Lake George Power Squadron Educational Course Offerings

IMPORTANT NOTICE: In New York State, all operators of motorized vessels, including personal watercraft, are required to have a Boating Safety Certificate as of January 1, 2025, according to Brianna’s Law. Operators of non-motorized vessels like kayaks and canoes do not require a certificate. Livery operators are required to provide basic instruction and safety information to renters, even if they don’t have a certificate.

An important part of our mission is to provide educational classes to help encourage safe boating. We do this by holding in-person classes, on-line classes and self study to help accommodate all forms of learning.

The following courses are described below. It is noted what classes are open to the public and what classes are for members only. Please see our membership page if you are interested in any of the advanced courses.

America’s Boating Course 3 – [ABC-3]: This course is open to the public – The America’s Boating Course is designed to familiarize the student with the fundamentals of safe boating and qualifies for certification in most states that require a boating education before operating a boat or personal watercraft.  The course is structured for one night a week for two hours each session or over a weekend. A course study guide and supporting materials will be available at a nominal fee.  Instructors are USPS Certified instructors and receive no compensation for teaching.

Subjects covered include:

• Boat handling under normal conditions
• Types of boats and boating terminology
• Required and recommended equipment
• Boating regulations and navigation rules
• Lines and knots
• Adverse conditions and emergencies
• Weather
• Charts and aids to navigation
• Regional boating
• Piloting techniques
• Engine troubleshooting
• Fundamentals of sailing
• Marine radiotelephone usage
• Trailer boating
• PWC Operation 

Seamanship [S]: Building on the basics taught in the ABC Boating course, Seamanship is the recommended first course for new members, both power boaters and sailors. The student learns practical marlinespike, navigation rules, hull design and performance, responsibilities of the skipper, boat care, operating a boat under normal and abnormal conditions, what to do in various emergencies and weather conditions, nautical customs and common courtesy on the water. This course introduces the USPS educational program and a strong foundation for the other Advanced Grades courses listed on the reverse side of this handout.

Piloting [P]: Piloting introduces the fundamentals of piloting and positioning � the study of marine charts, aids to navigation, adjustment and use of the mariner’s compass, dead reckoning, planning and plotting courses, and taking bearings to determine on-the- water position.

Advanced Piloting [AP]: Advanced Piloting builds on the knowledge gained in Piloting to teach how to navigate safely in coastal waters predict tides and tidal currents and their impact on boat position, advanced positioning techniques, and the use of electronic navigation systems for positioning and course planning.

Junior Navigation [JN]: Junior Navigation begins the study of offshore (open-ocean) navigation-integrated electronic positioning systems, sight taking with a sextant on the sun, moon, planets, and stars, how to reduce sights using the nautical almanac to determine position, and passage planning with special open ocean charts.

Navigation [N]: Navigation further develops the understanding of celestial navigation theory and the skills in sight taking and reduction– additional sight reduction techniques and the orderly methods of carrying on the day’s work of a navigator at sea. Of particular interest and importance is the study of offshore navigation using minimal data and/or equipment, such as when on a disabled vessel or lifeboat.

Elective Courses: Several elective courses are also available including Cruise Planning, Engine Maintenance, Instructor Development, Marine Electronics, Sail, and Weather. If you are interested in any of these elective courses, please contact the Squadron Educational Officer.