WASHINGTON – Your boat may be out of the water and properly winterized, but you don’t have to wait until spring to begin planning for the next season of enjoyment on the water. Why not take advantage of the winter lull to refresh your boating skills…or learn new ones…in courses conducted by the local flotilla of the U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary?
Coast Guard Auxiliary flotillas throughout the country conduct a variety of courses to help keep you knowledgeable and safe while operating your boat on the nation’s lakes and rivers… and offshore as well. Typical courses:
About Boating Safety – an eight hour, in-depth boating safety course necessary to obtain a boat license of safety certification in many states.
GPS for Mariners – a modern learning experience that focuses on the GPS equipment typically owned by recreational boaters and helps an individual learn how to use a GPS for practical recreational boating.
How to Read a Nautical Chart – a course designed for use at sea to provide the navigator with the knowledge to interpret a chart’s contents, navigate to a destination and return safely to port.
Weekend Navigator – a comprehensive course designed for both experienced and novice powerboat and sailboat operators to help the boating enthusiast learn of hone the skills required for a safe voyage on a variety of waters and under a variety of conditions.
Not all courses are conducted by all Auxiliary flotillas,so be sure to check with your local flotilla to find out what is being offered in your area.
The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, created by an Act of Congress in 1939, is the uniformed civilian component of the U.S. Coast Guard that supports the Coast Guard in nearly all mission areas. For more information on the Coast Guard Auxiliary and a flotilla near you, visit cgaux.org
