Boater Education & Safety Seminars
At Sundance Marinas, we believe confident boaters make safer, stronger communities. That’s why we host complimentary boater education and safety seminars throughout the year, rotating between our Sundance Marina and Harbor 1 Marina on-water clubhouses.
These sessions are open to boaters of all experience levels — from first-time owners to seasoned cruisers — and focus on practical, real-world knowledge for boating safely and confidently on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers.
Topics range from core safety fundamentals to seasonal preparedness and hands-on skills, with time built in for questions and discussion.
Upcoming Seminar Dates
April – Navigation Basics: Charts, Buoys & Local Waterways
📅 Saturday, April 18 – 11 AM
📍 Harbor 1 Marina Clubhouse – 3307 NE Marine Drive, Portland, OR 97211
Join us for our next free safety seminar focused on navigating the Columbia River with confidence. Whether you’re new to boating or just want a refresher, our team will walk you through the essentials of reading charts and understanding what’s happening beneath the surface.
Topics include:
- Understanding nautical charts — depths, hazards, and navigation markers
- Buoys, day markers, and the “Red Right Returning” rule
- Basic course plotting and using checkpoints
- Rules of the Road — right-of-way for powerboats, sailboats, and commercial vessels
- Sharing the river with barges, tugboats, and large ships
- Local Columbia River hazards: wing dams, sandbars, debris, and bridge clearance
- Navigation apps vs. paper charts — best practices for both
Free to attend. Open to all boaters.
2025 Seminar Topics (Monthly Overview)
January — Boating Basics & New-Year Safety Refresher
- Core safety knowledge and Oregon regulations
- Required safety gear overview
- River-specific considerations for the Columbia & Willamette
February — Cold-Water Survival & Hypothermia Awareness
- Winter hazards on the Columbia & Willamette Rivers
- Cold-water immersion survival basics
- Reboarding ladders, safety lines & recovery techniques
- Dry suits & thermal layering overview
- Guest speaker: USCG Auxiliary (if available)
March — Docking, Line Handling & Close-Quarters Maneuvering
- Cleat hitches, bowlines & spring lines
- Docking angles, wind & current compensation
- Crew communication & hand signals
- Hands-on practice using available slips
April — Navigation Basics: Charts, Buoys & Local Waterways
- Understanding buoys, markers & ATONs
- Reading Columbia & Willamette River charts
- Basic course plotting
- Introduction to Rules of the Road (COLREGS)
May — Engine, Electrical & Fuel System Basics
- Pre-season engine checks
- Battery care, fuses & common issues
- Fuel safety in marinas
- What to do during engine failure
- Guest speaker: local marine mechanic (if available)
June — On-Water Boat Handling Day (Sign-up required)
- Slow-speed maneuvering
- Turning radius & pivot points
- Anchoring basics
- Man Overboard (MOB) drills
- Safety boats required
July — River Etiquette & High-Season Safety
- Wake management & no-wake zones
- Sharing waterways with paddlers, PWCs & commercial traffic
- Oregon BUI laws
- Seasonal hazards: debris, swimmers & jet skis
August — Towing, Trailering & Launch Ramp Etiquette
- Trailer inspections & safety
- Tie-downs & tongue weight basics
- Launch ramp best practices
- Emergency towing on the river
September — Emergency Preparedness & VHF Radio Training
- Mayday vs. Pan-Pan calls
- Local VHF channels & Coast Guard sectors
- Fire extinguisher types & demonstrations
- Power loss & grounding response
October — Weather, Tides & River Conditions
- Reading NOAA forecasts & river level charts
- Seasonal wind, current & weather risks
- Storm preparation for boats in slips
- Fire-season smoke considerations
November — Boat Winterization & Off-Season Maintenance
- Fuel & engine winterization
- Lubrication & fogging
- Water systems & plumbing prep
- Canvas, covers & moisture control
December — Year-End Review & Advanced Topics Workshop A discussion-driven session based on tenant interest, which may include:
- Night boating & navigation lights
- Knots masterclass
- Local river history
- Open boater Q&A roundtable
Past Seminars
Watch: March Seminar — Docking, Line Handling & Close-Quarters Maneuvering
(Video coming soon)
Miss the March seminar or want a refresher? We’ll be posting the recording here shortly. This session covered docking approach angles, wind and current compensation, essential knots, and crew communication for close-quarters maneuvering on the Columbia River.
Watch: February Seminar — Cold-Water Survival & Hypothermia Awareness
Miss the February seminar or want a refresher? Our Cold-Water Survival & Hypothermia Awareness session is now available on YouTube. This session covers winter hazards on the Columbia and Willamette Rivers, cold-water immersion survival, reboarding techniques, and thermal layering basics.
▶️ Cold-Water Survival & Hypothermia Awareness | Sundance Marinas February Seminar
Watch: January Seminar — Boating Basics & New-Year Safety Refresher
Miss the January seminar or want a refresher? Our Boating Basics & New-Year Safety Refresher is now available on YouTube. This session covers essential safety knowledge, Oregon regulations, and practical river considerations to help boaters start the season with confidence.
▶️ Boating Basics & Safety Refresher | Sundance Marinas January Seminar