Take a Boating Course Before This Happens To You-- U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Boating Safety Courses

Altercation with the Cleveland breakwall.

According to ODNR Watercraft, there are 24,394 boats registered in Cuyahoga County. From 2007-2011 there have been 309 accidents on Lake Erie involving 394 vessels, 150 injuries, and 25 fatalities. Total boat damages $3,833,164 and total property damages of $202,097. The State of Ohio's mandatory boating education law requires boaters born on or after January 1, 1982, to complete a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved course before operating a boat engine more than ten horsepower.

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 7-5 is offering three boating safety courses at Garfield Middle School, 13114 Detroit Ave., Lakewood, starting on Wednesday, January 23 through March 27 from 7- 9:30 p.m.

Boating Skills and Seamanship (powerboat oriented) - $35 + $30 Lakewood registration fee.

Sailing Skills and Seamanship - $35 + $30 Lakewood registration fee.

Weekend Navigator (Charting and GPS) - $40 + $30 Lakewood registration fee.

Classroom boat handling skills and safety training. Learn boating nomenclature, how to handle boating emergencies, proper seamanship, VHF marine radio procedures, knots, engines, trailering, docking, navigation rules, and aides to navigation. USCG Auxiliary and Ohio boating certificates issued. Possible insurance discount.

Register through Lakewood Recreation Department www.lakewoodrecreation.com or 216-529-4081. Contact V. Suda 216-226-7221 or sudav@cox.net for any questions.

The vessel below had an altercation with the breakwall in Cleveland.

Virginia Suda is a Lakewood resident and a U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Division 7 (9ER) Commander.

Virginia Suda

Lakewood resident. U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Division 7 (9ER) Commander. Actively involved in promoting boating safety and teaching public boating classes. Previously registered under my old email sudav@core.com which is defunct.

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Volume 9, Issue 1, Posted 9:24 PM, 01.08.2013