Whether you are a beginner or expert boater, all boaters should take boating courses. For new boaters it is imperative for safety and confidence-building reasons to take a safe boating course. In many cases it is also required. For experienced boaters it can help refresh your memory after a long winter away from the boat. It can also help you save money on your insurance premiums.

In Oyster Bay numerous types of these boating courses are offered. Throughout the year local volunteer units of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and United States Power Squadron offer many essential courses. The courses range from basic skills and safe boating to more advanced courses in navigation, piloting, and operating complex equipment.

The Oyster Bay flotilla of the Coast Guard Auxiliary is offering many dates for the public to take the course entitled "Basic Boating Safety." This course meets New York State personal watercraft/jet ski requirements. Some topics covered are: overview of different types of boats and engines, boating laws, safety equipment, basic navigation, trailering, and storing your boat. You can select from the following dates to take the one-day course: May 12, June 9, June 23, July 21, and August 18. The class is also offered over two nights on August 13 and 14. Most of the courses will be held at The Waterfront Center on the western waterfront. The fee is $60. To register you can call 624-USCG or e-mail them at boatingeducation@cgauxoysterbay.org.

The Oyster Bay Power Squadron also runs similar programs to the Oyster Bay flotilla. Many of its courses are also held at The Waterfront Center. An eight-week safe boating course starts May 2. They also have scheduled some informative seminars on different aspects of boating; namely, "Using a GPS" on April 17 or June 12; "Chart Reading" on April 14 or June 19; "VHF/DSC Marine Radios" on May 1 or June 26; and "Weather Forecasting" on May 15 or June 5. To register you can contact Tom Peltier at 937-1260 or email him at tjp98@banet.net.

Taking courses through the Coast Guard Auxiliary and Power Squadron are also a great way to get introduced to these organizations. The Oyster Bay flotilla of the Coast Guard Auxiliary offers members a chance to gain superior seamanship skills. Members can even get skills to volunteer alongside official Coast Guard personnel in marine patrols. They also learn firsthand the traditions and customs of the Unites States Coast Guard.

The Oyster Bay Power Squadron is a local unit of the largest private boating organization. Just like the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the Power Squadron has many customs. The Oyster Bay unit runs an annual Blessing of the Fleet that celebrates the start of the boating season. The organization also hosts many fellowship events for members, including raft-ups and cruises to other harbors.

For more information about local environmental issues, boating, 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.