America's Boating Club Cape Cod

America's Boating Course - Spring 2025
2025-05-27 18:30 - 21:00 (America/New_York) | Yarmouth Firestation #2 – In-person classroom, 340 Rt 6A, Yarmouth Port, MA, 02675
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.

District 34 Fall Conference: October 25, 2025
2025-10-25 09:00 - 14:00 | Plimoth Patuxet Museum Visitor Center, 137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, 02360, United States
District 34 Fall Conference
Saturday October 25, 2025 9:00 – 15:00

Plimoth Patuxet Museum Visitor Center
137 Warren Avenue, Plymouth, MA 02360
Gainsborough Hall
Located within the Visitor Center, it features a large fireplace, outdoor terrace,
and stunning views of the Eel River and Cape Cod Bay.
Includes free parking.
Registration: $40 per person. Register here
Agenda
Morning Schedule – Gainsborough Hall
08:30 – 09:15 | Registration & Morning Refreshments
Check-in, coffee and tea.
09:15 – 09:45 | Welcome Remarks
D/C Valentina Bizunok, JN
Featuring a special video greeting from Chief Commander Ralph Bernard
10:00 – 10:45 | National Educational Department Update
R/C Barbara Herrmann, SN-IN
Key developments and initiatives from USPS National Education.
11:00 – 11:45 | Navigating Massachusetts Boating Certification
D/1st/Lt Richard G. Moore, SN-IN
A practical session on MA boating certification: who needs it, when, and how to obtain it.
11:45 – 12:00 | Coastal Buoy Modernization Proposal
Cdr Richard Terry, SN
Update of proposed changes to coastal navigational aids.
Lunch & Feature Presentation
12:00 – 13:30 | Thanksgiving-Style Buffet Lunch
Served in the Gainsborough Hall with beverages and dessert.
Presentation:
“Rigging the Past: The Living Legacy of Mayflower II’’
Guest Speaker: Don Heminitz
Join maritime preservationist Don Heminitz for an insider’s perspective on the restoration and ongoing care of Mayflower II, a full-scale reproduction of the 1620 ship that carried the Pilgrims to the New World.
From rigging reconstruction at Mystic Seaport to current maintenance as Bosun, Don shares fascinating insights into preserving this iconic ship for future generations.
Afternoon Session – Patuxet Room
13:40 – 14:40 | SNE District 34 Council Meeting
Led by D/C Valentina Bizunok, JN

Presentation of the 75-Year Commemorative Certificate to Old Colony Sail & Power Squadron
Brief Reports from District Officers and Squadron Commanders
Updates on USPS ABClub initiatives
Open discussion and Q&A

Optional Afternoon Activities (self-guided)
Extend your visit with local historical attractions (ticketed separately):

Plimoth Patuxet Museum
Mayflower II
Plimoth Grist Mill

Questions? Contact DC Valentina Bizunok at abcsne34@gmail.com or 617-417-5009

Introduction to Coastal Navigation
2025-12-09 19:00 - 21:00, 2025-12-16 19:00 - 21:00 | Centerville, Osterville, Marston Mills (COMM) Fire Station, 1875 Falmouth Rd, Centerville, MA, 02632, United States
This $45 two-night workshop gives you practical skills to navigate with the aid of landmarks and navigation aids.
December 9th & 16th from 7PM to 9PM at the Centerville-Osterville-Marstons Mills Fire Station, 1875 Falmouth Rd (Rt 28), Centerville, MA 02632.
In this workshop you will learn:

the 24-hour clock
how to determine latitude and longitude on a chart
how to plot and determine a course
how to solve for course, speed, and distance
how to determine a compass bearing
plotting tools and practice charts included

To register, call or e-mail today!
508-737-5374
yankeepeddlar@ hotmail.com
