South Shore Club To Hold Free Beginner Boat Training

SOUTH SHORE LONG ISLAND, NY — If you've always dreamt of setting sail off Long Island's shores but don't know where to begin, you may be in luck.

America’s Boating Club of the Great South Bay — a unit of the United States Power Squadrons —will begin offering no-cost on the water training to the boating public beginning this spring.

According to a press release, this training is designed for first time boaters or those who have recently upgraded to a larger or different type of boat and would like individualized instruction using their new vessel.

The course will enhance the skills for the safe operation of their boat, which will break through any barriers that may limit their boating enjoyment, the release said.

The program is one-on-one training with a student on their own boat, "to fit the needs of each student." It's also intended for boaters who are looking for the special hands-on training in order to operate their boat safely and with confidence.

The criterion for this training includes:

• The student should be the owner of a new boat, or a boat new to them.
• The boat may be of any type or size, as long as we have an instructor with appropriate experience.
• The student’s boat may be kept in a marina or may be on a trailer. Launching and retrieving the boat may be part of the training.
• The student should have some boating experience, but have limited experience with a boat of this type.
• The student has completed the “America’s Boating Course” or equivalent basic boating safety course.
• The student’s boat must have passed a Vehicle Safety Check (which can be conducted for free by our instructors prior to the on-water training)
• This training program is offered to boat owners who vessels are docked or launched in Islip, Babylon, and Brookhaven Towns.

According to its website, America’s Boating Club trains from the Patchogue to Babylon area on the south shore on Long Island.

To learn more about the free course, click here.