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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Initially Posted - 04/11/2007 : 11:58:51

I just completed a course from the Coast Guard Auxiliary that might interest many of you. As long as I was sailing on little Brookvile Lake, in southern Indiana, I didn't need a very sophisticated understanding of navigation or the navigation rules, or chart reading, or weather prediction, or trip planning, or a myriad of other subjects, but, when I retired and bought a bigger boat on the Chesapeake Bay, I quickly realized that the general navigation and seamanship skills I had on Brookville Lake weren't enough anymore. This winter I took a Coast Guard Auxiliary course called <u>Boating Skills & Seamanship</u> that was exactly what someone needs when moving to bigger waters. It's more advanced than a basic boating course, and it's really designed for a person with a little knowledge of seamanship who wants to expand that knowledge. It provides just the right amount of information, without being too complicated or tedious. It's suitable for sailors and stinkpotters alike. If you are or have moved up, I heartily recommend it. It'll make you feel a lot more confident on those big, crowded waters, because it'll teach you how to deal with and understand lots of commonly encountered situations. The cost in Dayton, Ohio was $25.00, and the book is an excellent quick-reference book that I'll be keeping on the boat.

They also have much more advanced courses, such as Advanced Coastal Navigation, that I'd like to take next winter. A course like that from a commercial sailing school would be very expensive, but from the Auxiliary, it'll be a bargain. Most commercial courses would include on-board instruction, but I believe the Auxiliary course will cover most of the same subjects, without on-board instruction, very inexpensively.

Steve Milby J/24 "Captiva Wind"
previously C&C 35, Cal 25, C25 TR/FK, C22
Past Commodore

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britinusa
Web Editor

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USA
5404 Posts

Response Posted - 04/11/2007 : 19:11:15

Tom, I researched the uscgaux and found this, but it is indicated 'Power Boaters' is it the same course?
[url="http://nws.cgaux.org/visitors/pe_visitor/classes/boating_skills_and_seamanship.html"]http://nws.cgaux.org/visitors/pe_visitor/classes/boating_skills_and_seamanship.html[/url]

Paul

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Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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USA
5902 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2007 : 09:58:30

That's the course, Paul. When I took it, there were at least an equal number of sailors as power boaters taking the course, and most of the course material was not specific to power boats. When I enrolled in it, I didn't have any high expectations about the course, but thought I'd probably pick up a few useful tips, and always enjoy thinking about boats. After completing it, I realize that it was exactly what I needed. I learned and re-learned a huge amount that will help me find my way around the Bay without bumping into boats or other things. For anyone who is moving to bigger waters, or who is planning to cruise in bigger waters, it would be time very well spent.

Edited by - Steve Milby on 04/12/2007 10:03:16

Dave Bristle
Master Marine Consultant

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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/12/2007 : 21:35:38

Sounds good--for next winter... None around here on their schedule for now. Thanks for the tip!

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ed_spengeman
1st Mate

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USA
98 Posts

Response Posted - 09/23/2008 : 12:02:05

Try the United States Power Squadron. They have classes in Seamanship, Piloting, Advanced Piloting and Navigation along with a host of other classes. I found it so good I started teaching some of the classes myself. Cost is only dues and cost of books.

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
5376 Posts

Response Posted - 09/24/2008 : 20:00:24

Ed -
You're right, the USPS offers these courses, but its limited to Members of the Squadron. I took Seamanship, Piloting, and next will be Advanced Piloting. It's not just a walk in the park, you really learn how to apply the knowledge, which sounds similar to Steve's experience with the USCG Aux.

We offer courses to the public including Boat Smart (for the CT and other state certifications), Paddle Smart (for anybody who dares to paddle a kayak), and several two hour seminars including: Weather, Sail Trim, GPS, VHF Radio and DSC and Maneuvering Under Power.

We also perform vessel safety checks [only on vessels who invite us aboard] as we can help boat owners improve their safety aboard and, by the way, avoid those pesky tickets for expired flares, insufficient pfds and dead lights, which would surely elicit USCG and boating police-type violations.

Other members-only courses include Marine Electronics (I, II and III), Engine Mechanics, Celestial Navigation among others. Really practical, safety-oriented and maintenance-oriented courses that are a privilege to take.

It's very worthwhile becoming a member and serving as an officer as it gives you a sense of community while out on your boats, and an opportunity to teach basic safety to other boaters. Check www.USPS.org for a group near you.

Bruce Ross - P
Executive Officer
Milford Power and Sail Squadron
Milford CT.

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The Officers, Staff and members of this site only provide information based upon the concept that anyone utilizing this information does so at their own risk and holds harmless all contributors to this site.