July 2026 Edition: Issue #26 of Our Boating Newsletter

Welcome to our July Edition!

Ahoy, Reader!

Summer is here, and there's no better time to get out on the water.

Whether you're planning a Newport Festival charter, building confidence at the helm, or preparing for a future Captain's License, July is one of the busiest—and best—months of the boating season.

If you've been thinking about taking one of our recreational group classes, now is the time to register. July and August are the final months of our scheduled recreational group training for the season. Once those classes conclude, we'll shift our focus to private lessons, new owner training, and professional licensing courses.

⭐ Featured This Month

• 🎶 Newport Folk & Jazz Festival Charters
• 🚤 Summer Charters for Family Celebrations & Group Outings
• ⚓ July Recreational Courses Now Underway
• ⏳ Last Chance for Recreational Group Classes Before They End in August
• 🛥 Private Lessons & New Owner Training Continue Beyond Summer
• 🧑‍✈️ Fall OUPV Captain's License & Launch Operator Programs

Whether you're looking to enjoy more weekends on the water, become a more confident boater, or begin working toward a professional license, we're here to help you make the most of every opportunity this season.

We'll see you on the water! ⚓

🎶 Plan for the Newport Folk & Jazz Festivals

Book Your Charter Now!

It’s almost that time of year again—Newport’s iconic music festivals are right around the corner! Experience the magic of live music from the best seat in the house—your private chartered powerboat.

⚓️ Newport Folk Festival
📅 July 24 - 26, 2026

📍 Fort Adams State Park

🎷 Newport Jazz Festival
📅 July 31 - August 2, 2026
📍 Fort Adams State Park

Wickford Boat Rentals offers half-day and full-day powerboat charters with a licensed captain—perfect for soaking in world-class performances from the water.

Whether you're a die-hard music lover or just looking to enjoy summer with a front-row view, our captained charters are the ultimate way to celebrate.

✨ Grab your crew, bring your favorite snacks, and enjoy the show in style!

Many of our festival charters are reserved months in advance, so we recommend booking early if you're planning to experience Newport Folk or Jazz Festival from the water.

🟢 Ready to reserve your charter now?

💍⚓ Summer Charters: Perfect for Celebrations

Celebrate effortlessly aboard Rendezvous, our Mainship Pilot 30.

Perfect for:

• Bridal parties
• Family gatherings
• Small group outings

Why guests love it:

• Spacious, shaded seating
• Classic New England comfort
• Swim platform + onboard shower
• Licensed captain included

Relax and enjoy—no logistics required.

👉 View Rendezvous & Request Availability

🌟 We’d Love Your Feedback

Trained with us recently?

Your review helps future boaters choose the right training—and helps us continue delivering real-world instruction.

🆕 New Courses & Training Opportunities

We’re expanding this season based on what boaters need most:
​navigation confidence, safety readiness, and real-world vessel knowledge.

❤️ CPR & First Aid Certification

Confidence on the water includes knowing what to do when something goes wrong.

This course provides essential life-saving training that meets requirements for both recreational boaters and professional licensing.

Course includes:

• Adult & child CPR
• AED usage
• Basic Life Support (BLS)
• First Aid essentials

Format:

• Online learning (2–4 hours, completed before class)
• In-person skills session with certified instructor

Upon completion, you’ll receive an official CPR certification card.

👉 Next Class: August 9

🔎 Bow-to-Stern Dockside Assessment

Buying a boat, upgrading, or looking to better understand your vessel?

This 3-hour private dockside consultation with a USCG Licensed Captain gives you a complete walkthrough of your boat’s systems and setup.

Covers:

• Propulsion systems, generators & charging
• Electronics, radar & navigation systems
• Safety equipment review
• Dock lines, departure setup & best practices
• Fueling and onboard systems

Optional add-on:
✔ 3-hour on-the-water training session for hands-on application

This is one of the most valuable ways to build confidence during the boating season.

⚓ Professional Courses: Turn Experience Into Opportunity

Thinking about taking boating beyond recreation?

Now is the time — before the season fills up.

6 Pack / Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (OUPV) – U.S. Coast Guard (Domestic)

If you’ve ever dreamed of becoming a licensed captain and taking paying passengers on the water, this 80-hour course is your first step. Approved by the U.S. Coast Guard in lieu of the written exam, the OUPV—often called the “6 Pack License”—prepares you for your license application so you can operate passenger vessels upon Near Coastal, Great Lakes & Inland Waters.

This comprehensive training covers:

• Shiphandling – docking, maneuvering & close-quarters control
• Coastal Navigation – plotting, chart reading, and route planning
• Emergency Procedures – from man-overboard to onboard incidents
• Navigation Rules – understanding and applying the “rules of the road”
• Pollution Prevention – compliance and best practices
• Watchstanding – safe vessel oversight and responsibilities

If your goal is to earn your Master 100 Ton License but you don’t currently hold a license, start here. Through our partnership with Northeast Maritime Institute (NMI), graduates can access discounted online upgrades for the Master’s 100 GRT or Limited Master (Launch) credentials. Complete your OUPV with us by taking the short online upgrade and submitting all credentials together for maximum efficiency.

📢 This course fills up fast—secure your spot early!

Course Dates: October 13 – November 21

Co-Requisites & Recommended Add-Ons:

• First Aid/CPR
• FCC Exam
  Upgrade OUPV to Master 100 Ton
• Upgrade Master 100 to Master 200 Ton

Required Materials:

• Plotting Tools (Dividers, Parallel Ruler, or Triangles)
  Calculator (TI-30 or TI-36)
  Pencils & erasers
• Training Charts (provided by NMI)

Price: $1,350 USD + cost of materials
​Class Size: Minimum 4, Maximum 10 students
​Location: In-Command Seamanship Training Center — One Phillips Street, Wickford, RI 02852
📞 401-472-3389

🧑‍✈️ OUPV / 6-Pack License + Application Assistance

Our USCG MMC License Assistance Program includes:

✔ 30-minute pre-course consultation
✔ 2 hours post-course personal assistance
✔ License level evaluation
✔ Forms, documentation & checklist review
✔ Ongoing NMC clarification support

Price: $195
Prerequisite: Enrollment in or completion of the OUPV course.

Professional licensing doesn’t have to be overwhelming.

🚤 Become a Licensed Launch Operator This Fall

October 11 & 18 | 16-Hour USCG-Approved Course | $525

Are you working on the waterfront or thinking of making boating part of your professional future? Earn your U.S. Coast Guard Launch Operator License and get certified to operate launch tenders up to 1/2 nautical mile from shore.

This 2-day (16-hour) course is USCG-approved and satisfies the exam and training requirements to apply for a Limited Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels (LOUPV) or Limited Master license.

What You’ll Learn:

✔️ Deck General
✔️ Navigation & Rules of the Road
✔️ Safety Protocols
✔️ Pollution Prevention

This course is ideal for marina staff, yacht club team members, harbor operations crews, and aspiring maritime professionals.

📌 Recommended Co-Requisite: First Aid/CPR
📜 Meets USCG Licensing Requirements for several routes and sectors when completed within 1 year of application.

👉 Class Size Is Limited – Enroll early to guarantee your spot.

👉 Next Class: October 11 & 18

🌊 Launch Operator Lab

On-the-water professional refinement covering:

• Passenger loading
• Dock approach
• Mooring transfers
• Wind & tide management
• Professional communication

Next session: June 27

Available individually or as a discounted package with licensing.

📩 carol@incommandri.com
📞 401-4SAFETY

📩 Want to schedule Launch Operator Lab on your own boat?

Contact us at carol@incommandri.com

📍 Train with us OR bring us to your Marina or Yacht Club!

We offer training on our vessels or yours, so whether you're an individual looking to sharpen your docking and maneuvering or a commercial client wanting to elevate your team's professionalism, we've got you covered.

🛥 Training Focus:

• Departing & returning to the dock
• Approaching and departing moorings
• Loading/unloading passengers safely
• Docking in wind/current
• Coming alongside customer vessels (gracefully!)
• Local knowledge: fuel, food, channels, anchorages
• Professional communication & safety briefings

💼 For Commercial Clients, we’ll travel to your marina or yacht club to train your crew on your launches. This is perfect for clubs that want to ensure consistent, courteous, and confident service on the water.

📩 Interested in scheduling training for your team?

Contact Captain Carol Beecher at carol@incommandri.com or 401-4SAFETY (472-3389)

🌊 Wickford Boat Rentals:

📢 Spread the Word & Save: Captain’s Club Referral Bonus!

Love being on the water? Share the experience! When you refer a friend to our Captain’s Club, you’ll earn 10% off your next boat rental or training course just to introduce them to the adventure.

🚤 Already a Captain’s Club member?

Enjoy an extra 10% off your first rental of the season as our way of saying thanks!

⚓ Boating is better with friends—start saving today!

🚢 Make the Most of the Rest of Summer

Summer is in full swing, and there’s still plenty of time to build confidence, create lasting memories, and enjoy everything the boating season has to offer.

Whether you're joining one of our final recreational group classes before they conclude in August, booking a private lesson on your own boat, planning a weekend charter with family and friends, or taking the first step toward a professional captain's license this fall, we're here to help you enjoy every moment on the water.

The best boating days of the season are still ahead—but they won't wait.

We'll see you on the water this summer.

📣 Stay Connected

• Blog updates
• Course announcements
• Anniversary content
• Fleet reveals

🌟 Share the Joy of Boating!

If you love what we do, why not share the experience with friends and family? By sharing this newsletter, you can invite them to join our warm and welcoming community of boating enthusiasts.

We’re passionate about building a vibrant community; your referrals mean the world to us. Together, let’s make 2026 our best season yet!

Feedback: We'd love to hear your thoughts! Hit reply and share your feedback to help us improve our newsletters.

Stay Connected

Your journey on the water is important to us, and we're here to support every step of the way. Whether you're charting a course toward professional boating or enjoying the seas recreationally, In-Command Seamanship Training and Wickford Boat Rentals are your trusted partners.

We're just an email or phone call away for any questions or to register for our courses and rentals. Here's to smooth sailing and the adventures ahead!

Warm regards,

The Team at In-Command Seamanship Training & Wickford Boat Rentals

Captain Carol Beecher, carol@incommandri.com

Captain Dave Fetherston, dave@wickfordboatrentals.com

One Phillips Street, Wickford, RI 02852
​Unsubscribe · Preferences​