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Public Boating Programs

  • The Squadron Boating Course is our primary civic effort toward public instruction in the fundamentals of safe boating.  Both short (8-hour) and long (12-hour) formats are designed to familiarize the student with the fundamentals of safe boating and qualify for certification in most states that require boating education before operating a watercraft.  Subjects include:
    • Boat handling under normal conditions
    • Adverse conditions and emergencies
    • Types of boats and boating terminology
    • Required and recommended equipment
    • Boating regulations and navigation rules
    • Lines and knots
    • Charts and aids to navigation (in 12-hour format only)
    • Piloting techniques (in 12-hour format only)
    • Marine radiotelephone usage
    • Trailer boating
    To find a course near you click: Find a squadron boating course page
  • America's Boating Course (ABC) is a joint effort between the United States Power Squadrons and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary that some squadrons teach in lieu of or in addition to The Squadron Boating Course. Information for instructors and assistants is available from the ABC information page.
  • Seminars address specific boating topics and needs of interest to both members and the public in a two-hour format. Squadrons conduct seminars to provide specific information to its members and the public, and to increase awareness of USPS knowledge, skills, and abilities to the public. Seminars also serve as excellent public relations from which to entice new members.

USPS University® Seminar Series

Some Seminar Materials

USPS University is here with new programs targeted to a range of boaters and types of boating. The hallmark of this concept is the Seminar Series. These short seminars are targeted to specific topics and needs with a two-hour format, and valuable take-away guides. Each seminar provides credits toward the soon to be released Boat Operator Certification program, and credit toward elective courses.

The first ten of these seminars are available now.

  • Using VHF & VHF/DSC Marine Radio
  • Using GPS
  • How to Use a Chart
  • Onboard Weather Forecasting
  • Boat Handling under Power
  • Sail Trim and Rig Tuning
  • Paddle Smart
  • Anchoring
  • Hurricanes and Boats
  • Marine Radar

Several more seminars are nearing completion and will be available soon: Knots for Mariners, Onboard Emergencies, Using Digital Charts, and Heavy Weather Sailing.

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