Boat Operator Certification

Boat Operator Certifications

The Boat Operator Certification program recognizes the skills of America's Boating Club members at different levels of recreational boating proficiency.  A certified boat operator will represent the fulfillment of an America's Boating Club training program: an operator who is knowledgeable, competent and safe.  To achieve certification at a given level, a candidate must complete Advanced Grade courses, Elective courses and America's Boating Club Seminars relevant to that level.  In addition, candidates must demonstrate their proficiency in a set of practical skill tests.  BOC Certifiers are trained to conduct and evaluate these skill tests and provide coaching to members for skill development.

There are currently four levels of certification available to members:

Requirements

To be certified, a member must be at least 16 years of age, be mentally and physically capable of operating a boat, and have sufficient visual and auditory sensory ability to do so. Holding a driver's license will suffice to certify meeting these requirements.

Inland Navigator (IN)

• Courses
  • NASBLA approved safe boating course, like ABC3
  • Boat Handling
  • Engine Maintenance
  • Marine Electrical Systems
• Seminars
  • How to Use a Chart
  • Basic Weather and Forecasting
  • Using GPS
  • VHF Radio and VHF/DSC Marine Radio
• Skills
  • Basic Powerboat Handling skill demonstration or US Sailing Safe Powerboat Handling on-the-water program
  • Use of Fire Extinguishers
• Optional Endorsements
  • Inland Waterways
  • Paddle craft
  • Sailboating

Coastal Navigator (CN)

• Prerequisite
  • IN Certification
• Courses
  • Marine Navigation
  • Weather
  • Marine Communications
• Seminars
  • Mastering Rules of the Road
  • Anchoring
  • Mariner's Compass
  • Tides and Currents (or AP course)
• Skills
  • On-Water Navigation
  • Use of Pyrotechnic Distress Signals
• Optional Endorsements
  • Endorsements plus:
    CAN - Canadian Regulations
    MEX - Mexican regulations

Advanced Coastal Navigator (ACN)

• Prerequisite
  • CN Certification
• Courses
  • Advanced Marine Navigation
  • Cruising and Cruise Planning
  • Electronic Navigation Systems
  • Radar for Boaters
• Seminars
  • Emergencies on Board
• Skills
  • First Aid
  • Advanced Navigation
• Recommended but not Required
  • CPR/AED

Offshore Navigator (ON)

• Prerequisite
  • ACN Certification
• Courses
  • Junior Navigation
  • Radar for Boaters
• Seminars
  • USPS Webinar – Thunderstorms/Severe Weather Forecasting
  • USPS Webinar – 500 millibar charts / Grib files
• Skills
  • Offshore Navigation (ONC)
  • Current First Aid
  • Current CPR/AED
• Recommended but not Required
  • The Voyager's Handbook: The Essential Guide to Bluewater Cruising, Beth A. Leonard, ISBN-10: 0713684771

Endorsements

BOC Endorsements certify special additional skills such as type of boat or region of boating; examples include Canadian Regulations, or paddle or sail boats.  Endorsements may be applied at any level of BOC certification.

Certification at any level requires successful completion of all prescribed elements including USPS courses, seminars and skills demonstrations on the water or, in some cases, ashore (some are US Sailing programs).