The Squadron Public Boating Course is offered twice a year, runs for six Tuesday evenings, each beginning in January and September.

This Course is for those interested in sail or power boating. There is a nominal charge to cover the cost of instructional materials and includes a Maptech chart Navigator training CD.

For overview click here


COURSE TOPICS INCLUDE:

NATIONAL SAFE BOATING REVIEW - Questions and answers regarding safe boating across the U.S.

YOU ARE THE SKIPPER - What would you do? - Situations regarding you and your boat

BOAT TERMS AND TYPES - Know the lingo

KNOTS AND LINES - What types to use where and when

BOAT HANDLING - What to do: Before you go; While underway; About anchoring; Returning to the dock

GOVERNMENT REGULATIONS - What are they and why comply - including Homeland Security

CHARTS - How to read them, where to get them, including local waters chart familiarization

AIDS TO NAVIGATION - What are they and how to use them to navigate

PILOTING - Plotting a course; Using the Mariner's Compass; How to get from point A to point B safely; and Where am I?

NAVIGATION RULES - Who has priority on the water?

MARINE RADIOTELEPHONE - What to say and when

ADVERSE CONDITIONS - What to do when things don't go as you planned

TRAILERING AND PERSONAL WATERCRAFT OPERATIONS - How to stay safe and avoid citations

FINAL REVIEW AND PROCTORED EXAM - All those who pass the exam will be issued a personal completion certificate by the Commander of our Squadron that evening

Learning Guides Are also available to both members and non-members. They are designed to extend knowledge in boating-related fields.
These guides may be ordered through the Beaufort Sail & Power Squadron or directly from USPS Headquarters. There are no prerequisites and no fixed order of study.

Current Learning Guides Available:

Amateur Radio - Amateur radio service as it applies to FCC regulations and licensing procedures

Boat Insurance - Understanding marine insurance and how to get the coverage you need

Compass Adjusting - Provides information on magnetic compass installation and several step-by-step methods for adjusting them

GPS - An introduction to the Global Positioning System, its accuracy features, navigational uses, and product selection

How to Fly flags - Provides descriptions and graphics of how to properly display and fly flags

Introduction to Sailing - An introduction to sailing techniques, sailing terms, and sail handling

Introduction to Navigational Astronomy - A non-technical step-by-step introduction to the wonders of the night sky as it relates to navigation

Knots, Bends and Hitches (Marlinspike) - An excellent guide with step-by-step instructions and diagrams on knots, ties, hitches, and bends

Oceanography - An introduction to the ocean environment covering tides and waves, the chemistry of sea water and the topography of the ocean floor

Plotting and Labeling Standards - Describes nautical plotting and labeling techniques and provides recommended standards for navigational uses

Predicted Log Contests - Techniques and advanced procedures for winning predicted log contests