Please email us at waterfront@sunymaritime.edu or call (718) 409-2447 to schedule your private lesson before registering.

Your instructor will tailor your lesson for your ability, interest and needs. Lessons are taugh on our 17' center console Boston Whalers outfitted with 70HP engines.

Schedule: At your convenience, based on availability

Fee: 3-hrs up to 3 people; add on additional hours for $100/hr

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Do you already have your State Boating Certificate and want hands-on instruction? Taught by experienced and certified instructors, this 1-day, fast-track course emphasizes hands-on demonstrations, lessons and on-the-water drills. Suitable for all skill levels, this is a hands-on driving course with minimal classroom time for those with prior theoretical and classroom knowledge.

TOPICS COVERED: Dockside & on-the-water skills: Operations checklists; engine troubleshooting; leaving & returning to a dock or slip; slow and high speed boat handling and close-quarters maneuvering; navigation; towing; person in the water recovery; anchoring; and more!

CERTIFICATIONS GRANTED: US Powerboating Safe Powerboat Handling Certification.

PRE-REQUISITE: None

SKILL LEVEL: All levels

AGES: 12 years old and up.

WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE: Anyone looking to learn to operate a powerboat safely and/or practice and improve on-the-water boat handling skills. This is a hands-on driving course.

SCHEDULE: 1-day, 8-hr course; weekend and custom-scheduled courses available. *Please contact waterfront@sunymaritime.edu if you’d like to set up a custom course at your location or ours!*

COURSE MATERIALS: US Powerboating Safe Powerboat Handling textbook, review questions and logbook.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Looking to continue your on-the-water training or need a little practice before the summer season starts? Join us for this unique on-the-water clinic. Instructors will run drills in the 17-foot center console Boston Whalers with a small group of students and plenty of hands-on drive time. This is a hands-on, on-the-water class with lots of drive time.

TOPICS COVERED: Dockside & on-the-water skills: Operations checklists, engine troubleshooting, leaving and returning to a dock or slip; holding position; pivot turn; backing; slow and high-speed boat handling; close-quarters maneuvering; towing; person-in-the-water recovery; anchoring; and anything else you want to work on!

CERTIFICATION GRANTED: None

PRE-REQUISITE: Basic boat handling skills. This is not a class for people beginning to learn power boating skills.

SKILL LEVEL: All levels with previous hands-on training

AGES: 12 years old and up

WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE: This course is perfect for those who have completed Safe Powerboat Handling and want to keep developing their skills; Level 1 instructors preparing for the summer; or anyone who is looking for hands-on drive time and practice under the guidance of an instructor.

SCHEDULE: 1-day, 8-hour course

COURSE MATERIALS: Please review your US Powerboating Safe Powerboat Handling textbook.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This 2-day, hands-on course is for anyone who wants to learn how to safely operate a powerboat, improve their boat handling skills and earn a US Coast Guard License for Limited Operator of Uninspected Passenger Vessels or Master of Self Propelled Vessels engaged in launch tender service upon inland waters (not more than ½ nautical mile from shore.) This course and license is designed for powerboat operators working as launch drivers at marinas, yacht clubs, waterfront centers and camps.

TOPICS COVERED: Classroom topics: Registration & legal requirements; safety equipment & procedures; safe boat operation; rules of the road & basic navigation; emergency procedures & rendering assistance; weather & the marine environment; and more! Dockside & on-the-water skills: Operations checklists; engine troubleshooting; leaving & returning to a dock or slip; slow and high speed boat handling and close-quarters maneuvering; towing; person in the water recovery; anchoring; and more!

CERTIFICATIONS GRANTED: This is a NY State, USCG and NASBLA approved course. Upon successful completion of the course and 50 question multiple choice test, you will receive US Powerboating Safe Powerboat Handling Certification, NY State Safe Boating Certificate, and a SUNY Maritime College Launch Tender certificate which exempts you from the USCG exam when applying for a Limited Masters or Limited OUPV License. You have 12 months upon completion of the course to submit your complete application to the USCG. You do not need to complete any requirements prior to taking the course.

PRE-REQUISITE: There are no pre-requisites to take the course, but you will need to meet requirements for your USCG license application, including: Sea Time, TWIC Card, Physical exam, including eye exam; drug test.

SKILL LEVEL: All skill levels

**If you do not need the USCG Launch Tender License, we recommend the Safe Powerboat Handling Course.**

AGES: 17 and up

SCHEDULE: 2-day, 16-hr course

This 8-hr classroom course provides strong foundational knowledge for safe boating. Taught by experienced and certified instructors, this course focuses on information that will keep you safe and legally compliant on the water. Dockside demonstrations are used to enhance the learning process.

Topis covered: Safety equipment & procedures; safe boat operation; rules of the road; basic navigation; emergency procedures & rendering assistance; fueling, launching & trailering; personal watercraft; the marine environment; and, much more!

Certifications: NY State Boating Safety Certificate (sometimes mistakenly referred to as a “boating license.”) This is a NY State and NASBLA approved course.

Prerequisite: None

Skill level: All levels

Ages: 10 years old and up

Who should take this course: Anyone looking to gain theoretical knowledge on safe boating. If you were born before May 1, 1996, this course is not required to operate a boat (but we think you’ll agree, it is a really good idea!) Insurance companies often offer discounts to boat owners who hold this certification.

If you were born on or after May 1, 1996: A NY State Safe Boating Certificate is required to operate any powerboat.

If you are between 10-18 years of age: a NY State Safe Boating Certificate is required to operate a powerboat without adult supervision.

Personal Water Craft (PWC) – e.g., Jet Ski: A NY State Safe Boating Certificate is required for all ages to operate a Personal Water Craft. You must be at least 14 years old to operate a PWC in NY.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: This 8-hour hands-on, on-the-water course is for anyone who will be using powerboats to perform safety and rescue functions. It is designed for sailing instructors and coaches, regatta personnel, marine patrols, police and fire rescue personnel, park rangers.

TOPICS & SKILLS COVERED: VHF radio communications, assisted capsize recovery, person in water rescue, towing, maintaining position, use of bearings and GPS, search patterns. 

CERTIFICATIONS GRANTED: US Powerboating Safety and Rescue Certification

PREREQUISITE: US Powerboating Safe Powerboat Handling Certification (can be achieved through either the full 2-day course or 1-day Accelerated course.)

SKILL LEVELS: Intermediate to advanced small boat operators with the minimum certification in Safe Powerboat Handling

AGES: 16 and up

WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE: Ideal for on-the-water personnel who may perform safety, search and/or rescue duties, including: sailing instructors/coaches, regatta personnel, waterfront staff. This is a hands-on driving course.

SCHEDULE: 1-day, 8-hr course; weekend and custom-scheduled courses available.

*Please contact waterfront@sunymaritime.edu if you’d like to set up a custom course at your location or ours!*

COURSE MATERIALS: Bring your own US Powerboating Safe Powerboat Handling textbook and logbook.

COURSE DESCRIPTION: Are you serious about learning how to operate a boat safely and building your on-the-water boat handling skills? Get out of the classroom and behind the wheel! Taught by experienced and certified instructors, this 2-day course is the most comprehensive safe boating course available, combining theoretical classroom knowledge with hands-on demonstrations, lessons and on-the-water drills. Whether you are a beginner or experienced powerboat driver, this course is guaranteed to make you a better boater!

TOPICS COVERED: Classroom topics: Boats, motors & terminology; registration & legal requirements; safety equipment & procedures; rules of the road; basic navigation; emergency procedures & rendering assistance; fueling, launching & trailering; weather, and more! Dockside & on-the-water skills: Operations checklists; engine troubleshooting; leaving & returning to a dock or slip; slow and high speed boat handling and close-quarters maneuvering; towing; person in the water recovery; anchoring; and more!

CERTIFICATIONS GRANTED: NY State Boating Safety Certificate PLUS US Powerboating Safe Powerboat Handling Certification. This is a NY State, USCG and NASBLA approved course.

PREREQUISITE: None

SKILL LEVELS: All levels

AGES: 10 years old and up. Children under 12 shall be accompanied by a parent.

WHO SHOULD TAKE THIS COURSE: Anyone looking to learn to operate a powerboat safely and/or practice and improve on-the-water boat handling skills. This is a hands-on driving course, plus classroom theory.

SCHEDULE: 2-day, 16-hr course; weekend and custom-scheduled courses available.

*Please contact waterfront@sunymaritime.edu if you’d like to set up a custom course at your location or ours!*

COURSE MATERIALS: US Powerboating Safe Powerboat Handling textbook, review questions and logbook.