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
June – Engine, Electrical & Fuel System Basics
📅 Date TBD
📍 TBD
Join us for our next free safety seminar focused on keeping your boat running safely and reliably all season. Whether you’re a new owner or just want a better handle on what’s happening below deck, our team will walk you through the essentials of marine engines, electrical systems, and fuel safety.
Topics include:
- Pre-season engine checks
- Battery care, fuses & common electrical issues
- Fuel safety in marinas
- What to do during engine failure
- Guest speaker: local marine mechanic (if available)
Free to attend. Open to all boaters. Date and location to be announced — check back soon or call us to be added to the notification list.
📞 (503) 438-3064
2026 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)
June — 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)
July — On-Water Boat Handling Day (Sign-up required)
- Slow-speed maneuvering
- Turning radius & pivot points
- Anchoring basics
- Man Overboard (MOB) drills
- Safety boats required
August — 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
September — Towing, Trailering & Launch Ramp Etiquette
- Trailer inspections & safety
- Tie-downs & tongue weight basics
- Launch ramp best practices
- Emergency towing on the river
October — Emergency Preparedness & VHF Radio Training
- Mayday vs. Pan-Pan calls
- Local VHF channels & Coast Guard sectors
- Fire extinguisher types & demonstrations
- Power loss & grounding response
November — 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
December — Boat Winterization & Off-Season Maintenance
- Fuel & engine winterization
- Lubrication & fogging
- Water systems & plumbing prep
- Canvas, covers & moisture control
Past Seminars
Watch: April Seminar — Navigation Basics: Charts, Buoys & Local Waterways
Miss the April seminar or want a refresher? We’ll be posting the recording here shortly. This session covered nautical charts, buoy systems, course plotting, rules of the road, and local Columbia River hazards.
(Video coming soon)
Watch: March Seminar — Docking, Line Handling & Close-Quarters Maneuvering
Miss the March seminar or want a refresher? Our Docking, Line Handling & Close-Quarters Maneuvering session is now available on YouTube. This session covers docking approach angles, wind and current compensation, essential knots, spring line techniques, and how to stage your lines before arriving at the dock.
▶️ Docking, Line Handling & Close-Quarters Maneuvering | Sundance Marinas March Seminar
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