U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary
9th Western Region

Division 4, Flotilla 2

Serving Green Bay, WI area

Flotilla 04-02 offers four different classroom boating classes:
1.  Boating Fun (grades K - 3)
2.  Waypoints (grades 4 - 6)
3.  WDNR (Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources) BOATING BASICS (ages 12 and up)
4.  Boating Skills and Seamanship (ages 17 and up)
A brief description of each of these courses in the Green Bay area follows.  For more information on these courses, please visit the Auxiliary Webpage or the WDNR Webpage.

BOATING FUN
Boating Fun is designed for children ages 5 to 9.  The course takes from 30 to 60 minutes depending on the size of the group.  The main focus of the class is to emphasize safe boating practices at the most basic level. 

Specifically, all children should know to:
1.  WEAR A LIFEJACKET (now a federal law for all under 13)
2.  ALWAYS swim with a BUDDY
3.  BALANCE the boat
4.  STAY WITH THE BOAT in the event of an accident

Instructors also emphasize the importance of telling someone where you're going and when you'll be returning (a float plan), keeping all body parts inside the boat while it's moving, staying away from a running engine, and keeping a lookout for any possible hazards. 

General safety and boating equipment, including lifejackets, flashlights, first aid kits, whistles, anchors, bailers, fire extinguishers, binoculars, oars, paddles, and throwable PFDs are also discussed.  Each student will complete a matching worksheet for the various equipment and coloring book pages.  Each student will put on a lifejacket and receive a sticker and a course completion certificate.

WAYPOINTS
Waypoints is a course intended to be a bridge between Boating Fun and the WDNR Boating Basics course.  The course takes from one to two hours, depending on the size of the group.  In addition to the material covered in Boating Fun, students will learn about:
1.  Parts of a Boat
2.  Types of and Requirements for PFDs
3.  Required and Suggested Boating Equipment
4.  Importance of Proper Boat Loading (Capacity and Balance)
5.  Distress Signals
6.  Types and Use of Fire Extinguishers
7.  Basic Navigation Lights and Rules
8.  Safe Practices for Personal Watercraft Usage
9.  Aids to Navigation
10.  Hypothermia

Each student will don a lifejacket and receive a sticker and a course completion certificate.
   
WDNR BOATING BASICS
Boating Basics is a four or five-session course, comprising a total of 10 hours.  This course is recommended for students ages 12 and up.  Several adult/child combinations enroll in the class together.  DNR and Auxiliary instructors cover the material in the textbook at depth.  Topics include:
1.  All About Boats
2.  Legal Requirements
3.  Navigation Rules
4.  Getting Underway
5.  Accidents
6.  Special Topics

Each student passing the class will receive a card documenting their successful course completion.

For more information about boating in Wisconsin, please contact the WDNR at:
Wisconsin Department of Natural Resouces
P.O. Box 7921
Madison, WI 53707
Phone (608) 266-2141 or visit their website at www.dnr.state.wi.us/org
 
BOATING SKILLS AND SEAMANSHIP
The U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary's Boating Skills and Seamanship (BS&S) course is a comprehensive course designed for both the experienced and the novice boater.  The course consists of 9 three-hour lessons providing up-to-date knowledge for handling boats in all conditions.

Two BS&S courses are generally offered each year, one starting in January and one starting in March.  The courses in Green Bay are held at the Brown County Wildlife Sanctuary, across from Bay Beach Amusement Park.  Classes are generally on Tuesday nights from 6:00 to 9:00.  Tuition for the course includes the cost of the textbook and workbook.  Textbook topics include:
1.  WHICH BOAT IS FOR YOU?
2.  EQUIPMENT FOR YOUR BOAT
3.  TRAILERING YOUR BOAT
4.  HANDLING YOUR BOAT
5.  YOUR "HIGHWAY" SIGNS
6.  THE RULES YOU MUST FOLLOW
7.  INLAND BOATING
8.  THE REST OF OUR STORY
9.  INTRODUCTION TO NAVIGATION
10.  POWERING YOUR BOAT
11.  LINES AND KNOTS FOR YOUR BOAT
12.  WEATHER AND BOATING
13.  YOUR BOAT'S RADIO

Many insurance companies will offer discounts on boat insurance to individuals who successfully complete this course.  Individuals who successfully complete the course and exam are awarded certificates and cards.  For more information about courses offered by the Coast Guard Auxiliary, please visit the Public Education portion of the National Website at http://nws.cgaux.org/cgauxweb/classes/master.shtml.

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