The Squadron Boating Course

Learn the fundamentals of safe boat handling and operation, and basic piloting in one comprehensive classroom course.  As an additional feature, this newly revised course includes a digital chart training CD and instructional material on modern navigation techniques as well. 

This course meets state specific and National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) requirements for certification.  And completion of the course is accepted by most insurance companies.  Since 1914, individual squadrons of USPS have provided courses as a service to the boating public to over 3 million boaters. 

You will learn the basics of what you need to safely and comfortably go on the water with your boat.  This newly revised comprehensive course includes lessons on seamanship, boat handling, boat types, rules of the road, navigation aids, regulations, adverse conditions, marine VHF radio, knots, trailering and introductory piloting. The course includes an extensive course book, training charts, and basic navigation tools. As a special feature it also includes an introduction to digital charting on CD-ROM in an appendix, and an overview of electronic navigation. Maptech's Chart Navigator Training CD includes software and digital charts to gain familiarity with this exciting new technology.  

Many of today’s recreational boaters utilize GPS receivers and perform electronic, waypoint navigation. Waypoint navigation using a handheld GPS is somewhat different from traditional dead reckoning. With a GPS you have good information about where you are in terms of latitude and longitude, but the GPS doesn't tell you what is around you or beneath your boat. Using waypoints, you have precise information about the bearing and distance from your current location to the waypoints, but the GPS doesn't know what may be in the way. The use of charts is explained in this course as the essential step to provide key information required for a safe passage.

Learning to boat the right way is important and the increased knowledge will enhance your safety on the water and your enjoyment of the sport. The Squadron Boating Course usually can be completed in six or seven two-hour classroom sessions.  The course is meant to be of interest to the entire family; children are welcome.  We encourage your family to attend as a group.

For some, time is short and the introductory piloting and digital charting topics are less essential.  USPS offers an alternative course, Boat Smart, which is useful to all boaters, from the fisherman in an outboard to the skipper of a cruiser or sailboat. It covers the same safe boat handling and operation material in just 8 hours.  Many classes are offered in a single day and this course satisfies the state certification requirements as well. 

For those who have difficulty scheduling class time, USPS offers America's Boating Course.  This course can be taken online or using your computer at home.  The content of America’s Boating Course, which is comparable to Boat Smart, is presented in an interesting and engaging manner on your computer. You can complete the course with an on-line exam where states permit the use of such an internet exam; or, work one-on-one with your local squadron where states require a proctored examination.   

Those completing these courses meet a basic qualification for membership in the U.S. Power Squadrons.  Members enjoy a host of more advanced courses in Seamanship, Coastal and Inland Navigation, Offshore Navigation, Marine Electronics, Engine Maintenance, Sail, Cruise Planning, Weather, and others.

Other public seminars include Chart Smart for those who take Boat Smart or America’s Boating Course and who would like to learn a little about piloting; and the GPS Seminar for those who want to learn how to use a GPS and perform basic navigation afloat.

For information on the USPS public boating course closest to you, call 1-888-FOR-USPS or in Canada, for the CPS course, call 1-888-CPS-BOAT.

 

Seamanship Course

Piloting Course

Advanced Piloting Course

This all-new course continues to build coastal and inland navigation skill, allowing the student to take on more challenging conditions – unfamiliar waters, limited visibility, and extended cruises.  GPS is embraced as a primary navigation tool while adding radar, chart plotters, and other electronic navigation tools.  As with Piloting, the course includes many in-class exercises, advancing the student’s skills through hands-on practice and learning.   Topics covered include:

• Review of skills learned in Piloting

• Advanced positioning techniques such as advancing a line of position

• Other electronics:  radar, depth sounders, autopilots, chart plotters, laptop computer software, etc.

• Hazard avoidance techniques using electronics (e.g., “keep out” zones in GPS)

• Collision avoidance using radar and GPS

• Working with tides: clearances, depth, effects of current

• Piloting with wind and currents

• The “Seaman’s Eye” – simple skills for checking that one is on course

Junior Navigation Course

Junior Navigation is the first in a two-part program of study in offshore navigation, followed by the Navigation course.  It is designed as a practical "how to" course.  Subject matter includes:

• Precise time determination

• Use of the Nautical Almanac

• Taking sextant sights of the sun

• Reducing sights to establish lines of position

• Special charts and plotting sheets for offshore navigation

• Offshore navigational routines for recreational craft

Navigation Course

After Junior Navigation, this course is the second part of the study of offshore navigation, further developing the student's understanding of celestial navigation theory.  The course covers:

• Additional sight-reduction techniques

• Honing skills in sight taking and positioning

• Orderly methods for the navigator's day's work at sea

• Navigating with minimal resources, as in a lifeboat

Cruise Planning Course

Designed for members who plan to cruise for just a day or for a year--in either a sail or powerboat.  The manual includes a twelve month cruise planning timeline.  This course in non-modular with one final exam.  The course covers the following topics:

• Cruise preparation and planning

• Boat and Equipment

• Anchors and Anchoring

• Security

• Chartering

• Cruising Outside the United States

• Crew and Provisioning

• Voyage Management

• Communications

• Navigation

• Weather

• Emergencies

Engine Maintenance Course

The new Engine Maintenance course 2007 has been put into one ten chapter course that stresses the diagnosis of modern systems, while also teaching the basics of engine layout and operation. Gasoline inboards, outboards, and diesel engines are taught in a way that reinforces the common aspects of how engines work.  This new course is complete in one book with one exam.

Modern engines offer high reliability and good performance through the use of computerized systems for fuel delivery and engine timing. Most of these systems are “black boxes” that can no longer be serviced by weekend mechanics with ordinary tools. The EM course covers those repairs that do-it-yourselfers can still perform, teaches how to diagnose problems that might be beyond your ability to fix, and how to share information with your mechanic so the right repairs get performed.  The new Engine Maintenance 2007 also covers basic mechanical systems such as drive systems (propellers), steering systems, and engine controls.  The last chapter discusses solutions you might use to problems that could occur while afloat and away from a repair facility.  Gasoline, diesel, and outboard engines are treated independently in this chapter.

Instructor Development Course

Unlike other USPS courses, the Instructor Development course is not designed to enhance boating skills.  Rather, its emphasis is on enhancing instructor skills.  The course has been designed to demonstrate interactive teaching methods focused on adult learning.  Students are required to prepare lesson plans and give four presentations to their peers utilizing a variety of teaching aids and presentation skills.  Each presentation is to be given on a topic from one of the public boating classes with the intent that upon completion of the course every student will be qualified to teach or proctor at a squadron boating class.

Fully developed suggested lesson plans for each chapter are contained in the instructor manual and PowerPoint presentations are available, as well as overhead transparency masters.

Marine Electronics Courses

The Marine Electronics course consists of three modules:  ME 101, Boat Electrical Systems, ME 102, Marine Radio Communications, and ME 103, Marine Electronics for Navigation.  There are no prerequisites for any of these modules; however, it is suggested that a member take ME 101 before taking ME 102.  All three modules must be successfully completed to receive credit for Marine Electronics.

ME 101, Boat Electrical Systems, provides information about properties of electricity, electrical power requirements and wiring practices, direct current power, alternating current power, galvanic and stray-current corrosion, lightning protection, and electrical interference.

ME 102, Marine Radio Communications, delves into radio waves and transmitters, receivers and transceivers, antennas and transmission lines, FCC Rules and Regulations, FCC Frequency Plan, marine radiotelephone operating procedures, and other communication services (Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), Digital Selective Calling (DSC), Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), satellite communications, amateur radio, and more).

ME 103, Marine Electronics for Navigation, presents information on depth sounders, RADAR, LORAN-C, GPS Navigation, and two new chapters:  Electronic Charting, and Computer-Assisted Navigation (CAN).  Members may take this module independent of any other ME module.

Sail Modules Descriptions

Sail 101 Basic Sail	Sail 102 Advanced Sail
Sailboat Rigs Sail Plans Boat Design and Hull Types Sails Standing Rigging Running Rigging Wind Preparing to Sail Sailing Upwind Sailing Downwind Docking and Anchoring Marlinespike Seamanship Navigation Rules I	Wind Forces Stability Balance Sail Shape Tuning the Rig Steering and Helmsmanship Spinnaker Handling Heavy Weather Sailing Storm Conditions Sailing Safety Sailboat Racing Race Management Navigation Rules II

Weather Course Description

The Weather course will furnish basic weather knowledge for safer and more enjoyable boating. The student will learn to make weather predictions based upon observations of the sky, upon barometer and wind information, as well as weather data provided by maps, satellite images, and radio and TV broadcasts. Wx 101 and Wx 102 use a USPS supplement manual together with The Weather Book from USA Today (second edition, 1997) as the textbook.

 

Wx 101 - Basic Weather	Wx 102 - Advanced Weather
ffects of Heat and Cold Wind and Pressure Storms and Fronts Rain, Humidity and Fog Floods, Droughts, and Winter Precipitation	hunderstorms and Tornados Tropical Weather Atmosphere and Clouds Forecasting Climate