Boatist
Rear Admiral
- Joined
- Apr 22, 2002
- Messages
- 4,552
Re: How many have taken Safe Boating Course?
I have taken the Coast Guard AUx class 3 times, first one back in 1972. Went back with my entire crew (Wife and two kids) when we got a bigger boat and everyone passed the class.
Have also taken the US Power class 2 times. Each class I learned something and got up to date on any rule changes. I bought my first boat back in 1967 and had been boating with my Dad long before that.
I think going to the class is a lot better than book learning, because you meet other boater and thing they had run into. Questions other ask you did not think of you will still get the answers to something that might help you in the future.
Important to practice what you have learned also. Man Overboard drill, I think is Very important. Just take a basket ball and have someone throw it overboard when they feel like it. Then yell man overboard and try to retrieve without loosing site of the ball or running over it. Very easy drill in a nice calm lake with no wind. But try it offshore with 8 foot seas and 3 foot of chop and 30 MPH of wind and you will fine it not so easy. First time we did it in rough water lost site of the ball for a short time and that can be deadly. also can not approch from up wind or up swell as wind and swells will push your right over your person. After your think you have it down then make the one who usually drive the boat the person to watch the ball and see if other in the crew can get the boat back to the person. Since the boat driver might be the one that fell over board.
Coast Guard AUX and the US Powers Squardons both now have short classes and longs classes. The long classes 13 weeks are much better than the short classes. I ask why are they doing these short classes and the answer was many just want the certificut to get a break on their insurance and will not sign up for the long classes.
I think the Coast Guard Aux does a better job of going over all the regulations and saftey gear.
US Power Squardons has a better dead reckoning navigation class in the long course.
All the classes I have taken were FREE but you had to buy the Training Manual at least one per family. US Power Squadrons also had to buy the basic Navigation tools, ( parallel rule, protractor and dividers) but good to have and know how to use.
I have taken the Coast Guard AUx class 3 times, first one back in 1972. Went back with my entire crew (Wife and two kids) when we got a bigger boat and everyone passed the class.
Have also taken the US Power class 2 times. Each class I learned something and got up to date on any rule changes. I bought my first boat back in 1967 and had been boating with my Dad long before that.
I think going to the class is a lot better than book learning, because you meet other boater and thing they had run into. Questions other ask you did not think of you will still get the answers to something that might help you in the future.
Important to practice what you have learned also. Man Overboard drill, I think is Very important. Just take a basket ball and have someone throw it overboard when they feel like it. Then yell man overboard and try to retrieve without loosing site of the ball or running over it. Very easy drill in a nice calm lake with no wind. But try it offshore with 8 foot seas and 3 foot of chop and 30 MPH of wind and you will fine it not so easy. First time we did it in rough water lost site of the ball for a short time and that can be deadly. also can not approch from up wind or up swell as wind and swells will push your right over your person. After your think you have it down then make the one who usually drive the boat the person to watch the ball and see if other in the crew can get the boat back to the person. Since the boat driver might be the one that fell over board.
Coast Guard AUX and the US Powers Squardons both now have short classes and longs classes. The long classes 13 weeks are much better than the short classes. I ask why are they doing these short classes and the answer was many just want the certificut to get a break on their insurance and will not sign up for the long classes.
I think the Coast Guard Aux does a better job of going over all the regulations and saftey gear.
US Power Squardons has a better dead reckoning navigation class in the long course.
All the classes I have taken were FREE but you had to buy the Training Manual at least one per family. US Power Squadrons also had to buy the basic Navigation tools, ( parallel rule, protractor and dividers) but good to have and know how to use.
