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From: Gil (no email)
Date: Tue May 17 2005 - 08:10:30 EDT
I was recently convinced by a USCG Aux person conducting my annual vessel
safety inspection that spending the day attending a 10 hour USCG Auxiliary
Boating Safety class would be worthwhile. I didn't really need it, but
education never hurts and I thought it would be good to see what the new
boater is being taught. The results were frightening!
This is a course that a new person to boating believes will give them the
minimum knowledge to boat safely. Unfortunately, that really wasn't the case.
Less than 5 minutes was spent on NavAids and it would have been less without
questions. 30 minutes or more was spent on how to properly display your state
registration decals--no kidding. Let's not forget this was taught by the USCG
Aux, not local marine law enforcement which makes the time spent on this
subject even more confusing. Probably another 15 to 20 minutes on trailering.
No discussion on charts, other than you should have them. Very little
discussion on the proper use of a VHF radio. The only discussion tides,
current and the weather was simply they should be considered. PFD's were
actually discussed in sufficient detail as was fire extinguishers. This is
good, as they may unfortunately be needed by the class if they don't seek
additional instruction. There was some discussion on right always, but
judging from the questions, not enough for the class to understand. Oh yes,
let's not forget the hour plus in mostly unrelated instructor stories and an
equal amount of time convincing everyone to join the USCG Auxiliary.
All in all, a great use of my time, as it just reinforces my belief that there
are many on the water that lack the skills to safely operate their vessels. I
don't necessarily blame the inexperienced boaters, especially those to take
the time to take the education that they assume gives them the instruction
they should have to be safe and conform to the rules.
We should always remember who has the right of way...it's the other boat that
does when they don't have the knowledge to know better.
Gil
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