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US Sailing, the national governing body for the sport, has launched the new Safety at Sea Online course, featuring eight-modules of online Safety at Sea curriculum designed for sailors of all types and levels - cruisers and racers, novices and experts.

"US Sailing is excited to introduce its first online course for offshore sailors," said Chuck Hawley, chairman of the US Sailing Safety at Sea Committee. "The Safety at Sea Online course is a companion to the popular hands-on sessions offered by clubs and academies around the country.

"Sailors have asked for a way to take the course at their own pace, from the convenience of their homes, and less time in the classroom. This is the result. After completing the Safety at Sea Online course, and an approved one-day hands-on course, students will receive a US Sailing/World Sailing Personal Survival Course certification, allowing them to compete in sailboat races around the world."

Over 100 Videos

Developed in partnership with Fresh Air Educators, a leading online education provider, the Safety at Sea Online course consists of over 100 videos and associated assessment questions designed to engage the learner. The eight modules of the course include Giving Assistance to Others, Personal Safety Gear, Crew Overboard Prevention & Recovery, Hypothermia and Drowning, Crew Health (head injuries, dehydration), Marine Weather, Search and Rescue Organization and Emergency Communications.

The Safety at Sea Online course can only be used as a replacement for attending the Offshore Safety at Sea Course at select seminars and is not accepted at all International Safety at Sea Courses. Potential attendees should consult with course organizers before taking the online course.

This is the second project that US Sailing and Fresh Air have collaborated on, following the launch of Basic Keelboat Online in 2016.

In-Person Courses Too

"We were thrilled to be able to work with Fresh Air again," said Stu Gilfillen, US Sailing's director of education. "As an organization, we strive to deliver outstanding content in an easily consumable format and Fresh Air has a track record of doing just that. And when you're able to combine their technical expertise with the vast knowledge of subject matter experts like Chuck Hawley, Stan Honey, Dr. Michael Jacobs and Dr. Gordon Giesbrecht, you end up with a really special offering."

In addition to offering this course, US Sailing will continue to sanction two-day "in-person" courses as well, organized by many of the best yacht clubs and yachting associations around the country, and those who complete the course will receive the same certification.

The development of Safety at Sea Online would not be possible without the support from countless volunteers, the US Sailing Safety at Sea Committee, Storm Trysail Foundation and the Cruising Club of America through the Bonnell Cove Foundation. US Sailing greatly appreciates all their efforts in making this education offering a reality.

For More Information

For more information about Safety at Sea Online, visit the Web site at http://www.safetyatseacourse.com. For questions regarding Safety at Sea Online, please contact US Sailing at safetyatsea@ussailing.org. Another good source is http://www.ussailing.org/sasonline/