The USPS Basic Boating Course & Vessel Safety Checks
The USPS Basic Boating Course is a traditional civic service of United States Power Squadrons©. Since the course began in 1914, local Squadrons have given it to anyone who wished to attend - more than 3 million people. This ever-growing interest leads us to believe that it has helped many and we feel that you, too, will benefit.
This
course is designed to be useful to all boaters, from the fisherman in an outboard
to the skipper in a family cruiser to the sailing enthusiast. All are subject
to nautical rules and regulations. All should respect traditional courtesies
of the sea. All are subject to the forces of nature. The course is meant to
be of interest to the entire family, older children are welcome; we encourage
your family to attend as a group.
United States Power Squadrons© Basic Boating Course is contained in six chapters. The course is divided into two types of learning, In class lectures plus reading assignment, and homework sections, not directly covered in the classroom setting. Each section of each chapter has homework questions at the end, used to test the Students retention of the information presented.
For a complete listing of each chapter in Basic Boating see the Course Outline.
The USPS Public Boating Course is offered to the public by the Darien Sail & Power Squadron several times each year. The next USPS Public Boating Course to be conducted by the Darien Sail & Power Squadron starts Wednesday, January 13, 2010 at Darien's Middlesex Middle School at 7:00 p.m. and meets on consecutive Wednesday evenings for six classes, a review and an exam, concluding with the exam on Wednesday March 8th.
Additional USPS Educational Materials are available to the public.
VESSEL SAFETY CHECKS
A Vessel Safety Check is a courtesy examination of your boat (Vessel) to verify the presence and condition of certain Safety Equipment required by State and the Federal regulations. The Vessel Examiner is a trained specialist and is a member of the United States Power Squadrons or the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. They will also make certain recommendations and discuss certain safety issues that will make you a safer boater.
This is not boarding or a law enforcement issue. No citations will be given as a result of this encounter. We will supply you with a copy of our evaluation so that you may follow some of the suggestions given. Vessels that pass will be able to display our distinctive VSC decal. This does not exempt you from law enforcement boarding, but you can be prepared to make this a positive encounter.
For further information on this worthwhile program, contact Jim Walsh at
(203) 966 2670 or by
e-mail: sailorman42@yahoo.com or by CLICKING HERE to visit our Squadron's own VSC Page.
