Boat course recommendations.

Keith Brown

Keith Brown

Member
I completed Boating 2 and 3 and the Radio course at the Oak Bay Power Squadron. The squadron puts on great courses and the instruction was first class, but they aren't offering more advanced training at this time. I looked at Camosun College but there schedule for the Small Vessel Operator Proficiency and Small Domestic Vessel Safety, but there dates don't work for me. I've had my present boat for 2 years and 20 years before that I had a boat for 5 years at Comox Bay Marina. I plan on spending a lot of time on the water over the next ten years and I'm trying prevent a Mayday call on 16. Any recommendations on courses or providers?
Thank You
 
Keith Brown said:
I completed Boating 2 and 3 and the Radio course at the Oak Bay Power Squadron. The squadron puts on great courses and the instruction was first class, but they aren't offering more advanced training at this time. I looked at Camosun College but there schedule for the Small Vessel Operator Proficiency and Small Domestic Vessel Safety, but there dates don't work for me. I've had my present boat for 2 years and 20 years before that I had a boat for 5 years at Comox Bay Marina. I plan on spending a lot of time on the water over the next ten years and I'm trying prevent a Mayday call on 16. Any recommendations on courses or providers?
Thank You
Click to expand...
I took those same courses last winter/spring, so I’m just follow along here
 
You know the Drill.................... life jacket, GAS, maintenance, and try not be out there on crappy days ... and always keep watch for any dangers including other boaters ....... come fish sand heads or the cap on a busy day that will sort yah ....lol
 
wildthing said:
You know the Drill.................... life jacket, GAS, maintenance, and try not be out there on crappy days ... and always keep watch for any dangers including other boaters ....... come fish sand heads or the cap on a busy day that will sort yah ....lol
Click to expand...

There can been 200 boats at sandhead and it’s still not nearly as close as some areas of this coast with 20 boats circle jerking a rocky point with offshore rollers pushing you up against the rocks
 
The SVOP course is an excellent one if you intend to run a small commercial vessel. It may be a bit overly technically focused on marine collision regs and not as much on navigation theory/practical than you may be looking for. The Power Squadron courses are excellent, and provide great basic vessel operation skills. SVOP just takes a deeper dive into some of the regulations and planning trips safely etc. I also took the Marine Emergency Duties (MED-A3) which is an excellent course for how to respond to emergencies and prepare in advance.
 
Keith Brown said:
I completed Boating 2 and 3 and the Radio course at the Oak Bay Power Squadron. The squadron puts on great courses and the instruction was first class, but they aren't offering more advanced training at this time. I looked at Camosun College but there schedule for the Small Vessel Operator Proficiency and Small Domestic Vessel Safety, but there dates don't work for me. I've had my present boat for 2 years and 20 years before that I had a boat for 5 years at Comox Bay Marina. I plan on spending a lot of time on the water over the next ten years and I'm trying prevent a Mayday call on 16. Any recommendations on courses or providers?
Thank You
Click to expand...
Courses are a terrific beginning. Then focus on independent learning. Read everything that interests you. Go out with people more proficient than you and then put in the water time and gain experience for a lifetime. Learning is not an event, it's a process.
 
wildmanyeah said:
There can been 200 boats at sandhead and it’s still not nearly as close as some areas of this coast with 20 boats circle jerking a rocky point with offshore rollers pushing you up against the rocks
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and the point being getting out on the water and putting in the time ....try opening day the last few years and double that number also thrown in the crab traps , commercial traffic ,barges tugs, dredgers , all numbers of boats shapes and sizes ... people watching where there going and others not ... will give the average boater a steep leaning curve .... what your talking is not for the inexperience until they a fair bit of time in and know how to play follow the leader.....lol
 
Last edited:
wildthing said:
You know the Drill.................... life jacket, GAS, maintenance, and try not be out there on crappy days ... and always keep watch for any dangers including other boaters ....... come fish sand heads or the cap on a busy day that will sort yah ....lol
Click to expand...
wildthing said:
and the point being getting out on the water and putting in the time ....try opening day the last few years and double that number also thrown in the crab traps , commercial traffic ,barges tugs, dredgers , all numbers of boats shapes and sizes ... people watching where there going and others not ... will give the average boater a steep leaning curve .... what your talking is not for the inexperience until they a fair bit of time in and know how to play follow the leader.....lol
Click to expand...
I'm a landlubber want to be mariner/fisherman. Many on this site grew up on the ocean with someone who passed on their experience and knowledge. I agree that this is the best way to learn. In the Power Boat Squadron courses I learned how to tie up on a dock, how to anchor, chart navigation, buoy recognition and a myriad of useful skills that not only make you safer but add to the enjoyment of boating and fishing. I also have the very good fortune of spending time on the water with a very experience boater and fisherman (hi Doug). In the last two years I've also had the misfortune of boating with people who "knew everything" and have lived and boated on the west coast for over 40 years, who didn't know the difference between a Cardinal and a Fairway Buoy and have no clue how to handle a radio. I suppose if they stay in familiar waters they will survive unscathed. You only need to monitor Ch16 on the Victoria water front on a long weekend in the summer to figure out who is learning as they go. Now that's entertainment! I'm just trying to stay off the long weekend entertainment committee. LMAO
 
Keith Brown said:
This is a course and other Power Squadron course I would take. Nanaimo is just a little far. I'm interested in what you think of it.
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This particular one in Feb is all on Zoom, so distance shouldn't really matter. Think you'd need to buy a membership though.
 
searun said:
The SVOP course is an excellent one if you intend to run a small commercial vessel. It may be a bit overly technically focused on marine collision regs and not as much on navigation theory/practical than you may be looking for. The Power Squadron courses are excellent, and provide great basic vessel operation skills. SVOP just takes a deeper dive into some of the regulations and planning trips safely etc. I also took the Marine Emergency Duties (MED-A3) which is an excellent course for how to respond to emergencies and prepare in advance.
Click to expand...
I am wondering about providers. I'm considering Datum Marine Services mostly because their they are close to where I live and the schedule works for me. I am also taking the MED-A3 which I now believe is called SDVS (Small Domestic Vessel Safety). I think there may have been confusion that MED-A3 had a first aid component.
 
chille51 said:
This particular one in Feb is all on Zoom, so distance shouldn't really matter. Think you'd need to buy a membership though.
Click to expand...
Crap I'm hesitant to take online courses. I know I should get with the times but I think I need an instructor keeping an eye on me to keep me from being distracted.
 
MED-A3 doesn't have first aid, other than it covers how to deal with exposure victims. There is a 2. day Marine First Aid course that is very good. To stay certified you will need to renew (take it again) every 3 years.

As you have noted in posts, time of the water isn't necessarily going to become a proxy for learning safe vessel operation. As you note, I have also seen those "experienced" operators who display incorrect operation procedures. Most basic of course is how to comply with buoy markers when departing or approaching port. Another is as simple as which side to pass an approaching vessel, or which vessel should give way to the stand on vessel. Elements covered in the SVOP course.

The number 1 safety element is the rarely practiced process of pre-trip planning - there are a lot of excellent resources to gather info on sea and weather conditions that many operators either aren't aware of, or ignore. Know before you go, and plan trips that account fully for the anticipated weather is the best safety practice in my experience. The other related to weather that I've learned while flying and boating is - never push the weather. Maintain a constant eye on weather conditions, and if you see changing conditions (such as a black line on the horizon), beat a hasty retreat. A saying in flying is applicable...."there are bold pilots, but there are no old bold pilots."
 

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I did this course earlier this year. Was great.
i've been operating boats for a few decades, and had no difficulty with the course, but it was still a lot of fun.
 
Keith Brown said:
I'm a landlubber want to be mariner/fisherman. Many on this site grew up on the ocean with someone who passed on their experience and knowledge. I agree that this is the best way to learn. In the Power Boat Squadron courses I learned how to tie up on a dock, how to anchor, chart navigation, buoy recognition and a myriad of useful skills that not only make you safer but add to the enjoyment of boating and fishing. I also have the very good fortune of spending time on the water with a very experience boater and fisherman (hi Doug). In the last two years I've also had the misfortune of boating with people who "knew everything" and have lived and boated on the west coast for over 40 years, who didn't know the difference between a Cardinal and a Fairway Buoy and have no clue how to handle a radio. I suppose if they stay in familiar waters they will survive unscathed. You only need to monitor Ch16 on the Victoria water front on a long weekend in the summer to figure out who is learning as they go. Now that's entertainment! I'm just trying to stay off the long weekend entertainment committee. LMAO
Click to expand...
When I first got my boat and needed some guidance on safety and navigating etc, I was put in touch with Bruce Stott at https://www.cruising.bc.ca/. He's very knowledgeable and a great teacher. I recommend you give him a call and see if he offers what you are looking for. He was a perfect fit for what I needed.
 
I just signed up for the Power Squadron B4/Near Shore Navigation Course starting on January 19th. I was unsuccessful in finding a in class room course. This virtual course starts at 17:00 PST Jan 19. I'm wondering if anybody else in the Victoria/Oak Bay area would be interested in getting together for the course. Although they do mention that there is interaction between fellow students and the teacher, I think it would be nice to have a partner/s to work with. The course runs for 11 weeks, I copied and pasted the course details and the instructors credentials' below.



This is an eleven evening course, which is a combination of self study and weekly lecture, question and answer, and experience-sharing between students and instructor. All study materials are posted on line and are available for download, saving, and printing. Once registered, students can also purchase a discounted hard copy of the textbook from the CanBoat national store. Boating 4 is highly recommended for those mariners who are into cruising beyond their local harbour and coastline. Instructor David Hill was a senior officer in the Royal Canadian Navy for 20 years, serving as a navigator and watchkeeper in the Atlantic and Pacific fleets. Dave then went to the Naval Reserves as a training officer and Executive Officer at naval shore establishments. Dave holds numerous licenses in recreational boating, including Bareboat Skipper (80 ft), Certificate of Competency (Power, 24 meters), Rib Master, and Communications Master.
 
neilvictoria said:
When I first got my boat and needed some guidance on safety and navigating etc, I was put in touch with Bruce Stott at https://www.cruising.bc.ca/. He's very knowledgeable and a great teacher. I recommend you give him a call and see if he offers what you are looking for. He was a perfect fit for what I needed.
Click to expand...
Bruce was my teacher when I took the SVOP, Med A3 and ROC(M) courses in Kelowna. Great guy and he actually worked with transport Canada to develop the SVOP course so you won’t find anyone more knowledgeable than him.
 
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