| Note: If you operate a boat in Connecticut, you are required to have a Connecticut Safe Boating Certificate. The USPS Boating Course fulfills the necessary requirements and entitles you to receive the state certificate. |  |
Course Materials
Prescribed, official course materials are contained in the United States Power Squadron boating kit, which is on sale at registration. This kit contains the USPS textbook, plotting tool, a pair of dividers, and a pencil. There is also a supplemental 4-page text from the Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Boating Division.
Each student should bring to class a piece of rope about six feet long for knot-tying instruction and practice. We recommend that your rope (which is what we call it until it gets aboard a boat; after then it's called "line") is the kind commonly used in boating, such as 1/2 inch laid or braided nylon, available from any marine supply store.
Course Structure
Our boating course is based on six weeks of classroom instruction. A seventh week is reserved for review. On the eighth week an examination is scheduled. Norwalk Sail & Power Squadron volunteers grade the exams as soon as they are completed. Successful candidates will receive a USPS Certificate of Completion the same night.
Study Plan
How a student goes about studying is often the product of a combination of personal experiences, circumstances, and preferences. A student with some boating experience will approach the material differently from one who is new to boating. However, the most important thing is to study regularly. Don't put off studying for several weeks and then try to catch up in one marathon session.
Read the material for your next class beforehand to be prepared when it is covered in class. Take notes in class, review the material and your notes the following week and be sure to answer the section questions before your next class. Your instructor will make certain that you know the correct answers.
Attendance
A student must attend a minimum of 8 hours of instruction in order to qualify for the USPS Certificate of Completion and the CT DEP Safe Boating Certificate. We urge you to attend regularly. Classroom instruction reinforces home study and provides opportunity for direction and explanation. Additionally, when students work with each other and share questions and experiences, each of them benefits from this group interaction.
Examination
All questions are multiple-choice and are drawn from the written materials provided and from your class experience with charting. There are a total of 75 questions; 60 or more correct answers qualifies for a passing grade. There is also a 10-question test required by the CT DEP Boating Division; 80% of these questions must be answered correctly in order to qualify for the USPS Certificate of Completion and CT Safe Boating Certificate.
Inclement Weather
Wilton Middlebrook School Campus: If the Wilton Public Schools are closed during the day due to inclement weather, Continuing Adult Education classes will also be cancelled. Listen to WNLK (1350) or WSTC (1400) for possible school cancellations due to weather. Cancelled classes will be made up.
Brien McMahon High School Campus: If the Norwalk Public Schools are closed during the day due to inclement weather, Continuing Adult Education classes will also be cancelled. Listen to WNLK (1350) or WSTC (1400) for possible school cancellations due to weather. Cancelled classes will be made up.
Benefits of Completing the Public Boating Course
The USPS Boating Course is intended to give students a solid foundation in the principles of safe boating. Connecticut law requires that all boat operators have a Safe Boating Certificate to legally operate a vessel on Connecticut waters. Individuals who successfully complete an approved course such as this one offered by the Norwalk Sail & Power Squadron qualify for the state certificate. An application for the Safe Boating Certificate will be given to you along with your Certificate of Completion of the USPS Boating Course on the eighth session after successfully completing the exam.
We hope you enjoy the course, and wish you happy and safe boating!
For additional information contact our Education Officer Laura Shaw.
Email: BoatNSPS@optonline.com