A boating safety course will run later this month.
ILWACO The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will host a virtual boating safety class from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. daily between June 14-17. Registration costs $20 and is required before June 17 via bit.ly/3hXhDQE
The class will be ran by Boat America and will provide the knowledge needed to obtain a Washington state boating card upon completing the course.
Ages 12 and older may take the class to become certified to use personal water craft and operate recreational boats. Participants will learn a variety of skills to prevent or handle emergencies.
Topics covered include current boating laws and the environment; safety equipment; safe boat handling; aids to navigation and navigation rules; potential boating problems; how to safely trailer a boat; and safety guidelines for fishing, water skiing, river boating and ocean boating.
Coast Guard Auxiliary offers classes, boat inspections, patrols and more
Andrea Stetson
The local Coast Guard Auxiliary at Wiggins Pass is back at the helm of leading classes, boat inspections, patrols and more. After being on hiatus for in person education for more than a year, due to the pandemic, they are welcoming people back through their doors. This past Wednesday evening they held their first in person classes. Now plans are underway for more classes and educational activities.
Ellen DeLeo, captain of the local Flotilla 96, encourages people to come on over and take classes.
“In COVID a lot of people went out and purchased bicycles and kayaks,” she began. “This is something people could do.”
The IGFA’s new world record for a smallmouth-largemouth hybrid, vultures on a mausoleum, a blue jay up high at Northwestern Hospital and a Patrick McManus fishing quote are among the notes from around Chicago outdoors and beyond.
DALE’S MAILBAG
“Just a heads up, I’m reporting June bugs are here in unincorporated Will County, Wheatland Township. Took out the garbage tonight and there they were, hanging on my screen by the front door light. Next up, fireflies!”
Paul Bleers
A: I saw my first June bugs last week. I am not holding my breathe on fireflies, but maybe I will get lucky this weekend in southern Illinois.
BIG NUMBER
81: Boating accidents investigated by the Illinois Conservation Police in 2020, which involved 36 injuries and 21 fatalities. CPOs are increasing patrols as boating season builds. Click here for more.
LAST WORD