The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary will offer its Boating Skills and Seamanship course at the Pat Isbell Building at 700 Ringold Street in Guntersville.

Boating Skills and Seamanship course will begin at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, Sept. 16, and will meet Tuesdays and Thursdays for three weeks, ending Oct. 1 with the final exam.

The course is taught free to the public, but textbooks are $25 each.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s course is a comprehensive one designed for both the experienced and novice boater.

It consists of six core required, two- to four-hour lessons plus two added optional lessons that are normally included in the core course, and five elective lessons providing up-to-date knowledge for handling boats in all conditions.

Some of the subjects that will be covered are; equipment, trailering, handling, “highway” signs, navigation rules, inland boating, marlin spike seamanship, weather and radio procedure.

The course was developed by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and meets educational requirement for the Limited Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels License (required for fishing guides and operators of small tour boats) and the state of Alabama boating license education requirement.

Individuals who successfully complete the course and exam are awarded certificates and identification cards. In addition, some insurance companies offer up to a 25-percent discount on boat insurance to individuals who have successfully completed this course.

Class size is limited, so early sign-ups are strongly encouraged.

To make course reservations or for more information, contact: Sandra Merlo, 572-6293 or 728-2049.

For National Coast Guard and Auxiliary information: www.uscgboating.org/.