D/26 Gets Rolling on Boat Operator Certification (BOC)
Lake Murray Hosts On The Water Training
The Southeast Region of the BOC met in Bluffton, S.C., to conduct Inland
Navigator and Coastal Navigator 'train the trainer' on the first weekend of
March. As a result, four D/26 members earned their CN Certifier qualification
and completed some of the training to become IN and CN Certifier Trainers. Since
then, Ron Osburn, Don Funderburk and Charles Wilsdorf have completed their IN
Certifier Trainer qualification.
Following that success, Lake Murray Power Squadron hosted the D/26 Inland
Navigator training at Flotilla Island 1-3 April 2011. Inland Navigator is
the first of four, on-the-water (OTW) skill levels that concentrates on smaller
boat handling skills.
The USPS Boat Operator's Certification
Program is designed to certify USPS members at various levels of
recreational boating proficiency. USPS expects that these certifications will be
recognized across the boating community, both domestically and internationally.
Seventeen candidates from
across the District put their boat handling and instruction skills to the test
as they demonstrated and taught OTW skills, including running a slalom course on
plane, backing through the same course at idle and performing the quick stop.
There are now more IN Certifiers within the District and probably in or near
your squadron who are capable of teaching the IN skills and providing
certification. If you want to know more or take the challenge, contact P/D/C Ron Osburn, SN, for more information.
D/26 offered special "thanks" to Lake Murray Squadron, notably P/C Andy Hyman, SN, Cdr
Lee Ayers, SN, Lt/C Charles Bruce, SN and P/C Tony Dodson, SN, for their
incredible support and hospitality! Special thanks also went to Sea Ray of Columbia
(Hall Marine) for lending two brand new Sea Ray bow rider runabouts for use by
the District in the training on Lake Murray!
Lake Murray‘s P/C Andy Hyman and Lt/C Charlie Bruce along
with Larry Byrd of the Long Bay Power Squadron completed D/26’s first on-the-water training and became
IN Certifiers. Seven instructors were on hand to train the 17 participants who
completed the bulk of the requirements to be either IN or IN Certifier.
Other
participants who completed the training, but who need one or two courses include D/C Eric Pearson, Cdr Lee Ayers and P/C Tony Dodson, all of Lake Murray
Power Squadron; as well as Barry Sroka; Susan, Dave and Jon Ecklud; and Chris Rose, Pete Stevenson,
David Cross, Steve Phillips, Ken Delson, Steve Chambless and
Doug Nelson.
Click on the thumbnail below to see a full-sized photo of the what went on
during the On The Water training.
