Public Education

Please check back for the next public boating class date, time and location.

Learn the Basics of Boating!

  • Boat Handling – Docking and Trailering
  • Safety Equipment and Procedures
  • Navigation Basics – Rules of the Road
  • Boat Types and Terminology

This class is great for adults and teens, you can enjoy learning as a family! The class is approved by the State of Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GA DNR) and by the National Association of the State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA).

The location is at 1050 Buford Dam Road, Buford, GA 30518. Click here for a map to this location. The cost for your text is $35 and families may share. For more information email BoatSmart@usps-atlanta.org.

You may be able to save on your boat insurance after taking a “Boat Smart” class – check with your agent for details!


About Boat Smart

Boat Smart is our basic boater safety program and is offered in two formats–an intensive all day class, or on consecutive Monday nights.  Following the final section, the closed-book exam, required for NASBLA certification will be offered.

Please watch this website for the dates of the next Boat Smart class, or email BoatSmart@usps-atlanta.org for more information.

Seminars

The ASPS offers seminars periodically to members and the public. Please visit this page for future seminar announcements.

Chart Smart

Chart Smart is specifically designed with the recreational boater in mind, and is open to both members and the public. It is an extended seminar for all boaters who are interested in more information on compasses, charts, and plotting courses.  Topics covered will include:

  • Mariner’s Compass
  • Conventional Nautical Charts
  • Plotting a Course
  • Distance, Speed, Time
  • Determining Position
  • Digital Charts and GPS Waypoint Navigation

The purpose of Chart Smart is to teach the techniques to determine position-on-the-water when you are within the sight of, or the near proximity of, land.  Thus, recreational boaters who spend time on large lakes, rivers, and reservoirs will benefit from knowing these essential techniques. This seminar is designed to give the student an introduction to the subject known as “Piloting.” Hands-on experience will be achieved in reading nautical charts and plotting courses, both central to determining position-on-the-water and navigating safely. Calculating a dead reckoning position depends upon straight forward distance vs speed-&-time calculations and being able to convert true courses to compass courses, and vice versus.

There is a $25 fee to cover the cost of the course book. Classes are held at the Heiskell School in Buckhead. All you need is The Squadron Boating Course book and some plotting tools. Dividers and course plotters will be available for purchase, if you do not have the plotting tools.

If you are interested in a fun learning experience and socializing with other boaters, please e-mail us at seo@usps-atlanta.org.