WILDWOOD – Flotilla 83 serving the Avalon, Sea Isle City, Stone Harbor and the Wildwoods announces two new Boating Safely Classes for Paddle Craft.

The first will be offered at the Cape May County Library on Wed., May 2 from 4:30 to 8:30. Please call the library at 609-463-6350 to register.

The second class will be held on Sat., May 19th, at the Cape May Nature Center, 1600 Delaware Avenue Cape May, outside the Coast Guard Training Center, 9:00 a.m. check-in, class will start promptly at 9:30.

Reservations for both classes are required due to limited space. The class is offered for $ 20 per student; includes a “Whistle for Life” (whistleforlife.com) and the minimum age is 12 years old. Please contact Bill Hartley at (609) 425-2788 for reservations and additional information.

Canoeists and kayakers are boaters also. Now, there is a course available to address the unique needs of this audience. Paddlesports America is an exciting safety course designed to attract the novice paddle enthusiasts. This four-hour course presents five chapters of safety information.

Topics include:

• Know Your Paddle craft…

 Parts of a canoe and kayak
 Understanding paddle craft characteristics such as basic types, hull shapes hull materials, lengths and widths and weights
 Selecting your paddle for both canoe and kayak

• Before You Get Underway…

 Knowing your paddle craft’s capacity and how to file a float plan
 Transporting your paddle craft
 Conducting a pre-departure check
 Dressing for a safe trip
 Loading gear in a canoe or kayak
 Storing paddle craft
 Responsibilities when paddling with others

• Operating Your Boat Safely…

 Enter and exit a canoe or kayak safely
 Securing the paddle craft and sharing the waterways with others
 U. S. Aids to Navigation System (ATONS)
 Hazards on waterways.

• The Legal Requirements of Boating…

 vessel registration
 hull identification numbers
 who may operate a paddle craft
 unlawful operation of paddle craft
 Homeland Security restrictions
 policies on alcohol and drugs
 Life jackets; navigation lights
 sound-producing devices
 visual distress signals
 protection of environment
 what to do if in a boating accident

State specific information may be added at the end of this chapter.

• Boating emergencies…

 Minimizing the risk of drowning
 Capsizing
 Swamping or falling overboard
 Emergency techniques
 Dealing with cold water immersion and hypothermia
 Understanding heat related illness
 Dehydration
 Weather emergencies

For more information about the classes, or to register, contact Bill Hartley at (609) 425-2788 or via e-mail at billhartleysr@hotmail.com or go to http://a0530803.uscgaux.info for more information about the classes, the USCG Auxiliary and the flotilla.

Established by Congress in 1939, the 30,000 members of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary are Semper Paratus (Always Ready).

Vessel safety checks, harbor patrols, safe boating courses, search and rescue and marine environmental protection are just a few of the services provided by the Auxiliary.
Each year, Auxiliarists volunteer more than two million hours benefiting boaters and their families.