Auxiliary offers boating safety class

Published 11:04 am Wednesday, March 19, 2014

United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Flotilla 47, will offer an "About Boating Safety" course 9 a.m.-5 p.m. April 18 at the Point Wilson Lighthouse, Fort Worden State Park, 200 Battery Way, Port Townsend.

Fee is $35; a second family member sharing a book costs $15. Call 956-490-7632 or e-mail gjkaufmann@aol.com for a reservation.

The class provides knowledge needed to obtain a boat license or safety certification. Many insurance companies offer discounts to boaters who complete the course.

Topics include

_ Introduction to Boating: Types of power boats, sailboats, outboards, paddle boats, houseboats, engines, jet drives.

_ Boating Law: Boat registration, hull identification number, required safety equipment, operating safely and reporting accidents, protecting the environment, federal and state laws, personal watercraft requirements.

_ Boat Safety Equipment: Personal flotation devices, fire extinguishers, sound-producing devices, visual distress signals, dock lines and rope, first aid kit, anchors and anchor lines.

_ Safe Boating: Bow riding, alcohol and drug abuse, entering, loading and trimming a boat, fueling, steering, docking, undocking and mooring, knots, filing a float plan, weather and tides, charts and anchors.

_ Navigation: The U.S. Aids to Navigation system, types of buoys and beacons, navigation rules, avoiding collisions, sound signals.

_ Boating Problems: Hypothermia, accidents and rescues, man overboard recovery, capsizing, running aground, river hazards, emergency radio calls, engine problems, equipment failures, carbon monoxide.

_ Trailering, Storing and Protecting Your Boat: Types of trailers, trailer brakes, lights, hitches, tires, and bearings; loading, balancing, and towing a trailer; launching and retrieving; storage and theft protection.

_ Hunting and Fishing, Water-skiing and River Boating: Carrying hunting gear and weapons in a boat, fishing, water-skiing safety and hand signals.