If you’ve been meaning to sign up for a Safety at Sea Seminar before the next boating season, you’ll want to pick this one. It’s being held at the Naval Academy in Annapolis at the end of March, and the president of North Sails— a world champion sailor— is the keynote speaker.
This is the 40th anniversary for the Annapolis Safety at Sea seminar— back in 1979, it was the very first of its kind. Officers, coaches, and sailors at the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) created the seminar in response to the 1979 Fastnet Race disaster, when 50-foot waves in the Irish Sea left 15 sailors dead.
Today, the Safety at Sea Seminar brings technical experts, ocean racers, adventure sailors, and sail training professionals together for a US Sailing-endorsed course. It’s being hosted by the USNA Sailing program and the Marine Trades Association of Maryland (MTAM).
The seminar is Saturday and Sunday March 30-31, in Alumni Hall at the Academy. World-renowned sailor Ken Read will share his on-water experiences with seminar participants. Read is president of North Sails. He’s won US Rolex Yachtman of the Year twice, and nine World Championships. He’s a two-time Volvo campaign leader and was skipper aboard the speed record-breaking sailing yacht Comanche.
Participants can sign up for just Saturday, or two different options for Sunday:
Saturday-only participants receive a US Sailing Certificate, valid for 5 years. The course is a full day and the cost is $175. This course certificate is an excellent credential for near shore or coastal sailboat races and long-distance cruising.
“Day One is a great choice for any mariner— sail or power— to learn about safety,” says Susan Zellers, MTAM Executive Director.
Sunday Training continues with two options: A Cruising Track includes an in-depth look at cruising with the option of ‘Interactive’ – small group discussion sessions or ‘Practical’ – in pool life raft and safety training. The cost is $225 for this two-day option and includes the US Sailing Certificate.
The other Sunday option is a World Sailing Offshore Personal Safety Course, valid for 5 years, it is available to a limited number of attendees (the first 90 to enroll). The cost is $325 for this two-day seminar.
MTAM is looking for volunteers to work on Saturday morning, from 7 a.m. to 9 a.m., and volunteers would have the opportunity to hear Ken Read speak.
For more information about the Safety at Sea Seminar, click here.
-Meg Walburn Viviano
