Offshore Safety at Sea course update

Here is an update on the "Offshore Safety at Sea" training course, sponsored by US Sailing.  I highly recommend that everyone who ventures anywhere offshore in a sailboat take advantage of this learning opportunity.  The contents of this course are very, very valuable.  

The curriculum covers: giving assistance, personal safety gear, crew overboard, emergency communications, search and rescue, crew health, cold exposure, care and maintenance of safety equipment, signaling, marine weather, fire safety, heavy weather, storm sails, damage control and repair, and life raft and survival.  

The training course is delivered in person mostly at yacht clubs, and also online.  The in-person sessions run one full day, or two days with hands-on training, and cost $250 and up.  The online course costs $125 for US Sailing members and $150 for non-members.  The online course takes about 12 hours to complete and need not be in one sitting.  For most of Volant's sailing in the Great Lakes, you want the Offshore course, covering Units 1-15, not the (shorter) Coastal course nor the (longer) International Offshore course.

Passing the Offshore Safety at Sea course credentials you for 5 years for offshore distance sailboat racing events, like the Chicago Yacht Club Race to Mackinac.  The race requirements for the 2025 race will probably specify that all of the entrant's crew registering for the race must have completed and passed the course.  I support this. 

Here is information about all the course offerings of the program:
https://www.ussailing.org/education/adult/safety-at-sea-courses-2022/

Here is information about an upcoming in-person offering of the 1-day course, 2-day course, and refresher course at Jackson Park Yacht Club in Chicago, April 26-27, 2025:

https://jacksonparkyachtclub.org/2025/01/12/jpyc-offers-safety-at-sea-seminar/

Yet another plug... Whether it is required or not, learning the material in this course is extremely valuable for sailing anywhere on the Great Lakes and beyond.  It is a great investment in your and your crewmates' safety!