Piloting, Seamanship, and American Boaters Course Registrations available. Please take note of different courses, session dates and times. 

ABC (Safe) Boating Course - Cost $15

This is the basic Boating Safety Course required for anyone born on or after January 1, 1988, and strongly recommended for all regardless of birth date open for scouts ages 13½ to 17, Venturers, and Sea Scouts, but also adult leaders are allowed in taking this course as well.  Completing the course meets the needs of Ordinary Requirement 15 Boating Safety Course.  Specifically designed to meet the tighter schedule needs of our Sea Scouts, class time extends over about 1 ½-day and includes the necessary proctored exam for course completion.  Completion also allows the participant to receive their state’s official boating credentials.  Course content is broad reaching from vessel design and care to safety, rules of the road, and operation/handling.  There is much more, enough to get you started but not enough to make you proficient yet.

Routinely the course is located at Camp Soule, Safety Harbor, Florida.  Camping is available for traveling units in screened Adirondacks, and meal responsibilities belong to the unit.  The $15.00 per participant fee provides for all handout materials, publication of testing materials and a Completion Certificate. A registration deadline, 4-week prior to the first day of the course is strictly imposed.

Seamanship Course  -  Cost $15

The Seamanship Course revisits in detail operational knowledge and skills to expand your vessel operation proficiency as well as become acquainted with planning outings and multiple day cruises.  Seamanship provides  a must have  skill set for youth to approach other requirements in the Sea Scout advancement duffle bag, and is open to Venturers, but also adult leaders of both programs are allowed to take this course. For Sea Scouts completing the Seamanship Course meets the needs of №. 13 Elective Level 2 Requirements for the Able Rank.  The course structure is specifically designed to meet the tighter schedule needs of our Sea Scouts, class time extends over about 1 ½-days and includes the necessary proctored exam for course completion.  Course content details pre-departure planning, close quarters maneuvering, vessel operation at sea, rules of the road, anchoring/mooring, and emergencies n the water.

Camping is available for traveling units in screened Adirondacks, and meal responsibilities belong to the unit.  The $15.00 per participant fee provides for all handout materials, publication of testing materials.  A registration deadline, 4-week prior to the first day of the course is strictly imposed, and the need for a U.S. Power Squadrons member number (if you dont have one yet we can set one up for you) is required to maintain your completion records, which are lifelong for both youth and adults.

Piloting Course - Cost $45

The Piloting Course focuses on the details of both cruise planning on the chart and maintaining vessel logs when makingway.  The Piloting Course embodies Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (a.k.a. STEAM), bringing many learned school theory to real life happenings. This course is open to Venturers and Sea Scouts only, but also adults are allowed to take this course.  Piloting is necessary have skill set for youth and adults to bring their Long Cruise outing to life, where the planning and execution make for a safe successful voyage.   Completing this course meets the needs of Elective Level 2 United States Power Squadrons.  The course structure is specifically designed to meet the tighter schedule needs of our Sea Scouts; class time extends over about 4-days and includes the necessary proctored exam for course completion.  The course is strong with hands-on and emphasizes neatness and attention to details when plotting and calculating distances, speeds, directions and times.  Course contents detail navigation, tools of piloting & plotting, techniques, on-the-water practices,  GPS navigation, monitoring progress, and manual piloting.

Routinely the course is located at Sand Hill Scout Reservation at Weeki Wachee, Florida (except for 2019 over at Camp Soule).  Camping is available for traveling units in developed campsites, and meal responsibilities belong to the unit.  The $45.00 per participant fee provides for all handout materials, plotting tools and dividers, and publication of testing materials.  A registration deadline, 4-week prior to the first day of the course is strictly imposed, and the need for a U.S. Power Squadrons member number ( if you dont have one yet we can set one up for you) is required to maintain your completion records, which are lifelong for both youth and adults.