Roanoke Times
                 Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.

DATE: SUNDAY, February 24, 1991                   TAG: 9102250396
SECTION: BOAT SHOW                    PAGE: 5   EDITION: METRO 
SOURCE: Bill Cochran
DATELINE:                                 LENGTH: Medium

FUZZY ABOUT RULES? TAKE SAFETY COURSE

As a boating education coordinator for the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries, he guesses maybe 25 percent. That could mean three people out of four are fuzzy on basic rules such as what course of action to take when meeting another craft head on.

Howell, who lives on Kirkwood Drive in Roanoke, wants to improve on that. When he took early retirement he was looking for volunteer work and that led to the boating education coordinator's position. It was an ideal arrangement, what with Howell being a member of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary for 25 years.

"I believe that education is the key that each of us must use in order to make boating safer and more enjoyable for everyone," he said.

Since assuming the coordinator's position in early December, Howell has attempted to establish one public boating course per month in the Roanoke area, with plans to expand that to other regions, including Smith Mountain, Claytor Lake and far Southwest Virginia.

The state course offers 6 hours of instruction, and entitles the student to a certificate of completion, an ID card and a jacket patch. Most insurance companies offer bearers of the certificate a five-to 10-percent discount on their boat coverage.

The cost for instruction, textbooks and course materials is covered by the fish and game department.

A more detailed study is provided by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the U.S. Power Squadron, whose courses can run up to 18 hours.

"We tell people if they want more extensive training to take the coast guard auxiliary or power squadron courses," said Howell. "I think ours reaches a lot of people who may not have the time to do that, and it gives them some basic training."

The next state course is scheduled March 18, 19 and 20, 7 to 9 p.m., at the Safety Council of Southwest Virginia, 2728 Colonial Ave. Registration may be completed by calling 344-4676. Other courses are planned April 22, 23 and 24; May 6, 7 and 8.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 81 has two courses starting March 12 at the Naval & Marine Corps Reserve Center on Barns Ave, according to Al Pardue.

One course, Boating Skills and Seamanship, is designed for the power boater. The other, Sailing and Seamanship, is for the sailboater. Both involve 12 lessons taught 7 to 9 p.m. each Tuesday through May 7. Pre-registration is required through Pardue, 343-2159, or at the auxiliary's boat show exhibit in the exhibit hall. The materials fee is $12.50.

The Roanoke Valley Power Squadron begins its Basic Boating Course March 20 at the College of Health Sciences-Community Hospital of Roanoke Valley on Jefferson Street, according to Bob Chamberlain. The eight-week course will be taught 7 to 9 p.m. one night a week. There is a $20 material's fee. Registration may be completed by calling Chamberlain, 344-6813, or by visiting the squadron's boat show display on the coliseum mezzanine.