Bellingham Sail and Power Squadron America's Boating Course

Fall Class starts September 21, 2010

BSPS offers America's Boating Course in partnership with Bellingham Technical College on Tuesday nights Sept. 21 - Nov. 9 from 7:00 to 9:00 pm. This course covers all material required by WA State Boater Education Card, and qualifies the graduate for the card.

The comprehensive eight-week course teaches navigation and charting of local coastal waters, boat handling skills, and safety tips for both sailors and power boaters. Instructors draw on many years of local boating experience to help students with successful cruising in the San Juan Islands.

Students will need dividers and NOAA Chart 18421 (Strait of Juan de Fuca to Strait of Georgia). Charts are available at local marine stores; dividers are available at the BTC bookstore or at local marine stores. Participants can earn college credit and may qualify for lower boat insurance rates.

For a $95 fee, students receive instruction, course manual, and chart plotter. The course fee also includes a six-month membership in the United States Power Squadrons, which offers courses ranging from seamanship to celestial navigation.

For more information contact Matt Dennis (360) 739-7704

To register call BTC at (360) 752-8350 and ask for item #4560, Introduction to Safety and Navigation.