[USPS Ensign]
[BPS Burgee] Birmingham Power Squadron [BPS Burgee]
2220 on Tuesday, August 19th, 2008

Squadron Boating Course Description

The Safe Boating Class will interest all boaters, whether they fish on quiet inland lakes, have a family cruiser, or are sailing enthusiasts. Each class consists of lecture, group discussion, and required homework. Among the subjects covered are:

Safety at Sea Course Plotting
Compass Bearings & Fixes  Sailboats
Knots PWCs
Buoys & Lights Engine Maintenance
Weather Trailer Boating
Coast Guard Rules Navigation Rules
Marine Radio Navigation Aids
Charts

For those interested, Birmingham Power Squadron offers an introductory, mock cruise on Lake Erie stressing plotting, courses, bearings, dead reckoning and time-speed-distance calculations. Birmingham also sponsors an optional Law Enforcement Night with presentations by the U.S. Cost Guard, Oakland County Sheriff’s Office and the Ontario Provisional Police. General information, and a chance to ask questions are included in the evening.

Instruction is free, there is however, a charge for materials (textbook etc. and plotting tools of needed. Classes last about 2 hours and run for about 7 to 8 weeks.

For those who do not wish to take navigation with a full Boating clas, we have aBoat smart Class that will take place in lake Orion and runs 4 to 5 weeks. Followng this class, for those who wish to compliment their skills with navigation a Chart Smart Class will be entertained running an additional 2 to 3 weeks.

Safe Boating classes are the very basic skills that every boater, sailor, fisherman and water sportsman must acquire for keeping everybody on the waters SAFE. For those who are interested in more education of all those basic skills, there will be available classes in Seamanship and Piloting.

** Note that those of ages 12 to 16 operating a boat with a 6 HP or larger motor or those born after December 1978, operating a PWC in Michigan waters must have a State safe Boating Certificate. In addition, those 12 to 14 may operate a PWC Michigan only if accompanied by a parent or guardian and if both that person and the parent or guardian has obtained a State Safe Boating Certificate.