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Kudos to US Coast Guard Auxiliary Classes

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jwilliams
Captain

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USA
357 Posts

Initially Posted - 12/02/2003 : 13:37:52

Hi all,

Since all this navigation stuff was a mystery to me and since I sail on a budget, I elected to take the USCGA Basic and Advanced Coastal Navigation course instead of going to one of the sailing school courses.

The course was free, you just pay for the books and study material (about $80).

It is 12 weeks, two hours a week with challenging homework assignments and exercises. The homework gets progressively longer as the assignments become more and more practical. One should figure on 4 to six hours a week at the end. The final assignment is a written Cruise Exercise in Rhode Island Sound, including planning, voyaging and encountering some problems to solve (like frying your GPS and assisting a vessel in distress).

It was a worthwhile investment of time and effort for anyone, sailor or power. What I learned could save a life, but certainly reduce the chances of disaster from ignorance. (Like any learning I suppose.) When you pass the exams you get a certificate.

The USCGA instructors were veteran watermen (waterpeople?) with good stories to illustrate the concepts.

My Buddy Paul and me started a new class last night, a short one, on Electronic Navigation and GPS.

So, I recommend that if you have interest in the subjects, inquire to your local USCGA for class avalibility. (No, I'm not a member, but I am thinking about it.)

Jim Williams
Hey Jude C25fk 2958
SF Bay

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 12/02/2003 : 14:13:57

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by jwilliams
 So, I recommend that if you have interest in the subjects, inquire to your local USCGA for class avalibility. (No, I'm not a member, but I am thinking about it.)
Jim Williams
Hey Jude C25fk 2958
SF Bay
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
I Kansas we have the FFA and the 4-H, they offer classes in calf pulling. Sriously, I just tried to find classes in OK or Ks and there are no official links to either state.

You sure live in a beautiful place. Do you ever see Steve Job's black helicopters?

Edited by - on

dlucier
Master Marine Consultant

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Virgin Islands (United Kingdom)
7583 Posts

Response Posted - 12/02/2003 : 14:17:00

My marina invites the USCG Auxiliary to the marina to perform courtesy safety inpections to anyone who wants one. This year during my inspection they found that my flares had expired by one month.

I quickly ran to the store for newer flares and then they gave me my sticker.

For more info on classes click here...

http://www.cgaux.org/cgauxweb/classes/master.shtml

Anyway, thanks Jim for bringing up this topic.

Edited by - on

Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

Members Avatar

Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 12/02/2003 : 14:41:54

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by fhopper@mac.com
 I just tried to find classes in OK or Ks and there are no official links to either state.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Frank, the USCGA office nearest to us is located in St. Louis. Similar classes are offered by our local U.S. Power Squadrons. However, if you eventually want your OUPV, you'll have to take those exams in St. Louis. (Unless, of course, you have more money than me and can afford to take your exams somewhere exotic.

)

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ronrryan
Admiral

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USA
561 Posts

Response Posted - 12/03/2003 : 11:09:49

For fifteen or so years I taught Seamanship in the United Syates Power Squadron in various locations. There is a good sequence of courses there which are also useful and informative, and "Power" in the title does not mean power only, there are plenty of sailors in the organization. Either USCGS or USPS you meet really nice people and learn alot, even if you think you're an old salt, I recommend both highly, ron srsk Orion SW FL

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Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 12/03/2003 : 11:36:46

I paid my $40 and am now taking the "America's Boating Course" on line, awaiting my CD and book. Thanks for the push, this will make the Hard easier.

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Bryan Beamer
Master Marine Consultant

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USA
1038 Posts

Response Posted - 12/03/2003 : 12:29:28

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I paid my $40 and am now taking the "America's Boating Course" on line, awaiting my CD and book. Thanks for the push, this will make the Hard easier.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Is there a web address? How did you sign up?

Edited by - on

Sea Trac
Master Marine Consultant

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Vanuatu
1357 Posts

Response Posted - 12/03/2003 : 12:36:11

[url="http://www.usps.org/newpublic1/guesthome.htm"]United States Power Squadron[/url]

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RichardG
Admiral

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USA
990 Posts

Response Posted - 12/03/2003 : 13:24:20

I just found my old paperwork. In 1992, I took the Seamanship and then the Basic Coastal Navigation course from USCGA, Flotilla 5-6, Distric 11S (Long Beach, CA), both taught by a great old retired Navy guy, Fred King. I remember both him and the experience very fondly.

I had just moved to So. Cal., having just finished graduate school back East, and barely had a pot to piss in (much less a boat). I took the courses with a friend and his girlfriend, who also came to class with only a dream (no boat). Three years later they sailed off to Hawaii on their Catalina 30 a couple days after getting married. Two years after that my wife and I bought our first (and current) boat.

Edited by - on

Frank Hopper
Past Commodore

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Pitcairn Island
6776 Posts

Response Posted - 12/03/2003 : 13:54:14

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Bryan Beamer
 <blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">I paid my $40 and am now taking the "America's Boating Course" on line, awaiting my CD and book. Thanks for the push, this will make the Hard easier.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

Is there a web address? How did you sign up?
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">
http://www.americasboatingcourse.com/front/Home.cfm

Edited by - on

jwilliams
Captain

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USA
357 Posts

Response Posted - 12/03/2003 : 14:23:32

Frank,

Hmmm, I don't recall seeing Job's black choppers. I have seen Ellison's practice boats...I think he has three now, big mothers. Too much money. I'll stick with 'Jude. We often see on the bay a large top'sl schooner, the Hawaiian Chieftain, about 70ft availble for tours; two Scow-Schooners, the Alma (an restored original SF Bay working boat owned by the Marine Historical Society) and the Gaslight, both about 50 ft.

In our marina there is a sad 50 foot top'sl schooner, the Sultana. We call her the Pirate Ship, red hull and trim, lots of gingerbread trim in gold, quarter window turrents. But, she has been left to decay. I wish someone would donate her to a foundation and ask for volunteers to restore her. Could learn a lot.

Too bad there is not a USCGA near you...did you try going on their website to be sure? It is good to take a course from someone who has lived it. My instructor circumnavigated in a 40 foot catamaran. What stories he has and can relate to what we are learning. "Then there was the time my wife and I were anchored in 20 feet of water in the south Pacific...with no land in sight...!" Then he goes on to relate that to chart reading, lead line, following contours, Dead Reconing, etc. True story.

Jim Williams
Hey Jude C25fk 2958
SF Bay

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