The Western Lake Erie Cruising World / US Sailing Safety At Sea Seminar sponsored by West Marine will be presented by North Cape Sailing School on Saturday, April 26 at One SeaGate on the riverfront in downtown Toledo. This daylong seminar is open to all cruising and racing skippers, crews and their families, recreational powerboaters, as well as commercial fishermen. The seminar, designed and conducted by sailors, all experts in their fields, will provide novice and experienced mariners with information and skills required to prepare for sailing offshore, boat preparation, handling heavy weather, recommended safety equipment, and emergencies at sea.

The program has been endorsed by Cruising World magazine and evolved from the highly successful program developed by the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Maryland. It will incorporate the latest techniques and information available.

On-the-water demonstrations will include "Quick Stop" and man-overboard recoveries, flare procedures and helicopter evacuation. Lecture topics also include life-raft inflation, assisting other craft, crew preparation and safety, coping with heavy weather, damage control, preventing medical emergencies, hypothermia and personal flotation devices.

Among those making presentations will be Captain John Bonds, USN (Ret) from Mt. Pleasant, SC. The program will run from 8:30 - 5:15. Tickets are $55 for registrants who pay before April 10, and $60 for registration after April 10. There is a $5 discount for US Sailing members. The fee covers lectures, demonstrations, exhibits, course materials, and lunch. A Cruising World / US Sailing Certificate of Attendance, suitable for wall hanging, can be purchased with advance payment of an additional $10.

There is limited seating, so advance ticketing is strongly advised. For more information write to Charlie Antal PO Box 6089, Plymouth, MI 48170-0498 or e-mail him at [email protected].