US Sailing’s Safety at Sea is the gold standard in safety training, and the program will be available this spring in two locations on the Chesapeake: Annapolis, MD, and Newport News, VA.
The program is moderated and taught by experienced sailors and is appropriate for a wide range of boating experience levels and boat types, to include monohulls, multihulls, and powerboats. Courses are offered around the country, and in each location special attention is given to conditions and challenges of the host organization’s sailing area. Certifications earned are valid for five years from the date of issue. Topics include man-over-board prevention and recovery, USCG communications, best practices for managing the boat during heavy weather, safety equipment, weather forecasting, and emergency medical interventions.
The Marine Trades Association of Maryland (MTAM) will host Safety at Sea April 6-7, at the US Naval Academy. This year’s event will begin at Mahan Hall. The Safety for Cruising course is for people seeking offshore training but who do not need certification, as it does not include a US Sailing Certificate. Participants still get the great hands-on modules in the pool and two days of training. Three US Sailing-sanctioned certificate courses will be offered: Offshore Sailing, International Offshore Safety with Hands-on Training, and International Offshore Hands-on Only Training. Participation in Hands-on Training is limited. Learn more and register at mtam.org.
The Capt. Henry Marx Memorial US Sailing International Safety at Sea course will be offered Saturday, March 2 at The Mariners’ Museum and Park in Newport News, VA. Tickets include US Sailing’s book Safety at Sea: A Guide to Safety Under Sail and Personal Survival, lunch, US Sailing certificate, lectures, a docent tour, demonstrations, course materials, and round-trip transportation from the Museum to the pool and back. Space is limited to 50 participants and tickets sales close February 20 at 4 p.m. Prerequisite online training can be found via the US Sailing website and takes approximately 12 to 16 hours to complete. Online training must be completed five days before the in-person training. Register and find more information at marinersmuseum.org.
Watch for more details about Safety at Sea in the March 2024 issue of SpinSheet.
