Public Education is a cornerstone activity (another is a Vessel Safety Check) of the Auxiliary to promote safe boating practices. Members of Flotilla 10-1 conduct boating safety classes in the spring and occassionally in the fall. For more information, please contact our Flotilla Staff Officer, Public Education (FSO-PE):

"ABOUT BOATING SAFELY"
This course is NASBLA-approved¹. We conduct the class in one 8-hour full session. A 50-question exam follows the class. A TEMPORARY certificate and wallet card are awarded for a passing grade (learn more) and sent via email as PDF documents. The cost is $45.00 which includes the class booklet, exam, and certificate of completion.

All students must complete an additional 10-question Massachusetts Environmental Police (MEP) exam immediately upon completion of the About Boating Safely class. All exam material is discussed in the class. The completed exam will be signed by the Flotilla Commander and submit class completion information to the MEP.

More classes are available across New England and listed in the Auxiliary's District 1NR web site (learn more).

Massachussetts Boating Law

The state of Massachusetts requires a vessel operator to successfully complete an approved basic boating class under these circumstances (learn more):

• Youth who are between 12 and 15 years of age must complete the class in order to operate a motorboat without adult supervision. Students must possess their issued "boating safety certificate" when underway.
• Personal watercraft operators who are 16 or 17 years of age must complete a boating course. (Youth less than 16 years of age are legally not permitted to operate personal watercraft.)

On-line Specialty Courses

The BoatUS Foundation and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary (not Flotilla 10-1) present Modern Marine Navigation.
Modern Marine Navigation will help improve your navigational skills in the convenience of your home. You will learn the basics of plotting, reading charts, identifying Aids to Navigation (ATONs) and using them to find your way on the water as well as an introduction to electronic navigation all presented online where you can study at your pace.

Topics include: Navigation Charting, Dead Reckoning, Plotting Positions, Electronic Navigation, and Safe Planning Practices.

The cost $40.00. Save 10% off the cost if you enter the USCG Auxiliary Flotilla Number "0131001" when prompted.

For more information about Massachusetts boating laws, consult the Massachusetts Environmental Police, Boat and Recreation Vehicle Safety Bureau (learn more).

This page was last modified on Saturday, 09-Dec-2023 13:46:15 EST.