Coast Guard Auxiliary - Flotilla 9-10

Education is Vital to Boater Safety CG Auxiliary Committed to Boater Ed Bob Story U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary

Auxiliarist Paul Wittkamp teaches a boating safety class.

There are an estimated 25,000 registered boaters in Dane County, and the vast majority of the operators have had no formal boater education. Couple that with national statistics that indicate that about 80-85% of all boating fatalities occur where the boat operator has had no formal boater education, and the local Coast Guard Auxiliary has a big job to do.

Each year, the Auxiliary in the Madison area conducts several public boating safety courses. In the Spring of 2005, classes were held in McFarland, two in Waunakee, one in Baraboo, and one in Janesville. Watch for announcements of future classes, or go to the "contacts" page to reach our Division Public Education Officer.

The classes are taught by volunteer instructors of the Auxiliary, with a Wisconsin DNR Warden participating in one of the sessions. Successful completion has a bigger payoff than just the DNR certification and CG Certificate of Completion. The boater leaves the class with a better understanding of safety equipment, rules of the road, boat handling, and much more. And, at least statistically, our graduates are far less likely to end up in the "lost column".

Contact us today, and make your reservation for our next boating class. You and your family will be glad you did!