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Boating Safety Classes - 2009

"When anyone asks me how I can best describe my experience in nearly forty years at sea, I merely say, 'uneventful'. Of course there have been winter gales, and storms and fog and the like. But in all my experience, I have never been in any accident ... of any sort worth speaking about. I have seen but one vessel in distress in all my years at sea. I never saw a wreck and never have been wrecked nor was I ever in any predicament that threatened to end in disaster of any sort."

 

Edward J. Smith, 1907 
Captain, RMS Titanic 

Did you know that most insurance companies will give you a discounted rate if you complete the courses below?

The benefits of taking these classes go way beyond that though. Even experienced seaman walk away having learned things they never knew, just never thought of, or hadn't viewed it from a particular perspective.

The links below will take you to the National Coast Guard Auxiliary site.

For the public, each of these courses typically incur a fee for materials, however these Classes and MORE are FREE for Active Coast Guard Auxiliary Volunteers. Why not consider joining the Coast Guard Auxiliary today?

Please visit one or more of Division 2's Flotilla websites for their class and fee schedules.

Boating Skills & Seamanship
Boating Skills and Seamanship Book Cover he U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary's Boating Skills and Seamanship (BS&S) is a comprehensive course designed for both the experienced and the novice boater. This 13th edition features all new, full-color graphics and updated text. To meet NASBLA requirements, Chapters 1-8 and Appendix A must be taught, with the addition of your state specific boating laws. Chapters 9-13 are optional.   (click here for a full course description)
GPS for Mariners
Replacing our prior GPS course is a modern learning experience that focuses on the GPS equipment typically owned by the recreational boater. GPS for Mariners is a course that has resulted from an exciting synergy between textbook's publisher, the book's author, and the Auxiliary. The course includes the book and some terrific PowerPoint support materials. The recommended presentation of the course involves inviting participants who already own hand-held GPS units to bring them to the class, increasing interactivity of the educational experience and getting students more involved. 		 GPS for Mariners Book Cover
However, this class is so effective that even those not possessing handheld units will learn how to use a GPS for practical recreational boating. In addition, the interactivity of the course should encourage our Recreational Boating Safety Partners to want to sponsor GPS for Mariners classes since it should increase their sales of handheld GPS units. 
The course is flexible enough that it can be structured around a day format for a basic introduction to GPS or a full-day experience that gets more heavily into navigating with GPS, utilizing and setting waypoints and more advanced navigational applications with GPS. Those interested in the full-day course may also be good candidates for our Navigation course (Click here for a course description)
Weekend Navigator
Weekend Navigator Book Cover The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Weekend Navigation Course is a comprehensive course designed for both experienced and novice powerboat and sailboat operators. The course is divided into two major parts designed to educate the boating enthusiast in skills required for a safe voyage on a variety of waters and boating conditions. This course can be taught as a whole or as separate modules. (click here for a course description).
The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary is the civilian, uniformed volunteer component of the United States Coast Guard, as well as the lead volunteer force in the Department of Homeland Security. Founded in 1939 by an Act of Congress as the US Coast Guard Reserves and re-designated the Coast Guard Auxiliary in 1941, the 30,000 volunteer members (men and women) donate thousands of hours in support of the Coast Guard and Maritime Domain Awareness missions, such as Search & Rescue, Public Education, Vessel Inspections and Marine Environmental Protection.