Basic Boating Safety Courses
[Open to members & the public, no boating experience needed]
[Advanced courses below, click here for them]
America's Boating Course 3rd Edition - This course offers a basis of safe boating knowledge. It is NASBLA approved & meets/exceeds NY state requirements for certification for Personal Watercraft (PWC) operation. It also meets the educational requirement for membership in USPS. Click here for details.
Next offering: For information, contact the Educational officer by clicking here.
NEW! 2012 Seminar Series – A series of 4 seminars, described below, will be presented at Tuscarora Yacht Club (Wilson, NY). Each will be 2 hours, 7 – 9 PM, with registration starting at 6:30 PM. The cost for each student attending and getting all seminar materials is $40 per seminar. Other family members can attend, sharing materials, for $5 per person per seminar. To allow space planning and preprinting of certificates, please pre-register by email (Click here) or by phone 716-773-0953.
9 May - Basic Weather and Forecasting - The safety and comfort of those who venture out-on-the-water have always been weather dependent. The complex subject of weather is presented in a way that is both understandable and useful.
23 May - How to use a chart - Even with GPS and electronic navigation, the chart is needed to tell you what is around you and between you and your intended destination. A system of symbols is used by cartographers to tell you what lies below the surface of the water and the depths of water, as well as visible landmarks and navigation aids.
6 June - Mariner's Compass - This seminar explains how to select, install, calibrate and use your compass on board your boat. You will learn important features and what will work best for you, how to deal with variation between true and magnetic north, and how to adjust your compass to remove most of the deviation caused by local magnetic influences.
20 June - Mastering the Rules of the Road - This seminar provides an explanation, with examples, of the 37 Rules of the Road for both the U.S. Inland Rules and the International Rules (COLREGS). It simplifies the sometimes complex law relating to boat operation for the recreational boater. It is a starting point for study preparation for the USCG License examination.
2011 Seminar Series was completed - A series of 4 (2-hour) seminars was held at the Tuscarora Yacht Club.
4 May - Using GPS- This seminar explains the principles of waypoint navigation, how to relate the GPS to your charts and how to operate your GPS – what the buttons do, what the screens show, and how to access the functions you need.
18 May - Marine Radar -This seminar covers how radar functions, radar selection, operation of the radar under various conditions including setting of controls, display interpretation, basic navigation, and collision avoidance using radar.
1 June - Sail Trim and Rig Tuning -This seminar shows how to use and adjust sails for optimum performance under a wide range of conditions.
15 June - Basic Weather Forecasting - The seminar explains weather systems, how to understand clouds and their changes, using changing wind direction, temperature, and pressure to hone in on emerging weather fronts.
Summer 2010 Seminar Series completed- A series of 4 (2-hour) seminars was held at the Tuscarora Yacht Club.
12 May - Using VHF & VHF/DSC Marine Radio - explains basic VHF operation. DSC is a new service to improve emergency response. A CD is included with a DSC Simulator that allows you to practice on your computer at home. 26 people completed this seminar.
26 May - Knots, Bends & Hitches - is a hands-on "learn how to tie knots" program geared to a wide range of audiences. Completed by 24 people.
2 June - Anchoring - covers selection & use of anchors. Completed by 22 people.
16 June - Partner in Command - provides an introduction to boating for crew members who need basic information and who may or may not have taken a boating course. It is designed to provide essential information one may require to assist a skipper in the safe operation of a recreational boat. Completed by 20 people.
Recent past offerings of ABC3:
The 12 hour version was completed 27 Apr 11 at BOCES Niagara Conference Center, 4124 Route 31, Sanborn, NY. Two students successfully completed the course and accepted the 6 month trial membership in LSPS.
On 13 March 2010, a class completed at the Dale Center in Lockport, graduating 6 students.
A special offering was completed on 2 August 09, graduating 9 Buffalo firefighters.
A public offering was completed 16 May 09, graduating 11 new safe boaters.
GPS Seminar (for public & members) - LSPS presented a one-evening seminar on 17 November 2009, at the Dale Center. Five students completed the seminar.
Special event "All Women Boating Class", was held 18 - 19 Aug 09 at Tuscarora Yacht Club. Class was completed by 12 women, who have expressed interest in continuing their education.
