Course for Ruapehu boaties

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 8, Issue 371, 29 January 1991, Page 12

Course for Ruapehu boaties

Although the central north Isiand is an unlikely breeding ground for the next Peter Blake or Chris Dickson, the Royal New Zealand Coast Guard Federation is keen to provide training for its boaties.

The Coast guard organisation has in recent years assumed the role of educator to thousands of nautical New Zealanders and, in conjunction with Captain Mike Norman, perceives an educational need in the Waiouru Ohakune Raetihi area. "It is sometimes hard to leam how to "boat safely" especially for those who live outside the main centres" says Captain Norman. "This area is a good example. There is currently no tutor able to provide courses on safe boating". The major qualification sought by pleasure boaties is the "Boatmaster" certificate. This course teaches basic navigation and seamanship, and to qualify, the boatie must pass an exam set by the Coast Guard. From January 1 1991 Coast Guard will also take responsibility for the more advanced Coastal and Ocean Yachtmaster Certificates and will introduce two new qualifications called the Coastal and Ocean

navigation Certificates. Captain Norman is keen to develop a "distance learning" course to prepare students for the Boatmaster exam and has been encouraged by Coast Guard to survey the central North Isiand to see where demand for the course may be. There are many keen mariners using the lakes and rivers in this area and some make the odd trip to the coast. The Boatmaster course provides essential formal training for these activities. Captain Norman is a former head of the Auckland nautical School and now lives in Taupo. He has extensive experience in correspondence and distance learning courses. The course being developed by Captain Norman will consist of about 15 home assignments followed by a weekend seminar just before the examination. Anyone interested in finding out more about the proposal can contact him on telephone (074) 86602.