Boating Skills & Seamanship class

[baz]

Gill and I are seriously thinking of taking the Boating Skills & Seamanship classes starting mid September. The classes are being offered by a Mark Hawley and I believe they are conducted in a room in or nearby Chuck Olson Chevrolet in Shoreline, Seattle.

Mark Hawley is a Public Education Officer, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 12 Edmonds.

Has anyone in the PNW Seattle area taken Mark's class? Can they say it was worthwhile or not?

The price seems very reasonable to me at $55 + $20 extra for a studying companion (i.e., Gill + me). There are 12 weekly classes, each one 2 hrs in duration.

 

[BaseCampAnne]

I have taken that class and really enjoyed it. Various sessions were taught by additional members, and there were always others to help out with questions, etc.

I heartily recommend it, and am confident you will find it useful.

Anne Cox, aka BaseCampAnne
Owner of CD 22' and wannabe of Ranger Tug

 

[Bruce Moore]

We haven't taken any USCG Auxiliary classes, but we did take two USPS classes here in Seattle - Boating Safety and Seamanship. Both were excellent and well worth the time, and probably quite similar. The first qualified us for the WA State Boating Safety card, even though we're over the age for which they're required :^ ]

We joined USPS which made all courses (of which there are many) free. The only cost is for the study materials. Our classes were held at the Queen City Yacht Club and the NOAA offices on Lake Union.

The knowledge, awareness, and contacts make the courses very worthwhile. Some insurance carriers will grant discounts for course completion.

Seattle Sail & Power Squadron
Boating Safety Course
Fall & Winter advanced courses

Go for it.

 

[Doug in Williamsburg]

Baz,

I am the Squadron Education Officer of the Colonial Sail & Power Squadron in Williamsburg, Virginia. I have taken the US Coast Guard Auxilliary's Boating Skills & Seamanship Class on two separate occasions (the second time after a long break in boating). I strongly encourage you to take either that class, or the Power Squadron's America's Boating Course, regardless of the instructor. The content in each of these courses is established by the same national certifying authority and only the slides and style of presentation differ. You are guaranteed to learn more than you expect - and enjoy the experience. However, these are basic courses which merely begin your boating education.

Doug in Williamsburg
Ranger Tug 25 "Carol B"