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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
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The United States Power Squadrons' Boat Operator Certification program now has nine new "Advanced Certifiers" to facilitate completion of the Inland Navigator Certificate.
On November 13 and 14, Fort Walton Yacht Club provided facilities and Choctawhatchee Bay the ideal playground. Fort Walton Sail and Power Squadron (FWSPS) provided support and Lt Lynne Reynolds, Lt Gerald Moore and Lt/C Tom Feick as safety observers and presenters. Lt Bob Timm provided two boats for training and R/C Wil Hugli provided the safety boat. The training, coordinated by FWSPS, included American Red Cross First Aid and CPR, Visual Distress Signals, the Boat Operator Certifier seminar, and on-the-water performance skills. Each trainee had to demonstrate skills including docking, anchoring, holding station, timed runs, slow speed maneuvering, high speed slalom runs, and crew overboard recovery.
The Squadron Education Officer is key to the boater’s Inland Navigator Certification. Each applicant needs successful completion of specific advanced courses and seminars for the certification (verified from the DB2000 / your classes). Another significant part of the certification is power boat handling. Nine D15 members completed the power boat handling Advanced Certifiers course to allow D15 applicants for the Inland Navigator Certification to complete the powerboat handling aspect within their District and Squadron. As Advanced Certifiers, they may also certify Certifiers for the power boat handling section. Sailors are not left out – the on-the-water skills also apply to sail boats – slower and more challenging in many applications.
By squadron, the power boat handling certifiers are:
Fort Walton Beach
Richard Gercak
Wilbur Hugli
Jackson
Tom Larkins
Lake Ponchartrain
Douglas Brooks
John Bell
New Orleans
Keith Dellsperger
Pensacola
Jerry Guertin
Perdido Bay
Richard Carson
Singing River
John Wilkes
The next levels of certification, after Inland Navigator, remain under development. Soon another local training session will occur to train more squadron members. So, one step at a time for great day on the water!
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