Coastguard Boating Education hosts International Maritime visitors
by Joanne Glassford on 17 Mar 2014
IMRF Trustee Chairman Michael Vlasto of the RNLI, presents an IMRF commemorative plaque as a token of thanks to CBE Chairman John Cowan Joanne Glassford
Coastguard Boating Education hosted international representatives from the IMRF (International Maritime Rescue Federation) during their visit to New Zealand on March 14th.
IMRF CEO Bruce Reid commended CBE 'on the great work CBE is doing in the field of boating education with the trustees particularly impressed with the award-winning Safe Boating Programme CBE has developed to target primary and intermediate aged children.
The success of the Safe Boating Programme is the link developed between CBE and community aquatic centres as the hub for water safety educational activities to provide young people with the skills they might need to survive in a dangerous situation.
The innovative program covers skipper responsibility and what safety equipment should be carried on board a vessel when venturing out, highlighting the importance of lifejackets, Marine VHF radio and distress signalling devices in addition to how to perform a safety briefing for the crew.
The practical session includes deep water boat drills, lifejacket buoyancy plus survival positions should the student ever find themselves in difficulty.
CBE have issued over 21,750 certificates since the programme was first launched in early 2013 in addition to providing professional boating safety training to the aquatic centre swim instructors.
Coastguard Boating Education is an accredited Private Training Establishment whose objective is to increase safety and enjoyment on the water through a range of theory and practical boating courses. CBE General Manager Neil Murray said that 'with over 10,000 responsible boaties attending a course in 2013, the public have clearly embraced the variety of course options from the popular Day Skipper, Boatmaster and VHF through to Ocean Yachtmaster and practical RYA (Royal Yachting Association) courses.
Further information on Coastguard Boating Education courses as well as the Safe Boating programme can be found on the website www.boatingeducaion.org.nz
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