Saturday, January 20th, the Coast Guard Auxiliary in the New Bern area offers a one day course on the basics you need to know to operate a boat on North Carolina waterways. The session is held at The University of Mount Olive, New Bern campus on Trent Road, Saturday, from 8:30 AM to 4:00 PM. The class, taught by certified USCG Auxiliary instructors, provides the important information required by all persons between 16 and 26 to legally operate a boat in NC with 10 or more horsepower.
About Boating Safely will introduce you to all types of boats, boating law, right-of-way rules, safety equipment, loading, fueling, docking, knots, weather, aids to navigation, using charts, anchors, potential boating problems and what to do, trailering & protecting your boat or PWC. Upon completion of the course, you’ll receive a certificate and a wallet size permit if you are stopped by any Coast Guard, Wildlife or any law enforcement agency. Taking this course may also result in a lower boat insurance premium.
The cost is $35, which covers the teaching materials, wallet card and certificate and $5.00 for each additional family member/guest when using the same textbook. You will also have the opportunity to bring your trailered boat to Mount Olive for a free vessel inspection. For more information and required pre-registration or information about other USCG Auxiliary courses, contact Bob Manning, Public Education Officer, at 252-638-5588 or 252-474-4222.
Submitted by: Bob Manning, Staff Officer, Public Education, USCG Auxiliary