The Chapman School of Seamanship, a respected 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization and a leader in maritime education for over 50 years has teamed up with the nonprofit BoatUS Foundation to offer two new National Safe Boating Council (NSBC) on-water training courses to promote safe and responsible boating.

These hands-on courses are designed to meet the needs of beginners who are new to powerboating, experienced boat operators looking to refine their skills, and marine patrol personnel who require professional-level training for vessel operation.

The collaboration reflects both institutions’ ongoing commitment to enhancing boating safety and education by providing accessible, nationally recognized training that equips mariners of all experience levels with the knowledge and confidence to operate safety on the water.

The first new course, “Intro to Powerboating,” is great for those just starting out and includes the first two (of four) NSBC training curriculum modules. NSBC Module 1, “Introduction to Powerboating,” takes students through safety gear and the prelaunch checklist to on-water boat handling. This includes centering the wheel, shifting gears and station holding, or staying in one place while wind or current effect the boat. NSBC Module 2, “Precision Docking & Boat Handling,” covers departing from a dock, 180-degree turnarounds, docking on port and starboard, and how to keep watch and avoid distracted boating. Intro to Powerboating is offered for $450.

Boating Essentials is the most complete course offered by Chapman and offers the greatest savings. It includes all four NSBC on-water training modules. NSBC Module 3, “Open-Water Boat Handling,” covers boat trim, displacement and planing, ferrying, emergency stops, landing and departing from the shoreline, maintaining position in wind and collision avoidance. Module 4, “Advanced Maneuvers,” teaches students how to properly handle wakes and waves, more emergency stopping, man-overboard retrievals and avoidance turning maneuvers. Boating Essentials is offered for $700.

Courses are held aboard single engine powerboats up to 26-feet in length. On water class sizes are limited to a maximum of two students per vessel, ensuring each student gets quality time underway. The minimum age to participate is 11 years old, making the courses a great option for families as well.

Since 1971, the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Chapman School has trained more than 30,000 students from around the country to around the world, growing from a single vessel to a modern 9-acre waterfront campus of classrooms, labs, dormitories, and large training fleet. Instruction includes certification for professional mariners, Yamaha outboard technicians, marine surveyors, and safe boating instruction for recreational boaters through “learn at the helm” and classroom instruction. In 1982, the Florida State Legislature and House of Representatives designated Chapman School of Seamanship as “The Maritime School of Florida.”

BoatUS Foundation’s On-Water Training partner programs are offered at 22 locations across the U.S. and can be found at BoatUS.org/On-Water.