This year’s course to be held on March 9^th is, just like last year’s, an opportunity to obtain the Virginia Boater Education Card. It will be held beginning at 8:30 am, at the clubhouse and is offered by Flotilla 66 from Mathews County of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary.  State Regulations mandate the following for operators of a vessel with a 10 HP or larger motor:

• Currently, all operators age 30 years and under must be licensed
• As of July 31, 2013 all operators age 40 years and under must be licensed
• Currently, all operators of personal watercraft must be licensed

Clearly, this is a very timely presentation, and it is anticipated that multi generations of FBYC members will need to attend.  In addition, without exception, operators of all FBYC owned motor vessels used for race management and other activities will need to be licensed this summer.

This course satisfies the Virginia Boating Safety Education requirements for operators of recreation boats and personal watercraft and can be earned in one day by those who have taken and passed this course. The course, Boat Virginia, covers "Know Your Boat," "Before You Get Underway," "Operating Your Boat Safely," "The Legal Requirements of Boating," "Boating Emergencies-What to Do," and, "Enjoying Water Sports with Your Boat".  Registration will be limited to 50 people, so sign up early.  The day’s detailed schedule is as follows:

• The Coast Guard Auxiliary will start the session at 8:30 am, with introductions and a video showing chapter one and two. Instructor(s) will then go over important points featured in the video on those chapters and then move on to chapter three, and so on.
• A stretch break is planned for about 10:00am.
• About 11:30 am, we break for 30 to 45 minutes for lunch and then finish the last chapters.
• The test starts around 2:00pm.

Everyone who completes the 60-question test, without missing more than 6 questions (at least a 90% grade), will receive a certificate of education completion. The Coast Guard Auxiliary members will distribute the Boating Education Completion Card that day.

The name and mailing address of each attendee is requested at least a month ahead so that each registrant can receive, from the Coast Guard Auxiliary, a Virginia Boater booklet.   All materials and instruction by Flotilla 66 state-certified instructors are free.

Be sure to register online at www.fbyc.net.

George Sadler
Cruising Division Commander