Stand by for ticketing. We’re about to add five additional seminars to the TrawlerFest-Bay Bridge line-up, including two you won’t see anywhere else: “The Great Loop and Amazing Side Trips” and “The Pacific Northwest for East Coast Boaters.”

(The photo above is from the Great Loop seminar. She’s a Great Harbour N37)

The TrawlerFest boat show and seminar series happens at Bay Bridge Marina Yacht Club on Kent Island at the foot of Maryland’s magnificent Bay Bridge Tuesday through Sunday, Sept. 29-Oct. 4. The boat show runs Thursday through Sunday, Oct. 1-4, and includes booths displaying marine products and services. Here are the seminars and their descriptions:

SATELLITE COMMUNICATION & ENTERTAINMENT, with Paul Comyns of Intellian, Thursday, Oct. 1, 10:45 am-12:45 pm. $50 ($60 at the gate)

Satellite communications and satellite television keep you connected to the world when your out of range of terrestrial systems. Paul Comyns, a veteran marine electronics expert, outlines what is available, how these systmes work in layman’s terms, what to expect and how to ask for the right things. There are many new services coming online and Comyns will share what he thinks works best for live-aboard cruisers. He will also explain antenna placement and how to maximize the performance of the systems onboard.

PACIFIC NORTHWEST CRUISING FOR EAST COAST BOATERS, with Mark Bunzel & Steve Zimmerman, Friday, Oct. 2, 8:30 am–12:30 pm $100 ($120 at the gate)

Mark Bunzell is editor and publisher of the annual Waggoner Cruising Guide, “the bible for northwest cruising.” He also publishes and distributes most of the key publications for cruising the Inside Passage. His companies offer seminars and flotillas for those interested in making the passage to Southeast Alaska. He starts each summer with a nine-boat flotilla to Ketchikan and then begins his way south researching changes to the marinas and anchorage on 750-mile Inside Passage routes for the entire summer. Bunzell and cruiser/boatbuilder Steve Zimmerman will talk about options for getting one’s one boat to the West Coast or chartering one that is already there. Zimmerman will also talk about the differences between East Coast and ICW cruising the Pacific Northwest, having done both. And how one of his Zimmerman 36 owners from the Chesapeake trucked his boat from the Great Lakes to Seattle for a couple seasons.

PARTNER IN COMMAND (Aboard Grand Banks 42 Arawak),with Denise & Harry Allen, Saturday, Oct. 3 in two sessions (Class limit: 8 attendees each session) 8:30-10:30 am and 10:45 am-12:45 pm. $50 ($60 at the gate)

This U.S. Power Squadrons seminar is trains crew on how best to assist the skipper and to take over if need be. It includes an introduction to boating, understanding anchoring, docking, and navigation, preparing for bad weather, first aid and how to handle on board emergencies. Do not miss this comprehensive seminar to develop or polish your skills in communication, including VHF marine radio, calling for help, signaling equipment, safety and safety equipment, first aid, starting and running the engine and the contents and use of a marine tool kit. Printed material, hand-outs and manuals will be available at the seminar. Students receive credit for having taken the course in the U.S. Power Squadron database.

THE GREAT LOOP & AMAZING SIDETRIPS, with Bob Duthie & Joe Pica, Sunday, Oct. 4, 8:30 am-12:30 pm, $100 ($120 at the gate)

Bob Duthie, author of What To Expect Cruising America’s Great Loop, will discuss the kinds of boats that are best for The Loop, equiping the boat and the importance of an AIS receiver. He covers highlights of his two-year cruise with stories and lots of photos. He then talks about resources, such as I like to cover available courses, books, websites, and groups. Co-presenter Joe Pica, an eight-year liveaboard, has done the Great Loop three times on his N37 trawler as well as the entire Mississippi from Mineapolis to New Orleans. He will also describe his adventures navigating the Ohio River all the way to Pittsburgh, the Cumberland River to Nashville, and other heartland tributaries.

MASTERING RULES OF THE ROAD with Capt. Alan Karpas, USPS, Sunday, Oct. 4, 10:45 am-12:45 pm $50 ($60 at the gate)

Don’t leave the dock without knowing the rules of the road. This seminar, with the President of the Safety Institute of Maryland, will simplify the sometimes complex U. S. Inland Rules and International Rules or COLREGS for the recreational boater. Through examples, you will learn how to develop or new your skills in avoiding collisions, meeting head on, crossing, overtaking, sailing vessels, vessel responsibilities, fishing vessels, lights and shapes on vessels, sound signals, restricted visibility, and distress signals. Printed material, hand outs and manuals will be available at the seminar. Students receive credit for having taken the course in the U.S. Power Squadron database.