Next week is National Safe Boating Week.

Appropriately enough, a group of boating experts plans to hold some classes during the week to spread the safety message.

Dave Anderson tells us what students will learn.

Down at Harbor Cove Marina, a cold wind is driving the anemometer crazy and furiously flapping the occasional pirate flag.

The nasty weather isn't keeping hard core boat fans like Murray George from getting their boats ready for the season, though.

Murray is a life long sailor.

"I've raced all five of the Great Lakes. Anything from a 22-foot sail boat, to last summer when I was on the winning boat of the Trans-Superior boat race."

Murray is a member of a safe boating organization called the U.S. Power Squadron.

"We're sanctioned by the U.S. Coast Guard and we do vessel safety exams with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary on local boats in the harbor."

Power Squadron members also teach safe boating classes.

Next week, during National Safe Boating Week, the Power Squadron will put on a series of safety and educational classes.

"These are two-hour seminars which should help people learn new techniques and a bit about weather more than they knew before and how to read a GPS and some of that."

The seminars on weather, Global Positioning Systems and chart reading will be held next week from Monday through Thursday.

Classes will be held at Central High School at 6 in the evening at a cost of thirty dollars per seminar.

An experienced sailor like Murray feels the classes will be great learning experiences for beginning skippers.

"You know, there are perils on the lake and the more experience a boater can have to help boaters become a little more safe when they're boating in the area."

In Duluth, Dave Anderson, the Northland's News Center.
USPS University is a new program targeted to a range of boaters and types of boating. The hallmark of this concept is the Seminar Series. These short seminars are targeted to specific topics and needs; with a two-hour format, and valuable take-away guides. If you have difficulty finding time to take an eight week member course, but want a method of increasing your safe boating knowledge, seminars are for you. Each seminar provides credits toward the soon to be released Boat Operator Certification program, and credit toward elective courses.

What? short seminars, targeted to specific topics, needs with a two-hour format and valuable take-away guide to keep on your boat

Why? one-time, short course packed with information aimed at a range of boaters and types of boating

When? One each night, 6 p.m. – 8:30 p.m., during the week of May 19-22, Monday through Thursday

May 19, Monday Using GPS (click)

May 20, Tuesday Onboard Weather Forecasting (click)

May 21, Wednesday Using VHF & VHF/DSC Marine Radio (click)

May 22, Thursday How to Use a Chart (click)

Where? Central High Community Education, 800 East Central Entrance, Duluth

How much? Cost for each course: $25 members

$30 non-members*

Register fast online at www.duluthpowersquadron.com