Free class teaches safe boating

Ahoy.

I would like to start by thanking television reporter Roger Cooper with KCET’s “Life and Times” for including me and the Newport to Ensenada Race on Tuesday’s night show. It was very refreshing to see, since boating is a significant recreational pursuit throughout the nation.

On Saturday, we start National Safe Boating Week, an important awareness event that has helped reduce the number of boating accidents. This year is the 35th anniversary of the Federal Boat Safety Act, and boaters now seem to know they should be safe on the water and wear their life vests.

Scott Croft with Boat U.S. has issued a way for you to test your boating knowledge during National Safe Boating Week. There’s a free boating course at www.boatus.org/onlinecourse. I tried it and like the way the information is presented for both power boaters and sailors.

“The best part of this course is that it’s free and can be done any time of the day or night,” said Chris Edmonston, Boat U.S. safety director. “While it’s great for less-experienced boaters, we get feedback from older salts who tell us they have benefited from it as well. They thank us for learning something new or reminding them of something they learned long ago.”

As a bonus, it’s accepted by many states as a certified boating safety course, so send a copy to your insurance agent. Some insurance companies are offering discounts to those completing such courses.

The tip of the week is for you and your family to join us at the Lake Arrowhead Boat Show and see our next live remote radio broadcast from noon to 1 on Saturday. We will be directly in front of Woody’s Boathouse Restaurant.

The best part is that this boat show is free, and you’ll have a chance to test ride a demo boat on Lake Arrowhead, a private lake. The show is organized by the Mountain News, and publisher Harry Bradley has assured me it will be a great family event and an easy day trip up the mountain. You can enjoy the boat show, shops and restaurants in a nice mountain setting.

You can find more information at www.mountain-news.com. For directions and a webcam, go to www.lakearrowheadvillage.com/directions.php.

Remember to tune in to the No. 1 boating talk radio show in the nation every Saturday at noon. “Capt. Mike Whitehead’s Boathouse Radio Show” is on KCBQ-AM (1170) and can be heard online at www.boathouseradio.com.

Safe voyages.