Our textbook
You will receive this professionally produced 244-page textbook covering the fundamentals of safe boating with well-written text, pictures, graphics and drawings for classroom work and to keep as an informative reference source. Topics covered include: Boat Terms & Types, Required Safety Equipment, Operator’s Responsibilities, Navigation Rules & Navigation Aids, Lights & Sounds Signals, Government Regulations, Finding Your Way, Anchoring, Adverse Conditions & Emergencies, Communications Afloat, Water Sports Safety, Trailering, PWC Operation and Knots & Lines
Classroom at Cape Fear Community College
The facilities at CFCC benefit both students and instructors. A state-of-the-art classroom with professional visual/audio equipment ensures you will be comfortable, able to see and able to hear our instructors in an environment that not only encourages learning but increases the learning experience. Free on-campus parking is available for your convenience on the day of the class. Comfort breaks are provided throughout the day with a 30-minute lunch break. We ask that you bring your lunch due to time constraints which do not allow leaving the building.
Our instructors
Our instructors are all volunteers and certified by United States Power Squadrons® by having graduated from the United States Power Squadron’s Instructor Development program and maintaining this status by re-certifying every four years. They bring a high level of experience and knowledge to their presentations which they augment with nautical lore and seafaring experiences. We try to keep our teaching style informal, and where appropriate weave in the right amount of lighthearted humor to maintain a feeling that “learning can be fun.” The vast majority of our students are adults so our teaching style is geared to the adult student. We don’t spoon feed you or talk down to you; rather we treat our students with respect and accept them as a participating and active partner in the learning process.
Instructors You May See at Class
Wilbur Chapman, SN • Jerry Hall, SN • John Kelly, JN • Ed Kreul, SN • Megan Morrison, JN • David Munnikhuysen, SN • Ned Rhodes, SN • Rick Sorrenti, AP • Steve Thompson, SN • Ron Tilmon, SN • Abe Walston, SN
SN = Senior Navigator • N = Navigator • JN = Junior Navigator • AP = Advanced Pilot • P = Pilot • S = Seamanship
The mission of United States Power Squadrons®: To promote recreational boating safety through education and civic activities while providing fellowship for our members.
Next Steps...
The next class is Saturday, August 5, 2023, starting at 8am at Cape Fear Community College. The On-the-Water Teaching Cruise is August 6, 2023 (TBD). $85 per person. $50 each additional family member sharing a book. Enroll now.