Give the Gift of  Better/Safer Boating 

Sign up for Coast Guard Auxiliary 

Boating Courses (Zoom/in-person) 

Suddenly in Command:

An introduction to avoiding emergencies and what to do if they occur. 

You’rea guest on a boat enjoying our beautiful Maine coastline. What happens if the person operating the boat is unable to continuefor some reason such as broken glasses, tripping and getting injured, or not feeling well? Furthermore, sunset is not too far off. What’s the plan to get back? You may also need to understand some basics about boat handling/docking, VHF radios, and getting help.  

Be for these types of situations by providing basic information needed to get you and others on board to safety.Course topics include: basic boat handling/docking, “Rules of the Road,” communications, and accident reporting. 

How does a VHF radio work?  

This button could save your life!! 

Boat America:

Satisfies most state boater ed  requirements, including Maine. Completing the course can also lower boat insurance.

Learn boating skills from experienced boaters who patrol midcoast coastal waters from Small Point to Port Clyde. 

 Maine now requires persons born on after January 1, 1999 in order to operate a boat over 25 hp on inland and coastal waters to have taken the course Boat America, pass an exam, have the state’s Boat America card, and be registered in Maine’s Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife database. Completing this course satisfies the requirements. 

Navigating Mid Coast Maine:

Learn how to use  charts (paper and electronic) to cruise coastal waters.  Charts of the Boothbay area are used, and the  information applies to any navigation chart. 

Principles of Basic Navigation and Voyage Planning 

Chart Symbols and Aids to Navigation 

Area specific features and hazards 

While focused on the Midcoast area nautical chart #13293 “Cape Small to Pemaquid”, other electronic chart formats are addressed in order to present the various chart symbols representing Aids to Navigation, Land Features, and Bottom Characteristics. 

The course Instructors have logged over 5000 (?) hrs traversing the local waters as certified CG Auxiliary Coxswains and Crew Members. 

Problem sets based on the #13293 chart are building blocks that help integrate the information on the chart into a valuable reference guide for safe voyage planning and navigation on any chart. 

Homework assignments include exercises on tides, time/speed/distance calculations, and route planning. 

For more information: 

David Eastwood 

(207)-633-4748 

davidbeastwood@gmail.com 

flotilla25.org