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TampaDiving.com is dedicated to helping boaters improve their
on-the-water experiences through education. You can improve your boating
knowledge, increase your confidence and safety and maybe even save money
on your boat insurance by completing one of several boating courses.
State Boating Courses
Your state boating office may offer home study programs, online courses
or courses for young boaters. Most states provide certificates of
completion and are NASBLA-approved (National Association of State
Boating Law Administrators) to meet the minimum state educational
standards. States generally charge nothing, or minimal fees, for their
courses and programs.
US Coast Guard Auxiliary
The US Coast Guard Auxiliary sponsors a large number of courses from
Basic Boating to Advanced Navigation. Most courses are free with
minimum cost for materials, are taught by volunteers and are
NASBLA-approved. Contact the USCGA at www.cgaux.org
US Power Squadrons
The US Power Squadron sponsors a large number of courses from Basic
Boating to Celestial Navigation, Engine Repair and Seamanship. Most
courses are free with minimum cost for materials, are taught by
volunteers and are NASBLA-approved. Contact the USPS at
www.usps.org or at 888.367.8777
American Sailing Association
The ASA certifies privately-run schools to operate a wide variety of
courses ranging from Basic Small Boat Sailing to Bareboat Chartering
to one-day Safety at Sea seminars. The courses have significant
hands-on instruction on the water and may have significant fees.
Instructors are certified, a consistent curriculum is standardized
nationwide and certifications are recognized internationally. Not all
ASA courses are focused exclusively on sailing and sailors—course
offerings include Powerboat Handling & Safety and Race Officer
Training. Contact the ASA at www.american-sailing.com or at 310.822.7171
US Sailing Association
he USSA is very similar to the ASA and also certifies privately-run
schools to operate a wide variety of courses. The courses have
significant hands-on instruction on the water and may have significant
fees. Instructors are certified, a consistent curriculum is standardized
nationwide and certifications are recognized internationally. Not all
ASA and USS courses are focused exclusively on sailing and sailors—course
offerings include Powerboat Handling & Safety and Race Officer Training.
Contact the USSA at www.ussailing.org or at 401.683.0800
Free Boating Courses
Many colleges, universities, local yacht clubs and civic associations
offer free, or low-cost, boating classes and personal watercraft
courses. Usually run by volunteers, these courses may have specialties
such as Navigation & Piloting, Maintenance or Electronics, or advanced
classes such as Celestial Navigation, Cruise Planning and Passagemaking.
“Graduates” are often given certificates of completion for use in meeting
state boating education requirements or obtaining insurance discounts.
Your local newspaper or local boating agencies often have information on
these free boating courses.
Private Courses, Schools and Seminars
Many private companies offer boating courses that require one or two days
or a weekend to complete. These may be privately run schools, charter
companies, boating magazines or non-profit groups. The classes vary widely
in style and some schools offer advanced courses such as captain’s license
exam preparation, maritime firefighting or maritime law. Other private
schools offer sailing instruction, vacation-and-learn packages and courses
aboard charter boats, both power and sail. Fees depend on the length, depth
and location of the instruction. Safety at Sea seminars are widely popular
and well worth the time to attend. Companies providing boating courses in
your area can often be found in the local telephone directory.
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| Boating Courses |
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