In an effort to promote safe boating on Rainy Lake, the Rendezvous Lake Yacht Club will offer marine radio refresher course, with the help of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary.

The course will be offered at 7 p.m. May 23 at Almost Lindy’s banquet room.

Eric Johnson, commodore of the club, said the course is open to the public and there is no need to register.

“Anybody who has an interest in safety and boating on the Rainy Lake basin is encouraged to attend,” said Johnson.

He said offering the course fulfills part of the mission of the RYC to promote safe boating.

Raoul Lufbery, a 15-year member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and Tim Engrav, flotilla commander of the Auxiliary’s Ash River Flotilla, will conduct the course.

Providing information on safe boating, and proper boating procedures, is a part of the all-volunteer auxiliary’s mission.

The course will provide information, proper protocol for using the marine band radio, and will include a question and answer period.

Lufberry said the marine band radio is considered a boating or navigation safety tool. It offers numerous channels, with specific channels designated for certain uses. Those specific channels are used for emergency transmissions, weather reports, and basic communication.

“We like to have people follow the regulations and guidelines to make sure they are not tying up emergency channels with general chatter,” he said.

In addition, the radio is a safety device that can help people on the water experiencing emergencies or other troubles to communicate their urgency to the auxiliary, sheriff’s departments, National Park Services or private people who have base stations.

Not all boaters have marine radio, but many do, Lufberry said.

“It’s a nice safety tool,” he said. “I would put it in the same category as a life jacket, horn, whistle and flares. It’s just one more thing in their arsenal if they do have a problem. We consider it darn important to communicate to other boats and shore stations so someone can respond.”

The auxiliary, he said, sponsors safe boating courses, and has expertise in a lot of areas involving boating both locally and from outside the area that can be tapped.

Meanwhile, Johnson noted that the first RYC race is May 30. For more information about the race season or the club, visit the club’s website at rycweb.org.