The Annapolis School of Seamanship—with help from local sponsor Safe/Sea Marine Rescue, the leading provider of on-the-water boat towing services and marine salvage services for recreational boaters in Rhode Island—has developed a new lineup of Boating Seminars that will help you take your next steps in the sport. This mix of seminars meets the needs of all levels of boaters—whether you are a seasoned mariner looking for tips on technique, you’d like some expert advice on your boat’s systems, or you are not yet a boater but you want to be! It’s all here, at the Providence Boat Show, in three days of Boating Seminars that are free with your price of admission. Check out the topics of our sessions, then plan your trip to the show. The experienced captains and experts teaching these seminars are the one’s you’d want onboard with you. Get ready to pick up useful information—and inspiration.

Notice- The following schedule reflects programming from the 2015 Providence Boat Show. We are currently in the process of updating content to reflect the 2016 show. Please check back soon for updated info!

Gateway to Boating

Are you thinking about getting into boating? There are many different ways you can enjoy your time on the water—from watersports to fishing to cruising. Join the pros from Annapolis School of Seamanship to get an overview of the types of recreational boats on the water today and how they fit the boating lifestyle of your choice.

Friday-Sunday, 12:00 noon - 12:45 pm

Diesel Basics

Do you want to learn how to maintain and troubleshoot your diesel enginge? A professional captain from the Annapolis School of Seamanship will teach you what you need to know. Run through the basics of your marine diesel, and learn how to troubleshoot some common problems.

Friday-Sunday, 1:00 - 1:45 pm

Radar & AIS

Boating accidents are usually preventable. Captain John Martino of the Annapolis School of Seamanship will help you learn how to avoid collisions underway by effectively using your Radar, AIS (Automatic Identification System), VHF Radio, and Automatic Radar Plotting Aid. This is a session you won’t want to miss.

Friday-Sunday, 2:00 - 2:45 pm

Docking De-Stressed

Is docking your vessel causing you stress and anxiety? Let the professional captains from Annapolis School of Seamanship show you the ropes, tricks, and techniques that will make your next approach to the dock easy and stress-free.

Friday-Sunday, 3:00 - 3:45 pm

Towing, Salvage and Avoiding Trouble

This informative session with Captain Phil LeBlanc of Safe/Sea Marine Rescue will give you insights into the types of mishaps we all read about in the boating magazines—from sinking boats miles offshore to grounded vessels in hurricanes. LeBlanc will tell seatales while imparting the wisdom he’s gained in almost twenty years of extracting boats and boaters from every predicament imaginable. You’ll also learn the differences between simple towing and more costly salvage.

Friday-Sunday, 4:00 - 4:45 pm

How to Get Your Captain’s License

Between the US Coast Guard requirements for sea time, physicals, applications, and the examination, getting a captain’s license can seem like a daunting prospect. Learn from a professional captain how to break the process down into manageable steps, so you can plot your route to getting your captain’s license from beginning to end.

Friday-Saturday, 5:00 - 5:45 pm

Dropping the Hook

Anchoring is an art as well as a skill. From choosing the best place to anchor to handling the ground tackle, this seminar will demystify art of dropping the hook.

Friday-Saturday, 6:00 - 6:45 pm

One-on-One with a Professional Captain

Do you ever wish you had a professional captain onboard with you, so you could ask him or her questions about the situations that challenge you on the water? You’ll find the next best thing at the Providence Boat Show, with a special one-on-one session with a professional captain. Come to the show, and bring your questions!

Friday-Saturday, 7:00 - 7:45 pm