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A Partial List of Course Descriptions
The Squadron Boating Course® (formerly Boat Smart® Course)
Acquire the knowledge to become a better and safer boater! This four-session course teaches: Boat Handling and Safety, Rules of the Road, and Equipment and Safety issues. Since USPS is a not-for-profit organization, the course is offered to the public for a very nominal amount to cover the cost of materials. Successful completion of the course qualifies you for your “Vessel” Endorsement on your Driver License, AND to apply for membership in the United States Power Squadron and expand your boating knowledge. The course is very useful for those planning on purchasing a boat, or those who already own a boat but have never had any formal training in the various aspects of boat design, operation, and safety. All course sessions are taught by certified and experienced volunteer instructors.
The fourth session of the course is reserved for answering any additional questions, taking the final examination, receiving course completion certificates, providing additional booklets and information useful to every boater, and providing you with membership information. We look forward to having you join us.
Please note, you must pre-register for a course in advance to help us make certain there are adequate materials and space. Each class is limited to 20 students because of classroom space limitations. Additional courses will be scheduled as required to meet the needs of the public.
Boat Smart
Boat Smart is the beginning of a boating education and is an excellent course for all boaters. All boaters must follow the same nautical rules, regulations, and courtesies of the sea. All are subject to the same forces of nature while boating. As boating is often a family activity, the course is of value to all members of a boating family. USPS encourages families to attend as groups. There is never a charge for instruction; the only costs are those for materials. While the content of the student manual serves as a basis for this course, it will also serve as a reference book in basic boating long after the course work is completed. The course meets the educational standards of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators and features a proctored examination as required by many states and insurance companies. USPS believes that the more educated a boater becomes, the more likely that boater will be a safe boater.
Seamanship (S)
Building on the basics learned in Boat Smart, the Seamanship course is an important foundation for other "advanced grade" courses. The student learns:
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Piloting (P)
This course is the first of a two-part program studying inland and coastal navigation. Its focus is on the fundamentals of piloting - keeping track of a boat's movements, determining one's position at any time and laying out courses to a planned destination. Included are subjects such as:
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Advanced Piloting (AP)
This is the final part of the inland and coastal navigation series. Its emphasis is on the use of modern navigation systems and other advanced techniques for finding position. Topics covered are:
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Junior Navigation (JN)
Junior Navigation is the first of a two-part course in offshore (open ocean) navigation. Designed as a practical, "how to" course, it leaves the theoretical and more advanced techniques for the Navigation course. The subject matter includes:
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Navigation (N)
This is the second part of the study of offshore navigation. It further develops the student's understanding of celestial navigation theory, essential to shorcut emergency methods. The student is introduced to additional sight reduction techniques and develops greater skill and precision in sight taking, positioning, and the orderly methods of carrying on the day's work of a navigator at sea. Of particular interest and importance is the study of offshore navigation using minimal data and/or equipment - skills needed such as when on a disabled vessel or lifeboat.
Engine Maintenance (EM)
This course attempts to make students more self-reliant afloat, with trouble diagnosis and temporary remedies given special emphasis. It covers both marine gasoline and diesel engines, including concepts of operation, maintenance and repair of their:
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Sail (SA)
This course provides a thorough study of the terminology of sailing; types of hulls, rigs and sail plans; running and standing rigging and their adjustment and tuning; and sailboat marlinespike. The dynamics of sailing are also covered, including: hull and water forces caused by wind and waves, forces versus balance, techniques of sailing, points of sail, sail handling, sailing under various wind conditions from light air to storm survival, boat operation and emergency techniques unique to sailboats.
Weather (WX)
Awareness of weather phenomena, how to read the weather map and the sky, and understand and anticipate weather developments for more pleasurable boating are the objectives of this course. Subjects studied include: the characteristics and structure of the atmosphere, what weather is and its basic causes, normal development and movement of weather over the earth, as well as the factors that must be considered in weather forecasting. Observations that the skipper can make afloat include both instrumental and visual, including cloud sequences and the weather they predict; air masses, fronts, storms and fog, as well as the use of radio and weather forecasts. Thoughout the course the student is encouraged to make observations and predictions in order that he or she may gain experience in applying the principles taught and develop greater insight into weather phenomena.
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