The starting dates for our Squadron Boating Course are listed below. We have 4 classes a year that are held at our squadron base which is located one block west of Federal Hwy (US 1) and one block north of Sample Road on the west side of 18th Terrace in Pompano Beach, Florida.
The starting dates for our 2009 Boating Courses are listed below.
Dates ofpreviousclasses are listed for reference to our future classes.
6 January 2009 1 April 20088 July 20087 October 2008
E-Mail Ron Ray, our Squadron Education Officer,
or call him at 954-579-8000 for more information
on any of the boating classes below.
Click here for the PBPS Map
Pompano Beach Power Squadron, Inc.
3701 NE 18th Terrace
Pompano Beach, Florida 33064
Squadron members receiving their Operations Training Certifications.
Education Contact
Send an E-Mail to our Squadron Education Officer, Ron Ray, or call him at 954-579-8000 if you would like information on how to register for our next class, or have any questions about the Pompano Beach Power Squadron's education program.
Enroll in our next class and see for yourself if we can improve your knowledge and enjoyment of a passion we all love.
Boating Course
Pompano Beach Power Squadron prides itself in being on the first wave of boating education. Since becoming a unit of the United States Power Squadrons® in 1958, our goal has been to educate the public on safe boating. We hope that after reading these pages, you will be infected with the education "bug". After all, the more knowledgeable boaters we have, the safer it will be for everyone on the water.
The Squadron Boating Course is the mainstay of our existence. It is a traditional civic service of the United States Power Squadrons® organization. Since1914 local squadrons have presented the course to anyone who wishes to attend. To date more than three million people have taken advantage of this course. Will you be next?
Learning to boat safely is important, and the increased knowledge will enhance your safety on the water and your enjoyment of the sport.
The Squadron Boating Course is designed to be useful to all boaters, from a fisherman in an outboard to the skipper of a large cruiser or sailboat. All boaters are subject to nautical rules and regulations. Skippers should learn and respect boating courtesies. The course is meant to be of interest to the entire family; older children are welcome. We encourage your family to attend as a group. This Course is NASBLA approved and recognized by the Florida DEP as fulfilling the educational requirement for obtaining a Florida Boater ID card (s327.395).
Boating Course Costs
The Squadron Boating Course instruction and examination are offered to the public free of charge. There is a nominal fee for course materials.
Some of the topics covered in the Squadron Boating Course:
Charts Determining Position Trailering Florida Boating Laws Boat Handling
Boat terms and types Plotting a Course Marine Radiotelephone Navigational Rules The Mariners Compass Adverse Conditions Government Regulations Distance, Time, Speed
CalculationsMarlinespike
(knots & line handling)
Click here to view the Boating Course outline or to test your Boating Knowledge.
After successful completion of the Squadron Boating Course, if you become a USPS® member, additional educational opportunities are available to you.
E-Mail Ron Ray, our Squadron Education Officer,
or call him at 954-579-8000 for more information
on our boating classes.
Advanced Grades
We offer the following Advanced Grades which must be completed in the order listed (excepting Seamanship and Piloting which may be taken in reverse order). Because we are proud of the educational skills our members achieve, we assign a "grade" to each member distinguishing that person for the highest advanced grade level completed. This grade (in parenthesis after each course) is noted after one’s name such as "John Q. Member, JN."
Seamanship (S) Piloting (P) Advanced Piloting (AP) Junior Navigation (JN) Navigation (N)
Click here for a brief description of the Advanced Grades.
Elective Courses
In addition to the advanced grades, we also offer members the following elective courses which may be taken in any order and at any time. Anyone completing a grade level of at least Advanced Piloting (AP) and three elective courses is awarded the Educational Proficiency Award.
Sail Cruise Planning Weather Marine Electronics Engine Maintenance Instructor Qualification
Click here for a brief description of the Elective Courses.
Educational Achievement
Anyone completing all navigational courses that results in the grade of Navigator (N), and all elective courses, will receive the Educational Achievement Award. They will be recognized as Senior Navigator and have SN following their name.
Supplemental Courses (self study)
We also have a series of Supplemental Courses covering a wide variety of subjects of interest to the boater. These may be taken as home study or instructor led programs. No grade credit is given for these courses.
To view a brief description of each course, click on the subject below.
Canadian Citizens
The Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons (CPS) and United States Power Squadrons® are organized along generally similar lines and conduct roughly equivalent training programs. There is no official connection between the two organizations; however, there are close lines of communications and a well developed sense of unity between them. USPS® and CPS have an agreement regarding each other’s educational courses. A CPS member may participate with a USPS® squadron and take advanced and elective courses. A similar arrangement exists for a USPS® member residing in Canada who wishes to take advanced grades or elective courses with a squadron of CPS.
A Canadian who passes the USPS® Boating examination and desires to become a member of CPS can do so by notifying CPS.
Click here for more information on the Canadian Power Squadron.
Educational Benefits
Many educational benefits are self evident. By becoming more educated and self-reliant, you will be looked upon by the boating community as a responsible boater. Your time on the water will become more enjoyable and less problematic.
Another benefit is that some insurance companies will give lower rates to those that have furthered their education.
The other benefit that may not be so readily apparent is that after taking a few courses, you may find that you would enjoy helping others. This can be done by volunteering to teach, proctor, or work in the background organizing and setting up the educational department. A great sense of satisfaction is to be received in educating those students who are eager to learn more about the sport of boating.
Now is the Time
South Florida is one of the boating capitals of the world. Florida has approximately 8,250 miles of tidal coastline, 1,700 miles of rivers and streams, 3 million acres of lakes, 771,000 registered Florida boats (plus many more documented and visiting boats) all of which seem to be on the water at the same time. With that large fleet of boats, now is the time to take that first step in becoming not just a "boat owner", but a "knowledgeable boat owner". We would like you to come join us at the Squadron Boating Course. Hopefully, this course will pique your interest and be the foundation for your continuing education. The Novice and Old Salt alike will benefit from what we have to offer.
New PBPS Members
Cdr Jack Doyle, JN, second from left.
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