Women at the Helm

Women at the Helm teaches the skills and confidence required to operate a small vessel or to assist in an emergency.  The workshop is designed for women (our definition of women includes trans women and those who are nonbinary, gender non-conforming, and anyone who identifies as a woman in a way that is significant to them.) We will cover basic marine safety, navigation, knot tying, reading the weather and tides, and emergency signals. This will be a hands on ALL DAY class. Make sure that everyone on board knows the basics of marine safety! The course length varies, as this basic course can be tailored to the needs and desires of groups such as teenage boaters, hunters who boat in winter conditions, kayakers, etc.

Topics in this class may include:

• Float plans

• Boating trip risk assessment

• Reading the weather and navigational charts

• Essential items for every boating trip

• Handling an outboard engine malfunction

• Retrieving someone who falls overboard

• Types of PFDs and their uses

• Cold water survival skills

• How to use a VHF radio

• How to make a proper Mayday call

• Types of emergency signals, including flares, and their proper use

• Tying knots and docking techniques

Additional topics can be added depending upon the needs of your group.