Public Education

BOATING SKILLS & SEAMANSHIP (BS&S) Course Description     Return to: Boating Class List
The U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary's Boating Skills and Seamanship (BS&S) course is a comprehensive course designed for both the experienced and the novice boater.  The course, now in its 12th edition published in 2002, consists of 6 core required two- to four-hour lessons 2 added optional lessons that are normally included in the core course, plus five elective lessons, providing up-to-date knowledge for handling boats in all conditions.
 
TOPICS INCLUDEBoating Skills & Seamanship
Which Boat Is For You? - Boater's language; types of boats; outboard motors and sterndrives; hull design; uses of boats; other power plants; materials for constructing boats; your intended use; the Coast Guard Customer Infoline; marine surveyors; buying a boat.
Equipment For Your Boat - Requirements for your boat; your boat's equipment; legal considerations; substance abuse; boating accident reports; Courtesy Marine Examinations.
Trailering Your Boat - Legal considerations; practical considerations; the towing vehicle; balancing the load; handling your trailer; pre-departure checks; preparing to launch; launching; retrieving; storing your boat and trailer; theft prevention; Zebra mussels; float plan.
Handling Your Boat - Leave with a full tank; fueling your boat; your boat's propeller; cars and boats; twin screws; jet drives; loading your boat; getting started; leaving a pier; "man" overboard; docking; mooring to a permanent anchor; anchoring; towing a skier; heavy weather; small boat safety.
Your "Highway" Signs - Protection of ATONs; buoyage systems; waterway marks; how waterways are marked; light characteristics; chart symbols; light structures; lights on bridges; electronic aids to navigation; a word to the wise; navigation publications.
The Rules You Must Follow - Two sets of rules; to whom do the rules apply; what is a vessel; the general responsibility rule; general considerations; conduct in narrow channels; traffic separation schemes; vessel traffic services; stand-on or give-way; rules for special vessels; risk of collision; bend signals; restricted visibility; vessel lights and shapes; vessels at anchor; diving operations; distress signals; drawbridge signals; penalties.
Inland Boating - Types of inland waters; inland navigation; inland seamanship; river currents; maintaining inland waterways; dams; locks; river charts; commercial traffic; before you go. (This lesson typically will not be taught in coastal courses)
The Rest Of Our Story - Small boat safety; personal watercraft; hypothermia; motorboats and sailboats; carbon monoxide poisoning; float plan; U.S. Coast Guard District Offices; instructions for using a course plotter; metric conversion system.
Introduction To Navigation - Piloting tools; maps and charts; chart features; your chart's general information block; other charted information; your magnetic compass; position on the earth's surface; locating a point on a chart; distance on the earth's surface; measuring distance; course plotting; sources of compass error; correcting a compass reading; positioning; speed-time-distance; dead reckoning; practice your art.
Powering Your Boat - Types of marine engines; marine engines; selecting a propeller; induction systems; ignition systems; flame arresters; cooling systems; gasoline considerations; batteries; maintenance; winterizing your boat; spring fitting-out; troubleshooting.
Lines & Knots For Your Boat - Line or rope; rope materials; kinds of rope; measuring rope; selecting your ropes; care of rope; making up line; knots, bends, and hitches; splices; securing lines; dipping the eye.
Weather & Boating - Sources of weather information; wind and boating; wind and waves; understanding weather; weather and heat; fog; non-frontal weather.
Your Boat's Radio - Radios used on boats; functions of radios; licenses; selecting your VHF-FM radio; installation; operating your VHF-FM; maintain a radio watch; channels have special purposes; some "no no's"; copies of the rules; calling another station; procedure words; phonetic alphabet; routine radio check; distress, urgency, and safety calls; crew training.
 

 

BOATING SKILLS & SEAMANSHIP (BS&S) Class Schedules             Return to: Boating Class List
 

Boating Skills and Seamanship (BS&S) is a comprehensive course for both experienced and novice boaters. Eight required, two-hour lessons plus elective modules, provide up-to-date knowledge for handling boats in all conditions.

           Indicates a current or future class


California
Sausalito-Tiburon Flotilla 1-2
City Location Date/Time Contact
Central Marin Flotilla 1-4
City Location Date/Time Contact
San Rafael, CA Loch Lomand Yacht Club
99 Loch Lomand Drive
San Rafael, CA  94901
Tuesdays
18-MAY-10 thru 27-Jul-10
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Paula Russo
Paula.j.russo@KP.org
415-519-3933
Cost $85      Course content includes, Rules of the Road, Boat Handlin, Buoys and Markers, Intro to Navigation, Tide Books, Using the Marine Radio, Lines and Knots. Member Submitting Form: Paula Usso, FSO-PE
Oyster Point Flotilla 1-5
City Location Date/Time Contact
Daly City, CA Daily City Fire Station 95 Training Rooms
191 Edgemont Drive
Daly City, CA 94015
Monday and Thursday
14-Sep-09 through 29-Oct-09
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Brian Tokumoto
pecgaux@gmail.com
650-591-9384
Cost:  $65.  Training rooms across from the main station, free parking. Registration 10 September 09 6 to 8 PM. Cash or check, no credit cards.
Point Bonita Flotilla 1-7
City Location Date/Time Contact
Berkeley, CA BERKELEY YACHT CLUB
1 SEAWALL DRIVE
BERKELEY CA 94710
Tuesdays and Wednesdays
23-MAR-10 thru 23-JUN-10
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Dave Talton
FSO-PE@flotilla17.org
415-205-0687
Cost: $75.0 Fee includes book and all materials needed.
Gold County Flotilla 3-3
City Location Date/Time Contact
Citrus Heights CA Citrus Heights Community Church
7405 Mariposa Avenue
Citrus Heights CA 94661
Tuesday
14-Sep-10 thru 01-Nov-10
7:00 PM to 9:00 PM
Ed Kief
kiefaux@surewest.net
916-772-5623
Cost:  $60  This 8-week information packed course will help both new and experienced boaters get up-to-speed on basic skills, best safety practices, and state and local boating regulations. Please contact Ed Kief (916-772-55623) for preregistration. Couples and families have a reduced price.
Sacramento Flotilla 3-5
City Location Date/Time Contact
Carmichael CA Carmichael Park Veterans Hall
5750 Grant Avenue
Carmichael CA 95608
Wednesday
25-Aug-10 through 07-Nov-10
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Tommy Holtzman 
tommyholztman@hotmail.com
916-539-8199
Cost:  $60 :  Call for more information on this class or other classes 916-539-8199.
Redding Flotilla 3-9
City Location Date/Time Contact
Paradise CA Call for location
Vicinity Red Bluff to Yuba City
Paradise CA 95969
To be Determined

Per request

Hannelore Maddox
hsmaddox@aol.com
(530)876-8477
Cost: $80  This is a full but compacted class.
Elk Grove Flotilla 3-10
City Location Date/Time Contact
       
 
Palo Alto Flotilla 4-3
City Location Date/Time Contact
       
 
Almaden Flotilla 4-8
City Location Date/Time Contact
San Jose CA First Congregational Church
1980 Hamilton Ave
San Jose CA 95125
Thursday
16-Sep-10 through 11-NOV-10
6:30 PM to 9:00 PM
Lynn Haydis

(408) 723-0223
Cost:  $45  Class is 9 weeks including California "chapter".
Silicon Valley 4-9
City Location Date/Time Contact
Northern Solono County Flotilla 5-3
City Location Date/Time Contact
Sonoma County Flotilla 5-5
City Location Date/Time Contact
Petaluma CA Petaluma Yacht Club
10 C Street
Petaluma CA 94954
Saturdays
10-Jan-09 through 24-Jan-09
9:00 AM to 4:30 PM
Shirl Maxson
HARMONY3462@juno.com
707-838-1353
Cost:  $45.00  3 SAT. MEETINGS (6.5 HRS EA) EQUALS 19.5 HRS. OF INSTRUCTION. NOTE: 1 HR. LUNCH TIME NOT INCLUDED.
City Location Date/Time Contact
Santa Rosa CA Sonoma County Sheriff's Department
2796 Ventura Ave.
Santa Rosa, CA 95403-2226
Saturdays
03-Oct-09 through 24-Oct-09
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Shirl Maxson
HARMONY3462@juno.com
707-838-1353
Cost:  $45.00  3 SAT. MEETINGS OCT 3, 17, and 24 (6.5 HRS EA) TOTAL 19.5 HRS OF INSTRUCTION EXCLUDING LUNCH TIME.
Monterey Flotilla 6-4
City Location Date/Time Contact
Monterey, CA USCG Station Monterey
100 Lighthouse Ave.
Monterey, CA 93940-1415
Days: Thursday
12-Mar-09 through 07-May-09
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
Skip Eckel
eckel1@aol.com
(831) 484-2594
Cost: $45  In subject line on email, please put boating safety class.
Capitola Flotilla 6-10
City Location Date/Time Contact
Santa Cruz, CA Santa Cruz Harbor Public Meeting Room
365A Lake Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA  95060
Wednesday
28-Apr-10 through 04-Aug-10
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
WALLY SMITH
wscgaux@gmail.com
831-252-5144
Cost: $60:  14-week course focusing on power boating. Special emphasis on boating in the Monterey Bay. Instruction is by local Auxiliarists familiar with the area and conditions..
City Location Date/Time Contact
Santa Cruz, CA Santa Cruz Harbor Public Meeting Room
365A Lake Avenue
Santa Cruz, CA  95060
Wednesday
01-SEP-10 thru 7-DEC-10
7:30 PM to 9:30 PM
WALLY SMITH
wscgaux@gmail.com
831-252-5144
Cost: $60:  This course is designed for power boaters. Special emphasis on boating in Monterey Bay. Successful completion may result in premium discount on boat insurance.
Mendocino County Flotilla 8-7
City Location Date/Time Contact
Fort Bragg CA College of the Redwoods Room 300
1211 Del Mar Drive
Fort Bragg CA 95437
Sat & Sun
05-Jun-10 & 06-Jun-10
9:00 AM to 5:00 PM
Madeleine Brink
mb1947@peoplepc.com
 
Cost $50:  Concentrated two day course from 0900 to 1700 each day.
Modesto Flotilla 10-2
City Location Date/Time Contact
 Modesto, CA Doctors Hospital Conference Center
1441 Florida Ave.
Modesto, CA 95354
Tuesdays and Thursdays
10-MAR-09 through 26-MAR-09
7:00 PM - 9:00 PM
Pat Rawe-Modesto Junior College
rawep@mjc.edu
(209) 575-6063
 Cost $65:   For class info contact: Mike Lauro @ sumfun@juno.com.  For registration contact: Pat Rawe @rawep@mjc.edu
Fresno Flotilla 10-5
City Location Date/Time Contact
East Bay Flotilla 12-1
City Location Date/Time Contact
Embarcadero Cove Flotilla 12-3
City Location Date/Time Contact
Alameda, CA Gym Room 35
Coast Guard Island
Alameda, CA 94501
Saturday
05-Dec-09 through 19-Dec-09
8:00 AM to 6:00 PM
Bruce Bennet
CGBEN@SBCGLOBAL.NET
510-468-8013
Cost: TBD.  This 13 session course will be taught in 3 weekends, 8 hours a day.
San Ramon Flotilla 12-91
City Location Date/Time Contact
San Ramon CA SRV Fire District Training Facility
1500 Bollinger Canyon
San Ramon CA 94583

Tuesday
20-Jan-09 through 24-Mar-09
7:00PM to 9:00PM

Rick Scheuerman
chevroids@comcast.net
(925) 376-6543
http://a1131291.uscgaux.info/
Cost: $45  Basic course. 
City Location Date/Time Contact
San Ramon CA SRV Fire District Training Facility
1500 Bollinger Canyon
San Ramon CA 94583

Saturdays
04-Apr-09
9:00AM to 5:30PM

Rick Scheuerman
chevroids@comcast.net
(925) 376-6543
http://a1131291.uscgaux.info/
Advanced one-day course.  Pre-requisite for advanced course is the above basic course.

Utah

Salt Lake City Flotilla 7-2
City Location Date/Time Contact
Wasatch Flotilla 7-3
City Location Date/Time Contact
Garden City Flotilla 7-8
City Location Date/Time Contact

       

          Indicates a current or future class offering                                                     Return to: Boating Class List 
 
For more information, contact:
Roger Haynes, DSO-PE 11NR
District Public Education Staff Officer

[DSO-PE 11NR]