Appendix A—America’s Boating Course
(ABC) On-The-Water Teaching Aid Guide
OBJECTIVE
Provide education to recognize the dangers
of the sea and training to proficiency to
safely go down to the sea in boats.
The continuum of education and
training for a recreational boater begins with
the USPS public boating class, America’s
Boating Course, and progresses through the
USPS courses and seminars. The culmination
of this continuum of courses and their
on-the-water training components is the
USPS Boating Operator Certification (BOC)
where training to proficiency is assessed by
USPS Master Certifiers.
The progression of recreational
boaters through the USPS University
courses should start with introduction to
skills integral to achieving BOC, with reinforcement
while increasing the skill difficulty
and repetition with each course and
seminar. The BOC would assess training
to proficiency.
PURPOSE
Outline for instructors and assistants, their
preparation to help students experience
various aspects of the America’s Boating
Course curriculum on the water. Instructors
may choose those elements from this
guide that apply to their situation and
demonstrate them with a group of students
in a time frame normally lasting not
longer than 3 hours. This includes both
on-the-dock and on-the-water demonstrations
and discussions. Obviously, the type
of boat and locale available will have an
effect on the elements used and the method
of instruction. Depending on the type of
boat, the size of boat and the size of the
class, some elements may be combined as is
logical, or some may, of necessity, be omitted.
The instructor should encourage students
to be involved as they feel comfortable
and can do it safely. While underway, other
situations may arise that the student will
experience beyond those tabulated in this
guide. The instructor should acknowledge
those unique opportunities with the best
responses possible. Always keep the safety
of the boat and the students in mind.
This is an optional part of the America’s
Boating Course and participation will
not affect the credit given for the course. It
does not provide any certification or credentials
to the student. It is a teaching aid
to reinforce classroom education.
This time together with the students
on the vessel provides a good environment
for sharing the “Boating is FUN...We will
show YOU how” part of squadron activities
and answers questions about the value
of membership in USPS and the squadron.
Other courses and seminars should
be shared as a way to show how the student
can gain additional boating knowledge and
skill even if they do not become a member.
General safety
considerations:
(Use this section as pre-activity check-off
list.)
Weather:
1. The activity should be in good weather
with moderate wind and seas.
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