Acknowledgments
Copyright © 2008 United States Power Squadrons,
2018 printing
All Rights Reserved
Printed in the United States of America
United States Power Squadrons
1504 Blue Ridge Road
P.O. Box 30423
Raleigh, NC 27622-0423
Phone: 919-821-0281
Fax: 919-836-0813
1-888-FOR-USPS (367-8777)
www.usps.org
The following are registered trademarks of the UNITED
STATES POWER SQUADRONS:
AMERICA’S BOATING COURSE
AMERICA’S BOATING CLUB
COME FOR THE BOATING EDUCATION…
STAY FOR THE FRIENDS
BOAT SMART and design
CHART SMART
FOR BOATERS, BY BOATERS
JET SMART
PADDLE SMART
WATER SMART
TRIDENT DESIGN
UNITED STATES POWER SQUADRONS
THE UNITED STATES POWER SQUADRONS
and design
THE SQUADRON + flag graphic
ENSIGN FLAG DESIGN (1)
ENSIGN FLAG DESIGN (2)
ENSIGN FLAG DESIGN IN A SHIP’S WHEEL
THE ENSIGN
THE ENSIGN (stylized)
BOATING IS FUN…WE’LL SHOW YOU HOW
THE USPS AQUA TRADE DRESS OF SEVERAL
PUBLICATIONS (Left side of front covers, including
text and graphics)
The following service marks are also the property of
THE UNITED STATES POWER SQUADRONS:
THE SQUADRON BOATING COURSE
A SERVICE MARK INCLUDING THE USPS AQUA
TRADE DRESS OF PUBLICATIONS (Left side of
front covers, including text and graphics)
One or more of these trademarks or service marks may
be found in this publication.
This publication is designed to provide general information
on boating safety, piloting, and navigation. It
was prepared by United States Power Squadrons and
its members and is sold with the understanding that
professional nautical services are not being provided.
Do not use this publication as a substitute for original
sources of nautical information, including government
publications, rules, regulations, laws, and manufacturers’
recommendations, where appropriate. The subject
matter of this publication is likely to become outdated
over time and may have changed since our last publication
date. Consequently, you must research original
sources of authority to update this material and ensure
accuracy when dealing with specific “on the water”
conditions or boating problems.
America’s Boating Course has been produced by
the Basic Public Education Committee of United
States Power Squadrons. The following members
and friends of USPS have made significant contributions
to this manual: Mary Joyce D’Aurizio, Joe
Cartwright, Priscilla & George Clarke, Dave Daniels,
George R. Hallenbeck, Bill Johnson, Pablo Prieto,
Roger Penneman, John R. Rowland, Bob Sweet, John
Vinquist, David Jurena, Peter Block, Frank Lingard,
Jerry Daly, Charlie Perkins, Paul Tarr, Eugene
Molteni, and Richard Carson.
Editors: Betty Anderson, Charles Peterson,
William Hertwig, George Malindzak, Dave Daniels,
Martin Owens, and Richard Carson
Design and Layout by Janet Robbins, North Wind
Design and Production, www.nwdpbooks.com
Art Credits: Members of the USPS graciously provided
many of the images in this book. USPS is
sincerely grateful for the permission to use images
provided by the following: ACR; Boston Whaler;
Nigel Calder, Joe Comeau, Com-Pac Yachts; Crestliner,
Danforth; Forever Resorts; Garmin; Genmar
Holdings Inc., (brand names Carver, Champion,
Four Winns, Glastron, Triumph); Bradley Grillo;
Jet Ski (registered trademark of Kawasaki Heavy
Industries); Johnson Outdoors Inc., (brand names
for Necky Kayaks, Old Town Canoe); Remi Jouan;
Larson Boats; Frank van Mierlo; Mustang Survival;
National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
(NOAA); Pline; Dr. Karen Randall; Deirdre Santos;
Bombardier Recreational Products (brand name
Sea-Doo); Triton; Uniden; United States Army
Corps of Engineers; United States Coast Guard;
United States Coast Guard Auxiliary; WaveRunner
(brand name of Yamaha Motor Company), Zodiac.
/www.usps.org
/www.nwdpbooks.com