VERO BEACH — Vero Beach Power Squadron (VBPS) is excited to celebrate Safe Boating Week from May 18-24. This is a nationally recognized week to promote safe boating.
There will be a basic safe boating class at the VBPS facility, which is next to the Barber Bridge (301 Acacia Rd.)
The class will be held on Saturday May 18, from 9 a.m. to 5 p.m.
Learn about boat handling, aids to navigation, navigation rules, how to trailer a boat, knots, and life saving equipment. The cost of the class is $35.
To make a reservation, please contact Larry Lott at (772) 532-6893, or by email at LBLott@gmx.com, or visit the website at www.VeroBeachPowerSquadron.com.
We are participating in the “Wear It” campaign, which is promoting the wearing of personal flotation devices (PFDs.) We remind you to always wear your pfd when boating.
We are also joining with the St. Lucie Power Squadron at the Ft. Pierce Coast Guard Station Open House to promote safe boating education.
VBPS also offers free vessel safety checks to be sure that your boat meets all the safety regulations. Please visit the website for further information.
Before going out, please have your checklist:
1) Did I get a full up to the hour weather forecast for where I am and where I am going?
2) Is all the boat’s operating equipment running properly?
3) Are all the required and essential things on board?
4) Are they stored properly?
5) Is there enough fuel on board to meet the rule: “one third to go, one third to return, and the rest, just in case?”
6) Did I leave a “float plan” (where I am going, when I will return, who is on board, what my boat looks like from a distance) with a responsible person?
7) Do I have emergency food and water just in case everything fails?
8) Do I have a pdf for each person on board, and do they have it on?
The antidote for “the unexpected” is “preparedness!”