Number 7-96 -- 23 July 1996
Background and Introduction
The purpose of this Speed-gram is to introduce the Skipper's Safe Boating Course (hereinafter "Skipper's Course") and to provide ordering information for interested Auxiliary units. The Skipper's Course was developed originally as a correspondence course to teach the fundamentals of safe boating and was sold directly and by mail. Persons who purchased the course could read it as any text or, alternatively, enter their answers in an end-of-course examination answer sheet and send this to be graded. A certificate was mailed to all who successfully completed the examination. The Skipper's Course, which is copyrighted by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary National Board Inc., is available to the Auxiliary. This course has been updated and many new color graphics developed and professionally prepared. It is published by Mosby Lifeline (hereinafter "Mosby"), an established and well respected publisher of professional health science and consumer health and safety educational materials. The text is offered for direct sale through such outlets as BOAT/U.S. and other major marine supply houses. The Skipper's Course may also be purchased and sold by Auxiliary units (see details below). |
Details
The Skipper's Course is an independent study (correspondence) course published by Mosby and specifically endorsed by both the USCG and the Auxiliary. It consists of an illustrated 13-chapter text with several relevant appendices. Chapter titles include Boating Basics, Legal Requirements, Environmental Concerns, Weather, Before You Go, Basic Navigation Rules, Aids to Navigation, Reading Charts, Maneuvering & Handling, Emergency Procedures, Water Activities, Trailering Your Boat, and Rules of Operation. Appendices and a glossary of terms are also included. Although much of the material is relevant to sailors, operators of small powerboats will probably find the course of greatest interest. It is "user-friendly," written at a reading level comparable to the Boating Safely Course (BSC), and features extensive use of color graphics to add eye and sales appeal. Material in the appendices promotes the USCG, the Auxiliary, and our other Auxiliary courses.
The contents of the home study text have been approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA). Insurance companies may choose to offer discounts on marine insurance to those who successfully complete the course. The target audience is the beginning boater who wishes to learn the principles of safe boating but, for one reason or another, does not have the ability, time, or inclination to attend a formal class presented by our instructors, such as the BSC or Boating Skills and Seamanship (BS&S) course. Thus, the Skipper's Course is not intended to compete with our other course offerings, but rather to enable us to extend our reach to include an additional and, thus far, untapped segment of the boating public. As a matter of policy, we continue to believe that boaters who attend our formal classes are offered the best educational opportunity. There is no fully adequate substitute for well informed and capable instructors who not only present material effectively, but also answer questions and provide supplemental information. Furthermore, students also gain from interaction with other students in a classroom setting. However, home study courses, such as the Skipper's Course, present a practical alternative for many boaters who are not free to attend our conventional courses.
Students can take an end-of-course examination and send in their answers to a central address for grading by the Auxiliary national staff. Those who receive a passing grade will be issued a course completion certificate by return mail. As noted above, the course is being offered through commercial distribution channels. However, Auxiliary units may also sell this course to the public directly and realize revenue from sales. (Auxiliary units should follow district ordering policies.)
Auxiliary units may purchase the texts from Mosby at a discount price of $6.27 per copy. There is no minimum order quantity. The manufacturer's suggested retail price (MSRP) is $13.95 per copy, but BOAT/U.S. intends to sell the Skipper's Course at $9.95 each. (Presumably, other major marine supply houses will match this price.) Auxiliary units selling copies will realize as revenue the difference between the discount price and the MSRP or other selling price. It is as simple as that; Auxiliary units are free of any additional responsibility to administer the course, proctor examinations, or issue certificates. (Indeed, Auxiliary units are not permitted to perform these functions. Moreover, the Skipper's Course is a self-study course only, it may not be used as a substitute text for any of our other courses.)
Two attractive promotional brochures (attached) have been printed and are available to Auxiliary units. The back of the first brochure has a blank space to print or write in the name and/or telephone number of an Auxiliary unit representative. The second brochure provides students with the option to contact their local Auxiliary unit (e.g., Flotilla), or to order directly from Mosby. These brochures may be handed out at boat shows, CME stations, and other convenient locations. They are shrink-wrapped in packages of 25 and are free to Auxiliary units.
To order these promotional brochures, or the Skipper's Course text, call Mosby directly at 1-800-633-6699. You must provide your Auxiliary unit number in order to receive the discount price. Auxiliary units will be billed for shipping and postage.
Please reference the following product book codes (stock numbers) when ordering: