Staying Safe on the Water

During June and July, the Door County Sail and Power Squadron conducts an intense campaign of classes, demonstrations, vessel exams and seminars to promote safe boating in Door County waters.

The Squadron offers classroom training in boating safety at Northeast Wisconsin Technical College for four consecutive days beginning June 10, 6:30 – 8:30 pm. Steve Rank, the squadron education officer, notes, “While we teach an online version of the class, nothing makes it memorable like a real instructor with real experiences.”

Classes are led by certified boating safety instructors. Students who successfully complete the course written exam will earn a DNR safe boating certificate. Students below the age of 15 should be accompanied by a parent or guardian to ensure successful completion of the class.

On June 14, boaters are urged to bring their expired flares to the Sturgeon Bay Yacht Club beginning at 1 pm for a flare shoot and fire extinguisher practice. Unused expired flares will be disposed of for participants.

Also in June, the Squadron offers free vessel safety checks for boaters at several locations: Quarterdeck/Harbor Club, June 7; Bay Marine, June 14; Centerpointe and Harbor Club, June 21; and Egg Harbor Marina, June 28.

There is also a boating seminar series put on by the squadron. These two-hour courses provide timely information on a variety of topics and will be held at weekly at Quarterdeck Marina on Saturdays, 9 – 11 am beginning June 21. For registration information go to usps.org/door.