Ask the Expert: Brush Up On Boating Skills
Published: Friday, December 14, 2018
By: Cary R. Wiener, President of Pantaenius America Ltd.
Cary R. Wiener is President of Pantaenius America Ltd. and a maritime lawyer who has worked on many famous cases, including the Exxon Valdez. He is licensed in all fifty states and is passionate about safety on the water.
Question:
Any suggestions on how my wife and I can brush up on our boating skills this winter?
Answer:
Yes! Just because it's cold outside and your yacht may be in storage, that doesn’t mean you can’t brush up on your boating skills this winter. The off-season is the perfect time to boost your nautical knowledge. Whether you’re a novice or experienced mariner, there’s a class out there designed to sharpen your skills.
A Boatload of Benefits
What’s in it for you? Whether you sign up for an introductory seminar, a refresher course, or an advanced, hands-on specialty class, continuing education offers you a bevy of benefits, including:
- Keeping yourself, your crew, and your passengers safe. Knowing how to operate, navigate, and communicate effectively on the water is essential to accident prevention. Knowing and understanding emergency equipment and procedures saves lives. Nearly 60 percent of accidents on the water involve operators with no boating safety education, and 84 percent of all deaths on the water involve boats operated by drivers with no formal instruction or training.
- Protecting your investment. Even when there’s a fee for continuing education courses, these cost a tiny fraction of the initial investment you’ve made in your boat - plus, there are plenty of free options available.
- Staying on the right side of the law. Many states require boating certification for some or all boaters. Taking courses also helps ensure you are up to date on federal and state laws pertaining to boating.
Whether the world of yachting is completely new to you, or you’re interested in taking a refresher course to hone your skills, you have both in-person and online options. You can even cruise to the Caribbean for a learning vacation…
Head Into the Classroom or Take a Course Online
U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary: cgaux.org/boatinged
Courses offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary provide instruction at all levels — from the fundamental to the advanced — and are taught by experienced and knowledgeable instructors committed to the highest standards of the U.S. Coast Guard. Course categories range from “Boating Safety” and “Navigation with GPS” to “How to Read a Nautical Chart” and “Boating Skills and Seamanship for Power Boating” — and more.
U.S. Power Squadrons: americasboatingclub.org
USPS offers a full range of educational experiences for both novice and experienced boat owners. They teach a variety of comprehensive courses and short seminars to advance your know-how of seamanship and boat handling, piloting and navigation, boat systems maintenance, weather, sailing, cruise planning, and other topics specifically created to meet the needs of today’s yacht owners. USPS offers in-depth courses (usually 6-8 weeks), focused two-hour seminars, and skills certification in inland, coastal, and offshore navigation and boat operation. Mix and match to suit your education needs. With USPS, you have complete flexibility in scheduling your continuing education through classroom instruction, online courses, and on-the-water skills training.
National Association of State Boating Law Administrators: www.nasbla.org/education/approved-boating-courses
No matter where you live, with a click of your mouse, you can access this Association’s online directory of NASBLA-approved state courses.
Boatsafe: boatsafe.com
This site offers an online NASBLA-approved Basic Boating Certification Course for all states. Study the course online, pass the online exam, print your certificate and you’re good to go. Boatsafe also offers a Coastal Navigation Course that uses a combination of a printed text/workbook for home study, sample and real-time chart work, online animated demonstrations and testing, and email instructor assistance.
US Sailing: www.ussailing.org/education
Designed for sailors of all types and levels — and appropriate for a wide range of vessels — these courses are moderated or taught by experienced, lifelong sailors who include some of the top names in sailing and safety. Plus, SAS certifications are good for five years. US Sailing, which is the National Governing Body for the sport of sailing in the United States, offers three types of Safety at Sea Seminars: Coastal, Offshore and Offshore Seminar with Hands-on Training. For an SAS event near you, visit the US Sailing website. US Sailing also offers free online courses.
US Powerboating: www.uspowerboating.com
Prefer an on-the-water class? US Powerboating, an affiliate of US Sailing, offers a curriculum for powerboat enthusiasts of all skill levels. All courses are hands-on, on-the-water that get you behind the wheel for an educational experience unlike any other. All courses are taught by Certified Powerboat Instructors and are designed to empower you with the skills and confidence you need to become a smarter and safer powerboat operator. US Powerboating’s courses are offered at nearly 150 Course Providers and Powerboat Training Centers around the country and all are open to the public.
American Sailing Association: www.asa.com
The American Sailing Association introduced certifications to the United States over 35 years ago. Today, with 350+ sailing schools worldwide and 515,000 ASA-certified sailors, ASA represents the largest and most trusted network of schools in the United States.
Visit a Boat Show
Almost every boat show offers continuing education seminars, so double your pleasure by signing up for a class or two while exploring new yachts and checking out the latest marine accessories and services. Here’s a sampling of winter boat shows in the Great Lakes are that offer a wide array of seminars and courses:
Chicago Boat, RV & Strictly Sail Show January 9-13, Chicago, IL
www.chicagoboatshow.com
Mid-America Boat Show, January 17-21, Cleveland, OH
www.clevelandboatshow.com
Milwaukee Boat Show, January 18-20, Milwaukee, WI
https://www.showspan.com/MBS/
Toronto Boat Show, January 18-27, Toronto, Canada
http://www.torontoboatshow.com
Minneapolis Boat Show, January 24-27, Minneapolis, MN
http://www.minneapolisboatshow.com/
Grand Rapids Boat Show, February 13-17, Grand Rapids, MI
https://www.showspan.com/GRB/
Detroit Boat Show, February 16-24, Detroit, MI
http://detroitboatshow.net/
PassageMaker TrawlerFests, Assorted dates/venues in 2019
https://www.passagemaker.com/trawlerfest
Classes in the Caribbean
LTD Sailing
Based out of St. Vincent and the Grenadines, LTD Sailing offers week-long live-aboard sailing courses designed to provide a hands-on learning experience. Courses are offered aboard premium, modern charter boats and entail exploring one of the best sailing destinations in the world. The Basic Cruise and Learn course is perfect for beginner to intermediate sailors. For the more experienced, an Advanced Cruise and Learn course is also available. For more information, visit http://www.ltdsailing.com.
Offshore Sailing School
Located in the British Virgin Islands, Offshore Sailing School is owned and operated by power couple Steve and Doris Colgate. Steve is a former Olympian, America’s Cup sailor, and creator of the award-winning Colgate 26. Doris founded the National Women’s Sailing Association and Women’s Sailing Foundation. Teaching faculty here are full-time employees who hold Coast Guard licenses and US Sailing instructor certifications. Sailing courses run the gamut from “Learn to Sail” and “Learn to Race” to “Learn to Cruise” and “Learn Passage Making.” For powerboat enthusiasts, “The Fast Track to Power Cruising” course instills the knowledge and confidence to move from runabouts to big cruising yachts. For more information, visit www.offshoresailing.com.
Have a question about yacht safety or insurance? Send it to [email protected].
This article first appeared in the Year End Issue (Nov/Dec) 2018 of Great Lakes Scuttlebutt magazine.
tags: Education
