Why Take a Boating Course

You must hold a safety certificate if:

• You operate a personal watercraft, regardless of your age, in New York State.
• You wish to operate a motorboat (including personal watercraft) and you are at least 10 years old and less than 18 years old.
• If you are less than 10 years old you may operate a motorboat (non-PWC) only if someone over 18 or someone between the ages of 10 and 18 who holds a safety certificate, is on board with you. Anyone may operate a personal watercraft if someone at least 18 years old is riding on the craft and they hold a safety certificate.
• Many insurance companies will offer discounts on boat insurance to individuals who successfully complete these courses.

We offer the following courses:

• America's Boating Course is an 8 hour program. This is a vital course for any boater that covers boat handling, trailering, navigation rules, VHF radio, and safe boating practices. Successful completion of this course satisfies NYS education requirements for Personal Watercraft (jet ski) operation and may qualify for boating insurance discounts.
• Boating Skills and Seamanship (BS&S) course is a comprehensive course designed for both the experienced and the novice boater. The course consists of 6 required two-hour lessons plus elective modules, providing up-to-date knowledge for handling boats in all conditions.
• The New York State Safe Boating Course A safety certificate may be obtained by completing the New York Safe Boating Course, sponsored by the Office of Parks, Recreation & Historic Preservation. The course is designed as a comprehensive boating course, teaching the fundamentals of safe boating operation. Approved by the National Association of Boating Law Administrators, the course requires a minimum of eight hours of classroom instruction.
• The Weekend Navigator The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary’s Weekend Navigation Course is a comprehensive course designed for both experienced and novice powerboat and sailboat operators. The course is divided into two major parts designed to educate the boating enthusiast in skills required for a safe voyage on a variety of waters and boating conditions. This course can be taught as a whole or as separate modules.
• ABOUT BOATING SAFELY If you are interested in an exciting, in-depth boating safety course, check out the multi-session classroom version of our popular online boating course.  This beginner boating class will give you the knowledge needed to obtain a boat license or safety certification in many states. Many boat insurance companies will offer discounts on boating insurance to boaters who successfully complete About Boating Safely. 
• SUDDENLY IN COMMAND (SIC)The captain becomes incapacitated or falls overboard; you purchase a new boat and step aboard for the first time. You are Suddenly In Command.  This 4-hour boating safety primer is designed for those not generally at the helm, and will help you to “be prepared” with the basics in case of an emergency.

Students must be at least 10 years old to attend classes. The student should be able to comprehend the materials, be comfortable in a classroom environment for several hours and be able to take the exam.

Individuals who successfully complete the course and exam are awarded certificates and cards.

Boating Skills and Seamanship (BS&S) and NYS Young Boaters Course Next course date: 20 April 2010 Contact: Tony @ 631-586-1456 Email.

Both the Boating Skills & Seamanship and NYS Young Boaters classes will start on Tuesday, April 20 at 7:30-9:30 PM in rooms 703 & 701 respectively at the Half Hollow Hills HS on Vanderbilt Parkway in Dix Hills. Both classes will meet for six consecutive Tuesday evenings. There is a $59.00 fee for the BS&S class. There is no charge for the NYSYB class. The age range for the NYSYB class is 10-17, although seventeen year olds might want to opt for the adult class.