Other Boat Safety Courses, Classes, and Seminars

United States Power Squadrons

USPS is all about Boating Education, Safety and Fun

World Class Education for the recreational boater
Designed to fit your schedule and meet your needs

United States Power Squadrons (USPS) is a non-profit organization with 45,000 enthusiastic members interested in all types of boating – motoring, sailing, paddling, rowing, fishing, cruising, hunting, and water sports. There are 450 squadrons across the United States, Puerto Rico and Japan where members and the public can enjoy courses created and taught by our skilled volunteers and offered at very reasonable costs.

Perhaps the greatest benefit of participation in USPS is the friendship and opportunity to share boating experiences with other members.

Contact your local squadron for information on their current course offerings. These course offerings are grouped in two categories: Public Courses and Member Courses.

USPS Public Courses

USPS provides to the public a basic NASBLA (National Association of State Boating Law Administrators) approved recreational boating course and a series of short seminars. These are described here in a Q&A format as well as with descriptive narrative.

Q. How do you enroll in a USPS boating class - the course called the "public" course?

A. Every USPS squadron teaches at least one boating safety course every year. Some squadrons teach many more! Courses are offered throughout the year, often every month or two. Chances are you can find a boater safety course nearby whenever you are ready to take one. The courses are advertised in local newspapers, on posters, at marinas, and at other locations. The easiest way to find out when the next boat course will be offered in your area is to check the U.S. Power Squadrons online class schedule or call toll-free 1-888-FOR-USPS (1-888-367-8777).

Q. What about the person who cannot take an evening USPS boater course?

A. In addition to America’s Boating Course, USPS has a new seamanship and boat handling course that can be studied at home. There are also numerous self-study topics. For more information, visit the United States Power Squadrons website at http://www.usps.org or call 1-888-FOR USPS (1-888-367-8777). Remember, safe boating is more enjoyable.

Q. What are some benefits of becoming a USPS member?

A great variety of boating instruction courses: USPS offers courses designed specifically to meet the needs of today’s recreational boaters. Courses are available to members and special memberships are available to the public. Included are solid courses in seamanship and boat handling, basic piloting, inland and coastal navigation, electronic navigation, tides and currents, weather, meteorology, sailing and sailboat racing, both gas and diesel engine maintenance, marine electronics, cruise planning, and advanced courses in offshore navigation using celestial and electronic methods. In addition, USPS offers about two dozen self-study courses on such subjects as GPS (Global Positioning System), knots and ropes, radar, amateur radio, regional weather, boat insurance, water sports, predicted log contests, and many more.
Meeting with other boaters in your area: As a member of a local squadron (and there are approximately 450 squadrons throughout the USA, including Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands) you will get to know fellow boaters in your area who can help provide that all-important 'local knowledge' every boater seeks. Need information about local boating conditions, the best marinas and anchorages, or reputable repair shops? Fellow members are always willing to share their experience with you.
Participation in a variety of recreational boating activities: As a USPS member you're automatically invited to join in squadron cruises, rendezvous, contests, raft-ups, and other on-water activities. Opportunities to share and help others: USPS members help fellow boaters and provide important services—vessel safety checks, help with environmental concerns, maritime homeland security, guidance to Boy Scouts / Sea Scouts, and support for other national and regional boating safety groups.
Savings on boating insurance: Some marine insurance companies, including St. Paul Insurance Company's policies for USPS members, provide discounts to those who complete advanced boating courses. The savings can be big, so ask your agent for an updated boat insurance quote.
USPS networking with other members throughout the USA, Canada and even more distant areas: Wherever you go boating in the U.S. or Canada, you are always welcome as a fellow squadron member, whether you're looking for a new boating friend or just need information or help.
Receive the official USPS magazine THE ENSIGN.

USPS Squadron Boating Course

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

USPS University

A new way to learn everything boating

Seminar Series

USPS University Seminar Series provides up-to-date information on a wide-range of topics important to today’s recreational boaters. A good way to build skills, learn how to use equipment, or just update your knowledge. Seminars are open to the general public. Many are single session of about two hours.

What's in it for me?

Stay current with new technology.
Refresh boating skills.
Meet needs of those unable to commit to a multi-session course
Learn subjects targeted to a specific boating environment or subject
Ease into a full educational curriculum
Gain credits toward boat operator certification

Presented in a wide variety of locations:

Local squadron facilities
Yacht clubs
Marine retailers, marinas
Boat clubs and sailing clubs
Boat shows (teamed up with vendors)
Camp grounds
State fairs
Community colleges
Anywhere boaters gather

Focused topics:

How to Use a Chart
Using GPS
Using Digital Charts
Trailering
Using Marine Radar
Anchoring
Heavy Weather Sailing
Sail Trim
Emergencies Onboard
Offshore Series
Rivers & Locks
Paddle Smart™
Using VHF/DSC Marine Radio
Onboard Weather Forecasting
Boat Handling Under Power
Knots, Bends, & Hitches for Mariners
Selecting & Using Marine Compasses
Canoe & Kayak Navigation
Diesel Engine Care & Repair
Advanced GPS/Chartplotting Techniques
Hurricane Preparation
Marine Maintenance Series
Marine Mechanical Systems Series

MEMBER EDUCATIONAL & PROFICENCY PROGRAMS

Member Courses

USPS offers eleven courses to its members on recreational boating skills. Courses vary in length from a few weeks to several months. Every squadron conducts these carefully planned courses in subjects like Seamanship, Piloting, Plotting and Position Finding, Celestial Navigation, Cruise Planning, Engine Maintenance, Marine Electronics, Sailing, and much more. These courses are taught by experienced member instructors, and members who complete them are recognized.

Member Course descriptions (click to link each description):

Seamanship	Cruise Planning
Piloting	Engine Maintenance
Advanced Piloting	Instructor Development
Junior Navigation	Marine Electronics
Navigation	Sail
	Weather

Boat Operator Certification

USPS Boat Operator Certification provides widely accepted certificates recognizing your skills for four levels of recreational boating operation. Essentially, this is the Coast Guard license equivalent for non-professional, recreational boaters.

Four levels of certification: