The U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary's Boating
Skills and Seamanship (BS&S) course is a comprehensive course
designed for both the experienced and the novice boater. The course
consists of 14 sessions, two nights a week over a 7 week period,
providing up-to-date knowledge for handling boats in all conditions.
FLOTILLA 26 presents the course in two-hour lessons and it is open to
the general public. We charge $65 for the course.
Final Test:
Individuals who successfully complete the course and final test are
awarded certificates and cards. Many boat insurance companies will
offer discounts to individuals who successfully complete this course.
Classes are given on a regular schedule,
and one is currently underway. Our next is slated for September
12th.
E-mail mauivfc@a1400326.uscgaux.info
for classes
and information.
Topics include:
WHICH BOAT IS
FOR YOU? -- boater's language; types of boats; outboard motors
and sterndrives; hull design; uses of boats; other power plants;
materials for constructing boats; your intended use; the Coast Guard
Customer Infoline ; marine surveyors; buying a boat.
EQUIPMENT FOR
YOUR BOAT -- requirements for your boat; your boat's equipment ;
legal considerations; substance abuse; boating accident reports; Vessel
Safety Checks (f/n/a Courtesy Marine Examinations).
TRAILERING YOUR
BOAT -- legal considerations; practical considerations; the
towing vehicle; balancing the load; handling your trailer;
pre-departure checks; preparing to launch; launching; retrieving;
storing your boat and trailer; theft prevention; Zebra mussels; float
plan.
HANDLING YOUR
BOAT -- leave with a full tank; fueling your boat; your boat's
propellor; cars and boats; twin screws; jet drives; loading your boat;
getting started; leaving a pier; "man" overboard; docking; mooring to a
permanent anchor; anchoring; towing a skier; heavy weather; small boat
safety.
YOUR "HIGHWAY"
SIGNS -- protection of ATONs; buoyage systems; waterway marks;
how waterways are marked; light characteristics; chart symbols; light
structures; lights on bridges; electronic aids to navigation; a word to
the wise; navigation publications.
THE RULES YOU
MUST FOLLOW -- two sets of rules; to whom do the rules apply;
what is a vessel; the general responsibility rule; general
considerations; conduct in narrow channels; traffic separation schemes;
vessel traffic services; stand-on or give-way; rules for special
vessels; risk of collision ; bend signals; restricted visibility;
vessel lights and shapes; vessels at anchor; diving operations;
distress signals; drawbridge signals; penalties.
PILOTING YOUR
BOAT -- piloting tools; maps and charts; chart features; your
chart's general information block; other charted information; your
magnetic compass; position on the earth's surface; locating a point on
a chart; distance on the earth's surface; measuring distance; course
plotting; sources of compass error; correcting a compass reading;
positioning; speed-time-distance; dead reckoning; practice your art.
POWERING YOUR
BOAT -- types of marine engines; marine engines; selecting a
propeller; induction systems; ignition systems; flame arresters;
cooling systems; gasoline considerations; batteries; maintenance;
winterizing your boat; spring fitting-out; troubleshooting.
LINES AND KNOTS
FOR YOUR BOAT -- line or rope; rope materials; kinds of rope;
measuring rope; selecting your ropes; care of rope; making up line;
knots, bends, and hitches; splices; securing lines; dipping the eye.
WEATHER AND
BOATING -- sources of weather information; wind and boating;
wind and waves; understanding weather; weather and heat; fog;
non-frontal weather.
YOUR BOAT'S RADIO
-- radios used on boats; functions of radios; licenses; selecting your
VHF-FM radio; installation; operating your VHF-FM; maintain a radio
watch; channels have special purposes; some "no no's"; copies of the
rules; calling another station; procedure words; phonetic alphabet;
routine radio check; distress, urgency, and safety calls; crew training.
INLAND BOATING
-- types of inland waters; inland navigation; inland seamanship; river
currents; maintaining inland waterways; dams; locks; river charts;
commercial traffic; before you go.
THE REST OF OUR
STORY -- small boat safety; personal watercraft; hypothermia;
motorboats and sailboats; carbon monoxide poisoning; float plan; U.S.
Coast Guard District Offices; instructions for using a course plotter;
metric conversion system.
