September 2026 Edition: Issue #28 of Our Boating Newsletter

Welcome to our September Edition!

Ahoy, Reader!

September is one of Rhode Island’s best-kept boating secrets.

The summer crowds begin to thin, the days are still beautiful, and Narragansett Bay takes on a quieter pace that makes this one of our favorite times of year to be on the water. Whether you’re planning a Labor Day outing, squeezing in one more charter, or simply enjoying the start of fall boating, there’s still plenty of season ahead.

And September is a big month at In-Command, too. We’ll be at the Newport International Boat Show, private recreational training continues through Columbus Day, and registration is underway for our fall professional licensing programs.

⭐ Featured This Month

• Labor Day Weekend: One Last Big Summer Escape on Narragansett Bay
• Newport International Boat Show: Come See Us This September
• Fall Boating: Why September Is One of Rhode Island’s Best Months on the Water
• Bareboat Charters: Extend Your Boating Season Into Fall
• Fall Captain’s License & Professional Training Programs
• Private Lessons & New Owner Training Continue This Fall

Summer may be winding down, but boating season isn’t over. There’s still time to cruise, learn, explore, and make the most of Rhode Island from the water.

Let’s make September count. 🚤⚓

🇺🇸 Celebrate Labor Day on Your Own Terms—Aboard a Private Boat on Narragansett Bay

Trade the holiday traffic for open water and end summer exactly how you want to. Whether you’re after a lively day with friends or a peaceful family escape, Labor Day Weekend is prime time to explore Rhode Island’s coast from the best seat in the house—the deck of your own boat.

🌊 Choose Your Perfect Day on the Bay:

✔️ Captained Charters – Sit back and let our licensed pros handle the helm.
✔️ Bareboat Rentals – Take command yourself.
✔️ Half-Day or Full-Day Trips – Design the perfect outing for your schedule.

💡 Make it unforgettable: Drop anchor for a harbor swim, pull up to a waterfront restaurant for lunch, then toast the sunset with champagne on the bow.

⏳ Labor Day availability is limited—these boats book fast.

🟢 Reserve Your Labor Day Boat

⛵ Catch Us at the Newport International Boat Show

September means boat-show season in Rhode Island, and we’ll be at the Newport International Boat Show, September 17–20, 2026.

Whether you’re shopping for your next boat, exploring new marine technology, or simply love seeing what’s new in the boating world, the show is one of the highlights of the fall boating calendar.

And if a new boat—or a bigger boat—is in your future, come talk to us about what happens after the purchase.

In-Command can help with:

• New Owner Training
• Insurance-required instruction
• Docking and close-quarters maneuvering
• Vessel systems and safety
• Bow-to-Stern Dockside Assessments
• Private instruction on your own boat

Buying the boat is only the beginning. Knowing how to confidently operate it is what makes ownership enjoyable.

📅 September 17–20, 2026
​ 📍 Newport, Rhode Island

👉 Come See Us at the Newport International Boat Show

Bareboat Charters: Your Fall Getaway on the Water

Ready to set out on your own schedule?

September is a beautiful time for a multi-day escape, and our bareboat charters give experienced boaters the freedom to explore Rhode Island at their own pace.

🌟 Available for Fall 2026:

• ✔ Lorelei – Classic elegance meets modern comfort
  ✔ Rendezvous – The perfect balance of performance and style
  ✔ Elan – A spacious cruiser for relaxing getaways

📌 Charter Requirements:

• Prior boating experience OR completion of the Powerboat Cruising Course.
• Whether you're heading toward Newport, Block Island, or simply spending a few quiet days exploring Narragansett Bay, fall gives you a different—and often more relaxed—Rhode Island boating experience

⏳ Book now to secure your Fall charter dates!

Why September Might Be Rhode Island’s Best Boating Month

After Labor Day, something changes on Narragansett Bay.

The crowds begin to disappear. Harbors become quieter. The humidity drops. The water is still warm, and some of the most beautiful boating days of the entire season are still ahead.

If you usually think of Labor Day as the end of boating season, we have 10 reasons to reconsider.​

A Few of Our Favorites:

☀️ Beautiful Weather
​ Sunny days and milder temperatures make September ideal for cruising.

⚓ Fewer Crowds
​ Enjoy Newport, Block Island, and Narragansett Bay with less boat traffic and more room to explore.

🌅 Spectacular Sunsets
​ Early fall skies can deliver some of the most memorable sunsets of the season.

🦞 Peak Seafood Season
​ Make a waterfront restaurant part of the adventure—or bring your favorites aboard.

🍂 The Beginning of Fall Color
​ Rhode Island’s coastline begins its transition into autumn, creating an entirely different view from the water.

And that’s only five...

👉 Read: 10 Reasons to Charter a Yacht in September in Rhode Island

⚓ Fall Professional Training: Your Next Step Starts Now

As recreational group training winds down, professional training is gearing up.

If becoming a licensed captain, working as a Launch Operator, or advancing your maritime career has been on your list, fall is the perfect time to get started.

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

16-Hour U.S. Coast Guard-Approved Course

Whether you're working at a marina, yacht club, harbor launch service, or looking to begin a career on the waterfront, this 16-hour U.S. Coast Guard-approved course prepares you to earn your Launch Operator License and operate launch tenders up to ½ nautical mile from shore.

You'll learn:

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

This course satisfies the U.S. Coast Guard's approved training and examination requirements for eligible Launch Operator licensing routes.

👉 Next Class: October 11 & 18

📌 Recommended Co-Requisite: CPR & First Aid Certification

Whether you're starting a new maritime career or advancing your current role, this course is an excellent investment in your professional future.

🌊 Launch Operator Lab

On-the-water professional refinement covering:

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

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 at Our Facility—or We'll Bring the Training to You

Whether you're an individual looking to sharpen your boat-handling skills or a marina, yacht club, or waterfront business investing in your team, we offer customized training on our vessels or yours.

🛥 Professional On-the-Water Training Includes:

• Departing and returning to the dock
• Approaching and departing moorings
• Safe passenger loading and unloading
• Docking in wind and current
• Coming alongside customer vessels with confidence
• Local navigation, fuel docks, channels, and anchorages
• Professional communication and passenger safety briefings

💼 Customized Training for Marinas & Yacht Clubs

We bring our instructors directly to your facility to train your crew on your launches and workboats. Every program is tailored to your operation, helping your staff develop the skills and consistency needed to deliver a safer, more professional experience for every customer.

Ideal for:

• Yacht clubs
• Marinas
• Harbor launch services
• Sailing schools
• Commercial waterfront operations

📩 Ready to train your team?

Contact Captain Carol Beecher at carol@incommandri.com or 401-4SAFETY (472-3389) to discuss a customized training program.

🌊 Wickford Boat Rentals: Make the Most of Fall Boating

There's still plenty of boating season left—and the Captain's Club helps you make the most of it.

Join today to receive:

• 🚤 Exclusive rental offers
• 🌊 Seasonal promotions
• ⚓ Early announcements and member updates

📢 Invite a Friend, Earn Rewards

Share your love of boating! Refer a friend to the Captain's Club and you'll receive 10% off your next boat rental or In-Command training course after they join.

Already a Member?

Don't forget—you'll also receive 10% off your first rental of the season as our thank-you for being part of the Wickford Boat Rentals community.

⚓ There's still time to get out on the water.

👉 Join the Captain's Club

🚢 Make the Most of Fall on the Water

September may mark the unofficial end of summer, but it doesn’t have to mean the end of your boating season.

There’s still plenty of time to enjoy Narragansett Bay—whether you’re planning a fall charter, taking advantage of the final weeks of private training on our boats, or continuing your training aboard your own vessel.

And for those looking ahead, fall is also the perfect time to take the next step professionally. Our OUPV / 6-Pack Captain’s License and Launch Operator programs begin in October, giving you the opportunity to turn your time on the water into new skills, credentials, and opportunities.

The crowds may be thinning, but some of Rhode Island’s best boating days are still ahead.

So don’t put the boat away just yet. Get out there, enjoy the quieter waters, sharpen your skills, and make the most of every remaining day of the season.

We’ll see you on the water.

⚓ Fair winds and following seas,

📣 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!

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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
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