BETTER MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR BOATING-SAFETY CLASSES

                         Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, February 23, 1992                   TAG: 9202220083
SECTION: BOAT SHOW                    PAGE: BS-14   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: By BILL COCHRAN OUTDOOR EDITOR
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium
BETTER MAKE RESERVATIONS FOR BOATING-SAFETY CLASSES
Only a couple years ago, the last thing you had to worry about was finding a seat in a boating-safety class.
Now it can be wise to make a reservation. Boating classes are starting to fill up.
One course last year at Webster Marine Center on Smith Mountain Lake attracted 50 participants. Another drew 43.
Instruction sponsored by the Christiansburg Parks and Recreation Department reached 49 participants. Forty-two turned out at All Seasons Marine located at the Smith Mountain Yacht Club near Moneta.
A couple of things are happening, said Paul Howell of Roanoke, the regional boating education coordinator for the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
For one, people are becoming more safety conscious as boating traffic increases.
"On some Sundays, boaters are literally falling over each other," he said. "They have become very aware that there are a lot of people out there who just don't know the rules of the road."
Another factor, a boating safety course can be fun.
"I think the word has gotten around that people are enjoying the class," said Howell.
Last year, Howell and a number of volunteers attracted 727 boaters to the Virginia Boating Basics course, which is six-hours of instruction sponsored by the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries.
For that effort, Howell recently received a Public Interest Award, presented by Lynn Akers, chairman of the Safety Council of Southwest Virginia.
Howell and his helpers have planned even more classes this year. In fact, the basic boating course has been scheduled every month, February through November, at the Safety Council of Southwest Virginia class room, 2728 Colonial Ave. Other courses will be held across the region, wherever there are willing sponsors, like marinas and recreation departments, Howell said.
"What we have been real pleased with, [is that] there are places like Smith Mountain where we have had sponsors, like Webster Marine and All Seasons Marine."
Sponsors not only can provide classroom space, but they have access to lists of potential participants, such as people who recently have purchased a boat, he said.
The instruction stresses navigation rules, boat handling and equipment requirements, but it also covers information on choosing the right boat, hull designs, weather, knots, water sports and other topics, Howell said.
Classes frequently are two-night, 7-10 p.m. affairs.
Other, more advanced instruction, is provided by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the U.S. Power Squadron. Both organizations will sponsor displays at the boat show, where boaters can become familiar with their programs and even register for instruction.
About one-quarter of the people who took the state's six-hour course last year indicated that they are interested in more advanced instruction, Howell said.
Flotilla 81 of the Coast Guard Auxiliary has scheduled a meeting, March 5, 7:30 p.m. at the Safety Council of Southwest Virginia, for boaters interested in either advanced instruction or membership information, or both. The Roanoke-based group, which has property on Smith Mountain Lake, wants to boost its membership, said Mac Grisso, one of the officers. Preregistration is requested, by calling the safety council, 344-4676, or Grisso, 774-3869.
Flotilla 83 and Flotilla 85 are other auxiliary groups located in the Smith Mountain Lake areas.
The Roanoke Valley Power Squadron begins its Basic Boating Course March 12. Additional information will be available at the boat show or can be obtained by calling Bob Chamberlain, 344-6813.
The dates for the state's basic boating course at the safety council office are: Feb. 24 and 26, March 30-31, April 21-22, May 26-27, June 8-9, July 8-9, Aug. 5-6, Sept 28-29, Oct. 21-22 and Nov. 17-18. Registration and additional information is available by calling the safety council office.
Anyone interested in becoming a course sponsor may reach Howell at 774-2619.

by Bhavesh Jinadra by CNB