
- Inspect the site - Look for a level site with enough room to spread out all of your gear. Also, a site that has trees or shrubs on the side of prevailing winds will help block strong, unexpected gusts.
- Build fires in a safe area - Your open fires and fuel-burning appliances must be far enough away from the tent to prevent ignition from sparks, flames, and heat. Never use a flame or any other heating device inside a tent. Use a flashlight or battery-powered light instead.
- Make sure your fires are always attended - Be sure you have an area for a fire that cannot spread laterally or vertically - a grill or stone surface is ideal. When putting the fire out, drown it with water, making sure all embers, coals, and sticks are wet. Embers buried deep within the pile have a tendency to reignite later.
- Pitch your tent in a safe spot - Make sure your tent is made of a flame-retardant fabric and set up far enough away from the campfire. Keep insects out of your tent by closing the entrance quickly when entering or leaving.
- Dispose of trash properly - Remember to recycle - use the proper recycling bins if available.
- Be cautious when using a propane stove - Read the instructions that come with the stove and propane cylinder. Use the stove as a cooking appliance only - never leave it unattended while it is burning.
- Watch out for bugs - Hornets, bees, wasps, and yellow jackets are a problem at many campsites. Avoid attracting stinging insects by wearing light-colored clothing and avoiding perfumes or colognes. Should such an insect approach, do not wave wildly and swat blindly - instead use a gentle pushing or brushing motion to deter them.
- Beware when encountering wildlife - To ward off bears, keep your campsite clean, and do not leave food, garbage, coolers, cooking equipment, or utensils out in the open. Remember that bears are potentially dangerous and unpredictable. Never feed or approach a bear. Use a flashlight at night, as many animals feed at night, and the use of a flashlight may warn them away.
- Beware of poisonous plants - Familiarize yourself with any dangerous plants that are common to the area. If you come into contact with a poisonous plant, immediately rinse the affected area with water and apply a soothing lotion such as calamine to the affected area.
- Practice good hygiene - Make sure you wash your hands regularly to prevent everyone in your group from becoming ill.
Dear Friends:
It's a great honor to have the opportunity to serve the people of Senate District 17 in the 129th Legislature.
If you have a question or comment about what is happening at the State House, I would like to hear from you. Please contact me at Russell.Black@legislature.maine.gov or (207) 287-1505.
Here's an update on what is happening in Augusta.
Sincerely,
Russell Black
Senate District 17 includes all of Franklin County communities as well as the Kennebec County communities of Belgrade, Fayette, Mount Vernon and Vienna.
State News Update
Applications for Any Deer Permit Lottery Are Due Next Week
Online applications must be completed by 11:59 pm (ET) on August 15, 2019. The lottery will be held on September 6, 2019. To apply, click here: https://www.maine.gov/ifw/hunting-trapping/any-deer-permit.html
Donations Sought for Rescued Collies
Last month more than 80 animals were seized from a dog breeder in Solon, Maine and taken into state care. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry is currently accepting donations to support rescued Collies in Animal Welfare care. Your contribution helps Animal Welfare rehabilitate and re-home rescued animals. With limited funding, they rely on generous contributions to deliver the care and attention that rescued Maine animals need. Thank you! Donate to Rescue
Maine DECD: Land-Based Aquaculture is Right Fit for Maine
Aquaculture is the “farming” of fish, shellfish, and other marine organisms in a controlled environment. Some are raised in pens in the open ocean and bays. Some are land-based, raised in above-ground artificial ponds in enclosed structures. Maine is well positioned, based on its geographic location, to become a global leader in land-based aquaculture. This is good news for our state, our economy and our environment. For more, click here: https://www.maine.gov/decd/businessdevelopment/landbasedaquaculture
Maine Bicentennial Underway – Will Continue Through 2020
The official Bicentennial Celebration of Maine’s statehood kicked off last week and runs through next year. To keep up with the news and events, go to: https://www.maine200.org/
Senate Republican Radio Address
Though it drew little notice, a very important day in Maine history passed us by a few weeks ago. No, it wasn’t the anniversary of Maine becoming a state, or the important anniversary of some great event.
June 30, 2019 was the last day that Maine State Government operated under a budget that included the fiscal restraints, prosperity, and economic growth of Republican ideas.
When voters put Republicans in charge of state finances back in 2011, Maine finally began to emerge from decades of economic doldrums. The budget that Republicans passed in 2012 included the largest tax cut in the state’s history and removed nearly 70,000 low income Mainers from the tax rolls altogether and cut back on restrictive regulations and impediments to economic growth.
To read the entire address, click here: https://mesenategop.com/2019/08/01/senate-republican-radio-address-8-2-19/
It's a great honor to have the opportunity to serve the people of Senate District 17 in the 129th Legislature.
If you have a question or comment about what is happening at the State House, I would like to hear from you. Please contact me at Russell.Black@legislature.maine.gov or (207) 287-1505.
Here's an update on what is happening in Augusta.
Sincerely,
Russell Black
Senate District 17 includes all of Franklin County communities as well as the Kennebec County communities of Belgrade, Fayette, Mount Vernon and Vienna.
State News Update
Applications for Any Deer Permit Lottery Are Due Next Week
Online applications must be completed by 11:59 pm (ET) on August 15, 2019. The lottery will be held on September 6, 2019. To apply, click here: https://www.maine.gov/ifw/hunting-trapping/any-deer-permit.html
Donations Sought for Rescued Collies
Last month more than 80 animals were seized from a dog breeder in Solon, Maine and taken into state care. The Maine Department of Agriculture, Conservation, and Forestry is currently accepting donations to support rescued Collies in Animal Welfare care. Your contribution helps Animal Welfare rehabilitate and re-home rescued animals. With limited funding, they rely on generous contributions to deliver the care and attention that rescued Maine animals need. Thank you! Donate to Rescue
Maine DECD: Land-Based Aquaculture is Right Fit for Maine
Aquaculture is the “farming” of fish, shellfish, and other marine organisms in a controlled environment. Some are raised in pens in the open ocean and bays. Some are land-based, raised in above-ground artificial ponds in enclosed structures. Maine is well positioned, based on its geographic location, to become a global leader in land-based aquaculture. This is good news for our state, our economy and our environment. For more, click here: https://www.maine.gov/decd/businessdevelopment/landbasedaquaculture
Maine Bicentennial Underway – Will Continue Through 2020
The official Bicentennial Celebration of Maine’s statehood kicked off last week and runs through next year. To keep up with the news and events, go to: https://www.maine200.org/
Senate Republican Radio Address
Though it drew little notice, a very important day in Maine history passed us by a few weeks ago. No, it wasn’t the anniversary of Maine becoming a state, or the important anniversary of some great event.
June 30, 2019 was the last day that Maine State Government operated under a budget that included the fiscal restraints, prosperity, and economic growth of Republican ideas.
When voters put Republicans in charge of state finances back in 2011, Maine finally began to emerge from decades of economic doldrums. The budget that Republicans passed in 2012 included the largest tax cut in the state’s history and removed nearly 70,000 low income Mainers from the tax rolls altogether and cut back on restrictive regulations and impediments to economic growth.
To read the entire address, click here: https://mesenategop.com/2019/08/01/senate-republican-radio-address-8-2-19/