Memorial Day is just a few days away. After participating in parades and memorial ceremonies, many boaters will go out on the waterways for the first time this boating season. Like tradition, my family will also be out on the water. However, after years of fighting the waves and the high traffic around the Memorial Day festivities we now know not to go too far from our mooring or our anchorage spot.

We will be enjoying our floating island on the water when at some point during the day we will probably notice boats lined up at the boat ramps waiting to get in or out of the water. It can be very entertaining to watch all the action at a crowded boat ramp. People get anxious. They rush. They do things they would not usually do, like yell at strangers, or jolt into the water with their nice clothes on. They also will forget to do things they are supposed to do, like put the plug in the stern drain or remember to bring the ignition key. Nearly every boater has most likely seen somebody take their boat out of the water with the stern drive lowered.

No boater is totally exempt from this excitement. I have experienced it myself. I get quite anxious when my boat and my guests are ready, but we get stuck waiting for some novice ahead of me to get things together. If there are people waiting for me to hurry up, then I will wind up feeling pressured and make mistakes.

It has been a while since many of us have maneuvered the boat since the end of boating season last winter. In all probability there are a few things we have forgotten and others that we will overlook from time to time. Now, add to the equation some new boaters out on the water. Inevitably there will be some accidents that could have been avoided if we had refreshed our memories or made the effort to learn the safer ways of boating.

If you have read this column before you probably notice that I frequently promote taking safe boating classes. In light of recent boat fires and well-publicized boating accidents. I want to remind you once again that taking a safe boating course could help avoid many problems on the waterways. I have seen some foolish things that can have been avoided if the boater had taken a safe boating course.

The Oyster Bay Coast Guard Auxiliary is running a one-day basic boating safety class offered on June 10 or June 24 at the Waterfront Center. To register please call 624-8724. You can also contact the Oyster Bay Power Squadron at 937-1260. Both organizations will arrange private group sessions if there is enough interest. Additionally, the Waterfront Center offers sailing certification training. I took one of the courses several years after I had begun sailing and I still learned how to increase my sailing skills while working alongside students who had never sailed before.

For more information about local boating, environmental issues, and other water-related activities throughout the Oyster Bay area, you can email the author at Jaime.VanDyke@gmail.com or reach her at 946-9464.