America’s Boating Club – Marco Island, also known as the Marco Island Sail and Power Squadron, offers a number of courses at its Learning Center located at 1114 North Collier Boulevard, Marco Island.
“America’s Boating Course helps boaters learn skills to become successful and safe boaters,” according to Tom Ryan, the Boating Club’s Education Officer. “It also satisfies the Florida requirement that anyone born after January 1, 1988 must complete an approved boat safety course and obtain a Boating Safety Education Identification Card in order to operate a vessel of ten horsepower or greater in Florida Waters,” said Ryan.
America’s Boating Course meets for five, 2.25-hour sessions over two and a half weeks. The next courses begin on January 7 and March 4, 2019.
Other courses or seminars include Anchoring, Rules of the Road, Charting/GPS, Weather and Partner in Command, VHF Radio and more advanced courses such as Piloting and Engine Maintenance.
All courses are taught by United States Power Squadrons certified instructors who are members of the America’s Boating Club – Marco Island. Instructors are experienced and familiar with the waters around Marco Island, Ryan stated.
“Some insurance companies give discounts on boat coverage if the operator has completed a state-approved safety course,” said Ryan.
“We want every boater here to know this is a club dedicated to them and to safe fun in Marco Island’s waters,” Gene Burson, Club Commander, stated. “Since 1978, the Marco Island Squadron has taught thousands of people to safely operate their vessels and has organized numerous boat outings and social events to help our members enjoy boating here,” he said.
“America’s Boating Club – Marco Island helps people gain the knowledge, confidence and skills to be better boaters,” Burson said.
For more details about the Club’s courses, please visit www.marcoboatingclub.org or call Tom Ryan at 239/887-1556.
America’s Boating Club – Marco Island
is a 501(c) (3) non-profit, that is a unit of the United States Power Squadrons, a 104 year old, 346 chapter national boating organization, that teaches boating skills and navigation, conducts vessel safety checks, assists federal, state and local governments in identifying defective aids to navigation and promotes fun and fellowship among boaters of all kinds.
For information about membership call Peggy Reiss at 239-213-8686. For a free Vessel Safety Check call John Salato at 703-864-5528. For information about skill development courses and registration call Tom Ryan at 239/887-1556. Additional information is available at www.marcoboatingclub.org.
2018 – 2019 Season Educational Program
Course/Seminar | Start Date(s) | Number of Sessions
America’s Boating Course | 1/7/19 & 3/4/19 | Five
Engine Maintenance* | 1/3/19 | Nine
Weather Seminar (Overview) | 1/3/19 | One
Piloting (Coastal Navigation)* | 1/7/19 | Eight
Anchoring | 1/10/19 | One
Weather Course (Reading and Forecasting) | 1/11/19 | Eight
VHF Radio | 1/17/19 | One
Boat Handling (Seamanship)* | 1/28/19 | Seven
Charts and Global Positioning Systems (GPS) | 1/29/19 | Two
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