Weather Course

Even the most experienced Captain will tell you that boating is always dependent on the weather. This course provides a basic understanding of atmospheric stability; forming the foundation of how weather systems build, move and interact with one another. You will learn how and why weather patterns circulate on earth, the effects of the atmosphere, oceans, air and land masses, wind pressure, ocean currents, jet stream, water, humidity, fog, clouds, and precipitation. The  level of information about our earth’s weather is guaranteed to give you a new-found appreciation and understanding of how daily weather can help or hinder your boating experience. You will get hands on training on how to predict anticipated weather along with insights into automated tools that every boater or weather enthusiast will find extremely useful. This course will benefit the most seasoned mariner as well as those to who never intend to venture out into the water but admire what “Mother Nature” can produce.

Each student will receive:

• United States Power Squadrons^® Weather Textbook - an explanatory text with full color photographs and drawings covering weather in the United States and its coastal and inland waters
• Set of 3 millibar charts – to introduce weather forecasting and weather station symbology
• NOAA’s Sky Watcher Chart - a reference identifying all of the cloud types – which serves as one tool to help identify approaching weather

Schedule:

4/21, 4/28, 5/5, 5/12, 5/19, 5/26 6:00pm - 8:30pm

Classroom:

Cape Fear Community College, Union Station Building - free campus parking.

Registration is Full 

America’s Boating Course^®

The Cape Fear Sail & Power Squadron is proudly offering the very best in safe boating education with their boating course which will be offered at the Cape Fear Community College. The course is centered around the 8 hour America’s Boating Course^® offered on a single Saturday (8:00am – 4:30pm). This class is NASBLA approved and USCG recognized and will satisfy NC safe boating requirements for anyone under 26 years of age.

For new boaters or boaters new to the Cape Fear coastal area we have expanded the program to include our exclusive “Local Knowledge” combined with our 3.5 hour "On-the-Water" teaching cruise on the following Sunday (free parking on the streets of Wilmington).  We'll address the challenges and complexities of boating in our local coastal environment where we'll "tie" everything together. However, you do not have to own a boat to attend. 

Topics include:

• Required Safety Equipment
• Navigation Rules & Aids
• Finding Your Way
• Marlinspike (knots)
• Trailering
• Anchoring
• Communications Afloat
• Lights and Sound Signals

Schedule:

August 14, 2021 – ABC Classroom Cape Fear Community College 8:00am – 4:30pm
August 15 2021 – Local Knowledge & On-the-Water Cruise (time TBD)

Cost:

$85 (additional family members living in the same household can share the textbook at the discounted price of $50 each.)

Classroom:

Cape Fear Community College, Union Station Building - free campus parking.

Registration Opens Soon

If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact:

Lt/C Ned Rhodes, SN SEO at educationofficer@capefearsailandpowersquadron.org, or

1/Lt Meg Morrison, JN ASEO at aseo@capefearsailandpowersquadron.org

Photos will be taken at these events for publication in the Foghorn and Squadron website. If you do not wish to have your photo taken, please sign the Opt-Out sheet at this class. 

Seminars make it easy for you to acquire or update your knowledge and skills about specific topics in a short period of time, typically 2 hours.

Live webinars are a great way for instructors and students to meet in a virtual classroom.

We offer you the opportunity to take online boating courses, seminars, and webinars. Prices and the length of the classes vary.

Members get 25% off public price!

Topics:

Boat Handling Course (Seamanship)

Cruising Boats and Systems

Use Your GPS Like an Expert

Boat Safely With AIS Marine Electronics

Cruise Planning

Ocean Waves

Learn to Forecast the Weather

Thunderstorms & Severe Weather

Ocean Currents & Computer Navigation

Choosing and using a VHF radio for your boat

For Details:

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If you have any questions or need additional information, please contact:

Lt/C Ned Rhodes, SN SEO at educationofficer@capefearsailandpowersquadron.org, or

1/Lt Meg Morrison, JN ASEO at aseo@capefearsailandpowersquadron.org

America’s Boating Club^® and logo are trademarks of the United States Power Squadrons^®