Events & Activities

National Safe Boating Week-Boating Safety Day

On May 17th and 18th an event will be held at the Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center in Eureka to recognize the start of National Safe Boating Week. This event will feature a variety of displays, demonstrations, and safety classes.

Life Jacket Giveaway / Exchange / Demos
There will be a youth & adult life jacket giveaway/exchange program during the course of the event. There will also be a variety of life jackets displayed with demonstrations on their use throughout the day.

Raffles / Equipment & Information Displays
There will also be a raffle for sea kayaking and sailing training classes. There will be displays of safety equipment with knowledgeable personnel to answer any questions that you may have. A variety of boating safety brochures and information will be available as well.

Boating Safety Course · (8 am – 4 pm)
A one-day Boating Safety Course will be taught by instructor, Thom O’Connor, Flotilla Commander of the Coast Guard Auxiliary in Eureka. Topics which will be covered in the course will include: Personal Safety, Basic Boating Guidelines, Boating Laws and Rules of the Road, Basic Operation of a Variety of Vessels, Navigation Rules, and Action, Prevention and Rescue. The class will take 8 hours with a no-host break for lunch. Upon passing the class, students will get a certificate of completion. This class is offered to boaters 16 years old and up.

For advance signups contact:
U. S. Coast Guard Group Humboldt Bay
BMC Stacy Brown
Email: Stacy.L.Brown@uscg.mil
Phone: 707-839-6591

The course fee of $20 includes instruction, book, and testing materials.

Sea Kayaking Demos
Adventure’s Edge, Center Activities & the Pro Sports Center will be providing sea kayaking equipment of all types for paddlers to try out.

Marlinespike Seamanship
Marlinespike Seamanship is the art of handling and working all kinds of natural fiber, synthetic fiber, and wire rope. It is named so, because it often involves use of a marlinespike. It generally covers all types of knot tying, splicing of cordage, sail repair, and fancy rope work. In the 16th, 17th, and 18th centuries the skill of a sailor was often judged by how well he knew knots and marlinespike seamanship. There will be demonstrations on tying basic knots, line safety and maintenance, and splicing three strand and double braided nylon line.

USCG Motor Lifeboat Tour (Dockside)
The men and women of the United States Coast Guard are responsible for rendering assistance to persons in distress along the California coast. To affect rescues Station Humboldt Bay operates two 47-ft Motor Lifeboats capable of operating in the harsh conditions found in the entrance of Humboldt Bay. Tours of the 47-ft Motor Lifeboat will be available at the Bonnie Gool Dock.

USCG Helicopter Rescue Demo · 11 am on Saturday and Sunday
The United States Coast Guard Helicopter Rescue demonstration is an excellent way to see some of the work that the USCG is capable of. This demo is dependant on the availability of the helicopter and rescue swimmers.

Introduction to Sea Kayaking · (10 am, noon, 2 pm)
This course will give you a brief overview of sea kayaking. You will learn the basic paddle strokes and techniques, basic safety techniques and equipment. This will include a short paddle tour along the Eureka Waterfront.

Sheriff Marine Patrol Tour
Bay tours with the Humboldt County Sheriff Marine Patrol will be available on May 17. The 44' patrol vessel will be leaving from the Bonnie Gool dock.

Vessel Exams
The Vessel Safety Check is a complimentary check of your boat conducted by members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, confirming that it meets both federal and state requirements for safety.

No citations are issued and the results of the safety check are not reported to any enforcement agency, but a decal is awarded to display if the vessel has passed the examination.

An example of some of the items checked include:

Personal Flotation Devices (life jackets)
Registration and numbering
Navigation lights
Ventilation
Fire extinguishers
Distress signals (flares, horn, etc.)
Battery cover and connections

All of these items are currently required by state and federal laws and, if missing or non-operating, can result in a citation if your vessel is inspected by the Coast Guard.

The Vessel Safety Check gives you a risk-free way to check that you meet the legal minimums and to potentially avoid a citation later.

Adult CPR
This course is designed as a basic course for Adult CPR. Course contents include how to recognize an emergency, prevent disease transmission, and learning to care for breathing and cardiac emergencies. Upon successful completion of this course, the participant will receive a certification in Red Cross Adult CPR.

For advance sign-ups contact the Humboldt Bay Aquatic Center at 443-4222.

Cost: $15