First Southern District - Public Education Courses

 

The mission of the Auxiliary is to promote boating safety on the waterways. The Auxiliary is noted for its public education courses, which teach pleasure boaters safe boating principles, practices, and the legal responsibilities of the operator.

 

Coast Guard Auxiliarists have an opportunity to increase their knowledge of boating safety and also to acquire special training and skills through advanced classes or by taking correspondence courses from the Coast Guard Institute. Instruction in navigation, meteorology, marine engines, communications and rescue operations enhance the value of you to the Auxiliary while adding to your own boating pleasures. Advanced instruction offers challenging and potentially rewarding experiences to Auxiliarists who are interested in progressing beyond a basic knowledge of boating safety and seamanship. You will learn proficiency in boat handling and many other Coast Guard support activities.

 

Boating Courses

Abbreviation

Course

Length

Audience

BS&S

Boating Skills and Seamanship

6 to 13 lessons

Power boaters

BCN

Basic Coastal Navigation

8 lessons

All boaters

ACN

Advanced Coastal Navigation

12 lessons

All boaters

LGS

Let's Go Sailing

4 lessons

Sailors

BSC

Boating Safely Course

8 hours

All boaters

PWC

Personal Watercraft Course

1 hour

All Boaters

W&K

Water & Kids

1 hour

4-7 year olds

B&K

Boats & Kids

1 hour

5-12 year olds

SYB

State Young Boaters

6 to 10 hours

Age varies with state

GPS

Navigating with GPS

2 hours

All Boaters

 

COMM

Communications & Intro to GPS

These are courses taught from selected chapters of the BS&S Book

P&C

Plotting & Charting

MAINT

Engine Maintenance

 

 

Click Here to go to the list of Boating Courses.

 

For other safe boating classes in your area, please check the
Boat US Safe Boating Database