America's Boating Course 3rd edAmerica’s Boating Course 3rd Ed. (ABC) is a 4 to 5 week course prepared by United States Power Squadrons® providing an introduction to boating and seamanship. This course is offered a traditional class room course and as home study course. Learn about required safety equipment, boat handling, rules of navigation, and aids to navigation. The course covers both Coast Guard and New York State regulations. Course material includes coverage of basic knowledge and operation of Personal Water Craft (also known as jet skis, skidoos, etc.). This course meets all NASBLA (North American State Boating Legislators Association), New York State, and US Coast Guard requirements. The certificates received upon successful completion* to the course are recognized by the State of New York as meeting it’s safe boating course requirements. Persons under 18 years of age operating a boat and Personal Water Craft (PWC) operators regardless of age are required by NYS to have these certificates. Successful completion of the course also may qualify the student for insurance discounts from most carriers. Subjects include:
* A proctored exam is included as part of the course. Safe boating and PWC courses that do not include a proctored exam are not recognized by the State of New York. There are three options for taking the ABC 3rd ed. course presented by the Niagara Sail and Power Squadron. The first option is four 2-hour sessions. They are held on Tuesday and Thursday nights from 7pm to 9pm for two consecutive weeks. There is no need to pre-register as “walk-in” enrollment takes place on the first day of class. The proctored exam is given on the final day of class. The second option is a one 8-hour session. These sessions are held on Saturdays from 8:30am to 5pm. This is also “walk-in” enrollment imdediately prior to the start of the course. The pace of one-day format will require most people to do some preparation prior to the class. Please review the material and decide if some pre-study makes sense. A lot of material will be covered and you may want to get a jump on it. You can also do the homework at the end of each chapter in advance. All the material will be covered in class. The homework will be reviewed and any questions you have will be covered. The third option is a home study program.ABC includes an interactive computer CD-ROM which serves as a "virtual" instructor with audio and video clips. New York State *recognizes ABC as meeting their education requirements as long as a **proctored exam is taken in conjunction with it.*ABC courses purchased from the Niagara Power Squadron will include a New York State Boater’s Guide and New York State specific homework questions to provide the knowledge required on New York regulations. **Currently exams are scheduled in conjunction with the classes listed in the Niagara Squadrons course schedule. Exams are given on the last day of the course dates listed. For the one day courses, the exams will be given around 3:30 p.m. You are also welcome to attend any part or all of a course if you desire as part of the purchase of the ABC course. ABC course material (provided by Niagara Sail and Squadron)can be purchased from Anchor Marine (773-7063) and Bob Weaver Motorsports (693-1500). A examination fee is charged for ABC courses not supplied by the Niagara Sail and Power Squadron. For more information please call (716) 773-2140 or (716) 434-2235
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USPS SeminarsUSPS seminars provide information to boaters on specific topics. These seminars are approximately 2 hours long and include take home reference materials and guides. New boaters are encouraged to take a basic boating course (such as Boat Smart) prior to these seminars, but this is not a requirement for attending a seminar. The seminar schedule is posted in the listings at the top of this page. Seminars that will be offered from time to time are;
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Vessel Safety CheckA Vessel Safety Check is a courtesy examination of your boat (Vessel) to verify the presence and condition of certain Safety Equipment required by State and the Federal regulations. The Vessel Examiner is a trained specialist and is a member of the United States Power Squadrons® or the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. They will also make certain recommendations and discuss certain safety issues that will make you a safer boater. This is not boarding or a law enforcement issue. No citations will be given as a result of this encounter. We will supply you with a copy of our evaluation so that you may follow some of the suggestions given. Vessels that pass will be able to display our distinctive VSC decal. This does not exempt you from law enforcement boarding, but you can be prepared to make this a positive encounter. Most insurance carriers will offer an insurance discount for Vessel safety Checks. Boat US and West Marine provide a discount for equipment purchases made to rectify deficiencies identified during the vessel check. Call 773-2140 to schedule an appointment for a free Niagara Power Squadron Vessel Safety Check |
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