Course Overview

This course focuses on improving your knowledge, understanding, and skills in navigation and boat safety topics. It is available in classrooms and online, with both instructor-led sessions and self-study with online instructor support.

The 14 modules include study notes and skill-test quizzes to reinforce what you have learned. This structure will deepen your knowledge and understanding of boat handling and navigation. With the boat handling modules, you will better understand your legal responsibilities as a skipper, learn to manage onboard emergencies, learn basic charting, understand and apply collision-avoidance rules, learn anchoring and docking/undocking techniques, and interpret marine weather forecasts and tide and current tables. With the navigation modules, you will: learn to use global coordinates and a magnetic compass; measure distance and direction; determine a route; estimate time to destination; determine your position on the water; understand how to use aids to navigation to find your way on the water; and plan and execute a cruise using paper charts, chartplotters, and/or e-nav apps. An online app (AquaMap) and a chart plotter are available as free downloads.

All study materials are available online 24/7. Classroom and online instructor-led versions list host locations and start dates. Self-study versions let you learn at your own pace. Quizzes, interactive exercises, and exams are completed online. An official CanBoat Certificate is issued upon successful completion of the course.

Course Prerequisites

• Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC)