USPS's America's Boating Course

America's Boating Course - 3rd Edition

America's Boating Course - 3rd Edition is the latest public boating course offered by USPS to the general boating community. This is an all new course with a completely updated manual, outstanding graphics, and two bonus CDs.

The course manual is divided into five chapters. The first four cover the required topics that all recreational boaters must know. In addition to the rules of the road, the four chapters cover the various types of boats, required safety equipment, navigation aids, lights and sounds, anchoring, communications afloat, adverse conditions, water sports safety, trailering, personal water craft safety, and knots and lines. The fifth chapter provides an introduction to digital charts and GPS waypoint navigation, a key skill for boating on larger lakes and rivers and coastal waters. This optional fifth chapter provides the background for more advanced piloting courses.

ABC is an eight-hour course, given in several sessions.

At the end of the last class, there will be multiple choice test on the covered material. There is no charge for the instruction. The only expense to you is the cost of materials and expenses. Upon successful completion of the test, a certificate and card are presented.

The course is presented by the Susquenango Power Squadron, a local not for profit boating organization.

Currently, the course is offered several times during the year at Johnson City High School. The course is open to anyone 10 years of age or older. Young students must be accompanied by an adult.

For more information and to pre-register, call 607 669-4482 or pre-register below.

The Topics Covered In The Sessions

Boat terms and descriptive features for power boats, sailboats and pwc’s.
Boat types, including types of construction materials and hulls, bottom shapes, propulsion systems, and more. Selecting the right boat for your intended purpose.
Finding your way -- the use of charts and electronic devices.
Boat Handling, including fueling, casting off and getting underway, running the boat, docking, tying up, mooring and anchoring.
Water Sport Safety -- general safety principles, personal watercraft safety, boating courtesy, trailering, and theft prevention.
Required Equipment is also covered such as-- life preservers, navigation lights, fire extinguishers, flame arrestors and distress signals.
Law enforcement including state and local regulations are taught.
Aids to navigation, navigation rules, adverse conditions, medical emergencies, and marine radio usage are covered.

USPS believes that the more educated a boater becomes, the more likely that boater will be a safe boater. America's Boating Course^®is the beginning of a boating education. Chart Smart^® is available for those who would like to learn a little about piloting. USPS encourages students to follow this brief and basic course with additional boating education such as the courses offered to members of the United States Power Squadrons. Your instructor can also give you information about these advanced courses.

Susquenango Power Squadron invites you to take the upcoming boating course.

Register online below for each person or print the registration form.

The course will be given at Johnson City High School in the Main Cafeteria. This class is presented in three sessions beginning Monday April 30 from 7:00 - 9:00 PM and continuing the following Saturday May 5 from 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM. The exam will be given on Monday May 7 at 7:00 PM.

Cost is $40 per person including materials and the exam. With a family, you may share the material for one person but you will be required to pay $10 each for the exam for the rest.

You must call 607-669-4482 or complete the online registration for each person to pre-register and to save a seat in the class.

Online Registration (recommended)

Important Note: To receive a registration conformation, please include a current email address.

We respect your privacy. This information and email address will not be used for any purpose other than for your Safety Certificate and to contact you about this class only.

A registration form is available for your convenience if you do not wish to register now. Print the form(s) (one for each person) and bring it to the first class. Please call 607-669-4482 to reserve a seat in the class.

Registration Form (use only if you cannot register online)