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Announcements
Sponsored by the AHOY for all FWS&PS Members
12 February 2011, 11:00 am - 1:00 pm
Ft. Walton Yacht Club
Please contact the Madam as soon as possible so that we can make appropriate arrangements: Eileen Blair, 850-862-0838
November Chili Cook-Off Dinner
Hope you were able to join us for this great event.
Enjoy some photos
Who were the winners?
Get the results! (FYI: this is a large 14 MB file)
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
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 or go to Public Courses.
Seminars
All Seminars are open to the public, and boat ownership is not necessary. Join us for these evening seminars at The Anchorage or at West Marine, both in Fort Walton Beach, FL. Go to Public Seminars for registration information and more details.
Online Courses
We offer 12 online USPS courses through University of West Florida, Division of Continuing Education, Maritime Education Online. Go to Online Courses for registration information and more details.
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 . . .
"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.
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The October, 4th Quarter, Porpoise, the FWSPS newsletter, is available for you to peruse.
Calendar
General Membership Meetings
TBA
Next ABC3 Course - January 21 8:30am-4:30pm (1 8-hour Saturday session), FWB, FL.
Call 850-315-0686 or 850-863-0874, or go to Public Courses.
January - February Seminars:
Anchoring - Mon, Jan 16, 6:30 pm, Anchorage
Mariner's Compass - Thurs, Feb 2, 5:30 pm, West Marine
Emergencies on Board - Mon, Feb 13, 6:30 pm, Anchorage
Hurricanes and Boats - Thurs, Feb 16, 5:30 pm, West Marine
Go to Public Seminars for more details.
Bridge Meetings
TBA
AHOY Meetings
TBA
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