This course is designed for members who plan to cruise
for a year or just a weekend - in either a sail or power boat. It
covers such topics as - planning a voyage, financing a voyage, managing
commitments back home, how to equip a cruising boat, crew selection, provisioning,
voyage management, entering and clearing foreign ports, emergencies afloat
and security measures.
Engine
Maintenance
(EM)
This course attempts to make students more self-reliant
afloat, with trouble-diagnosis and temporary remedies given special emphasis.
It covers both marine gasoline and diesel engines, including concepts of
operation, maintenance and repair of their - Cooling systems, electrical
systems, fuel systems, lubricating systems, power train components and
ancillary propulsion components.
Instructor
Development (ID)
Unlike other USPS courses, this one is not designed
to enhance boating skills. Rather, it deals with effective communications
for the speaker and teacher - a quality that benefits the individual in
all walks of life. It offers practical instruction in - preparing for teaching
assignments, preparing for meeting presentations, effective teaching techniques,
conducting efficient meetings and selection and use of audio-visual aids.
Marine
Electronics
(ME)
This course teaches essential knowledge about a boat's
electrical and electronic systems, including - proper wiring, grounding,
corrosion and electrolysis control, batteries and their maintenance, depth
finders, marine radiotelephones, radar and loran, GPS, other electronic
positioning systems.
Sail
(Sa)
This course provides a thorough study of the terminology
and dynamics of sailing. It includes - types of hulls and rigs, types of
running and standing rigging and their adjustment, hull and water forces
caused by wind and waves, forces vs. balance, the theory of sailing, points
of sailing, sail handling, sailing under various wind conditions and navigation
rules unique to sailing vessels.
Weather
(Wx)
The Weather course is designed to teach a student
how to make weather observations and predictions for more enjoyable boating.
Topics include - awareness of weather phenomena, how to read a weather
map and the sky, how to understand and anticipate weather developments,
structure and characteristics of the atmosphere, factors considered in
weather forecasting, sources and use of weather reports and forecasts,
and instrument and visual observations the skipper can make.
Learning
Guides
Learning Guides have been developed to provide in-depth
information in many boating related fields. Subjects have been selected
in areas about which members have expressed interest. Titles include -
Amateur Radio, Boat Design and Construction, Oceanography, Hand Tools,
Introduction to Navigational Astronomy, Sight Reduction Methods, Calculators
for Navigation, Compass Adjusting, Preparation for Coast Guard Licenses,
Boat Insurance, Principles of Water Skiing Safety, Loran-C, Global Positioning
Systems, Radar, Skipper Saver. Predicted Log Contests, Introduction to
Sailing, Marlinespike and USPS Glossary.
Operations
Training
(0T)
To learn in depth about the workings of the Las Vegas
Sail & Power Squadron, how the squadron interfaces with district and
national levels, and how committees report up to the Commander and bridge.
Elective
Courses