Boating Safety Education

Promoting safer boating through hands on education.

U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary courses provide instruction to boaters at all levels, from the fundamental to the advanced. Our courses are taught by experienced and knowledgeable instructors committed to the highest standards of the U.S. Coast Guard.

The links below provide short descriptions of each course.

If you already know which course interests you, please visit our public education class lists to locate a course near you.

Abbreviation	Course	Length	Audience
ABS	About Boating Safety	8 hours	All boaters
SS&S	Sailing Skills & Seamanship	8 to 13 lessons	Sailors
WN	Weekend Navigator	8 to 13 lessons	All Boaters
BS&S	Boating Skills and Seamanship	8 to 13 lessons	Power Boaters
GPSFM	Navigating with GPS	3 hours	All boaters
HRNC	How To Read a Nautical Chart	3 hours	All Boaters
SIC	Suddenly In Command	4 hours	All Boaters
PSA	Paddlesports America	4 hours	All boaters
PWC	Personal Watercraft Course	1 hour	All boaters
WP	Waypoints	1 to 3 hours	10-12 year olds
B&F	Boating Fun	1 hour	4-9 year olds

Page Last Reviewed or Updated: August 28, 2011