USPS® Advanced Grades Program
Seamanship 
Building on the basics taught in the USPS Basic Boating Course, Seamanship
is
the recommended first course for new members, both powerboaters and sailors.
The student learns practical marlinespike, navigation rules, hull design
and performance, responsibilities of the skipper, boat care, operating
a boat under normal and abnormal conditions, what to do in various emergencies
and weather conditions, nautical customs and common courtesy on the water.
This course provides a needed introduction to the USPS educational program
and a strong foundation for the member going on to take other Advanced
Grades courses and/or Cruise Planning or Sail.
Piloting 
Piloting is the first of a two-part program of study of inland and
coastal navigation. Focus is on the fundamentals of basic piloting -- keeping
track of your movements on the water, determining where you are at any
given moment, and laying out a course to your planned destination. Included
are a thorough study of charts and their use, aids to navigation, mariner's
compass, variation and deviation, bearings, dead reckoning, and developing
skill at plotting and labeling.
Advanced Piloting 
The second part of the study of inland and coastal navigation, with strong
emphasis on the latter is Advanced Piloting . The student learns
many more advanced positioning techniques and is introduced to the phenomena
of tides and tidal currents and their impact on piloting. Also covered
are the simple use of the marine sextant and various modern electronic
navigation systems for positioning and course planning.
Junior Navigator 
Junior Navigator is the first of a two-part program of study in
offshore (open ocean) navigation. It is designed as a practical, how to
course leaving the theoretical and more advanced techniques for the
Navigation
course. The subject matter includes: the basic concepts of celestial navigation;how to use the mariner's sextant to take sights of the sun, moon, planets,
and stars; the importance and techniques of accurate time determination;
use of the nautical almanac; how to reduce sights to establish lines of
positions (LOPs); and , the use of special charts, plotting sheets, and
other navigation data for offshore positions and passage planning.
Navigator 
This is the second part of the study of offshore navigation. It further
develops the student's understanding of celestial navigation theory, essential
to shortcut 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, such
as when on a disable vessel or lifeboat.
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