America’s Boating Course
If you are looking to gain boating knowledge and earn your New York State boating safety certificate under Brianna’s Law, consider enrolling in America’s Boating Course. This comprehensive program covers essential topics such as boating laws, safety equipment, safe operation, navigation, trailering, storage, hunting and fishing, water-skiing, and river boating. Many insurance companies offer discounts to boaters who complete this course, and successful completion provides the education required for a state operator certificate. At the conclusion of the class, you will take a test and receive your Safe Boating Course Certificate, and New York State drivers are eligible to add the Anchor Endorsement to their license.
Boating Education
Advanced Training Course
America’s Boating Club of Great South Bay offers a full range of boating education, from beginner to advanced. Courses include Boat Handling, which builds confidence in docking, maneuvering, anchoring, emergencies, and knots, and Marine Navigation, the entry-level piloting class that introduces GPS, charting, compass use, and aids to navigation. Advanced Marine Navigation expands to radar, AIS, tides, and extended cruise planning, while Offshore Navigation and Celestial Navigation teach celestial and electronic methods for long-distance voyages.
Specialized courses cover practical skills like Engine Maintenance, Marine Electrical Systems, Marine Communication Systems, Electronic Navigation, and Radar for Boaters. Additional topics include Weather, Cruising and Cruise Planning, and Sail, giving boaters the knowledge to operate safely in a wide range of conditions. Most courses combine classroom learning with hands-on application, optional exams, and insurance discounts. Local instructors add experience and on-the-water training to help members become skilled, confident boaters ready for any adventure.
Seminars
America’s Boating Club of Great South Bay offers a series of focused two-hour seminars that give boaters the confidence and skills to handle real-world situations. Topics include Anchoring with Assurance, which covers anchoring techniques for different conditions, emergencies, and safe rafting; Boating on Rivers, Locks, and Lakes, which explains navigation rules, currents, and locking procedures; and Boating with Confidence, which builds skill in trimming, handling seas, and operating under way. Confidence in Docking and Undocking teaches slow-speed maneuvering and line use for stress-free docking, while Emergencies on Board prepares boaters to respond to fires, medical issues, and vessel problems. Knots and Line Handling gives hands-on practice with the most useful knots and line care, and Rules of the Road offers a practical approach to navigation rules, collision avoidance, and signaling. For those seeking advanced skills, Advanced Powerboat Handling addresses docking in adverse conditions, trimming, wave handling, and recovering from groundings. Each seminar may be taken individually or as part of the Boat Handling course, with opportunities for on-the-water coaching to build experience and confidence.