USPS® 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 101
This course module,
Basic Sail, provides a through study of the terminology of sailing; as
well as information on the following subjects: sailboat rigs, sail plans, boat
design and hull types, sails, standing rigging, running rigging, wind, preparing
to sail, sailing upwind, sailing downwind, docking and anchoring, marlinespike
seamanship, navigation rules.
Sail 102
This course module,
Advanced Sail, provides information on the following subjects: wind
forces, stability, balance, sail shape, tuning the rig, steering and helmanship,
spinnaker handling, heavy weather sailing, storm conditions, sailing safety,
sailboat racing, race management, navigation rules.
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.
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