Course
Marine Communications Systems - Jan 16, 2025 - Mar 20, 2025 (7-9pm ET Thursdays) - Zoom
Learn about the various kinds of digital communication systems for different applications. Learn about VHF radios, Single Side Band for longer distance communication, and satellite systems. Understand voice communications and the use of digital selective calling (DSC), and get the skills you need for a day sail or long distance offshore adventures.
What's included?
Radio history, frequencies, and VHF communications
Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS)
FCC rules and radio licenses
Radiotelephone operating procedures
Long-range radio communications
Radio maintenance
Other marine communication systems
Members $80, Non-Members $130
Contact Info.ABCRichmond@gmail.com for more info.
Easy 2-step process, register and pay:
Seminar
Introduction to Navigation - Jan 16, 2025(7-9pm ET) - Zoom
Learn practical techniques to plan, navigate, and check your progress on the water using nautical charts, GPS and Chartplotters.
We will introduce you to principles and techniques to determine safe routes, creating waypoints in your Chartplotter and other GPS devices, and basic electronic navigation and planning using the free downloadable OpenCPN software. This seminar gives you current skills and is a great foundation to learn more about piloting and celestial navigation.
Members $25, Non-Members $45
Contact Info.ABCRichmond@gmail.com for more info.
Easy 2-step process, register and pay:
Course
Marine Navigation - Feb 17 - Apr 7, 2025 (7-9pm ET Mondays) - Zoom
You won’t ever get lost or run aground when you know marine navigation, whether for short day trips or long multi-day cruises.
Learn the essentials of safe coastal and inland navigation using basic GPS in conjunction with charts and other marine data. The Marine Navigation course teaches you how to use the GPS along with traditional dead reckoning techniques for planning and laying out safe routes, as well as ensuring that you are on-course while underway.
What's included?
Charts and their interpretation
Landmarks and navigation aids (buoys, day marks, lights, etc.)
Plotting courses and determining direction and distance
The mariner's compass and converting between True and Magnetic
Use of GPS - basic GPS displays and information they provide, setting up waypoints and routes, staying on a GPS course
Pre-planning courses and entering them into the GPS
Monitoring progress and determining position by both GPS and traditional techniques such as bearings and dead reckoning
The "Seaman's Eye" - simple skills for checking that one is on course
Members $80, Non-Members $130
Contact Info.ABCRichmond@gmail.com for more info.
Easy 2-step process, register and pay:
Course
Marine Electrical Systems - Apr 17, 2025 - Jun 5, 2025 (7-9pm ET Thursdays) - Zoom
Don’t get short circuited; learn how boat electrical systems work, how to diagnose problems, and how to do simple repairs and upgrades.
Boat electrical systems are increasingly under load with power demands for electronic navigation, radar, powered windlasses and winches, interior and exterior lighting, personal electronic devices, and more. Most boats have both DC and AC power. Learn about voltage drops, current demands, wiring, and so on. This course covers the topics you need and want to know.
Members $80, Non-Members $130
Contact Info.ABCRichmond@gmail.com for more info.
Easy 2-step process, register and pay:
Seminar
Partner In Command - Wed, Feb 19, 2025 (7-9pm) - Zoom
When a situation arises where the Captain can no longer perform duties, are you ready to take command?
Can you maneuver the vessel for a MOB recovery?
Can you make an emergency distress call using VHF and DSC?
Do you know how to locate and operate visual distress signals?
If not, then this seminar is just for you. We will cover the essentials of selected tasks with enough details to get you through the situation.
Members $25, Non-Members $45
Contact Info.ABCRichmond@gmail.com for more info.
Easy 2-step process, register and pay:
Seminar
Anchoring with Assurance - Tues, Feb 25, 2025 (7-9pm) - Zoom
Know how to anchor in a variety of situations, weather, or seabed and be prepared to adjust for changing conditions.
Learn the skills and knowledge of securing your vessel to the bottom through the use of a line, chain, and one or more anchors. Whether it's for fishing, swimming, a lunch break, or an overnight stop, one of the real pleasures in boating is "hanging on the hook" in some quiet spot. Emergencies such as loss of power, equipment breakdown or failure, or weather hazard may also require that your boat be anchored for a time.
Members $25, Non-Members $45
Contact Info.ABCRichmond@gmail.com for more info.
Easy 2-step process, register and pay:
Seminar
AIS Electronics for Boaters - Wed, Mar 5, 2025 (7-9pm) - Zoom
Learn how to avoid collisions with other ships in crowded waters with AIS. Discover AIS advantages over using radar alone.
With the Automated Identification System (AIS) for marine vessels, you can avoid collisions in crowded waters by knowing the name and locations of other boats and ships, how close they will come, and when to act. Many AIS systems also broadcast your boat’s information to other boats so they can also make better, safer boating decisions.
Our AIS Electronics for Boaters seminar can help you decide if an Automatic Identification System is right for you and show you how AIS and Radar differ. AIS electronics are not just for commercial vessels and more recreational vessels are employing this technology for safer cruising.
What You Will Learn:
What does AIS do and how does it work?
Do I need and AIS System?
How is AIS different from Radar?
How do I use AIS to navigate more safely?
How do I integrate AIS with my existing electronics?
Members $25, Non-Members $45
Contact Info.ABCRichmond@gmail.com for more info.
Easy 2-step process, register and pay:
Seminar
Weather for Boaters - Thu, Mar 13, 2025 (7-9pm) - Zoom
Don't let bad weather ruin your day! Learn to forecast and predict the weather.
Learn to recognize the early signs of changing weather; how to anticipate storms, squalls, fog, and wind shifts; and become familiar with basic weather elements and how they affect your boating experience.
What's included?
What causes weather
How weather systems move
Why winds blow
What clouds tell us
How storms and fronts create foul weather
Why fog forms
Where to get the best professional forecasts
How to refine them using your own observations
Members $25, Non-Members $45
Contact Info.ABCRichmond@gmail.com for more info.
Easy 2-step process, register and pay: