US Coast Guard Auxiliary Huntington Flotilla 22-01 is pleased to announce that it will be offering its "Boating Skills and Seamanship," "Basic Coastal Navigation" and "New York State Young Boaters" courses beginning Monday, April 7, and Tuesday, April 29. The courses begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be held at Half Hollow Hills High School East located at 50 Vanderbilt Parkway in Dix Hills, except for the Basic Coastal Navigation Course which will be held at the Huntington Yacht Club.

The Basic Coastal Navigation course runs for eight consecutive Mondays, starting April 7, and will cover methods of safe boating navigation, including the use of navigational aids, publications, chart reading and GPS. It is strongly recommended that those who register for this course have completed some type of previous basic boating instruction, such as the "Boating Skills and Seamanship."

The Boating Skills and Seamanship course runs for six consecutive Tuesdays, starting April 29. It is designed for those over the age of 18 who are either interested in brushing up on their existing skills, or who have not previously taken a boating course. Among the areas to be covered include seamanship techniques, personal safety for crew and passengers, boat handling, rules of the road, the latest federal boating regulations and general legal requirements, weather, radio/telephone use, knot tying and other subjects. Most insurance companies recognize this course and will provide a discount on boat insurance upon successful completion.

The New York State Young Boaters course runs for six consecutive Tuesdays, starting April 29 and is mandatory throughout the state for young persons, 18 years and under, who desire to operate any type of propelled boat in the waters of New York. Upon completion of the course, students will be given a certificate of completion as well as a wallet-sized card, which must be in the young boater's possession when operating a vessel.

Each of the above US Coast Guard Auxiliary courses are offered to the public for a small fee to cover the course books, workbooks and other class handouts. There are no fees for the New York State Young Boaters Course. Upon completion of boating courses, students receive an Official Certificate of Completion. It is not necessary for students to own a boat to register for these courses.

For additional information and to register by telephone for any course, call Tony Schwally, 631-586-1456, or Fax 631-586-8069 and e-mail awschwally@aol.com.