Utica Sail andPower Squadron offers a "Boat Smart" Course

When: Thursday, 2007 March 8,15,22,29

Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Where: Whitesboro High School, Whitesboro,NY

Book Cost: $25

Students must complete a proctored exam on March 29 to earn a Boating Safety Certificate.

When: Saturday, June 2, 2007 Noon to 4:00pm

Tuesday, June 5, 2007, 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Thursday, June 7, 2007, 6:30pm – 8:30pm

Where: Lock 20 Park, Marcy, NY

Book Cost: $25

Students must complete a proctored exam on June 7 to earn a Boating Safety Certificate

Boating Safety Course

Members of the Utica Sail and Power Squadron will offer a “Boat Smart” class to the public during March 2007 and June 2007 per details above. The only charge for this course is $25 for a textbook that can be shared in a family group. Youngsters between the ages of 10 and 13 are welcome to take the course when accompanied by an adult. Pre-registration is not necessary.

This boating safety course meets New York State requirements for personal watercraft operation. It also qualifies as a boating safety course for membership in the United States Power Squadrons. This national organization of boaters is dedicated to voluntarily teaching safe boating to the public and additional boating competence courses for squadron members. Remember 22 states already require a boating safety course to legally operate any boat, not just personal watercraft. It is expected that in the near future the federal authorities will require all boaters to complete a boating safety course. As our lakes and rivers become more crowded with faster and faster boats, we must all practice safe boating and know the laws that apply to watercraft operation.

A new creation of United States Power Squadrons is called USPS University. This program is an opportunity for Utica Sail and Power Squadron members to become certified by USPS for boating competence at four levels including inland, coastal, near coastal, and offshore boating. These certificates will support claims of competence when you want to charter a vessel. Our current seamanship and four navigation courses will count in certificate requirements as will our member electives of Sailing, Weather, Cruise Planning, Engine Maintenance, and Marine Electronics. Several new seminars are being developed for this new program. In addition an ‘on the water testing’ component will be included. Four new seminars were just announced with books and Power Point CD’s available now. They include the GPS Seminar, VHF/DSC Seminar, Chart Use Seminar, and Weather Seminar.

If you would like more information about the Boat Smart class or “Utica Sail and Power Squadron” membership, you may call Dean Woodard at 336-1026 or Commander Gerry Fry at 824-0978 or email: frygr@dreamscape.com

Also offered is America’s Boating Course. If you wish to secure your safety certificate and can not attend the above course, you may do so by completing the America's Boating Course. This course is a self-study effort and is presented on computer CD. There is a proctored final exam. The cost is $35. Both the course and further information are available by calling or email Ellen Webster at 336-3444.