Richmond Sail and Power Squadron          

 A unit of United States Power Squadrons®

 

 

Education

 

Public Classes

Information about the various USPS® boating education classes can be found in the USPS® national website.

Richmond Sail & Power Squadron (RSPS) offers boating safety classes at locations in Richmond, Midlothian and Mechanicsville which meet the requirements of Virginia’s mandatory boating education law that is being phased in during the next several years. Please contact either Education Officer or Assistant Education Officer for the latest information about class schedule.

 

Classes for Members

Members of RSPS can continue their boating education through Elective and Advanced Grade USPS® courses.  Most classes are offered in a classroom format.  However, members have also passed courses by self study of the material then taking a proctored final exam.  Contact the squadron education officer to learn about classes currently scheduled, or to let us know about your interest in a particular class.

 

Advanced Grades (indicated by the letters after a members name)

*    SEAMAN (S) Builds on the basics taught in the USPS Boating courses, and expands on the subjects of  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.

*    PILOT (P) introduces you to plotting courses and dead reckoning navigation.  You will become familiar with charts and aids to navigation.  You will learn the Rules of the Road, governmental regulations on equipment, and use of the radiotelephone.

*    ADVANCED PILOT (AP) covers techniques needed for safe navigation in coastal waters, major lakes and rivers, including the use of current and tidal tables. , and the use of electronic navigation systems for positioning and course planning.

*    JUNIOR NAVIGATOR (JN) and NAVIGATOR (N) provide you with practical skills in celestial navigation to determine position without physical landmarks using a sextant.  You will develop orderly methods for carrying out the work of a navigator.  The final exam in both courses includes an imaginary sea voyage for which the student carries out all the steps performed by a practicing navigator.

 

*    Seamanship and Piloting are taken first.  You must complete both to take Advanced Piloting. Advanced Piloting is a prerequisite for Junior Navigation, and Junior Navigation a prerequisite for Navigation.

 

*    Elective Courses

*    These courses can be taken in any order and there are no prerequisites.

*    CRUISE PLANNING will help you plan a cruise, whether for a day, a week, a month, or longer.  The material is useful whether you plan to cruise on a river, lake, bay, or ocean. 

*    ENGINE MAINTENANCE covers the general construction, operating principles, maintenance, and repair of marine engines and their mechanical and electrical components.   Trouble-shooting, diagnosis and temporary remedies will help make you more self-reliant. 

*    INSTRUCTOR QUALIFICATION offers practical skills in preparing for and conducting classes and meetings.  Many have found it useful in their everyday activities.

*    MARINE ELECTRONICS covers proper installation, maintenance, and use of electronic and electrical systems found in pleasure craft. It includes a basic description of how each these various system work.

*    SAIL covers the terminology and theory of sailing, and often includes a day on the water.

*    WEATHER will give you an awareness of weather phenomena, how to read a weather map and sky, and how to understand and anticipate weather changes.