16 minute read
SAFE BOATING COURSES
from Issue 931
UNITED STATES POWER SQUADRONS - AMERICA'S BOATING CLUB - FOR BOATERS, BY BOATERS -
Online Classes and seminars are listed at: https://americasboatingclub.org/learn/onlineboating-education
America’s Boating Channel offers a variety of boating “how to” videos: https://www.youtube.com/c/ AmericasBoatingChannel
Local squadrons, and contact information, is listed below. Some squadrons may be offering online classes.
THE UNITED STATES POWER SQUADRONS’® COURSES, DISTRICT #22 (FLORIDA’s GULF COAST): ANNA MARIA ISLAND SAIL & POWER
BOCA CIEGA SAIL & POWER SQUADRON - 727424-1810, www.usps.org/localusps/bocaciega/ courses
CAPE CORAL POWER SQUADRON - 239-5499754, www.ccsaps.org - America's Boating Course (12 hr) - May 3 (Mon) 7:00pm. CLEARWATER SAIL & POWER SQUADRON - 727441-8775, www.clearwaterpowersquadron.org America's Boating Course (8 hr) - April 17 (Sat) 8:00am. America's Boating Course (8 hr) - May 1 (Sat) 8:00am.
CRYSTAL RIVER SAIL & POWER SQUADRON
LAKELAND SAIL & POWER SQUADRON - 863667-9047, www.lakelandsailandpower.info/ America's Boating Course (8 hr) - June 12 (Sat) 8:00am. MANATEE SAIL & POWER SQUADRON - 941-7619444, www.manatee-squadron.org // America's Boating Course - for information, contact us at the above number. America's Boating Course (8 hr) - June 5 (Sat) 8:00am.
MARCO ISLAND SAIL & POWER SQUADRON
- 239-213-8722, visit our website www. marcoislandsailandpowersquadron.org
PEACE RIVER SAIL & POWER SQUADRON -
SAN CARLOS BAY SAIL & POWER SQUADRON
SANIBEL-CAPTIVA SAIL & POWER SQUADRON -
239-233-7380, www.usps.org/localusps/sancap/
SARASOTA SAIL & POWER SQUADRON - 941400-6467. www.sarasota-boating.org Boat Handling Course - May 6 (Thu) 6:30pm. America's Boating Course (8 hr) - June 7 (Mon) 7:00pm.
ST PETERSBURG SAIL & POWER SQUADRON -
www.boating-stpete.org TAMPA POWER SQUADRON - 813-810-6914, tampaPS.org // America's Boating Course - for information, contact us at the above number. VENICE SAIL & POWER SQUADRON - 941-2448331. www.boatvenicefl.com America's Boating Course (8 hr) - May 22 (Sat) 8:30am.
A VESSEL SAFETY CHECK MIGHT BE YOUR BEST
NEW YEAR’S RESOLUTION - STUART - Despite numerous COVID-19 restrictions, more and more boaters are taking to the water to alleviate at-home boredom while taking advantage of the open-air benefits and more pandemicfree aspects of recreational boating. But if you haven’t been out boating in a while, are your vessel’s lights operating properly? Do you have a sufficient number of life jackets for the number of passengers aboard? Is your engine’s ventilation system up to par? To get you started on a new year boating adventure, now may be a perfect time to consider getting a 2021 Vessel Safety Check (VSC) offered by certified VSC examiners from the St. Lucie River Power Squadron, also known as America’s Boating Club of Martin County. These trained VSC examiners from the local squadron will point out safety features such as minimum requirements required by the U.S. Coast Guard, examine fundamental mechanical aspects of your vessel, and answer questions how you can have more fun safely on the water. These are just a few of the many discussion points covered in this voluntary examination. As an added plus, Vessel Safety Checks are free to boat owners. And if you don’t “pass muster” with the thorough examination, the summary report is yours and yours alone. No record of any possible deficiencies will be reported to the USCG, state agency or any other authority. Want to know more about this complimentary Vessel Safety Check program? Contact Peter Burns at (772) 486-2684 or burnspet@aol.com. St. Lucie River Power Squadron, one of more than 300 squadrons nationwide, also offers safe boating classes to the public. Check on their website, www.slrps.org, when classes will resume. Information about the parent organization is available at www.usps.org.
BUSY, CLASSES DON’T FIT YOUR TIMETABLE?
THEN ADJUST OUR SCHEDULE We understand BUSY. The Banana River Sail and Power Squadron teaches a large number of classes. They are regularly scheduled throughout the year. Sometimes your schedule and our schedule do not match. Rather than have you miss a class offering we will schedule and teach any of the classes listed below whenever five (5) or more students make a request for a class. To make a class request, please call 321-220-7776 or email hofmanneg@juno.com for more information or to request a class. LIST OF COURSES: BASIC BOATING: America’s Boating Course 3rd Edition. ADVANCED: Seamanship (S), Piloting (P), dvanced Piloting (AP), Junior Navigation (JN), Navigation (N). ELECTIVE: Cruising and Cruise Planning (C and CP), Engine Maintenance (EM), Marine Electrical Systems (MES), Marine Communication Systems (MCS), Sail (Sa) 2009, Weather (Wx) 2012.
COAST GUARD AUXILIARY OFFERS VESSEL SAFETY CHECKS AND SAFE BOATING CLASSES
- A Vessel Safety Check is a complimentary check of your boat conducted by members of the Auxiliary, confirming that it meets both federal and state requirements for safety. No citations are issued, and the results of the safety check are not reported to any enforcement agency, but a decal is awarded to display when the vessel has passed the examination. The Vessel Safety Check (VSC) is performed at your boat, whether in a slip, at the launch ramp, or in your driveway, by a certified Vessel Examiner, at a mutually-convenient time. It usually takes 20-45 minutes, depending on the size of your boat. After successful inspection you are awarded a vessel safety check sticker which is affixed to your vessel near your state registration sticker. Call 727-898-1324 to find an inspector or go to www.cgaux.org/vsc/. Boating skills and Seamanship Programs ae presented by the USCG Auxiliary, Flotilla 72 each Tuesday night, 7:309:30 pm, 1300 Beach Drive, SE, St. Petersburg. Call 727-898-1324 for information or to go http://flotilla72registration.info to pre-register. Completion satisfies the state of Florida boater safety education requirement. FLORIDA BOATER’S ID CARD - Don’t forget that “Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 is required to either have successfully completed a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved boating education course or have passed a course equivalency or temporary certificate examination and have in their possession a boating education ID card and a photo identification card before operating a vessel with a motor of 10 HP or more in Florida.” Identification cards for persons completing the course or the equivalency exam are good for a lifetime. Temporary Certificate exams are made available to the public through contractors. The temporary certificate is valid for 12 months from the issue date. Boating Skills and Seamanship Programs are presented by the U.S.C.G. Auxiliary, Flotilla 72 each Tuesday night, 7:30-9:30pm, 1300 Beach Dr. SE, St. Petersburg. Call 727-898-1324 for information or visit www. tampabaysafeboating.com
“HOW TO USE GPS” - NEWEST ONLINE COURSE FROM THE BOATUS FOUNDATION - WWW.
BOATUS.ORG/GPS - If you’ve ever wondered about all of the features and functions on your boat’s GPS or chartplotter, this is your chance to learn by taking the newest online course from the BoatUS and the US Power Squadrons, How to Use GPS. Available for a $30 course fee at www. BoatUS.org/gps, the course makes learning easy as it can be taken anytime – at home, office, or the boat – and course takers to stop and return as their busy schedules permit. The course works well with any brand of marine GPS or chartplotter.
BoatU.S. Foundation
The Courseline is a searchable database of current boating safety courses around the nation.
BoatEd
BoaterExam.com
Commander Bob
An award-winning website that advances boating education
NauticEd
Offers a sailing course meeting the National OnWater Standards (NOWS) for skills based boater education
PWC Safety School
Offers online courses and certification for PWC operators in several states
Safe Boating America
Safe Boating America classes meet the State Educational Requirements for operating a Boat or PWC and also meet the requirements for a Youth Operator.
State Courses
Many states offer boating safety courses. The National Association of State Boating Boating Law Administrators' online Directory provides contact information for state boating agencies.
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
Local flotillas offer a variety of safety classes, including basic/introductory boating courses and safety courses, navigation, sailing and personal watercraft safety, among others.
U.S. Sailing
Programs offer instruction in small and large sailboats, windsurfers, and powerboats. All levels of instruction are available around the country for beginner to advanced skills. Information on courses and instruction is available on the web.
United States Power Squadron
"America's Boating Course 3rd Edition" the most comprehensive boating safety course available. It includes a course book, a narrated student CD and a digital charting DVD. ABC 3 is available as a classroom, home study or online course.
American Canoe Association
Comprehensive resource to find skills courses, assessments, and instructor certification courses for kayak, canoe, raft, safety & rescue, and adaptive paddling.
CLEARWATER COAST GUARD AUXILIARY TEACHING BOATING SAFETY CLASSES
ONLINE - 2021 - A New Way to Learn … A New Crop of Safe Boaters. With the advent of COVID-19, the Coast Guard Auxiliary was advised to discontinue in-person classes for the safety of the instructors and students. The good news is that the State of Florida (FWC) and the National Association of Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) have approved the Coast Guard Auxiliary to conduct online classes. These classes are not your standard webinar sessions where the students sit at their computers and are lectured at. And they’re not animated cartoon sessions where you have to keep pressing enter to get to the next topic. The Clearwater Coast Guard Auxiliary is offering outstanding “Boat America” course via two options:
May 22nd & May 23rd (Two Sessions) ONLINE 9:00 am to 2:00 pm. June 22nd & June 23rd ; June 24th & June 25th (Four Evenings) ONLINE, 7:00 pm to 9:30 pm.
Classes are $40 per student and include the books, supplemental materials and course completion certificates. The classes being offered by the Clearwater Coast Guard Auxiliary are conducted on Zoom with the same instructors the student would have had in the classroom and allowing lots of questions and answers. In addition, because the classes are on the Internet, there’s no commuting to a classroom – the students can be anywhere in Florida! The boating safety class is also a requirement for many boaters in Florida. In the Sunshine State, anyone born after Jan. 1, 1988, must successfully complete a boater safety course approved by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) in order to operate any boat powered by more than 10 horsepower, and they are required to carry their boater education card with them when out on the water along with picture ID. Contact the Coast Guard Auxiliary, Clearwater Flotilla, for boating safety classes at: www.clwboatingsafety.com or by email at clwtr.auxboating@gmail.com or call 727-469-8895.
BOATER SKILLS CLASSES - Start your 2021 boating year by attending a Boating Skills & Seamanship course that “guarantees” to increase your boating knowledge and make you a more confident, safe and intelligent boater. Classes are conducted each Tuesday evening from 7:30pm to 9:30pm conveniently located on the United States Coast Guard base at 1300 Beach Drive SE. St. Petersburg. Call 727-898-1324 for more information or visit www.tampabaysafeboating. com Auxiliary, Flotilla 72 each Tuesday night, 7:309:30pm, on a continuous rotation so you can start any Tuesday. Our building is located at 1300 Beach Dr. SE, St. Petersburg (U.S.C.G. Base). Go to www.tampabaysafeboating.com for information, pre-register at http://flotilla72registration.info or call 727-898-1324 and leave your name and number. Completion satisfies the state of Florida boater I.D. safety education requirements. Cost for books and materials are $60 for this 9 week program. You can pay by check or cash on the first night you attend.
SARASOTA FLOTILLA 82 OF THE USCG AUXILIARY
Florida law requires that any person born on or after Jan. 1, 1988, may not operate a vessel powered by a motor of 10 horsepower or greater unless such person has in his or her possession, aboard the vessel, photographic identification, a Florida boater safety identification card (or any other state’s boating card), and the registration for their vessel. Regarding the above law, which has been in effect for over a year, Flotilla 82 of the USCG Auxiliary, based in Sarasota, Florida (at Mote Marine) offers a 1-day course held on the last Saturday of each month. It starts at 9:00 am and completes at 5:00 pm. The course includes the USCG exam which, if passed, results in a Florida lifetime boating card/license. The cost for materials is $40 for the first member of a family and $10 each per additional family member. For more information, please call C. William Myers, Public Education, Flotilla 82, at 941-388-1033.
Mention you saw this announcement in the Florida Mariner, and receive 20% off!
SEA SCHOOL CLASSES: Jacksonville 904-7221400 or SeaSchool.com
ST. PETE BEACH U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY
FLOTILLA 78 - *Contact for current Boating Skills and Seamanship Class Schedule. A 12week continuous Safe Boating Program (Boating Skills and Seamanship) every Tuesday, 7:00pm, 1500 Pass-A-Grille Way, St. Pete Beach--Start at your convenience. Arrive first time at 6:30pm to register. Included in this program are detailed and illustrated materials that cover the program topics. Auxiliary Boating Skills & Seamanship 400 page material package. $40 for 13 weeks ($55 if sharing the material). Families who boat together are encouraged to register to fully benefit from the safety aspects of this program in case of a disabled Captain. Call Jim at 727-360-4846, or Warren at 727-321-7801, or Phil at 727-865-2226 for complete schedule and more information.
THE PORT ST. LUCIE ANGLERS CLUB - THURSDAY
OF EACH MONTH - The Port St. Lucie Anglers Club meets on the second Thursday of each month at the Port St. Lucie Botanical Gardens 2410 SE Westmoreland Blvd. The entrance to the facility is at the first stop light south of the intersection of Westmoreland Blvd. and Port St. Lucie Blvd. Each month we have a different topic about fishing the waters of the Treasure Coast. These informative and educational meetings will enhance your knowledge of the most productive techniques to fill you fish box and ways to ensure the conservation of this wonderful natural resource. The Club provides arrangements for Anglers to be paired up with boat owners in order to facilitate fishing opportunities. Upcoming fishing trips and Tournaments will be discussed. Club members traditionally also give us their latest Tall Tales of their fishing adventures so there are sure to be some surprises for all. The Public is invited without charge. Free coffee and donuts are served. Call Dave Brigida 772 834-7599 for more information or visit our Website at PSLANGLERS.COM. The fun starts at 7pm.
THE USCG AUXILIARY FLOTILLA 72, ST. PETERSBURG:
PADDLERS - Kayaks, Canoes, and SUPs are all considered to be vessels by the USCG and the State of FL and must follow all navigation and vessel requirements. Life Jackets and sound producing devices (whistles) are required for all on board. These water craft are low to the water & more difficult to see so bright clothing and paddles are recommended. Stay out of channels except to cross and mark your craft with your name & phone in the event that the get away from you, your dock or the beach. Boating Skills and Seamanship Programs are presented by the U.S.C.G. Auxiliary, Flotilla 72 each Tuesday night, 7:30-9:30pm, 1300 Beach Dr. SE, St. Petersburg. Call 727-898-1324 for information or visit www. tampabaysafeboating.com
VENICE SAIL AND POWER SQUADRON ANNOUNCES OUR WINTER AND SPRING AMERICA’S BOATING COURSE SCHEDULE -
America's Boating Course is a basic, introductory course for both sail boaters and power boaters. It is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and recognized by the U. S. Coast Guard as acceptable to the National Recreational Boating Safety Program. It meets the requirements of Florida safe boating education laws. Topics include: Boat Types, Boat Handling, Federal and Florida Regulations, Required Equipment, Rules of the Road, Aids to Navigation, Water Sport Safety, Personal Water Craft Operation, Marine Hazards and Trailering. Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 must take a State of Florida approved boat safety course to operate a boat with 10 HP or more and carry the Boating Safety Certification card issued from the course. Where: Offered as a Live Video Class on ZOOM Contact: Squadron Education Department 941244-8331 Registration Fee: $50 (with Family Discounts) Preregistration is Required. When: The course is presented two Saturdays (half day) sessions. EARLY REGISTRATION IS RECOMMENDED so that the textbook and assignments can be distributed before the classes begin.
Course Dates and Times: *Saturday April 17 and 24 (register by April 15) 8:30 AM to 12:30 PM Zoom If you have any questions, please call or email me at jdensler@yahoo.com BOAT TUTORS BOATING EDUCATION COURSE
NAUTICAL KNOWLEDGE "101" Located At Gasparilla Marina in Placida, Florida. May 15-16; June 19-20; July 17-18; Aug 14-15. Weekend classes 8:30-5 at Gasparilla Marina in Placida, FL. Course Cost is $99.00 per person. This course is a blended, lecture-based, hands-on 16 hour course taught both during the week or on weekends. You can follow up this course with Course #6 "On the Water Training" on your boat (30' and less) where you can apply theory to practice. Contact Captain Jack Sanzalone, USCG Licensed Master to schedule classes (941) 268-6622 or jack@ boattutors.com; www.boattutors.com
The Nautical Knowledge "101" class includes both lectures and hands-on training and covers:
a. Boat familiarization and terminology b. Basic overview of rules of the nautical road c. Buoy and daymarker training including intracoastal waterway familiarization d. Chart familiarization e. Float plan familiarization and use f. Use of GPS and depth sounder and your magnetic compass g. Boat handling, including general navigation training to leave the dock and arrive at the dock without panicking. Basic line handling and securing a boat to a cleat h. Anchoring preparation and anchoring, includes best anchoring locations and bottoms I. Man Overboard actions j. Lifejacket familiarization and Florida Law requirements k. Trailering your boat including preps to launch and recover from a public boat launch l. Basic engine and trailer maintenance and troubleshooting m. Basic fire safety, including fire extinguishers and what to do in the event of a fire n. Use of the VHF radio including Digital Selective Calling and reporting emergencies o. Tides and currents and sunrise/sunset p. Boating under the influence q. Finding marina facilities and the use of boating guides r. Beaching your boat s. Emergency actions while underway or ashore t. Briefing your family or guests before leaving the dock
(Includes use of charts and your own student manual for note taking and future quick reference). ** At the conclusion of each Nautical Knowledge "101" Class we can administer you the Florida Boating Safety Course at no charge, which will earn you your Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card (required in Florida if born after Jan 1, 1988)**Contact Captain Jack Sanzalone, USCG Licensed Master to schedule classes (941) 268-6622 or jack@boattutors.com www. boattutors.com
UNITED STATES POWER SQUADRONS (USPS)
RESUMES SAFE BOATING CLASSES - WHAT: ABC3 America’s Boating Course, 3rd Edition. Presented by St. Lucie River Power Squadron, America’s Boating Club of Martin County. Complete course focuses on family boating safety to include “Rules of the Road,” federal and state requirements, marlinspike, seamanship, piloting, navigation and more. Completed course qualifies for Florida Boating Safety Education ID Card. Many insurance companies also offer boat insurance discounts as bonus. WHEN: April 12-29, Monday and Thursday, 7-9 pm. ATTENDANCE LIMITED TO ADHERE TO CDC COVID 19 GUIDELINES. WHERE: Stuart Corinthian Yacht Club, 4725 SE Capstan Ave., Stuart. COST: $25, cash or check made payable to SLRPS. Includes all instruction and materials. Families may share materials - $10 fee for each additional family member. FURTHER INFORMATION and REGISTRATION: Paul Vallier, 772.678.2468, pavallier@aim.com, St. Lucie River Power Squadron website: www.slrps.org
