Boat U.S. - May 2008 - (Page 64) behind theboat I took the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Boating Safety Course back in 1990. I had been boating for years prior to that, but since I was working at BoatU.S., I made my education official. However, with all of the talk in recent months about boating safety and mandatory education, I thought it was time to update my 18-year old certificate. No problem — or so I thought. Just go to the Boating Safety Course at BoatUS.com/Foundation, take the test, and away I sail… Not so fast. I was immediately struck by how much I had forgotten. I’m sure I knew everything — back then. But now, well I won’t embarrass myself by telling you what I forgot, but maybe if you take the course and the test you can send me an e-mail with your “ah-ha” moments. I’ll reveal mine as well. If you’re just interested in a “refresher” rather than the entire course, the BoatU.S. Foundation has just launched a greatly improved “Boater’s Toolbox” that is based on the course. It covers basic topics including: The Boat, Boating Equipment, Trip Planning and Preparation, The Environment, Navigation and Maneuvering, Emergency Preparation, and Boating Activities. Each topic has a short quiz at the end that emphasizes the most important points. When I talk to members around the country about boating safety and mandatory education they frequently tell me that it is “the other guy” that they worry about the most. It’s always, “I know what I’m doing, but what about the guy heading straight for me…does he know what to do?” Taking the course was very sobering. I’m glad I took it and wish everyone would. We’d have a better time on the water if we all understood and followed the rules. I do believe education is the key to safe boating. I took my own advice, renewed my certificate and encourage you to do the same. After all, it’s free at BoatUS.com/Foundation. Now that I’m refreshed, it’s your turn. — By Nancy Michelman Nancy Michelman is the president of BoatU.S. Reach her at president@BoatUS.com. whereour flagsfly Send us a photo of your boat, preferably flying the BoatU.S. flag, and we’ll publish it here, or online at BoatUS.com. Please include the name, make, size and home port, as well as your member number. To purchase a flag click here. DULCINEA — 45’ Hunter Beach, CA Don Moseley — Newport WINTER DREAM Rob & Diane Burford — 34’ Silverton — Havre de Grace, MD DELTA-III — 21’ Se a Ray Chester Pawlowski — Chicago Ridge, IL ’ Jeanneau WILD TURKEY — 32 naram Harbor, MA da Michael Farina — Pa ay AIRLOOM — 24’ O’D — Raritan Bay, NJ zann & Danny Burke Patrick, Su DRIFTWOOD — 32 ’ Grand Banks Keith Guy — Madis onville, LA SELENE — 38’ ChrisCra Roger Erb — Tampa ft , FL st SKAT RIO — 30’ Fa — Itacuruçá, Brazil drea & Alzir Freitas An 64 BoatU.S. Magazine May 2008 http://www.BoatUS.com https://www.boatus.net/members/flag/flag1.asp http://www.BoatUS.com/Foundation http://www.BoatUS.com/Foundation
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