AMERICA‘S BOATING COURSE®

In-Person Classroom Sessions

Yarmouth Fire Station #2
340 Main St, RT 6A
Yarmouth Port, MA  02675

Class Manager – Charles Burke  – 508-815-7706  – cgburke15@comcast.net

Class Administrator – John Crawford  – 508-240-4603 –  johncr181@gmail.com

Register for class now:  email registration preferred (johncr181@gmail.com)

https://americasboatingclub.org/index.php/find-a-class-near-you?zip=02643&range=20

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

Winter 2025

Class Fee is $60

Classroom Meetings will be on January 14, 21, 28 and Feb  4, 11 and 18, 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

Class schedule as of November 23, 2024

Tuesday, Jan 14, 2025 – 7:00PM – 9:00PM

REGISTRATION AND WELCOME – Pick up Student Manuals

SESSION 1 PREPARATION:

Read Chapter 1 in the student manual: Boat Terms, Safety Equipment, Going Boating (Sections 1, 2, & 3) before the first session.

SESSION 1: Class Materials. Chapter 1: Boat Terms, Safety Equipment, Going Boating. (Sections 1, 2, & 3)
INSTRUCTOR: Capt Ellie Lawrence

GROUP ACTIVITY: Review topics about: life jackets, emergency signals, fire extinguishers and lines
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 Session 2 and each following session.

Tuesday, Jan 21, 2025 – 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.

Tuesday, Jan 28, 2025 – 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: Joseph Kiceina
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, Feb 4, 2025 – 7:00PM – 9:00PM

SESSION 4: Chapter 3: Anchoring, Adverse Conditions and Emergencies. (Sections 10 & 11)

Knot of the week: Cleat Hitch
INSTRUCTOR: Nick Vandemoer
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, Feb 11, 2025 – 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: Michael Leyden
GROUP ACTIVITY: Review Chapter 4 homework; Knot of the week tutorial.

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, Feb 18, 2025 – 7:00PM – 9:00PM

SESSION 6: EXAMINATION, GRADING, PRESENTATION OF CERTIFICATES. 

Note, this an in person proctored exam to be given at the Yarmouth Fire Station in Yarmouth Port Massachusetts on Route 6A at 7:00 PM

NOTES:

*Following successful certification of the ABC exam, youth between the ages of 12 and 16 must successfully complete the 10-question multiple-choice Massachusetts Boating Law test to certify to operate a vessel under power without adult supervision.

3-steps to certification. This is a basic course…just enough to make you a safe and more confident beginner. Note that the material for each week undergoes a 3-step process: reading & doing homework; attending the session; reviewing the homework. The proctors are available 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.

boating is fun . . . let’s do it together^©

https://americasboatingclubcapecod.org