Sarasota Power Squadron

   Sarasota Power Squadron         Sail & Power Boating                       A Unit of United States Power Squadrons®   Chartered 1952

Safe boating courses

Safe boating is FUN boating! Our courses are useful for all boaters - - from the person on the personal watercraft, the fisherman in an outboard, the skipper in a family cruiser, and the sailing enthusiast. Learn from instructors who are well qualified, enthusiastic, and experienced. We encourage your family to attend as a group.

Topics covered in the public safe-boating courses include:

  • boat types...boat terms...docking...anchoring...marlinespike
  • life preservers...fire extinguishers...first aid kits
  • aids to navigation...rules of the road...adverse conditions
  • state & local regulations...VHF radio...and more

SPS BuildingAll public safe boating courses at SPS meet Florida State license requirements, include a proctored exam, and are approved by NASBLA.  Student texts are included and all courses are given at our building on Hyde Park Street in Sarasota.

Check out the schedule below for dates and times.

Public Safe Boating Courses

       Course                           Day                               Date                                           Time    

Boat Smart (4 Eve)         Mon-Wed              Mar 10,12,17,19 2008                1900 - 2100   

Chart Smart (2 Eve.)       Mon-Wed               Mar 31, Apr 2, 2008                   1900 - 2100 

Boat Smart (4 Eve.)        Mon-Wed              April 7,9,14,16, 2008                 1900 - 2100   

Boat Smart (4 Eve.)        Mon-Wed              May 12,14,19,21 2008                1900 - 2100  

Boat Smart (2 day.)        Sat                        June 7, 14, 2008                           0900 - 1300                                                         (Register Wed, 4 June, 5:00pm to 6:30pm)    

Chart Smart (2 Eve.)       Mon-Wed            June 23,25, 2008                         1900 - 2100    

Boat Smart (4 Eve.)        Mon-Wed              July 14,16,21,23 2008               1900 - 2100         

Boat Smart (4 Eve.)        Mon-Wed              Aug 4,6,11,13, 2008                   1900 - 2100        

Boat Smart (4 Eve.)        Mon-Wed              Sept 8,10,15,17, 2008               1900 - 2100      

Chart Smart (2 Eve.)       Mon-Wed             Sept 22,24, 2008                         1900 - 2100    

Boat Smart (2 day)         Sat                        Oct 11, 18 2008                            0900 - 1300                                                                 (Register Wed, 8 Oct., 5:00 to 6:30pm) 

Boat Smart (4 Eve.)        Mon-Wed              Nov 3,5,10,12, 2008                   1900 - 2100

Chart Smart (2 Eve.)       Mon-Wed            Nov 17,19, 2008                          1900 - 2100   

Boat Smart (4 Eve.)        Mon-Wed              Jan 5, 7, 12, 14, 2009                1900 - 2100 

Boat Smart (4 Eve.)        Mon-Wed              Feb 9, 11,16,18 2009                1900 - 2100   

Supplemental Courses-Open to Public

     Course                                                 Day                               Date                           Time      

Using GPS (2 Eve)                               Mon-Wed                   Apr 21, 23                  1900 - 2100 

VHF/DSC Marine Radio (1 Eve)       Tue                              Apr 22                        1900 - 2100 

Boat Handling under Power (1 Eve)Thu                              Apr 24                        1900 - 2100 

How to Use a Chart (2 Eve)             Mon-Wed                  Jul 28,30                    1900 - 2100 

Onboard Weather Forecast (1 Eve)Tue                              Jul 29                          1900 - 2100

Sail Trim and Rig Tuning (1 Eve)     Thu                              Jul 31                          1900 - 2100 

Using GPS (2 Eve)                               Mon-Wed                   Oct 27, 29                  1900 - 2100 

VHF/DSC Marine Radio (1 Eve)       Tue                              Oct 28                        1900 - 2100 

Boat Handling under Power (1 Eve)Thu                              Oct 30                        1900 - 2100 

How to Use a Chart (2 Eve)              Mon-Wed                  Jan 26, 28                 1900 - 2100 

Onboard Weather Forecast (1 Eve)Tue                              Jan 27                         1900 - 2100

Sail Trim & Rig Tuning (1 Eve)         Thu                             Jan 29                         1900 - 2100 

 

It’s the law! Anyone 21 years of age and under who operates a vessel powered by 10 horsepower or more must pass an approved boater safety course and have in his/her possession photographic identification and a boater safety identification card issued by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. A person is exempt from this requirement if there is a person on board who is not affected by this law or is at least 18 years of age and holds a boater education I.D. card. This person must be attendant to and take responsibility for the safe operation of the vessel.

For more information on these courses, e-mail our Education Officer:

Or, call Al Burmeister at: 941-400-6467
E-mail the Education Officer