America's Boating Course 3 (ABC3) provides public instruction in the fundamentals of safe boating to the public, with no charge for instruction.  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 (including Michigan) that require boating education before operating a watercraft. ABC 3 also includes an interactive computer CD-ROM which serves as a "virtual" instructor with audio and video clips.

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

As an introductory course, Part I of ABC3 (the shorter course) does not cover such topics as the use of a nautical compass or the techniques of plotting courses. These subjects, and more, are covered in Part II of ABC3 (the longer course) and in USPS seminars and advanced courses.

USPS believes that the more educated a boater becomes, the more likely that boater will be a safe boater and hopefully will encourage students to join USPS for additional boating courses such as those offered to members of the United States Power Squadrons. Your instructor can give you information about these advanced courses.