by Commodore Vin Pica | Jun 28, 2022 | Ask The Commodore
Starting off the season with a Vessel Safety Check is the best what to get started, offshore or otherwise. You can find Vessel Examiners near you with this link – https://wow.uscgaux.info/i_want_a_vsc/index.php Of course, government standards are really government minimums – you can always do more. More flares, extra radios, more life-jackets, EPIRB for the boat […]
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by Commodore Vin Pica | Jun 17, 2022 | Ask The Commodore
COVID aside, nothing beats in-person training. You can use this link to find classes near you – http://cgaux.org/boatinged/class_finder/ Of course, infection rates in your area may still be sufficiently worrisome that online classes may be better. That same link can help you find such classes. Commodore Vin Pica BTW, if you are interested in being […]
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by Commodore Vin Pica | Jun 14, 2022 | Ask The Commodore
There are a lot of coloring-book-based educational materials for children available through the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. Reach out to your local US Coast Guard Auxiliary flotilla or email us here with information we can use to connect you with the local unit. We’ll get you squared away. Commodore Vin Pica BTW, if you are […]
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by Commodore Vin Pica | Jun 6, 2022 | Ask The Commodore
The short answer is when you feel threatened by conditions at hand and forecasted to continue to deteriorate. That isn’t necessarily a “may-day” situation, when you definitely will be needing the Coast Guard to get underway. How do you communicate a sense of impending disaster? Just say it. You: “this is the motor vessel ‘Charlie’ […]
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by Commodore Vin Pica | Jun 2, 2022 | Ask The Commodore
The easy answer is a USCG-approved life-jacket that you’re comfortable in – so you’ll wear it. But let’s apply some science. First, 80% of a person’s weight is water, which has no weight in the water, and about 15% is fat, which is lighter than water. Consequently, by subtracting the weight of the body’s water […]
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