On Feb. 23, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 12-2 in Tellico Village will hold the first of 11 safety classes for 2016 designed to help Villagers navigate the waters safely.
“The Coast Guard Auxiliary is a civilian component of the U.S. Coast Guard,” Flotilla Commander Tom Murphy said.
“Its mission from the time of conception in 1939 and today still is to essentially assist the Coast Guard’s mandate to provide safety and increase the safety of recreation boating.
“... Our mission is to provide the public education on boating safety, help raise awareness on boating safety and raise their skills,” he added.
“… It’s not just general safety like wear your life jacket. It goes way beyond that — being aware of your environments, knowing what the inherent risks are of being on the water.”
The first class will focus on paddle sports. Those who attend will be provided a book from Paddle Sports of America that details the types of paddle sport crafts and what type of equipment should be on board to deal with “crisis” on the water.
An exam will be given at the end of the class based on the material given. Kayak and canoe inspections will also be provided for those attending.
“This is a growing sport,” Mike Colacone, who handles public relations and public affairs for Flotilla 12-2, said. “You’re seeing more and more people out on the river in their kayaks and their canoes. It’s very good exercise for people that live in the area that may be retired. And it’s a good way of going out there and enjoying the lake as well. It’s peaceful, it’s quiet and they can get into places that are shallow and boats can’t get into.”
Colacone said the class is nearly full, with 18 spots already taken for the four-hour sessions, which will cap at 20-25 people.
“We set up different classes at different times and we’ve been very successful in getting them filled in this area,” Colacone said.
Those who take part in canoeing and kayaking but haven’t decided to take the class should reach out and see if space is still available, he said.
Other classes throughout the year include general boating safety and a pontoon and family boating safety class.
“In some cases they’re out there with friends and family and things happen, things that are unplanned,” Murphy said. “We want to provide some awareness of these things and in the event that they happen what they can do to keep themselves and keep their families safe.”
Of the 11 classes scheduled for 2016, the Flotilla will touch on seven subjects.
“There’s also a wide variety of interests,” Murphy said. “People go out on the water for a multiplicity of interests. Some go out there to play, just to jump in the water and play, some go out for fishing, some go out for watersports and tubing, some go out for camping. There’s a variety of interests.
“Some like to travel and will use the lakes for that,” he added. “… For all of these reasons, the multiplicity of interests, we try to make people aware of the type of environment and the risks with their specific interest.”
While teaching boaters about safety is a big part of what the Flotilla does, Colacone said it is far from the only focus.
“We go out and patrol during the summer,” he said. “We do safety patrols for Rockin’ the Docks and that sort of thing. ... If there ever is a crisis in this area we would be called upon by the Coast Guard to support their folks.”
More information on the Flotilla is available at http://flotilla-12-2-tellico-village.blogspot.com/. The Feb. 23 class is $20 for individuals or $30 for couples.
To sign up for the class or for information about future classes, contact Colacone at 352-804-8257 or Mc195@aol.com.
