On Saturday, Jan. 13, the Coast Guard Auxiliary on Martha’s Vineyard will hold a new boating safety class called Suddenly in Command. This class is designed to help people not familiar with boating basics to be prepared in the event of emergencies on the water when a captain or crew are injured or unable to operate a vessel. In addition to boating basics, the topics to be covered include emergency communications, man overboard training and how to safely anchor.

The class will be held from 8:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. at the West Tisbury Fire Station on State Road. The cost is $40 per person. Registration is required by Friday, Jan. 12. To register, email vineyardcgaux@gmail.com with the subject line “register me for Suddenly in Command.”

The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the uniformed, volunteer component of the U.S. Coast Guard. The Martha’s Vineyard flotilla is open to new members and encourages anyone interested in joining to visitvineyardcgaux.org.