A little more daylight, a little rise in the temperature and thoughts of boaters turn toward — what else? — boating. Just don’t put the horse before the cart. Or boating before safety, as the case may be.

Helping recreational boaters keep the proper perspective is “Boating Skills and Seamanship,” a six-week course offered by the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary through Homer Community Schools. The class begins Feb. 20, and meets at Homer High School from 7-9:30 p.m. Tuesdays and Thursdays through April 3.

“The primary purpose of the Coast Guard Auxiliary is to improve the knowledge, safety skills and operating environment of recreational boaters,” said Frances Eischens, commander of the auxiliary’s Homer flotilla. “One day the information received from the BS&S class may be instrumental in saving your life. Our goal is to have zero accidents.”

Subjects covered by the course include a review of types of recreational boats; proper equipping, trailering and handling of boats; rules of the road; inland boating; an introduction to navigation; powering boats; weather; lines and knots; and radios.

“There’s lots of student participation and there’s a heavy focus on navigation skills in and around Kachemak Bay and the lower Cook Inlet,” said Sandy Mazen, who, for the sixth year, is organizing the course and teaching several sections. Visits to the USCGC Hickory and Roanoke Island are included. The course culminates with a graduation dinner for students and their families, sponsored by the auxiliary.

Mazen, former commander of the auxiliary’s Homer flotilla and currently the flotilla’s public education officer, is joined in teaching the course by auxiliarists Mike Riley, Craig Forrest, Gayle Forrest and Dennis Thaute. Riley is retired from the Coast Guard and a former commander of the local auxiliary flotilla. Craig Forrest is a former commodore of the auxiliary in Alaska and also is commodore of the Homer Yacht Club. Gayle Forrest is responsible for maintenance of the flotilla’s 27-foot SAFEBoat. In the past she served as commander of the Homer flotilla. Like Riley, Thaute is retired from the Coast Guard. His staff officer responsibilities with the auxiliary include member training. He is employed as a National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration law enforcement officer.

As in past years, Francie Roberts will teach the section on weather, drawing from her 18 years as a meteorologist with the National Weather Service.

“These classes are taught by instructors that have many years of boating experience and, equally important, have personal knowledge of the local boating area at Homer,” Eischens said.

The course fee is $50, which includes all materials. Teens and adults are invited to sign-up. To register, stop by the Homer Community Schools office at Homer High School, or call HCS at 235-6090. For more information on the course, call Mazen at 235-6398 or 299-1251.

“Taking the course can reduce boat insurance from 10-15 percent with different insurance companies,” said Mazen, adding that instructors will have information on the companies that accept certificates of course completion for insurance reduction.

The auxiliary also offers free vessel safety checks. Mazen, Riley and Craig Forest are qualified vessel safety examiners. Successful completion of a check results in a sticker indicating the vessel has met the minimum safety requirements.

McKibben Jackinsky can be reached at mckbben.jackisky@homernews.com.