August 2026 Edition: Issue #27 of Our Boating Newsletter

Welcome to our August Edition!

Ahoy, Reader!

Summer may be winding down, but there's still plenty of boating season left to enjoy.

August is your final opportunity to join our scheduled recreational group classes before they conclude for the season. Whether you've been thinking about improving your docking skills, earning your boating certificate, or building confidence at the helm, now is the time to act before these classes wrap up.

It's also time to start planning ahead. Labor Day Weekend is one of the busiest boating weekends of the year, and our captained charters and bareboat rentals fill quickly. If you're hoping to spend the holiday on the water with family and friends, we encourage you to reserve your boat now.

Looking beyond summer? This is also the perfect time to secure your place in our fall professional programs, including our U.S. Coast Guard OUPV (6-Pack Captain's License) course and Launch Operator training.

⭐ Featured This Month

• 🇺🇸 Reserve Your Labor Day Weekend Boat Before They're Gone
• 🚤 Bareboat Rentals & Captained Charters Still Available
• ⏳ Final Recreational Group Classes of the 2026 Season
• 🛥 Private Lessons & New Owner Training Continue Year-Round
• 🧑‍✈️ Register Early for Fall Captain's License & Launch Operator Programs

Whether you're making the most of the remaining weeks of summer or preparing for your next step as a boater or maritime professional, we're here to help you finish the season with confidence.

We'll see you on the water. ⚓

Plan Ahead: Labor Day Weekend is Almost Here—Lock In Your Boat Today!

Skip the traffic and end summer your way—on the water. Whether it’s a high-energy day with friends or a quiet family escape, Labor Day Weekend is the perfect time to cruise the Rhode Island coast.

🌊 Boating Options Include:
​ ✔️ Captained Charters – Relax while our licensed pros handle the helm
✔️ Bareboat Rentals – Chart your own course (license required)
✔️ Half-Day & Full-Day Trips – Flex your plans and make it memorable

💡 Want ideas? Plan a harbor swim, lunch at a waterfront restaurant, and sunset champagne on the bow. This is how Rhode Island does Labor Day right.

⏳ These spots go fast—our fleet booked out last year by mid-August.

🚤 Bareboat Charters: Your Getaway on the Water!

Ready to set out on your schedule? Our bareboat charters let you explore at your own pace with multi-day rentals aboard our premium fleet.

🌟 Available for Summer 2026!
✔ Lorelei – Classic elegance meets modern comfort.
✔ Rendezvous – The perfect balance of performance and style.
✔ Elan – A spacious cruiser for relaxing getaways.chat

📌 Charter Requirements:

• Must have prior boating experience OR
• Complete the Powerboat Cruising Course

⏳ Book now to secure your Summer charter dates!

🌟 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.

🔎 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

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 the Rest of Summer

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 before summer slips away.

🚢 Finish Summer Strong

The boating season isn't over yet—and there's still plenty of time to build confidence, create lasting memories, and enjoy everything Rhode Island has to offer from the water.

Whether you're spending Labor Day Weekend aboard one of our boats, taking advantage of the season's final recreational group classes, scheduling private instruction on your own vessel, or preparing for a U.S. Coast Guard Captain's License this fall, we're here to help you make the most of every opportunity.

As summer winds down, remember that learning doesn't have to. Our private lessons, new owner training, and professional licensing programs continue well beyond the boating season, helping you stay on course all year long.

Make the most of the weeks ahead—the best days on the water are the ones you don't put off.

We'll see you on the water.

📣 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
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