FORT MYERS BEACH — Out for a beautiful day on the water with the family and the operator becomes incapacitated or falls overboard; what do you do? Now you are Suddenly in Command of the vessel. This boating safety seminar is designed to prepare those not generally familiar with boating to be prepared to handle such an emergency. You will learn about boats, equipment, boating terms, and operating principles.

The presenters are trained professionals of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary who facilitate the sharing of experiences and relate courseware to our local area. Flotilla Commander of US Coast Guard Auxiliary Fort Myers Beach stated, “This two-hour seminar is perfect for family members in the event something happens to the boat operator. It’s a scary thought and it is best to be prepared.” He went on to say, “Suddenly in Command addresses issues that may arise if you encounter situations on the water that require a working knowledge of Emergency Communications, Basic Navigation, Boat Handling, and Anchoring, as well as an overview of the items that are legally required to be aboard your boat.”

The Fort Myers Beach Flotilla presents the seminar at homeowners’ associations, marinas, and boat clubs. Make sure every day on the water is as safe as possible by ensuring everyone on the boat understands boating basics. Contact our Public Education Officer, Mr. McTaggart at 239-690-6780 option 1.

The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary is the lead agency protecting America’s seaward frontier in recreational boating safety. Our vessels and aircraft deploy across the U.S. and they aid or save countless boaters every year. Every day the auxiliary saves hundreds of thousands of dollars in property damage and saves countless lives.

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed civilian component of the U.S. Coast Guard and supports the Coast Guard in nearly all mission areas. The Auxiliary was created by Congress in 1939. For more information, please visit www.cgaux.org