Local Educational Opportunities

Each year, at the Mercedes Boat Show held in early February, the Lower Rio Grande Valley Power Squadron exhibits at a large booth.  The booth is manned by member volunteers who will gladly explain the organization and boating safety classes. This year, the boat show is 8-10 Feb, 2008.

At the Boat Show Booth you can sign up to take The Squadron Boating Course, which is held for 4 consecutive Saturdays, beginning a couple of weeks after the Boat Show. Certified USPS Instructors volunteer by teaching the classes that include instruction on the rules of the road, boat handling, equipment, chart familiarization, federal and state boating regulations, basic knots and many other valuable topics. All of our instructors are USPS certified, and many are also certified by Texas Parks and Wildlife.

The Squadron Boating Course Description: Learn the fundamentals of safe boat handling and operation, and basic piloting in one comprehensive classroom course.  As an additional feature, this newly revised course includes a digital chart training CD and instructional material on modern navigation techniques as well. 

This course meets state specific and National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) requirements for certification.  And completion of the course is accepted by most insurance companies.  Since 1914, individual squadrons of USPS have provided courses as a service to the boating public to over 3 million boaters.  In Texas, teenagers aged 13 - 17 must pass a certifed boaters education course in order to drive a boat or jet ski. The USPS course meets this requirement.

You will learn the basics of what you need to safely and comfortably go on the water with your boat.  This newly revised comprehensive course includes lessons on seamanship, boat handling, boat types, rules of the road, navigation aids, regulations, adverse conditions, marine VHF radio, knots, trailering and introductory piloting. The course includes an extensive course book, training charts, and basic navigation tools. As a special feature it also includes an introduction to digital charting on CD-ROM in an appendix, and an overview of electronic navigation. Maptech's Chart Navigator Training CD includes software and digital charts to gain familiarity with this exciting new technology.  

Many of today’s recreational boaters utilize GPS receivers and perform electronic, waypoint navigation. Waypoint navigation using a handheld GPS is somewhat different from traditional dead reckoning. With a GPS you have good information about where you are in terms of latitude and longitude, but the GPS doesn't tell you what is around you or beneath your boat. Using waypoints, you have precise information about the bearing and distance from your current location to the waypoints, but the GPS doesn't know what may be in the way. The use of charts is explained in this course as the essential step to provide key information required for a safe passage.

Learning to boat the right way is important and the increased knowledge will enhance your safety on the water and your enjoyment of the sport. The course is meant to be of interest to the entire family; children are welcome, but must be accompanied by a parent or guardian.  We encourage your family to attend as a group.

Advanced Education

As a member of USPS, you are eligible to take advanced courses.  The squadron offers many carefully planned courses in subjects like Seamanship, Piloting, Plotting and Position Finding, Celestial Navigation, Cruise Planning, Engine Maintenance, Marine Electronics, Sailing, Weather, and much more. These courses are taught by experienced member instructors, and members who complete them are recognized. We hold many of the courses in a classroom setting, but we also have classes that are held on the water, such as “how to anchor” and “flare shoot” for practice of emergency procedures.

Contact LRGV's Squadron Educational Officer
For questions regarding classes or educational opportunities:
Lt/C Peter P. Pranis, Jr., AP
956-630-0648

2008 Class Schedule

Squadron Boating Course (Open to the Public)
23 Feb thru 15 March 2008 (Saturdays)
TSTC Administrative Service Center
Across from Airport Entrance in Harlingen
9:00am - 3:00pm
Cost: $50 per person
$70 for two if you share books and equipment.
Lunch is included

Seamanship (Members Only)
1 Dec 2007 - 19 Jan 2008 (Saturdays)
TSTC in Harlingen
Cost: $20 each

Squadron Boating Course in Mexico (Bayliner Employees Only)
Date TBD due to production schedules
Bayliner Factory Conference Room in Reynosa, Mexico

Weather (Members Only)
Tentative 16 Feb - 26 Apr (Saturdays with break for holidays)
TSTC in Harlingen
9:00am - 1:00 pm Cost: $TBD