Spring 2025

Class Fee is $60

Classroom Meetings will be on April 22, 29, and May  6, 13, 20 and 27 2025.
Anyone interested in recreational boating is encouraged to
attend this MA approved public boating course.
We provide essential information for every kind of boater.

Learn about:

•Boat Handling & Seamanship
•Required Equipment
•Navigation Rules of the Road
•Knots, Lines & Docking
•Charts, Lights/Sounds & Aids to Navigation

The course will be offered as an in-person classroom course

On-line REGISTRATION:  

https://americasboatingclub.org/index.php/find-a-class-near-you?zip=02653&range=150

AMERICA’S BOATING COURSE®
YARMOUTH PORT FIRE STATION #2
340 RT 6A
YARMOUTH PORT, MA 0267553
EDUCATIONAL OFFICER:  DAVE ATWOOD
508.737.5374
YANKEEPEDDLAR@HOTMAIL.COM

America’s Boating Course® is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and is recognized by the United States Coast Guard

Spring 2025

Tuesday, April 22– 6:30PM – 9:00PM
REGISTRATION AND WELCOME
SESSION 1: Class Materials. Chapter 1: Boat Terms, Safety Equipment, Going Boating. (Sections 1, 2, & 3)
INSTRUCTOR: Dave Atwood
GROUP ACTIVITY: Breakout sessions on life jackets (Burke), emergency signals (tbd), fire extinguishers (Leyden), HOMEWORK: Read Sections 1, 2, & 3 (Chapter 1) and Sections 4, 5, & 6 (in Chapter 2). Answer questions for Chapter 1. Bring a 4 to 6-ft piece of 3/8”-diameter rope to every session

Tuesday, April 29 – 7:00PM – 9:00PM
SESSION 2: Chapter 2: Navigation Rules, Navigation Aids, Lights & Sound Signals. (Sections 4, 5, & 6). Knots of the week: Figure Eight (Stopper Knot) & Sheet Bend
INSTRUCTOR: Charles Burke
GROUP ACTIVITY: Review Chapter 1 homework; Knot of the week tutorial
HOMEWORK: Read Sections 7 & 8 (in Chapter 2) and Section 12 (in Chapter 3). Answer questions for Chapter 2. Practice the knots of the week: Figure Eight (Stopper Knot) & Sheet Bend

Tuesday, May 6 – 7:00PM – 9:00PM
SESSION 3: Chapter 2: Government Regulations and State & Local Regulations; Chapter 3: Communication Afloat. (Sections 7, 8, & 12). Knot of the week: Bowline
INSTRUCTOR: Dave Atwood
GROUP ACTIVITY: Review Chapter 2 homework; Knot of the week tutorial
HOMEWORK: Read Sections 10 & 11 (in Chapter 3). Answer questions for Chapter 3. Practice the knot of the week: Bowline.

Tuesday, May 13– 7:00PM – 9:00PM
SESSION 4: Chapter 3: Anchoring, Adverse Conditions and Emergencies. (Sections 10 & 11) Knot of the week: Cleat Hitch
INSTRUCTOR: Dave Atwood
GROUP ACTIVITY: Review Chapter 3 homework; Knot of the week tutorial
HOMEWORK: Read Chapter 4 (Section 13 through 16). Answer questions for Chapter 4. Practice the knot of the week: Cleat Hitch.

Tuesday, May 20 – 7:00PM – 9:00PM
SESSION 5: Chapter 4: Water Sport Safety, Trailering, PWC Operation, Knots & Lines (Sections 13, 14, 15, & 16). Chapter 5: Chart Basics (Section 18, pages 195-200). Knot of the week: Clove Hitch with 2 Half Hitches.
INSTRUCTOR: Leyden / Atwood
GROUP ACTIVITY: Review Chapter 4 homework; Knot of the week tutorial.
EXAM REVIEW: Dave Atwood

EXAM PREPARATION: Read and review the ABC and the Massachusetts Boating Law test* study sheets handed out in class. Bring a No. 2 pencil with eraser.
HOMEWORK: Practice knot of the week: Clove Hitch with 2 Half Hitches. OPTIONAL: Read Chapter 5 (Section 17).

Tuesday, May 27 – 7:00PM – 9:00PM
CERTIFICATION EXAM*
SESSION 6: EXAMINATION, GRADING, PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES.
OPTIONAL HOMEWORK: Read Section 17, pages 180-194 and Section 18, page 204 (Chapter 5). Figure out where in the real world the fictional Bowditch Bay is.
SESSION 7 PREPARATION: Bring a fine point pencil and soft eraser, and pocket calculator to class.

NOTES:
*Following successful certification of the ABC exam, students must successfully complete the 10-question multiple-choice Massachusetts Boating Law test to receive their Massachusetts Boating Safety Certificate.
3-steps to certification. Note that the material for each week undergoes a 3-step process: reading & doing homework; attending the session; reviewing the homework. The proctors are there to review homework, tutor in knots, and provide individual assistance as requested. Our experience is that everyone who devotes reasonable time and effort to the 3-step process passes the exam, often easily.
Let us know if you would like additional tutoring or clarification on any topic. Proctors are available from 6:30PM before each class for individual assistance. If you miss a class, be sure to keep up with the reading and homework and ask a proctor for the homework answers.