Public Course - ABC (America's Boating Course)
This one day nationally approved, recognized course is offered to the Public and Power Squadron members.  Students over the age of 12 years can take this course.  Upon successful completion of the class, the student will have met the requirements of the state of Florida to apply for their Florida State Safe Boating ID card.  The next Vero Beach Power Squadron (VBPS) ABC Boating Class will be Saturday March 15th, 2025 from 8:30am to 4:30pm.  The following class will be April 26th.
 
  • Introduction to Boating:
  • Boating Law:
  • Boat Safety Equipment:
  • Safe Boating:
  • Navigation:
  • Boating Problems:
  • Trailoring, Storing and Protecting Your Boat:
  • Hunting and Fishing, Water-skiing and River Boating:
  • For more details or to sign up, go here, add:  ABC class's information in the comment section.  The schedule is here.


Important information

The training takes place at our facility in Vero Beach - 301 Acacia Road, Vero Beach, FL, which is on the water and close to River House, MacWilliams Park, and the Dog Park..  The sessions will begin at 8:30, and we usually end close to 4:30 PM.

We allow ½ hour for lunch and recommend that you bring your lunch and any snacks you wish to enjoy during the day.  We will have coffee and water available.

The cost for the course is $25.00/person or $60.00 for a family.  The purchase of the text book is optional at $35.00.
We recommend that you pick up the textbook before the class so that you can read the lesson materials ahead of time (we cover a lot of information during the class).  Payment is accepted  by cash or check. 

We try to tailor the classes to the specific needs of each class, so we ask that you complete the registration form and send it back to us before the day of the class.  We need to ask for hair and eye color, etc., for your Florida Safe Boating Education ID Card (good for life).

Please complete the following Registration Form - here

The Registration is a PDF form that can be opened and filled out on your computer; when completed, save the file to your computer and email back to Dan Reay.  You cannot participate in the Course without this Form returned to VBPS prior to class.  One Form is required for EACH person taking the Course.
 

Outline

The Vero Beach Power Squadron Basic Boating (ABC) Course.

If you were born after January 1st, 1988, are new to boating or are an experienced boater who is new to our local area, this one-day course will get you started with necessary basic information on how to begin boating in our area and on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW) safely.

This will be a fast- moving course that is divided into 16 sections that will include information on the following topics:

  • Getting to know our local waterways and information on our “spoil islands”.
  • Nautical terminology and types of power and sail boats.
  • Federal and state requirements for boat registration and necessary basic safety equipment.
  • Safe boating practices including how to approach and leave a dock safely and safely refuel your boat.
  • Review of Nautical charts and U.S. Aids to Navigation with markers specific to the ICW along with lights and sound signals
  • Discussion on potential emergency situations and precautions.
  • Examination of different types of ropes (lines) and practice tying the three most used and valuable knots.

This course is approved by NASBLA and if you pass the written test, you will meet the requirements for a Florida Boat Operator Certification, which is good for your lifetime.


Dan Reay
Education Officer
Vero Beach Power Squadron