America's Boating Course
America's Boating Course is a basic, introductory course for both sail boaters and power boaters. It is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and recognized by the U. S. Coast Guard as acceptable to the National Recreational Boating Safety Program. It should meet the requirements of states that have mandatory safe boating education laws.
The course is presented as an eight-hour course, usually given on two Saturday mornings. Successful completion of America's Boating Course satisfies one of the requirements for USPS® membership and provides a firm foundation on which to build a boating education. For details about course sceduling, advanced grade courses and electives, visit our Education page.
America's Boating Course topics:
- Boat terms — descriptive features of power boats and sailboats.
- Boat types, type of construction materials and hulls, bottom shapes, propulsion systems, etc.
- Selecting the right boat.
- Finding your way — charts and electronic devices.
- Boat Handling, including fueling, casting off, getting underway, running the boat, docking, tying up, mooring and anchoring.
- Water Sport Safety — general safety principles, personal watercraft, boating courtesy, trailering, and theft prevention.
- Required equipment — life preservers, navigation lights, fire extinguishers, flame arrestors, distress signals, law enforcement and state and local regulations.
- Aids to navigation, navigation rules, adverse conditions, medical emergencies,
and marine
Each student receives a course manual. At the end of the class, there will be a 60-question test. Upon successful completion of the test, a certificate and card are presented.
For further information about America's Boating Course classes and to sign up, please call us at 941-485-SAIL (941-485-7245) or email Tim McGarr.