One of the main goals of USPS is boating safety through education. We believe that an educated boater is a safer boater. USPS instructors who teach courses are certified regarding their ability to teach and use modern instructional methods. USPS provides many educational opportunities through a variety of courses, seminars, and marine-related guides.
America's Boating Course (The Basics)
Information on upcoming Basic Boating Course offerings is as follows:
Subject: America's Boating Course
Dates: Tuesdays, March 5 - April 23, 2013 Time: 6:30 - 8:30 PM (runs for 7 weeks)
Location: Brunswick High School, 116 Maquoit Road, Brunswick, ME 04011
Contact: Diana McCain @ phone: 207-729-7323, e-mail: tupperc@link75.org , website: www.merrymeeting.maineadulted.org
America's Boating Course, is designed to familiarize the student with the fundamentals of safe boating and qualify for certification in most states that require boating education before operating a watercraft. It is a course for all boaters including skippers of a family cruiser, sailing enthusiasts, personal watercraft (PWC) operators, hunters or fishermen operating an outboard utility boat, and canoe and kayak paddlers. It covers the basics you need to know to safely and legally operate your boat, such as basic boating terminology, boat handling, water sports safety, PWCs, legally required equipment and other boating laws and regulations, right-of-way rules between boats, and marine radio operation.
The course is meant to be of interest to the whole family, and we encourage your family to attend as a group. Beyond the basic safety material, additional material covers the fundamentals of reading nautical charts, of using a chart to plot and follow a safe course, and the basics of using a Global Positioning System (GPS) for navigation. The America's Boating Course is typically taught as a twelve (12) hour course over a 6 week period. Subjects include:
- Boat handling under normal conditions
- Adverse conditions and emergencies
- Types of boats and boating terminology
- Required and recommended equipment
- Boating regulations and navigation rules
- Lines and knots
- Charts and aids to navigation
- Piloting techniques
- Marine radiotelephone usage
- Trailer boating
Advanced Courses
Information on upcoming Squadron Advanced Course offerings is as follows:
Subject: Piloting (Basic Coastal Navigation)
Dates: Thursdays, April 4 - May 30, 2013 Time: 6:30 pm (runs for 8 weeks)
Location: Wiscasset High School, 272 Gardiner Road, Wiscasset, ME 04578
Contact: Anne Fensie @ phone: 207-882-9710, e-mail: afensie@svrsu.org , website: www.wiscasset.maineadulted.org
Subject: Engine Maintenance
Dates: Wednesdays, March 6 - May 8, 2013 Time: 6:00 pm (runs for 8 weeks)
Location: Mt Ararat High School, 73 Eagle's Way, Topsham, ME 04086
Contact: Diana McCain @ phone: 207-729-7323, e-mail: tupperc@link75.org , website: www.merrymeeting.maineadulted.org
Discriptions of Advanced Courses
Beyond the basic course, seminars, and learning guides, USPS also teaches a number of more advanced and elective courses, ranging from basic deck seamanship to advanced navigation and engine maintenance. Many USPS members feel that the discounted costs for them to take these courses is one of the top reasons for joining USPS. These courses include:
- Seamanship - covers basic deck seamanship, marlinspike (knots and ropes), anchoring and rafting, basic boat care and maintenance, and nautical and USPS customs and etiquette.
- Piloting - is the first and most basic navigation course, covering chart reading, course plotting, and basic coastal or inland navigation, including basic GPS usage. This course goes into more detail than the charting information covered in the public courses.
- Advanced Piloting - covers more advanced coastal navigation techniques, navigation in tides and currents, and more advanced GPS usage.
- Junior Navigation - teaches the basics of offshore navigation, including basic celestial navigation using the sun and offshore course planning.
- Navigation - is the most advanced navigation course taught by USPS, covering more advanced celestial navigation techniques, emergency navigation, and additional sight reduction techniques.
- Cruise Planning - covers topics of interest for someone planning a cruise – whether for just a weekend or for a year – including preparation and planning, anchoring, security, chartering, and cruising outside the US.
- Engine Maintenance - covers the operating principles and basic care and maintenance of outboard and inboard engines, including diesels.
- Marine Electrical Systems - covers installation and maintenance of boat DC & AC electrical systems.
- Marine Communications Systems - covers installation, maintenance and usage of marine communications systems (VHF radio, GMDSS, Radio Telephone, Long Range Radio, etc).
- Marine Navigation Systems - covers electronic navigation instruments including depth sounders, radar, and GPS, and display systems including chart plotters and personal computers.
- Sail - covers everything from the basic elements of how a sailboat works to sail trim, rig tuning, and sailboat racing.
- Weather - covers weather systems, patterns and forecasting.
Seminars
Information on upcoming Squadron Seminar offerings is as follows:
Subject: Radar
Start Date: Monday, February 11 , 2013 Time: 6:00 pm
Location: McMullen Home, 36 Teal Lane , Bowdoinham, ME 04011
Contact: John McMullen @ phone: 207-433-7848, e-mail: posts@comcast.net , website:
Subject: Predictng Tides & Currents
Start Date: Monday, February 25 , 2013 Time: 6:00 pm
Location: McMullen Home, 36 Teal Lane , Bowdoinham, ME 04011
Contact: John McMullen @ phone: 207-433-7848, e-mail: posts@comcast.net , website:
Subject: Understanding your GPS
Start Date: Monday, March 11 , 2013 Time: 6:00 pm
Location: McMullen Home, 36 Teal Lane , Bowdoinham, ME 04011
Contact: John McMullen @ phone: 207-433-7848, e-mail: posts@comcast.net , website:
Subject: Proper VHS/DSC Operation
Start Date: Monday, March 25 , 2013 Time: 6:00 pm
Location: McMullen Home, 36 Teal Lane , Bowdoinham, ME 04011
Contact: John McMullen @ phone: 207-433-7848, e-mail: posts@comcast.net , website:
Descriptions of other Seminars
USPS has a series of short seminars covering specific topics of interest to boaters. The first four cover GPS, chart reading, VHF radio usage (including the Digital Selective Calling feature found on all new radios), and on-board weather forecasting. These seminars are usually taught in a single two-hour class. A student note book is included, along with a take-away guide or other items that are useful on your boat. Seminars are typically 2 hours long. Seminar offerings include:
- Using GPS - The seminar is an introduction to GPS and also shows you how to operate a GPS unit – 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 understand how 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.
- How to Use a Chart - 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.
- Using VHF and VHF/DSC Radio - This seminar is an introduction to the need for VHF marine radios 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.
- Basic Weather & Forecasting - This seminar is a must for boaters who have never taken a weather course. The complex subject of weather is presented in a way that is both understandable and useful. Topics include: Air Masses and Fronts; Winds; Storms; Clouds and Thunderstorms; Fog; and Forecasting. Each seminar participant receives a waterproof McGraw Hill Captain’s QuickGuide – Onboard Weather Forecasting – designed for onboard and field use.
- Paddle Smart - This seminar is intended for those about to join the world of paddle sports and those considering purchasing paddling equipment. Topics discussed in the seminar include: terminology; equipment—minimum and optional; using paddle craft—both kayaks and canoes; safety practices—including video clip examples; day triping and touring considerations; and, a few statistics.
- Advanced Powerboat Handling - This seminar is a three-part series: Close Quarters Maneuvering, How Boats Behave and Sea Conditions, and Handling at Sea. The seminar shows you how your boat will behave and why in response to your controls. You’ll understand what the pro’s have learned the hard way. This gets you there faster, and with confidence. Then, on the water you can visualize your actions and execute them easily. The seminar is often offered with on the water training for a complete experience.
- Anchoring - 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.
- Basic Coastal Navigation - 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
- Boat Handling Under Power - This seminar shows boaters how to depart and dock under a variety of conditions as well as all about trimming the boat underway.
- Knots, Bends, and Hitches for Mariners - 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.
- Marine RADAR - This seminar is an introduction to 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.
- Mariner's Compass - 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.
- Mastering the Rules of the Road - 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.
- Partner in Command - 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.
- Sail Trim and Rig Tuning - This seminar shows in clear and simple terms how to use and adjust sails for optimum performance under a wide range of conditions.
- Trailering Your Boat - This seminar 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.
- Hurricanes and Boats - This is a mini-seminar. It covers how to select a location and prepare your boat for a hurricane.
Get more information on USPS's public seminars.
For more information contact:
Lt/C John McMullen
36 Teal Lane, Bowdoinham, ME 04008
(207-433-7848)
e-mail