The USPS® Boating Courses

Below are the course descriptions followed by the dates they start and an email button specific to each course. If no start date appears with a course then it is not currently scheduled. Please email your interest in a course not scheduled. Your input will help form the class.

To get further information or to register for ANY of the BBSPS courses, contact Peter Moon (BBSPS Education Officer) at (508) 563-9569 or by clicking on the email button for the class(s) you are interested in taking.

The USPS® Boating Course is a traditional civic service of the United States Power Squadrons® organization. Since 1914 local squadrons have presented the course to anyone who wished to attend - to date more than 3 million people. Learning to boat safely is important and the increased knowledge will enhance your safety on the water and your enjoyment of the sport.

There are now three courses:

The Squadron Boating Course

The BoatSmart Course

These two classroom courses are designed to be useful to all boaters, from the fisherman in an outboard to the skipper of a large cruiser or sailboat.

The Squadron Boating Course provides a broad base of information necessary for all boaters to know including boating safety, basic boat handling, safety gear, requirements, rules of the road, navigation aids, knots, vhf radio, and basic piloting. We present this course in eight two-hour sessions meeting twice a week. This the course to take for a basic understanding of those things you need to know to venture out on our local waters.

BoatSmart is a shorter form of the Boating Course. It teaches the basics of boating safety, boat handling, regulations, and rules of the road. It adds a section on Personal Watercraft, but does not cover piloting. We present this course in three slightly longer sessions meeting once per week. This course is shorter and covers the basics. You can pick-up piloting by joining and taking our annual offering of the full piloting class.

And America's Boating Course

The classroom experience is invaluable and you get to meet new friends and fellow boaters, ask questions and discuss your issues. However, not all of us are able to attend the classroom sessions. For you, we have America's Boating Course. This new offering enables you to use your computer with excellent material and animated graphics to learn basic boating material similar to BoatSmart. A representative of the Squadron will assist you with the State material, answer questions and provide the required proctored exam to get your certificate.

All boaters are subject to nautical rules and regulations. Skippers should learn and respect traditional boating courtesies. The courses are meant to be of interest to the entire family; children are welcome - we recommend age 10 or higher. We encourage your family to attend as a group. Successfully completing any of the three courses and endorsement opens the door to membership in USPS and BBPS. For youngsters ages 12-15, these courses are approved by the State of Massachusetts to get your boating certificate needed to operate a powered boat.

Squadron Boating Course

This course covers subjects in greater depth than the Boat Smart Course and covers additional topics such as an introduction to reading charts and plotting courses. This course contains six chapters. There are homework questions at the end of each section to assist retention of the information presented.

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Boat Smart Course

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