Public Boating Course

Next Course: To be announced

All Boaters in New Jersey Must take an approved Safety Course and obtain a NJ State Marine Police Certificate.

Who can operate a power vessel?  

All persons who wish to operate a power vessel must now possess a New Jersey State Boating Safety Certificate

Before operating a power vessel, including a personal watercraft, on the waters of the State of New Jersey, the mandatory boating safety course required by section 2 of P.L. 1987,c.453 (c: 12:7-61) shall be successfully completed as follows:

Individuals under the age 13 may not operate a power-driven vessel in the State of New Jersey.  Individuals who are at least 13 years of age, but less than 16 may operate a vessel powered by an electric motor or a power vessel that is at least 12 feet or greater in length and is powered by a motor or combination of motors of less than 10 horse power, after successfully completing an approved safety course.

View NJ Boating Safety Education & Minimum age mandatory requirements (PDF)

 Take the National Safe Boating Test

Our Boating Course

The United States Power Squadrons Boating Safety course exceeds the requirements of all states

Raritan Bay Power Squadron offers four National Association of Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and New Jersey approved courses each year to the general public. They run one night per week (two hours) for 7 weeks, and a night for the final exam and awarding of course certificates.  These courses, upon successful completion, meet New Jersey State certification requirements for boats and (PWC) personal watercraft operation, and also meets the requirements of all other states. Upon successful completion of the course, the course instructor will secure New Jersey certificates for graduates.  The law requires a minimum of 8 hours of classroom study and a proctored exam.

Our member instructors are all unpaid volunteers, thus, there is no cost for the instruction, but course material: color textbook & navigation tools – course plotter, dividers and course and chart plotter CD are included at a cost of $60.  If other persons living in the same household enroll and can share the navigation tools, the text book cost for each additional person is $40.  The navigation tools will be used for navigation on your boat, thus, are not only for the course. All material is available on the first night of the course. Checks in payment for material are preferred, and should be made payable to Raritan Bay Power Squadron.

Next Course

To be announced

115 First Street
Keyport, NJ  07735
Contact Tom Delaney
(201) 320-1994
 Directions  

We will cover

• Boat handling under normal & adverse conditions
• Boat types & boating terminology
• Boating regulations and navigations rules
• Proper use of marine radio

At the completion of the final class a test
Will be given and if you pass you will receive
A New Jersey Safe Boating Certificate

You and your family and friends are cordially invited to attend the USPS Boating Course which provides essential information for every boater.Learn to skipper a boat with confidence!

• Power Boater
• Sail 
• Boater
• Personal Watercraft
• Anglers 
• Hunters

Meets and Exceeds the Educational Requirements for NJ Marine Police Certificate.

The USPS course certificate is also recognized and accepted by all other states, and for insurance discounts with many companies.

Take the first step.  Sign up for the USPS Boating Course.

 

For other New Jersey courses go to www.usps.org and click on Boating Course Schedule from the fly-out menu.  Then type in your zip code.   

 

Course Schedule

The course runs approximately two hours each night from 7 to 9 or 9:15 pm one night each week for seven weeks.  Because of the breadth of material being taught, some sessions may run to 9:30 pm.  For the first hour, a small group of students works with an individual instructor.  The second hour is a lecture.

 
Week 1    Welcome and registration
Lecture: Boat Terms & Types, Boat Handling, Required Equipment
Home study: Read sections 1,2,3 and do homework questions

 Week 2    Review previous week homework with table instructor
Lecture: Navigation Rules, Navigation Aids, Light & Sound Signals, Government Regulations
Home study: Read sections 4,5,6,7,8  and do homework questions
 
Week 3    Review previous week homework with table instructor
Lecture: Charts & Electronic Navigation, Anchoring, Adverse Conditions and Emergencies, VHF Radio
Home study: Read sections 9,10,11,12 and do homework questions
 
Week 4    Review previous week homework with table instructor
Lecture: Piloting, Water Sports and Safety, Trailering, Personal Watercraft Operation
Home study: Read sections 13,14,15, practice Clove
Hitch & Two Half Hitches and do homework questions
 
Week 5    Review previous week homework with table instructor
Lecture: Piloting – Introduction to Navigation, Charts, Distance, Speed and Time
Home study: Read sections 17, 18 & practice
Cleat Hitch.  There are no homework questions in manual.  Do problems provided on a separate sheet
 
Week 6    Review previous week homework with table instructor
Classroom navigation problem-solving.  Receive course CD for home use.

Week 7   Course Review and instructions for the exam next week final exam

Week 8    Closed book final exam and awarding of course completion certificates 

Note:   The USPS Certificate of Completion is recognized by most Insurance companies for discounts.

You may become eligible for membership in USPS after passing the Public Boating Safety course and take the large number of other USPS courses listed through the MEMBER EDUCATION button.  We teach courses on Seamanship, Weather, Sail and many others, through celestial navigation using a sextant.