A unit of the United State Power Squadrons®, District 16
Education
The United States Power Squadrons/America’s Boating Club offers classroom courses, short seminars, and hands-on training to squadron members and to the general public. Most of the courses offer classroom instruction lasting 10-16 hours and are finished by an exam. Passing the exam may provide discounts on boating insurance and passing the exam for America’s Boating Course is required to obtain a Washington State Boater Education card. The Skagit Bay Sail and Power Squadron offers the most frequently requested classroom courses, but prospective students can register for seminars, hands-on-training, and other advanced courses with other nearby squadrons.
Courses Offered by Other Squadrons
Other USPS squadrons in Washington State may be offering classes at more convenient times and locations than the ones offered by SBSPS. The central location for describing courses and how to find where they are offered is the District 16 website, covering the States of Washington and Alaska.
The section Courses and Seminars, https://www.uspsd16.org/courses-classes, describes the courses and has a “Find Courses Near You” button to search out the offerings of the D16 squadrons.
Courses Offered by SBSPS
Skagit Bay Sail and Power Squadron offers a subset of the USPS courses. Our course offerings for the next few months include:
Jun 27 - July 13, 2026 – America's Boating Course - Skagit Bay Sail & Power Squadron is offering the America's Boating Course taught in person at the Parish Hall at Christ Episcopal Church in Anacortes over two 4-hour sessions, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm, on Sat. June 27 & Sat. July 11, Exam July 13, 6:00 - 8:00 pm. Download the course flyer.
This U.S. Coast Guard approved course covers: Boating Laws (state & federal); Safety Equipment (required & recommended); Finding Your Way; Adverse Conditons; Communications; Trailering; Knots and Lines; Water Sports. Course E-book provided. Passing the course qualifies students for the Washington State Boater Education Card and for insurance discounts with most boat insurers.
Email Lead Intructor Adam Deitz: adamdeitz@gmail.com for details.
* You can also request more information on upcoming classes by contacting our Education Officer.
Page last updated: 5/15/2026