About Us Calendar Courses Directory Forms Links Membership Newsletter Safety Check Scrapbook         Home Email Us	Course Schedule and Descriptions         Click to see:    < course descriptions >     < learning guides >         Upcoming USPS Courses   The Squadron Boating Course  The next class will start on September 23, 2008 at the Friday Harbor Middle School and will last 6 Tuesday evenings from 7:00 to 9:00 PM:  The cost will be $40 for the materials which includes the manual and the Maptech Digital Navigation CD.  Instruction is free.  Successful completion will qualify the student for the Washington State Boater Education Card.   Email to find out about this course, or call either Ann at (360) 378-3288 or Travis at (360) 378-1849.   The Squadron Boating Course is the basic boating class offered by the USPS to the public. This class provides an overview of the most important boating knowledge that all owners and operators of watercraft need.  The course also incorporates the Chart Smart Course which is no longer being offered separately.  Satisfactory completion of the course qualifies for the new Washington State Boater Education Card.  Each class will highlight and expand upon the information in the book, adding information of local interest. Passing this course qualifies you to apply for membership in the Squadron, take advanced classes and possibly earn a discount on your boat insurance. An on-line course is available at americasboatingcourse.com Operations Training  This one day class is periodically offered free of charge to current members.  No class is presently scheduled. Seamanship is not presently scheduled.  This is the first advanced class after the basic Boat Smart class.  It is all new, including an excellent section on Marine Weather.  Admission requires membership in USPS. Instructor Qualification will be offered  in the Spring of 2008 to current members.  The class is designed for those who will be making presentations in USPS sponsored courses. Engine Maintenance  To be offered in April and May of 2008. Advanced Piloting  To be offered in late Spring of 2008.     USPS University The following seminars are periodically offered.  Check this site for dates.  These are 2 hours in length and are qualifying for advanced credits in USPS  towards higher level boater skill certificatioins:       Using GPS       Using VHF/DSC Marine Radio       Onboard Weather Forecasting Email to find out about these courses, or call Travis at (360)378-1849.         Non-USPS Courses in Friday Harbor CPR Classes are also available through Lainey Volk. Email or call (360) 378-5403.
	More USPS Courses USPS offers the following 11 advanced and specialty courses for its members. These classes are offered when there is interest. If you are a member, please email Travis if there is a course you would like to see offered.
	Advanced Grades should be taken in this order.
	Seamanship Basic knowledge every prudent skipper wants even before leaving the port -- practical marlinespike, hull design and performance, boat care, skipper's responsibilities, boating under normal and abnormal conditions, emergencies afloat and more.
	Piloting The critical study of marine charts, aids to navigation, adjustment and use of the mariner's compass, dead reckoning, planning and plotting courses, and taking bearings to determine your on-the-water position.
	Advanced Piloting Builds on the knowledge gained in Piloting to teach you how to navigate in coastal waters, predict tides and tidal currents, navigate safely with radar, loran C and GPS, and optimizing course planning.
	Junior Navigation Begins your study of offshore navigation. Learn to use integrated electronic positioning systems, sight taking with a mariner's sextant on celestial bodies, and positioning & passage planning with special open-ocean charts.
	Navigation Further develops your understanding of celestial navigation theory and your skills in sight taking and reduction. Also, learn to navigate with only minimal survival gear in the event of a disabling boat accident.
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	Elective Courses can be taken in any order.
	Cruise Planning Helps you to prepare for voyaging afloat - whether just week-ending or multi-month cruising. Learn essentials about equipping and provisioning your boat, crew selection, financing your trip, entering and clearing foreign ports, emergencies afloat, and boat security.
	Engine Maintenance We won't make you an expert mechanic, but it will enable you to trouble-shoot most common engine problems and jury-rig many repairs. Covers outboard motors, inboard gas and diesel engines, power trains and related mechanical systems.
	Instructor Qualification Provides you with practical techniques and training in making effective presentations - whether as a teacher, meeting chair, public speaker, or everyday conversationalist.
	Marine Electronics Offers you essential information about boat electrical and electronic systems in terms understandable by non-engineers and non-technicians. Learn about proper wiring & power systems, corrosion & electrolysis, and electronic navigation & safety systems.
	Sail Guides you through the special terminology and dynamics of sailing,hulls & rigging, wind & water forces & balance, points of sail, sail handling, and navigation rules unique to sailing.
	Weather Teaches you the basic structure and characteristics of our atmosphere, how to interpret weather maps & reports, and how to make your own skilled observations - all keyed to helping you predict and anticipate weather developments affecting your boating.
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	USPS Learning Guides USPS offers self-study handbooks on specialized boating-related subjects of interest to amateur skippers and navigators. Topics include: Knots, Bends, & Hitches Amateur Radio GPS Boat Design & Construction Predicted Log Contests Oceanography Over 20 different guides are available. Find out more on the National USPS website.