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USPS® Education Seminars- Open To Members
and General Public
USPS® University
Seminars - Click Title/Picture
To Register
All Seminars Subject To Change
Updated: 24 March 2011
All Seminars - Contact Education
Officer ... 1-207-748-3122
USPS University is here with new
programs targeted to a range of boaters and types of boating. The
hallmark of this concept is the Seminar Series. These short
seminars are targeted to specific topics and needs with a two-hour
format, and valuable take-away guides. Each seminar provides credits
toward the soon to be released Boat Operator Certification
program, and credit toward elective courses.
NOTE: Seminars are
being reviewed by our Education Department
Instructors and lesson plans
being
completed. Member of the General Public are authorized to take our
courses. We anticipate full implementation of the USPS®
Seminar Series by early Summer 2010 so check frequently.
NOTE: Prices will
differ for members of the Squadron and the General Public. We are
working on fair market prices.
Using VHF & VHF/DSC Marine Radio
Class: TBA - Kittery Trading Post - Saturday Mornings
Instructor: Lee R. Chasse (AP)
VHF radio is the mainstay of coastal communication
and essential for
emergency communications. Digital Selective Calling
(DSC) is rapidly becoming
a reality as more Coast Guard Rescue 21
System operations go live. Currently,
the mid Atlantic coast is
operational with DSC. The Gulf region will be
operational early next
year and all Cutters will be DSC equipped by next year.
DSC vastly simplifies and improves rescue and routine
call signaling –
making it easier
to make a call while the system frees
up Channel 16 for
essential communications. However, you need to know
how to use it. This
seminar answers those needs and explains basic VHF
operation. A CD is included with a DSC
Simulator that allows you to
practice on your computer at home. A handy waterproof McGraw-Hill
Captain’s Quick Guide Using VHF is included with essential
information that you should have
aboard, which will explain to anyone on
your crew how to use the radio.
Class: TBA - Kittery Trading Post - Saturday Mornings
Instructor: Bill Cass (AP)
GPS has become a common tool for navigation. However
using GPS on the water is distinctly different from a moving map display
in your car. This seminar explains the principles of waypoint navigation
which you will use. It then shows you how to relate the GPS to your
charts which provide essential information about what is around you.
The seminar also shows you how to operate your GPS –
what the buttons do, what the screens show, and how to access the
functions you need. A handheld GPS is used as the demonstration model,
but all GPS receivers function similarly. By the time you have completed
the seminar, you will be able to store waypoints into your GPS, activate
them for navigation, and use GPS to keep you on a safe, pre-qualified
course of your choosing. You’ll also get some tips for choosing a GPS if
you don’t currently own one. You will get a waterproof McGraw-Hill
Captain’s Quick Guide Using GPS to take aboard to remind you of
the steps, or to show another of your crew how to use your GPS.
Prerequisites: None
On Board Weather Forecasting
Class: TBA - Kittery Trading Post - Saturday Mornings
Instructor: Carl Johnson (SN)
Changing weather conditions can convert what was a
delightful day on the
water into a real challenge. Forecasting what
weather you will encounter is
one of the top priorities for safe
boating. Should we go out? When should we
come in? These are important
questions, but some fundamental
understanding of the weather can help
you make these decisions. That’s
what this seminar is all about.
While not a complete course in weather, this seminar explains
how just using your own senses can help
you determine what conditions
you will encounter where you are. By all means, a forecast is
important.
It will tell you what weather systems are headed your way, but they are
challenged to
tell exactly where and when conditions will change. Add
your own observations and you have an
extra edge. Add a couple of
instruments and you can verify your observations. The seminar explains
weather systems, how to understand clouds and their changes, using changing wind direction,
temperature, and pressure to hone in on
emerging weather fronts.
The seminar includes an excellent book
Fundamentals of Weather
written by the Canadian Power
and Sail
Squadrons, and the McGraw-Hill On Board Weather Forecasting waterproof Captain’s
Quick Guide to take aboard your boat.
Prerequisites: None
Class: TBA - Kittery Trading Post - Saturday Mornings
Instructor: Lee Chasse (AP)
Charts provide information essential to your safety
afloat. Even with GPS and electronic navigation, the chart is needed to
tell you what is around you and between you and your intended
destination. A system of symbols is used by cartographers to tell you
what lies below the surface of the water and the depths of water. There
is key information about visible landmarks and navigation aids to help
you navigate your course. The chart also is your link with the GPS via
its grid scale, compass rose, and distance scales. A brief introduction
to latitude and longitude provides insight to the operation of GPS
receivers.
The NOAA Chart No. 1 is the quintessential reference
to chart details, but is very difficult to
understand. This seminar
walks you through what you really need to know in an entertaining and
interesting fashion, and provides you with a Maptech Waterproof
flip-fold waterproof Chart Symbols
and On-the-Water Guide to
take along on the boat with you. In addition to showing you all about
your chart, this seminar walks you through the essentials of laying out
a safe course, steps to
measure a course with the USPS plotter, and even
a quick guide to the rules of the road.
Boat Handling Under Power
Class: TBA - Kittery Trading Post - Saturday Mornings
Instructor: TBA
This
seminar shows boaters how to depart and dock under a variety of
conditions as well as all about trimming the boat underway. The seminar
materials include a
waterproof USPS Captain’s Quick Guide and Student Notes.
 Sail Trim and Rig Tuning
Class: TBA
- Kittery Trading Post - Saturday Mornings
Instructor: TBA
This seminar shows in clear and simple terms how to use and
adjust
sails for optimum performance under a wide range of conditions. The
seminar comes with a waterproof USPS Captains Quick Guide written by North Sails and Student Notes.
Paddle Smart
Class: TBA
- Kittery Trading Post - Saturday Mornings
Instructor: Janet Cass (P)
Welcome to the world of paddle sports. You have joined (or
soon will) the fastest growing part of boating. According to the National Marine Manufacturers Association, kayaks and
canoes accounted for some 54% of new boats sold in 2006 – over 493,000 crafts.
This series is dedicated to paddle boaters and describes situations and
tips that are unique to those who boat by canoe or kayak.
Anchoring
Class: TBA - Kittery Trading Post - Saturday Mornings
Instructor: TBA:
This seminar covers
selection of anchor, rode and components; anchor selection
for sea conditions and bottom characteristics; deployment
and recovery of anchors. It also includes tables for sizing
an anchor and components, and information for determining
loads under various conditions. The kit includes the
Anchoring Quick Guide and Student Notes with copies of
the slides.
Hurricanes and Boats
Class: TBA
- Kittery Trading Post - Saturday Mornings
Instructor: Carl Johnson (SN)
This is a mini-seminar. It covers how to
select a location and prepare your boat for a hurricane. The kit
includes Student Notes with copies of the slides.
This seminar usually is given free as a bonus to other
Seminars.
USING RADAR
 Class: TBA
- Kittery Trading Post - Saturday Mornings
Instructor: TBA
This seminar
covers how radar functions, radar selection, operation of the radar
under various conditions including setting of controls, display
interpretation, basic navigation, and collision avoidance using radar.
The kit includes The Radar Book written by Kevin Monahan ($25 retail)
and Student Notes with copies of slides.
Trailering Your Boat
Class: TBA
- Kittery Trading Post - Saturday Mornings
Instructor: Janet Cass (P)
Trailering Your Boat explains how to select tow vehicles, hitches,
and trailers. It also explains how to safely and securely trailer your
boat, launch and retrieve it, and how to operate and maintain your
trailering equipment. The seminar comes with an excellent new book
Trailering Your Boat, written by Bruce Smith and published as a
USPS Guide by McGraw-Hill. This book serves as an excellent reference on
all of these topics. The seminar includes video segments provided by the
US Coast Guard and excellent slide notes.
SPECIAL: WOMEN SIGNING UP FOR THIS CLASS WILL HAVE 'HANDS ON'
TRAILERING IN
THE KITTERY TRADING POST PARKING LOT AFTER THE COURSE. (FREE)
Knots, Bends and Hitches
Class: TBA
- Kittery Trading Post - Saturday Mornings
Instructor: TBA
The Knots, Bends, and Hitches
seminar is a hands-on "learn how to tie knots" program geared to a wide
range of audiences. The kit comes with a copy of the USPS Guide Knots,
Bends and Hitches for Mariners, a copy of the slide notes and a kit
including a die-cut knot board and two lengths of line. Participants
learn about knots, learn to tie a set of the most useful knots, and then
get to take the whole package home with them to practice these and a
whole host of other knots described in the book.
Basic Coastal Navigation
Class: TBA - Kittery Trading Post - Saturday Mornings
Instructor: TBA
Today, electronics have radically changed navigation, but
understanding
the basics helps you gain confidence in your equipment
and your own
skills.
In this seminar, you will learn practical
techniques to plan, navigate,
and
check your progress on the water. You will develop situational
awareness
skills using
your eyes and navigation tools to quickly point
to your position
on a chart, and be
able to use backup techniques when
the electronics
become suspect. This seminar will
help captain and crew
navigate safely
and comfortably.
The student kit contains The Weekend
Navigator textbook, a Seminar Notes booklet, and Maptech's
Chart Navigator Training CD, which includes software and digital
charts to gain familiarity with this new technology.
Mariners
Compass
Class: TBA
- Kittery Trading Post - Saturday Mornings
Instructor: TBA
The
marine compass is
still the boaters
primary navigation
tool, and an
essential tool when
all else fails.
This seminar
explains how to
select, install,
calibrate and use
your compass on
board your boat.
You will learn which
features are most
important and what
will work best for
you, how to deal
with variation
between true and
magnetic north, and
how to adjust your
compass to remove
most of the
deviation caused by
local magnetic
influences. This is
an essential seminar
for all boaters.
Partner In Command
Class: TBA
- Kittery Trading Post - Saturday Mornings
Instructor: Lee R. Chasse (AP)
This seminar provides an
introduction to boating for crew members who need basic
information and who may or may not have taken a boating
course. It is designed to provide essential information one
may require to assist a skipper in the safe operation of a
recreational boat. Included in the seminar are actions in
response to emergencies. This seminar includes a text. A
Knot Board will be useful to practice tying knots.
Mastering the Rules of the Road
Class: TBA
- Kittery Trading Post - Saturday Mornings
Instructor: Lee R. Chasse (AP)
This seminar
provides an
explanation with
examples of the 37
Rules of the Road
for both the U.S.
Inland Rules and the
International Rules
(COLREGS). It
simplifies the
sometimes complex
law relating to boat
operation for the
recreational boater.
It is a starting
point for study
preparation for the
USCG License
examination. This
seminar includes
McGraw-Hill's
The One Minute Guide
to the Nautical
Rules of the Road
by Charlie Wing and
Student Notes with
slides.
Using
A Chart
Class: TBA
- Kittery Trading Post - Saturday Mornings
Instructor: William Cass (AP)
Charts provide information
essential to your safety afloat. Even with
GPS and electronic navigation, the chart is
needed to tell you what is around you and
between you and your intended destination. A
system of symbols is used by cartographers
to tell you what lies below the surface of
the water and the depths of water. There is
key information about visible landmarks and
navigation aids to help you navigate your
course. The chart also is your link with the
GPS via its grid scale, compass rose, and
distance scales. A brief introduction to
latitude and longitude provides insight to
the operation of GPS receivers.
The NOAA Chart No. 1 is the
quintessential reference to chart details,
but is very difficult to understand. This
seminar walks you through what you really
need to know in an entertaining and
interesting fashion, and provides you with a
Maptech Waterproof flip-fold waterproof
Chart Symbols and On-the-Water Guide to
take along on the boat with you. In addition
to showing you all about your chart, this
seminar walks you through the essentials of
laying out a safe course, steps to measure a
course with the USPS plotter, and even a
quick guide to the rules of the road.
Boating on Rivers, Locks and Lakes
Class: TBA
- Kittery Trading Post - Saturday Mornings
Instructor: Lee R. Chasse (AP)
The United States has over
30,000 miles of improved
waterways—some of the finest
boating to be found anywhere.
This seminar introduces boaters
to this inland cruising world.
The seminar deals with such varied topics as special navigation
rules for rivers, the Western
Rivers System of buoys and
marks, river currents, “reading”
a river, jetties and wing dams,
the intricacies of locking
through, and communicating with
lock masters and bridge tenders.
Learn about your local waters from experienced inland boaters. Each student receives a full color Student Guide especially written
for the seminar
Several more seminars are nearing completion and will be
available soon: Knots for Mariners, Onboard Emergencies, Using Digital
Charts, and Heavy Weather Sailing.
For information on the USPS public boating course closest to you, call 1-888-FOR-USPS.
In Canada, for the CPS course, call 1-888-CPS-BOAT.
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