USPS/ABC Class - Basic Boating Knowledge

ABC Classes – Two 8 hour sessions are on February 18 & 25 at 9:00 AM

This basic boating knowledge course will give you the education required by Washington or Oregon to obtain a state boat license or operator certificate. The basic boating knowledge topics include:

 Introduction to Boating: types of power boats; sailboats; outboards; paddle boats; houseboats; different uses of boats; various power boating engines; jet drives; family boating basics.

 Boating Law: required boat safety equipment; operating safely, Federal boat law; state boating laws

 Boat Safety Equipment: personal flotation devices, fire extinguishers; sound-producing devices; visual-distress signals; dock lines and rope; first aid kit; anchors and anchor lines

 Safe Boating: entering, loading, and trimming a boat; fueling portable and permanent tanks; steering with a tiller and a wheel; docking, undocking and mooring; knots; filing a float plan

 Navigation: U.S. Aids to Navigation system; types of buoys; navigation rules; avoiding collisions

 Boating Problems: boating accidents; man overboard recovery; capsizing; running aground; river hazards; engine problems; carbon monoxide (CO); other boating and PWC problems.

 Trailering, Storing and Protecting Your Boat: loading, balancing, and towing (and backing) a trailer; boat launching and retrieving; boat storage and theft protection

Cost is $30 per student County Public Works Facility, 4700 NE 78th St, Vancouver, WA Register by sending an email to the Squadron Education Officer at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.