Boating Safety Education
Become a better, safer boater. Find a course near you!
U.S.
Coast Guard Auxiliary boating courses provide instruction to boaters at all levels, from
the fundamental to the advanced. Our classes are taught by experienced and
knowledgeable instructors committed to the highest standards of the U.S. Coast
Guard.
The links below provide short descriptions of each course.
FIND A BOATING COURSE NEAR YOU!
To find upcoming courses near you, please use the:
PUBLIC EDUCATION COURSE FINDER (BY ZIP CODE)
Abbreviation |
Course |
Length |
Audience |
| ABS | About Boating Safely | 8 hours | All boaters |
| NAVAM | Navegando América (en español) | 8 hours | All boaters |
| SS&S | Sailing Skills & Seamanship | 8 to 13 lessons | Sailors |
| WN | Weekend Navigator | 8 to 13 lessons | All Boaters |
| BS&S | Boating Skills and Seamanship | 8 to 13 lessons | Power Boaters |
| GPSFM | Navigating with GPS | 8 hours | All boaters |
| SIC | Suddenly In Command | 4 hours | All Boaters |
| PGS | A Paddler's Guide To Safety | Varies | All boaters |
| PWC | Personal Watercraft Course | 1 hour | All boaters |
| WP | Waypoints | 1 to 3 hours | 10-12 year olds |
| B&F | Boating Fun | 1 hour | 4-9 year olds |
| SSS-I | SSS - Inland Boating | 2 hours | All Boaters |
| SSS-S | SSS - Boating Safety | 2 hours | All Boaters |
| SSS-P | SSS - Power Your Boat | 2 hours | All Boaters |
| SSS-K | SSS - Lines & Knots | 2 hours | All Boaters |
| SSS-W | SSS - Weather and Boating | 2 hours | All Boaters |
| SSS-R | SSS - Your Boat's Radio | 2 hours | All Boaters |
Page Last Reviewed or Updated: April 25, 2018