As boating is often a family activity, the course is of value to all members of a boating family. USPS encourages families to attend as groups. Qualified, enthusiastic, and experienced USPS instructors provide instruction as a civic service. There is never a charge for instruction; the only costs are those for materials, plus overhead costs such as classroom rental, shipping and handling, sales tax, etc. While the content of this student manual serves as the basis for this course, it will also serve as a reference book in basic boating long after the course work is completed. The course meets the educational standards of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and features a proctored examination as required by many states and insurance companies. Where required, the course will provide instruction and examination for laws and regulations of state and local authorities in the area where the course is taught. USPS believes that
the more educated a boater becomes, the more likely that boater will be
a safe boater. Boat Smart is the beginning of a boating
education. USPS encourages students to follow this brief and basic
course with additional boating education such as the courses offered to
members of the United States Power Squadrons. Your instructor can give
you information about these advanced courses. A USPS BoatSmart Course is also available for home study on video. If you want to purchase the Video Boating Course, call 1-888-FOR-USPS or (919) 821-0281.
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BOAT SMART 2003 - Typical Schedule |
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Class 1 |
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Section 1 ... GETTING STARTED |
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Boat Terms and Types
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30 minutes |
pages 1-8 |
Boat Handling
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60 minutes |
pages 8-22 |
Break |
10 minutes |
N/A |
Water Sport Safety
|
30 minutes |
pages 22-30 |
Review |
10 minutes |
pages 31-37 |
Section 2 ... WHAT'S NEEDED |
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Required Equipment
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20 minutes |
pages 39-45 |
Class 2 |
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Fire Extinguishers
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20 minutes |
pages 46-52 |
USCG Boating Safety Standards
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20 minutes |
pages 52-59 |
Review Section 2 |
10 minutes |
pages 61-64 |
Break |
10 minutes |
N/A |
Section 3 ... RULES TO LIVE BY |
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Aids to Navigation
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20 minutes |
pages 65-70 |
Navigational Rules
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20 minutes |
pages 70-77 |
Adverse Conditions and Emergencies
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40 minutes |
pages 77-90 |
Review |
10 minutes |
pages 91-96 |
Class 3 |
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State & Local Laws & Regulations |
30 minutes |
SCDNR |
Questions & Review |
15 minutes |
N/A |
Examination & Grading |
90 minutes |
N/A |
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Copyright © 2001 Catawba Power Squadron© All rights reserved. ® "United States Power Squadrons", "USPS", the USPS Ensign Flag Design, the "Wheel-and-Ensign" Design, "The Ensign", "The Squadron", "Boat Smart" and "Jet Smart" are Registered Trademarks of United Stated Power Squadrons, Inc. "The Squadron Boating Course" is a service mark of United States Power Squadrons. |
Last updated on 19 March 2003
Boat Smart is a course for all boaters (the personal watercraft
operator; the hunter or fisherman operating an outboard utility boat;
the skipper of a family cruiser; the sailing enthusiast). All boaters
must follow the same nautical rules, regulations, and courtesies of the
sea. All are subject to the same forces of nature while boating.