Recreational Boating Courses Offered

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Raleigh, NC –  The United States Power Squadrons^® is offering a special boating course across the entire U.S. following National Safe Boating Week – during June 2007.  This comprehensive course offers valuable skill building information, incorporating the latest marine technology, for both experienced and new boaters.  Most USPS squadrons will also include the charting and piloting supplement and a CD developed by Maptech.  Now that NOAA is offering free digital charts on its web site, you will want to learn how to use them.  The course will tell you how, and the CD provides the necessary software and sample charts to get you going.

             “NSBW has been a major factor in the very low accident and fatality rates in boating,” said Ernie Marshburn, Chief Commander of this 50,000 member organization.  “However,” continued Marshburn, “with many new boaters entering the market each year, there is an urgent need for boating education.  We decided to step up to the plate with a coordinated offering to the public at the start of the boating season – just when families are getting ready to take to the water.”

             Dick Kyle, the National Educational Officer for USPS^®, adds, “we’ve asked our 450 squadrons to reach out to the public with extra programs during this important timeframe, just prior to the summer 2007 boating season.  These boating courses, seminars and demonstrations offer valuable skill building information, incorporating the latest marine technology, for both experienced and new boaters.”  For example, Kyle points out that USPS is the only organization instructing on the use of digital charting.  With free chart downloads now available from the NOAA web site,    www.noaa.gov, these programs are particularly relevant. NOAA – The National Oceanographic and Atmospheric Administration - manages the nation’s nautical chart program.

             USPS offers basic boating courses meeting certification requirements in virtually every state.  These programs are extensive and are aimed at building skills and confidence for full enjoyment of this family sport.  During National Safe Boating Week, many squadrons will be offering seminars on topics such as GPS and the use of nautical charts and performing demonstrations of various boating and safety equipment.  To find and pre-register for a basic boating course being offered near you visit: http://www.usps.org/cgi-bin-nat/eddept/cfind.cgi

             The United States Power Squadrons is the largest and oldest boating organization in the country, providing boating education since 1914.  Today, local squadrons in the U.S., U.S. territories and Japan, provide a wide range of programs - educational, public service and social - for all types of recreational boaters - paddlers, sailors and power boaters - on all types of waters. Member programs cover vital topics for the recreational boater such as weather, sail, cruise planning, marine electronics, and shipboard mechanical systems as well as courses covering inland, coastal and offshore piloting and navigational skills.  USPS has also authored a series of short, informational guides available on retail bookshelves.

             You can reach USPS and obtain more information by calling 1-888-FOR-USPS, by logging on to www.usps.org or, contact:

Bob Sweet, Asst. National Educational Officer for USPS, 508-495-4300, aep@mindspring.com