 |
|
|
|
|
|
Public Boating Course and Seminars
USPS Americas Boating Course 3 (ABC3)
ABC3 is the premier recreational boating course taught in a one-day, 8-hour class or in a five-evening format. The course is recognized by the National Safe Boating Law Administrators in all 50 states and territories. Completing this course meets most state licensing and insurance requirements. In addition, completion also gives the graduates a six-month free membership in the United States Power Squadrons. For additional information, call 315-0686.
Online Courses
We now offer 12 online USPS courses through University of West Florida, Division of Continuing Education, Maritime Education Online. Go to Public Courses for registration information and more details.
About FWSPS
FWSPS, Fort Walton Sail & Power Squadron, is a unit of USPS, United States Power Squadrons, a non-profit boating safety educational organization, and is in District 15.
Our purpose is to serve the public and our membership by promoting boating safety through education. In addition, we support a Cooperative Charting Program, which provides information to NOAA to help them maintain accurate nautical charts and other publications of value to boaters.
The Fort Walton Sail & Power Squadron offers to the public the USPS Public Boating Course. The course meets the educational standards of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and features a proctored examination as required by many states and insurance companies.
Located between Pensacola and Panama City in the Western Panhandle of Florida, FWSPS serves Okaloosa county, as well as its neighboring counties. Choctawhatchee Bay, with its various fingers of bayous, along with the intercoastal waterway running between the mainland and the barrier islands, pristine white beaches and emerald waters of the Gulf of Mexico, make this a superb area for sailing and power boating.
Many of the squadron activities, such as Boating courses, meetings, and gatherings (don't miss the Annual Bull Roast), take place at The Anchorage (pictured in the photos above), located at 404 Green Acres Road in Fort Walton Beach, Florida.
Map: The Anchorage on Mapquest
Next Rendezvous
Because of the current oil spill crisis, the timing for future rendevous is uncertain. Once a rendezvous is scheduled, members will be notified by e-mail or in the newsletter. The next planned rendevous will be at Lincon Park, Val-P, in August.
Anchorage Facility Available For Lease
The FWSPS Anchorage facility is now available to lease for your private party, wedding reception, special group meeting, off-site business meeting, etc.
read complete article . . .
Porpoise
Read the current Porpoise (PDF opens in new window), the FWSPS monthly newsletter, to get the latest Commander's Message, Treasurer's Notes, educational news, rendezvous information, calendar of events, local advertisements, and more.
Special items in the June Porpoise:
Recommendations for recreational boaters who have to contend with the Gulf oil spill
Which one is the real Billy Bowlegs?
Interested in reading a newsletter from the last six months? Go to Porpoise
"Updated" Florida Boating Safety Education Requirements
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, who operates a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more must pass an approved boater safety course and have in his/her possession photographic identification and a boating safety education identification card issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
The following operators are exempt:
A person licensed by the U. S. Coast Guard as a master of a vessel.
A person operating on a private lake or pond.
An operator who is accompanied onboard by a person who is least 18 years old and possesses the required Boating Safety Education Identification Card, provided that person is attendant to and responsible for the safe operation of the vessel.
An operator who is accompanied onboard by a person who is exempt from the educational requirements, provided that person is attendant to and responsible for the safe operation of the vessel.
A non-resident who has in his or her possession proof that he or she has completed a NASBLA-approved boater safety course or equivalency examination from another state.
A person who is operating a vessel within 90 days after the purchase of that vessel, provided they have available for inspection aboard that vessel, a bill of sale meeting all the requirements as established in Chapter 328.46(1).
Florida Personal Watercraft Regulations
Each person operating, riding on, or being towed behind a personal watercraft must wear an approved non-inflatable Type I, II, III, or V personal flotation device (PFD).
Inflatable PFDs are prohibited for personal watercraft use.
The operator of a personal watercraft must attach the engine cutoff switch lanyard (if equipped by the manufacturer) to his/her person, clothing or PFD.
Personal watercraft may not be operated from 1/2 hour after sunset to 1/2 hour before sunrise, even if navigation lights are used. Remember, both federal and state law requires the use of navigation lights from sunset to sunrise.
Maneuvering a personal watercraft by weaving through congested vessel traffic, jumping the wake of another vessel unreasonably close or when visibility around the vessel is obstructed, or swerving at the last possible moment to avoid collision is classified as reckless operation of a vessel (a first-degree misdemeanor).
A person must be at least 14 years of age to operate a personal watercraft in Florida.
A person must be at least 18 years of age to rent a personal watercraft in Florida.
It is unlawful for a person to knowingly allow a person under 14 years of age to operate a personal watercraft (a second-degree misdemeanor).
Anyone born on or after January 1, 1988 is required to either have successfully completed a National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) approved boating education course or have passed a course equivalency or temporary certificate examination and have in their possession a boating education ID card and a photo identification card before operating a vessel with a motor of 10 HP or more in Florida. Identification cards for persons completing the course or the equivalency exam are good for a lifetime. Temporary Certificate exams are made available to the public through contractors. The temporary certificate is valid for 12 months from the issue date.
Distric 15's Idea of How to Spend a Weekend on the Water
By D/Lt/C Richard Carson, JN
R/C Wilbur Hugli, SN
On November 13 and 14, Fort Walton Yacht Club provided facilities and Choctawhatchee Bay the ideal playground.
read complete article . . .
Teens At The Helm
Galati Yacht Sales Destin is the first to open its doors to educating young adults in safe boating and basic seamanship. Teens At The Helm was created by Joe and Jennifer Galati to encourage the young boaters of our area to boat safe and boat smart.
Florida Fish & Wild Life Conservation Commission Law states: Anyone 21 years of age and under who operates a vessel powered by a 10 horsepower or more must pass an approved boaters safety course and have in his/her possession photographic identification and a boaters safety identification card issued by the Florida Fish & Wild Life Conservation Commission.
read complete article . . .
|
|
|
|
|
