Seamanship Grade: S
Building on the basics taught in the
USPS boating courses, 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 an introduction to the USPS
educational program and a strong foundation for the other Advanced Grades
courses and the Marine Electronics, Cruise Planning and Sail courses.
Piloting Grade: P
Piloting introduces you to the
fundamentals of piloting and positioning -- the 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 Grade: AP
Advanced Piloting builds on
the knowledge gained in Piloting to teach you how to navigate safely in coastal
waters -- predict tides and tidal currents and their impact on your position,
advanced positioning techniques, and the use of electronic navigation systems
for positioning and course planning.
Junior Navigator Grade: JN
Junior Navigator begins
your study of offshore (open-ocean) navigation -- integrated electronic
positioning systems, sight taking with a mariner's sextant on the sun, moon,
planets, and stars, how to reduce sights using the nautical almanac to determine
your position, and passage planning with special open-ocean charts.
Navigator Grade: N
Navigation further develops your
understanding of celestial navigation theory and your skills in sight taking and
reduction -- additional sight reduction techniques 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.
USPSŪ Elective Courses
Cruise Planning
This course is preparation for a
cruise, whether the cruise is for a day, a week, a month or longer. Whether you
are going to cruise on rivers, lakes, the coasts, or across the oceans, very
valuable information is provided by those who have been there. The topics
discussed are: planning the voyage, financing the voyage, equipping the boat,
crew selection, provisioning, voyage management, navigation planning, weather,
communications, entering and clearing foreign and domestic ports, anchors and
anchoring, emergencies afloat, medical emergencies and security.
Engine Maintenance
This course covers the general
construction, operating principles, maintenance and repair of marine gasoline
and diesel engines, cooling, electrical, fuel, and lubricating systems and
associated propulsion components - clutches, shafting and propellers. Since one
of the major objectives of the course is to help the student become more
self-reliant afloat, trouble diagnosis and temporary remedies are emphasized
along with safety measures. The course is intended to make you a more
intelligent and more resourceful boat engine operator.
Instructor Qualification
The development of practical
skills and methods in preparing for both classroom and meeting presentations are
the objectives of the unique course. The course includes practice assignments in
preparation and delivery of presentations in the classroom, including the use of
visual and other aids. All types of aids that can enhance a presentation are
studied and the student is afforded the opportunity to become familiar with
their best use.
Marine Electronics
Essential knowledge about your
boat's electrical and electronic systems is studied in this course. Proper
wiring, grounding, electrolysis control, and batteries and their maintenance are
included. Depth finders, marine radio telephones, radar, loran, GPS, and
advanced systems for electronic navigation are also studied. Information is
provided on FCC requirements for station licensing and operator permits for
radio telephone.
Sail
This course provides a through 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 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
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: characteristics and structure of the atmosphere, what weather is and
its basic causes, normal development and movement of weather over the earth, and
the factors considered in weather forecasting. Observations that the skipper can
make afloat include both instrumental and visual: cloud sequences and the
weather they predict; air masses, fronts, storms, and fog; and the use of radio
and television weather broadcasts. Throughout the course the student is
encouraged to make observations and predications in order to gain experience in
applying the principles taught and develop greater insight into weather
phenomena.
United States Power Squadrons, USPS, the USPS Ensign (flag design), "Wheel-and-Flag" Design, the Officer Trident Design, "The Ensign", "the Squadron" with flag graphic, "Boat Smart", "Jet Smart" and "America's Boating Club" are all Registered Trademarks of United States Power Squadrons, Inc.