Public Boating FAQ

For additional questions not covered by this FAQ, please contact our Public Boating representative.

Classes are held in the city of Bellevue at various locations. The safe boating class, America’s Boating Course 3^rd Edition, is held at Bellevue High School, and runs for 9 weeks. A shorter version of the course can be offered for a one day class, and is mainly targeting young boaters who need to obtain their Boater’s Card. These one-day classes are taught in locations such as West Marine Bellevue, Meydenbauer Bay Yacht Club, and Bellevue Club.

The exact date and location of the class will be posted here prior to class commencement.

The comprehensive ABC class meets one night per week for 9 weeks, with final exam on last session. Classes are held on Thursday nights, and last for 2 hours, 7:00 – 9:00 pm.

What is the cost of the comprehensive ABC class?

The cost of the 9-week ABC course is $75 per student which includes student manual, plotting tools, and additional brochures and information. Each student is encouraged to purchase a student kit, but a reduced cost of $45 is charged for a second person sharing materials (family member).

What is the cost of the one-day ABC class?

The cost is $30 for student materials, instruction and testing.

Does the comprehensive America’s Boating Course offer any hands on boat operation training?

This basic safe boating course does not include hands on boat operation training. The course does include 2 hours of intensive instruction on boat handling and adverse conditions. Some of the Advanced Grades & Elective classes DO offer hands on training. Also, BSPS offers a new program entitled Boat Operator’s Certification in which we conduct actual on-the-water boater training and testing.

Why take the nine week comprehensive ABC course instead of the one-day course?

The brief one-day course meets the minimum needs for boating on lakes, and for young people who are required to obtain a boater’s card to operate a boat – usually with a parent or family member.

The comprehensive class is an introduction to navigating waters such as Puget Sound, San Juan Islands, and the Canadian Gulf Islands. It covers beginning piloting skills, information on tides, currents, and navigation rules in much greater depth for example.

The simple answer to this question is a solid YES! You are strongly encouraged to attend every class, but we know that schedules just don’t allow perfect attendance at times. Teaching the course are a number of different instructors who are well qualified in the segments that they teach so missing a night or two of class deprives the student of much valuable information that is not contained in the text. The textbook contains all of the information required to pass the final exam.