Public Boating Course Description

The SPSPS Public Boating Course is available to anyone 12 or older. Classes are held once a week (2 hours each Monday), for 7 weeks. This course is normally held in January, May, and September each year. (See the Schedule below for current class information.)

Completion of this course will enable the student to skipper a boat with confidence. Because most skippers will attend only one safety course, we believe it should be as comprehensive as possible. Plus, graduates are eligible to join the squadron and take advantage of all the other great educational opportunities afforded to SPSPS members.

Pre-registration is required. Call 727-565-4453 or email your pre-registration. Be sure to include your name and phone number. The course Chairman will contact you for confirmation.

To complete your registration, you will need to fill out a registration form. You can print one (click here), fill it out completely, and bring it on the first night. Or, plan to arrive 1/2 hour early the first night to complete the registration process.

This course covers

• Boat Terms & Types
• Boat Handling
• VHF Radio
• Required Safety Equipment
• Nautical Charts and Chart Symbols
• Latitude & Longitude
• The Rules of the Road
• Basic Piloting Techniques (such as course plotting and dead reckoning)
• Boat Trailering
• Personal Watercraft and
• State and Federal Regulations.

All instructors are volunteers and the student to instructor ratio is 5:1. The course is approved by the National Association of Safe Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and insurance companies traditionally provide discounts to graduates. Graduates also qualify for the Florida Boater's Education Card which is required for those under the age of 21.

Six sessions are used to cover the course material; the seventh session is a proctored final exam. Sessions run from 7 PM to 9 PM and are held at the Sailing Center, 250 2nd Avenue SE, on Demens Landing in downtown St. Petersburg. (Click Finding SPSPS for directions to the Sailing Center.)

Cost of the text, plotting tools, and materials is $45.00. Payment may be made by check (preferred method) or cash at the first session.

Students must also provide their own pens/pencils and 6' of line for the marlinespike/knot tying exercises (first class). Inexpensive line is available at your local boating supply store. Ask for 5/16 or 3/8 inch, 3-strand twisted nylon, which costs about 35¢ per foot.

SPSPS Public Boating Course Schedule - 12 May 2008

Next Courses:  29 Sep thru 10 Nov

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America's Boating Course Description

Next course begins: TBD

America’s Boating Course is a four-week introduction to safe boating techniques.  The course material includes the following:

General information about boats and maintenance

Information to make your boating experience safer and more enjoyable

Tips on being a courteous boat operator

Laws and regulations to which you must adhere

Passing the exam at the end of the course entitles you to receive the Florida Safe Boater ID, required for all operators of boats of ten horsepower or more who are under the age of twenty-one. The usual schedule is 3 Mondays from 7:00 PM to 9:00 PM to cover the material and the fourth Monday for the exam.

Pre-registration is required. Call 727-565-4453 or email your pre-registration. Be sure to include your name and phone number. The course Chairman will contact you for confirmation.

To complete your registration, you will need to fill out a registration form. You can print one (click here), fill it out completely, and bring it on the first night. Or, plan to arrive 1/2 hour early the first night to complete the registration process.

Cost for the course is $25.00. Payment may be made by check (preferred method) or cash at the first session.

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Boat Smart Course Description

Next course begins: TBD

Keeping your Crew Safe and Well

This USPS course meets the National Association of Safe Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) requirements for boating safety training and is designed for skippers who operate their sail or power boats near shore. Completed over 3 days, this course is normally scheduled once each summer and is held at the Sailing Center, 250 2nd Avenue SE, on Demens Landing in downtown St. Petersburg. (Click Finding SPSPS for directions to the Sailing Center.) The usual schedule is 2 Saturdays 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM to cover the material and the final Saturday for the exam.

Pre-registration is required. Call 727-565-4453 or email your pre-registration. Be sure to include your name and phone number. The course Chairman will contact you for confirmation.

To complete your registration, you will need to fill out a registration form. You can print one (click here), fill it out completely, and bring it on the first night. Or, plan to arrive 1/2 hour early the first night to complete the registration process.

Students completing the course and passing the exam will receive a USPS certificate of completion and a decal. Students who so desire will have their names submitted to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conversation Commission in order to get the FL Boaters Education Card. (This card is required for those under age 21 who will be operating a boat.)

Cost for the course is $25.00. Payment may be made by check (preferred method) or cash at the first session.

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