Our Boating Courses are a traditional civic service of the United States Power Squadrons. Since 1914 local squadrons have presented courses 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.

America's Boating Course (ABC) is designed to be useful to every type of boater - inboard, outboard, sail, PWC, anglers, and hunters.

All boaters should learn about nautical rules and regulations, and skippers should learn and respect traditional boating courtesies. The course are meant to be of interest to the entire family; older children are welcome. We encourage your family to attend as a group.

There are homework questions at the end of each section to assist retention of the information presented. Successful completion of the exam makes graduates more knowledgeable boaters and typically qualifies them for reduced insurance rates. The courses are also approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA). NASBLA approved courses are recognized throughout the United States.

Our current schedule of safe boating courses is listed below. For reservations or to obtain informaiton.

If our instructor led courses do not fit your schedule, America's Boating Course is available for home study (more information below.)

In addition to the course material, a fellow boater in your area from either USPS® or the CG Auxiliary will contact you with an offer of assistance regarding state regulations, taking a final exam, and answering any other questions you may have. The United States Power Squadrons® and the Coast Guard Auxiliary are at your disposal.

Additional courses are available. These courses include Seamanship, Piloting, Advanced Piloting, two courses on Celestial Navigation, Weather, Sail, Engine Maintenance, Marine Electronics and Cruise Planning.

USPS University – Seminar Series

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 Boat Operator Certification program, and credit toward elective courses.

These seminars are available now.

• Advanced Powerboat Handling
• Anchoring
• Basic Coastal Navigation
• Basic Weather and Forecasting
• Boat Handling under Power
• Boating on Rivers, Locks and Lakes
• Emergencies on Board
• Fuel and Boating
• How to Use a Chart
• Hurricanes and Boats
• Knots, Bends and Hitches
• Marine RADAR
• Mariner's Compass
• Mastering the Rules of the Road
• Paddle Smart
• Partner in Command
• Practical On The Water Training
• Sail Trim and Rig Tuning
• Tides and Currents
• Trailering Your Boat
• Using GPS
• Using VHF & VHF/DSC Marine Radio

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

For more information, contact the squadron's education officer.

Current Course Schedule

ABC3 Courses Include 8 hours of instruction, manual, CD-ROM and class handouts.

The squadron is considering adding seminars to the class list. If you are interested in teaching any of our classes or are interested in taking classes please let John Quensen know. A list of seminars can be found in the Education section of the website.

Click here for additional course information or questions.

Advance registration is not required but helps us know know many books to order.

Did you know?

• Anyone 12-15 years of age must take a boating course to legally drive a boat.
• Anyone 12-14 years of age who wants to drive a PWC must take a boating course as well as the parent or guardian of the child.  The child must be accompanied by their parent or guardian on the PWC.
• Anyone 14 -33 years of age who wants to drive a PWC unaccompanied must take a boating course to legally drive a PWC.

Use this link to locate USPS boating courses in other cities.

America's Boating Course Available for Home Study

Qualified, enthusiastic, and experienced USPS instructors will provide ABC3 student support as a civic service. They will provide state specific information that the student is expected to know. Once the ABC student has mastered the course material and the state rules and regulations, the student to take a proctored exam, thus completing the course. While the content of the ABC3 student manual serves as the basis for this course, it will also serve as a reference book in basic boating long after the course work is completed.

The United States Power Squadrons is on call at any time to help you.

The State of Michigan is not providing handouts of the Michigan Handbook Boating Laws & Responsibilities to US Power Squadron, US Coast Guard Axillary or those teaching the DNR Boating classes this year due to budget constraints.

In order to get a copy of the handbook you must either go to a Michigan Secretary of State office and request a copy (one copy per person) or go to our Boating Resources Section for a direct link to the Michigan Handbook Boating Laws & Responsibilities.