2010 BOATING SAFETY PROGRAM

US Coast Guard Auxiliary -- Flotilla  66 -- Mathews, Virginia     

Recreational boaters, sailors and fishermen are invited to sign up for one or all of our courses.   We have something that may interest you – basic boating safety required by the Commonwealth of Virginia or more comprehensive courses for boaters wanting to improve their mariner skills.   All classes are taught by qualified Coast Guard Auxiliary Instructors.

BOAT VIRGINIA – The basic one-day course to qualify for the boating safety education certificate required by the Commonwealth of Virginia.   The course covers:

• General information concerning boats and maintenance

• Information to make your boating experience safer and more comfortable

• Tips on how to be a more courteous boat operator

• Laws and regulations to which you must adhere

Course dates:   Saturday, January 16; Saturday, April 17; Saturday June 19         Cost:   Free

BOATING SKILLS AND SEAMANSHIP – A more comprehensive course to expand knowledge of boating safety and skills.   The course is offered in once a week 2 ½ hour sessions over eight weeks.  This course includes:

• Selecting, equipping and trailering your boat

• Handling your boat on the water – docking, anchoring, impaired visibility, running aground

• Understanding the “highway” signs.   Using use aids to navigation and how to locate them on a chart

• Following rules of the road to prevent collisions and ensure a safe boating experience

• Boat stability, operator responsibility, hypothermia, sailing skills, carbon monoxide and weather hazards

• This course also meets the requirements for the Commonwealth of Virginia Boating Safety Certificate

Course dates:   Each Tuesday, 7 – 9 pm, starting February 2 and ending March 23.

Cost:    $45 for the Boating Skills and Seamanship textbook

WEEKEND NAVIGATOR – A seminar for recreational boaters who want to become more confident mariner.   Focus is on using paper nautical charts of the local area to plan cruises, fishing trips and daily outings.    And importantly, how to get home when electronics fail.   The seminar includes:

• Use of navigation tools, understanding how to read a nautical chart

• Using a chart to plot a magnetic course, estimating speed, time and distance, calculating fuel needs

• Determining your location using a nautical chart and taking a fix

• Tips on using navigation tools and charts while underway

This seminar includes an optional 3 hour on-water navigation challenge for students interested in testing their skills using a course plotted during the seminar.   The on-water experience will be conducted on a USCG Auxiliary boat with a qualified crew.

Course dates:  Each Tuesday, 7 – 9 pm, starting April 6 and ending April 27

Cost:   $65 for nautical chart and Weekend Navigator textbook  

For more information and pre-registration call:    Roger Rose   725-4285