Advanced Courses
The classes listed below are open for USPS members
Seamanship - covers basic knowledge every prudent skipper wants even before leaving port – practical marlinespike, hull design and performance, boat care, the skipper’s responsibilities, boating under normal and abnormal conditions, emergencies afloat and more.
Piloting - introduces you to those all-important 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, and GPS, and optimize course planning.
Junior Navigation – Begins your study of off-shore navigation. Learn to use integrated electronic positioning systems, sight taking with a mariner’s sextant on celestial bodies, and positioning and 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.
Cruise Planning – helps you prepare for voyaging afloat – whether just weekend or multi-month cruising. Learn essentials about equipping and provisioning your boat, crew selectio0n, financing your trip, entering and clearing foreign ports, emergencies afloat and boat security.
Engine Maintenance – Covers outboard motors, inboard gas and diesel engines, power trains, and related mechanical systems. This course may not make you an expert mechanic, but it will enable you to trouble shoot and solve common engine problems.
Marine Electronics – Offers you essential information about boat electrical and electronic systems in terms understandable by non-engineers and non-technicians. Learn proper wiring and power systems, corrosion and electrolysis, and electronic navigation and safety systems.
Sail – guides you through the special terminology and dynamics of sailing, hulls and rigging, wind and wave forces and 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 and reports, and how to make your own skilled observations- all keyed to predicting and anticipating weather developments affecting your boat.
Instructor Development – provides you with practical techniques and training in making effective presentations – whether you’re teaching, chairing a meeting, public speaking, or just engaging in everyday conversation.
Classes Scheduled for 2013
Education Department
Cliff McKibbin, JN SEO 860-673-1584
Greg Oseep, S ASEO 860-209-4399
Advanced and elective courses are ready to start as shown. DEADLINE TO REGISTER IS 28 January, 2013. Please call Cliff at 860-673-1584 or e-mail at cliff99.mckibbin@comcast.net for questions or to register.
Piloting 7 February St. James Episcopal Church
Cost $60/Members Farmington
$135/Non-Members*
Engine Maintenance 11 February MDC Training Center Cost $50/Members 125 Maxim Road
$110/Non-Members* Hartford
*Includes 1-year membership
ABC3 PUBLIC BOATING COURSES
ARE SCHEDULED AS FOLLOWS:
The following courses consist of eight-two hour classes and meet the CT. DEP boating, personal watercraft, and new “Coastal Endorsement” qualifications.
Simsbury Thur. 2/28 1900 Henry James Memorial School
Firetown Rd., Simsbury
(Must register with Continuing Education at 860-658-3870)
Farmington Thur. 2/28 1830 Farmington High School 10 Montieth Dr., Farmington
(Must register with Adult Education at 860-404-0290)
Cost-$69 plus a facility fee to the town in each case.