Advanced Boating Education and Training
Spokane Sail & Power Squadron, as the local unit of United States Power Squadrons, offers a wide range of Advanced Boating Education & Training courses and seminars. These programs are designed for the whole spectrum of boaters - Power, Sail, PWC, Anglers, Hunters, and Paddlers - from the novice to the expert. All courses and seminars are open to members and the general boating public. The primary difference is price. For non-members, the price is generally 20% to 40% below comparable courses and seminars at local community colleges and adult education venues. For members of United States Power Squadrons (USPS) and Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons (CPS-ECP), prices are 70% to 75% below non-member prices. This differential is a primary benefit of USPS or CPS-ECP membership. To learn more about the content and price of each Advanced Boating Education course, click on the course title:
Seamanship
This course is the foundation for all other courses. Seamanship covers boat types and characteristics, boat handling and anchoring, marlinespike seamanship, skipper's responsibilities, regulations and required equipment.
Piloting
Piloting is the first of a two-part program in inland and coastal navigation, covering charts, charting, positioning, plotting & labeling, and introduction to GPS.
Advanced Piloting
As the second part of the inland and coastal navigation program, Advanced Piloting covers electronic navigation in coastal regions, advanced positioning techniques, and effects of tide, wind, and currents.
Cruise Planning
Cruise Planning is a practical course for any boater planning a cruise of several days to many months. It covers crew selection, health and safety issues, visiting foreign ports, food planning, extra equipment needs, weather and course planning.
Engine Maintenance
The Engine Maintenance course provides a practical guide for the care and maintenance of your boat's power plant and related equipment, including basic problem solving when something goes wrong out on the water.
Marine Electronics
Marine Electronics gives you a good basic understanding of the workings and limitations of all electrical and electronic systems aboard your boat - from navigation systems to communications to control and operations.
Sail
The USPS Sail course covers everything from the theory and physics of sailing to sailboat design, sail plans, rigging, rig tuning, performance, and sail racing.
Weather
The Weather course is a study of basic meteorology for the mariner. It will teach you what makes the weather, global and local considerations, weather prediction from local observations, winds, storms, and vessel and crew safety considerations.
Junior Navigation
This is an introductory course in off-shore navigation.The Junior Navigation course covers both the basics of open ocean use of GPS (Global Positioning System) and celestial navigation - use of the sun for positioning and course planning while at sea.
Navigation
The Navigation course prepares you for off-shore navigation anywhere in the world. It teaches you the theory and practical use of celestial navigation, using the sun, moon, planets, and navigation stars for positioning and trans-oceanic route planning. (This course requires prior completion of the Junior Navigation course or prior approval of the Instructor.)
Instructor Development
Whether you are making boardroom presentations, delivering lectures, or teaching classes, the Instructor Development course will help you do a better job of presenting your material and yourself.
Seminars
Spokane Sail & Power Squadron offers a wide range of USPS two-hour seminars of special interest/need topics for the mariner. Click on Seminars to see a listing of available programs and prices.
All Advanced Boating Education & Training courses and seminars are offered by Spokane Sail & Power Squadron on a demand basis. For details on upcoming course schedules, click on Lubber Line or contact the Squadron Educational Officer at 509-328-6165 (phone or fax) or e-mail to jimroeber@comcast.net.