Boating Safety Course - US Coast Guard Aux - MAR/APR 2026 - Boat America

USCG Boating Safety Course, "Boat America". Includes materials, final exam, and USCG Aux & MEP database entry upon successful completion.

U.S. Coast Guard & Massachusetts State Approved Boating Safety Course - "Boat America"

4 Tuesday Evenings: March 31, April 7, 14, 21 (6:30pm-9:00pm)

(there is an optional alternative review & testing date available May 19th, if anyone has conflicts)

Course Description:

This is THE course to get you educated, safe, and ready for proper vessel operation as well as covering the lawful requirements as a boater. We're proud to present this nationally recognized boating safety course, titled "Boat America".

Yes, this course meets & exceeds the new MA requirements under the recent Hanson Milone act, necessary for all boaters in MA.

WHY take an in-person class in Ipswich?

• USCG Aux instructors are professional and USCG-certified (and in-person)
• Class material represents 228 years of U.S. Coast Guard marine experience
• Coast Guard Auxiliary classes provide students the opportunity to ask questions and get individualized support
• We foster group interaction, exchange of experience, and students who learn from each other
• We perform live demonstrations and hands-on learning with safety equipment (flares, life jackets, nav lights, buoy positioning, fire extinguisher, etc)
• Our instructors operationally patrol and/or recreationally boat in the Ipswich Bay area, we bring our local knowledge to apply to other boaters in the same area. Particularly helpful as we review specific areas that may cause conflict with regulations, or other notable features. (ie: boat approach in conflict w/ specific local mooring & swim areas, required operating distance off Cranes in possible conflict with nav buoy, jet skis must be no-wake all the way from wharf to Cranes, local hazards, etc)
• Our unique position in the education realm ties together real-world expectations and enforcements (which we review) from each of the different law enforcement units on the water (harbormasters, local police, MEP, USCG, State Police, etc).
• Almost all our courses bring in either the local harbormaster, or a boarding agent from the active duty USCG, or both (depending on their scheduling) - to discuss and share some of their perspectives that boaters should be aware of.
• We give out physical educational materials, which you get to keep.
  

An exciting, in-depth boating safety course titled "Boat America". This U.S. Coast Guard approved boating class will give you the knowledge needed to obtain a boat license or safety certification recognized nationwide. Many boat insurance companies will offer discounts on boating insurance to boaters who successfully complete "Boat America".

This essential and valuable course will guide you through all the basics of boating. If you're new to boating, or need to learn the laws, or understand how to navigate in our waters, or simply need a refresher on all the changes to the laws and equipment requirements over the years, this course is for you. Taught by U.S. Coast Guard certified instructors, who live/work/patrol in the Newburyport/Essex/Ipswich/Cape Ann/Rowley - North Shore MA area.

Most importantly, we offer valuable in-person instructor-led expertise and local knowledge, coupled with class discussion.

Your ticket includes admission to the course, the Boat America course-book, a MA state guidebook, additional materials and resources, ongoing instructor support, administration of the test, results submission to relevant authorities to receive your state certificate, as well as a USCG Auxiliary certificate & student card.

The Ipswich Flotilla of the USCG Auxiliary is your local source for ongoing boating safety needs & liaising w/ active duty US Coast Guard. We also patrol our local waters, provide no-cost vessel examinations, provide helpful materials (ie paddlecraft ID stickers - which are now required for any/all paddlecraft use in Ipswich), and continue our public education through other courses and seminars.

"Boat America" Course Schedule

• Tuesdays (Mar 31, Apr 7, 14, 21) (with optional alternative testing date of May 19 - to accomodate any schedule conflicts)
• Hours: 6:30pm-9:00pm
• Duration: ~10 hours over 4 classes
• Lessons: 4 consecutive, 1 per week on Tuesday Evenings
• Location: Ipswich Town Hall, 25 Green St, Ipswich, MA 01938

Course Delivery:

This course will be delivered in-person, at the Town Hall in Ipswich.

WHO is this course good for?

EVERYONE age's 12+. Whether you're a beginner, an intermediate boater, or a well-experienced sea-farer, this course is essential to learn and refamiliarize yourself with recent changes to boating law and associated equipment and safety requirements.

Note: All graduates in the 12 through 15 year-old age range are required to have a boating safety certificate/card allowing them to operate a motorboat without adult supervision, by MA state law. All boaters in 'some' other states (such as NH) are required to have a boating safety certificate/card allowing them to operate a motorboat.

Certificates awarded for successful completion of this course & test:

• USCG Aux Boating Safety (NASBLA approved)
• Database entry necessary, to request Massachusetts Boating Safety Card (by Massachusetts Environmental Police, issued by 3rd party under contract with MEP)

The above are recognized by most states nationwide. (Yes, including NH)

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 - Boat registration; regulation; hull identification number; required boat safety equipment; operating safely and reporting accidents; protecting the marine environment; Federal and State boating laws; personal watercraft requirements.

Boat Safety Equipment – Life Jackets; fire extinguishers; sound-producing devices; visual-distress signals; dock lines and rope; first aid kit; anchors and anchor lines; other boating safety equipment.

Safe Boating - Bow riding; alcohol and drug abuse; boarding, loading and trimming a boat; fueling portable and permanent tanks; docking, undocking and mooring; knots; filing a float plan; checking equipment, fuel, weather and tides; using charts; choosing & using an anchor; safe PWC handling; general safety.

Navigation - The U.S. Aids to Navigation system; types of buoys and beacons; navigation rules (“right-of-way rules”); avoiding collisions; sound signals; PWC "tunnel vision".

Boating Problems - Hypothermia; boating accidents and rescues; man overboard recovery; capsizing; running aground; river hazards; emergency radio calls; engine problems; equipment failures; carbon monoxide (CO); and PWC problems.

Trailering, Storing and Protecting Your Boat - Types of trailers; trailer brakes, lights, hitches, tires, and bearings; loading, balancing and towing and backing a trailer; boat and PWC launching and retrieving; boat storage, theft protection.

Hunting and Fishing, Water-skiing and River Boating - Carrying hunting gear and weapons in a boat; fishing from a boat; water-skiing safety guidelines and hand signals; water-skiing with a PWC; navigating rivers, and other boating tips.

Massachusetts State Law & Requirements - Each state has some of their own laws & regulations to learn and adhere to. We will cover what's needed in Massachusetts.

Course is taught by qualified USCG Aux Instructors

Teaching is materially different to “typical” on-line classes you may have encountered elsewhere – WHY?

Students are able to both see and engage with the instructor while viewing the presentation slides as we progress through the material. Class members also have the ability to ask questions as we go, and interact directly with the instructor/s. And we absolutely encourage you to ask questions, they are an important element contributing to maximizing your learning.

Testing Process:

In-person, immediately available at the end of the course - on the last day of the course; via multiple choice test. Successful completion results in USCG certificate & MEP database inclusion.

Optional Vessel Safety Check: We can coordinate a no-cost inspection of your boat, a Vessel Safety Check (VSC) whether on-land, on-water or at time of launching. Vessels successfully passing safety checks are awarded a U.S. Coast Guard / Auxiliary Decal.

https://www.nasbla.org/nasblamain/education/reciprocity