Learn to be a skipper

You're the proud owner of your first boat. You are about to become part of the American pleasure boating scene, and let's assume you are ready and able to enjoy this recreational pastime to the fullest.

It is the alert and thoughtful novice skipper who, taking to the water for the first time, is aware of and prepared for the responsibility that goes with operating a boat safely.

The prudent beginner is the one who first equips himself/herself with boat-handling skill and knowledge by enrolling in free public boating courses offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Actual experience is the best teacher, but a course in boating skills and seamanship is invaluable to acquiring familiarity with boats, what to expect out on the water, and how to deal with it.

Too many of today's boating mishaps can be traced to faulty boat handling by the inexperienced, untrained skipper.

'Safe Boating is No Accident' and accidents on the water can be minimized through education. Without proper training, a thoughtless skipper not only may endanger the lives of himself and his passengers, but also ruin the day for other boaters.

Courses offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary provide basic boating know-how such as Rules of the Road, navigational aids, governmental regulations, boat handling and the fundamentals of good seamanship.

Classes are scheduled regularly. They are open to men, women and youths. For information on upcoming courses contact your local flotilla in Sodus at 483.9816.

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