The USPS Basic Boating Course
Providing basic boating education to the public is a traditional civic service of United States Power Squadrons ® . Since 1914, local Squadrons have given courses to anyone who wished to attend – more than 3 million people. This ever-growing interest leads us to believe that it has helped many and we feel that you, too, will benefit. 
The Squadron Boating Course offered by the Darien Sail & Power Squadron is based on the book America's Boating Course, 3 rd edition (ABC3), a full-color 244-page manual published by United States Power Squadrons ® . Using the ABC3 manual, the DSPS Squadron Boating Course covers basic boat handling and seamanship, equipment and regulations, an introduction to charts and aids to navigation, basic piloting, and navigation rules. The course is directed at general, practical issues of interest to all boaters, and is not targeted to either power or sail.
In addition to the material covered by the USPS ABC3 manual, the course also covers additional material vital to good seamanship on our coastal waters of Long Island Sound. As the State of Connecticut explains:
Boating on Connecticut 's waterways and Long Island Sound may seem easier with the modern electronics of today. But what if they fail? You will need to quickly depend on the time-tested methods of the past. These methods of navigation form the basis that modern electronics rely upon to make navigation so easy today. Should your electronics fail, having a basic understanding of navigation and plotting methods could save your life and those of others.
Boaters desiring to travel in coastal waters should seek advanced courses in navigation. Boaters should be confident in their vessel and their handling skills. To further promote safety in coastal waters, the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) is sponsoring the Connecticut Coastal Boater Endorsement Program. This program seeks to recognize and reward those boaters who have chosen to further their boating education.
Boaters who complete a course in basic navigation will receive the Coastal Boater Endorsement decal to be placed on their Safe Boating Certificate.
Unlike short classes that provide the minimum qualifications for obtaining the Connecticut Safe Boating Certificate, the DSPS Squadron Boating Course qualifies for the Connecticut Coastal Boater Endorsement.
The additional material covered by the DSPS Squadron Boating Course is summarized by the phrase, “Radio, Ropes, and Charts” – which is a way of saying that there are many major topics that can be covered when you have a course that meets over a period of weeks.
“Radio” includes the proper use of VHF Digital Selective Calling – the “Red Button” on new marine VHF radios. If you have done the proper preparation, pushing that button will identify you and your location to the Coast Guard in event of an emergency. Other especially useful features of DSC are also discussed in the DSPS course.
A basic working knowledge of “ropes” – which are called “lines” once aboard a boat – is essential to good seamanship. The Squadron Boating Course covers the basic knots, cleats, and line care that make it easy to get into and away from any dock in any weather.
Although more and more people are becoming familiar with electronic navigation devices such as GPS, it is still necessary to be familiar with traditional paper “charts.” A waterproof nautical chart of our part of Long Island Sound – as well as the tools need to plot courses and determine your position on that chart – is included with the DSPS Squadron Boating Course fee. The first two evenings of the course are devoted to becoming familiar with this chart and how to use it – and once you learn one chart, you will have learned them all and will be prepared to find your way to any port you choose.
The cost of the Squadron Boating Course ($100, with discount of $50 for each subsequent family member), includes the text book, chart, and plotting equipment. Additional charts and plotting tools may be purchased at a reasonable cost.
The Squadron Boating Course is offered to the public by the Darien Sail & Power Squadron several times each year. A brief outline of the course, including the schedule of the next or current course, is here .Home Page | About
| FAQs | Public Boating Course: Description,
Outline & Schedule
Darien Sail and Power Squadron Officers | Links
| USPS National &
District 2 Web Sites
