Boating America- Boating Safety Course - US Coast Guard Aux - May 2025

Boat America - Boating Safety Course - US Coast Guard Auxiliary - May 2025

Boat America is a detailed and interesting boating-safety course that provides the knowledge for successful completion of a boating-safety certificate. The Boat America course is recognized by the US Coast Guard and National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA.) Starting April 1, 2026, a valid boating-safety certificate will be required for all individuals operating motorboats or personal watercraft (PWCs) in Massachusetts who were born after 1/1/1989. If you were born before that date you will have until April 1, 2028 to get your certificate.

Course Description:

We are proud to present the nationally recognized boating-safety course Boat America. This course gets you educated, safe, and ready for proper vessel operation and covers the legal requirements of boaters.

This U.S. Coast Guard-approved boating class will give you the knowledge needed for a boating license or safety certification recognized nationwide. Many boat-insurance companies may allow discounts on boating insurance to boaters who successfully complete Boat America.

This essential and valuable course will guide you through all the basics of boating. It includes a supplement with boating information specific to Massachusetts. If you're new to boating, or need to learn the laws, or understand how to navigate in our waters, or simply need a refresher on all the changes to the laws and equipment requirements over the years, this course is for you.

Your Ticket Includes:

Admission to the course, the Boat America course book, a MA state guidebook, references to additional materials and resources, administration of the test, submission of results to the MA Environmental Police for your MA state certificate, and a USCG Auxiliary certificate & student card.

COFFEE, DONUTS, and PIZZA will be provided. Filtered water dispenser available onsite. Please feel free to bring a water bottle, other drinks, snacks, or your own lunch if pizza isn't your thing.

Lunch break is 30 minutes.

WHO is this course good for?

EVERYONE aged 12+. Anyone born after January 1, 1989 has until April 1, 2026 to obtain a boater-education certificate, provided that no operator shall be assessed a penalty until September 1, 2026. Anyone born on or before January 1, 1989, must obtain their certificate before April 1, 2028. Operators of motorboats and PWCs will be required to show proof of completion of an approved boater-education course when underway on MA waters.

Whether you're a beginner, an intermediate boater, or a well-experienced sea-farer, this course is essential to learn and refamiliarize yourself with recent changes to boating law and associated equipment and safety requirements.

Certificates awarded for successful completion of this course & test:

• USCG Auxiliary Boating Safety (NASBLA approved)
• MA Boating-Safety Card (issued by Massachusetts Environmental Police)

The above are recognized by most states nationwide. (Yes, including NH)

Topics Include:

Introduction to Boating - Types of power boats; sailboats; outboards; paddle boats; houseboats; different uses of boats; various power boating engines; jet drives; family boating basics.

Boating Law - Boat registration; regulation; hull identification number; required boat safety equipment; operating safely and reporting accidents; protecting the marine environment; Federal and State boating laws; personal watercraft requirements.

Boat Safety Equipment – Life Jackets; fire extinguishers; sound-producing devices; visual-distress signals; dock lines and rope; first aid kit; anchors and anchor lines; other boating safety equipment.

Safe Boating - Bow riding; alcohol and drug abuse; boarding, loading and trimming a boat; fueling portable and permanent tanks; docking, undocking and mooring; knots; filing a float plan; checking equipment, fuel, weather and tides; using charts; choosing & using an anchor; safe PWC handling; general safety.

Navigation - The U.S. Aids to Navigation system; types of buoys and beacons; navigation rules (“right-of-way rules”); avoiding collisions; sound signals; PWC "tunnel vision".

Boating Problems - Hypothermia; boating accidents and rescues; man overboard recovery; capsizing; running aground; river hazards; emergency radio calls; engine problems; equipment failures; carbon monoxide (CO); and PWC problems.

Trailering, Storing and Protecting Your Boat - Types of trailers; trailer brakes, lights, hitches, tires, and bearings; loading, balancing and towing and backing a trailer; boat and PWC launching and retrieving; boat storage, theft protection.

Hunting and Fishing, Water-skiing and River Boating - Carrying hunting gear and weapons in a boat; fishing from a boat; water-skiing safety guidelines and hand signals; water-skiing with a PWC; navigating rivers, and other boating tips.

Massachusetts State Law & Requirements - Each state has some of their own laws & regulations to learn and adhere to. We will cover what's needed in Massachusetts.

Teaching is materially different to “typical” on-line classes you may have encountered elsewhere – WHY?

Students both see and engage with the instructors while viewing the presentation slides as we progress through the material. Class members are free to ask questions and interact with the instructors. We encourage attendees to ask questions--they are an important element that helps maximize learning for all class members.

Testing Process:

In-person, done at the end of the course via multiple choice test. Successful completion results in MA & USCG boating-safety certificates.

Cancellation Policy: You may cancel your spot and receive a refund by May 1st. Please note that Eventbrite charges a non-refundable ticketing fee of $5.20 for each ticket sold. If you decide to cancel, your refund will be the ticket price minus this fee.

Host or Publisher US Coast Guard Auxiliary- Cape Ann, MA