ON THE WATER GUIDE: Annapolis School Of Seamanship Offers Junior Captains Course

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This summer, Annapolis School of Seamanship will again offer its Junior Captains Course, designed to provide on-water, hands-on boating education for kids who want to learn how to operate powerboats safely.

Taught by U.S. Coast Guard licensed instructors from the school, the course will teach kids fundamentals like knots and line handling, docking and close-quarters maneuvering, and operating at speed. Unlike other programs out there, these lessons aren’t restricted to the classroom. “From day one, these kids are hands-on driving the boat,” said Captain Matt Benhoff, vice president of Annapolis School of Seamanship.

Learning on single outboard 16-foot rigid hull inflatables, kids can safely and comfortably learn docking and close-quarters maneuvering, while also getting up to speed and even learning how to safely tow a tube. Even when they are not docking or going fast, though, they will learn rules of the road, aids to navigation, and weather. Back at the docks, instructors will cover safety equipment, predeparture checks, and how to use VHF (very high frequency) radios.

The Annapolis School of Seamanship has been educating recreational and professional boaters since 2002. Located in Eastport right in Annapolis, courses are offered year-round, offering hands-on classroom training, U.S. Coast Guard courses and on-water training for adults. With the Junior Captains Course, the school can now offer education to younger generations who want to get into boating in a fun and exciting way. “It’s equal parts fun and educational,” said Captain Devin Noone, program director. A small boat presents kids and young adults their first taste of freedom, even when they are still too young to drive a car. The goal of the new program is to provide them with the skills, knowledge and the confidence to operate a boat safely.

Each lesson is a five-day, half-day course offered for ages 11 to 15. New this year for graduates of the Junior Captains Course is a level II course for students who want to build on their boating skills and knowledge. The level II course will cover more in-depth training on rules of the road and navigation. Students will learn electronic navigation, using chartplotters to navigate to locations using waypoints and routes.

Students need not worry about tons of classroom time and tests. After a brief classroom chalk talk, students will hit the boats to reinforce educational points, gaining real-world experience and learning by doing. Each day will cover a portion of the national safe boating curriculum, and after completion of the course, students will receive their Maryland safe boater card. The goal of the program is for the kids to walk away with the knowledge, skills and confidence to operate powerboats safely.

To register or for more information about the school and course, visit www.annapolisschoolofseamanship.com or call 410-263-8848.

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