What To Expect During a Typical Class

This page describes a typical class, taught on a weekend and completed in a single day.

Class begins at 8:00 a.m. and is taught in the Coast Guard Auxiliary building in Harbor Island Park, Mamaroneck (follow the "Find Us" link on the menu to the left for directions to our building in the park)   The instructor will take some basic personal information from everyone before beginning.  There are three lessons in the morning that usually take four hours to cover.  We ask that everyone bring lunch with them since we frequently have to teach right through lunch in order to cover all the material. If we're on schedule, we take a 30 minute break for lunch.  You are welcome to consume food and drink in the classroom throughout the day. We offer bottled water and soft drinks for a nominal fee. Then, there are three lessons in the afternoon that usually take three hours.  After the last lesson, we'll take a break so the instructor can prepare the test materials.  You will have one hour to complete a 50-question, multiple-choice exam (everyone usually finishes in about 30 minutes).  The passing score is 80%. Upon successful completion, you will receive two safe boating certificates, one full-sized and one wallet-sized.  We are usually all done by 4:30-5:00 p.m.  The instruction all takes place in the classroom.  You will not be asked to demonstrate any practical boating skills. The only thing you will need to bring is a pencil or a pen.

Our instructors are all members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary and are either professional educators, or have completed the Coast Guard Auxiliary Instructor Development Course.  We are all volunteers.  No one is paid for their time.  The money received from teaching boating safety classes goes to support our flotilla.  Teaching boating safety classes is the only authorized fund raising event allowed by the Coast Guard Auxiliary.