Wine and Hors d’oeuvres Party Puts Fun in Fundraising

The Marco Island Sail and Power Squadron, which is now identified as the America’s Boating Club/ Marco Island, held its annual Wine and Hors d’oeuvres Party on Friday, January 26, at the San Marco Catholic Church’s Parish Hall. The event is to raise the necessary funds for boating education and Safety Classes for local mariners. 

The organization itself has been in existence for over 37 years now and has approximately 180 members. They acquired their own educational facility from which they meet and hold classes. It is on the second floor of the Chamber of Commerce Plaza on North Collier Boulevard. There is an elevator in the hallway leading to the Speakeasy Restaurant, providing easy access to the second floor.

In addition to the educational responsibilities of the club, they also promote boating and watercraft skills for boaters while out on the water, with a strong emphasis on safety. Monthly dinner meetings are held, and informative speakers make presentations regarding various subjects for their membership.

The event helps to fund the various aspects of the club and its goal of providing educational support that deals with safe boating. They also promote other nationally recognized boating courses which are taught locally here on Marco Island. The event is sponsored through the generous donations of approximately 100 local businesses.

In addition to educational courses, the club performs free vessel checks for mariners. “We realize that it can be confusing for new boaters, and our goal is to assist them in making sure they have the necessary safety equipment onboard in case of an emergency,” said Nanette Rivera, this year’s Commander. “It is up to the owner of the boat to ensure they have those items. We’ll be glad to return and issue them the appropriate sticker that identifies that. We want to be helpful and assuring to those families out on the waters.”

Their members are also involved in the volunteer surveying of our navigational aids. After every large or even smaller storms, those aids to navigation may be impacted. They, in turn, report those down markers to the appropriate authorities, whether it be the Coast Guard, the county, or city officials.

By going to www.marcoboatingclub.org, you can click on the three bars at the top left of the screen, scroll down, and click on the link called Aids to Navigation. (ATON) Here, you’ll find information regarding damaged or missing ATONs. 

By clicking on that menu bar, you will find links to other important information regarding the club’s newsletter, boating courses, vessel safety checks, and how to join the club.