The course name “About Boating Safely,” begun by the Coast Guard Auxiliary, satisfies the education requirement in Florida and most Southern states and also gives boaters of all ages a solid grounding (no pun intended) in boating safety. Other organizations offer other courses which will satisfy the Florida requirements. The About Boating Safely (ABS) covers subjects including boat handling, weather, charts, navigation rules, trailering, federal regulations, personal watercraft, hypothermia and more. Many insurance companies also give discounts for having taken the boater safety education course. Completion of courses qualifies attendees for Florida’s Boater Safety Card. The following are ABS courses (with asterisks **): **America’s Boating Course, St. Petersburg Sail and Power Squadron, January 7. Available to anyone 12 or older. Free. Materials cost $35 per family. Classes held once a week (two hours each Monday) for seven weeks. Completion of this course will enable the student to skipper a boat with confidence. 7-9 p.m. St. Petersburg Sailing Center, 250 2nd Ave SE, Demens Landing, St. Petersburg. Maximum 20 students. Pre-registration required at www.boating-stpete.org, or call (727) 498-4001. Other member courses on navigation, seamanship, maintenance, electrical, etc., regularly sched-
News & Views for Southern Sailors
uled. Go to the website for more information. **Basic Boating. Banana River Sail and Power Squadron, West Melbourne, FL. One course on two consecutive Saturdays: Feb. 16 and 23, 8:45 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at West Marine, 1001 W New Haven Ave (US 192), West Melbourne, FL 32904. Course Fee is $50.00. Bring lunch, refreshments will be served. Additionally, an on-the-water session will also be held on trailer launching and retrieval; and hands-on basic boat handling, anchoring and docking. Contact Ernst Hofmann at hofmanneg@juno.com, (321) 220-7776. **Ongoing — Jacksonville, FL. Mike Christnacht. (904) 502-9154. Generally held once monthly on Saturdays. Go to www.uscgajaxbeach.com for the schedule, location and to register. **Ongoing — Ruskin, FL, Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 75 Offers Home Study Safe Boating Course. Each month. The flotilla has found that many boaters do not have the time to attend the courses, so they are now also offering a home study course at $30. Additional family members will be charged $10 each for testing and certificates. Tests held bimonthly. Entry into the course allows participants to attend the classes. To apply, call (813) 677-2354.
SOUTHWINDS
January 2013
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