News and Announcements

 

America's Boating Course Flash Player Issue (Updated)

A recent version of Flash Player from Adobe, version 9.0.115.0, may not be compatible with the ABC Courseware on all computers. If you experience difficulties, you can either download the latest version of the Flash Player (9.0.124.0), or use your previous version by downloading the roll-back procedure and files (ZIP, 1405KB) to the root directory of your hard drive (C:\). To simplify typing the roll-back commands, ensure that you download and unzip all three (3) files to the C: drive of "My Computer".  Print and follow the instructions. (01 May 08)

Three New Seminars Available

Three new seminars—Anchoring, Hurricanes and Boats, and Marine RADAR—are available from USPS Headquarters. See the Materials catalog for ordering information. (01 May 08)

Educational Department Presentations from the Annual Meeting, February 2008

Presentations on EPIRBs (PPT, 6643KB) and the status of the USCG Rescue 21 (PPT, 4626KB) were provided by the Coast Guard to the DEOs and the Open EdDept meeting in Dallas. (10 Mar 08)

A PowerPoint presentation (5592KB), tailored for the Spring District Conferences, has been prepared based on what was presented at the Dallas Annual Meeting.  It includes narrative notes to go with the slides. (28 Feb 08)

Revised Slides for The Squadron Boating Course Presentation

See the Download section of The Squadron Boating Course web page for an update to this presentation. (05 Mar 08)

Some Copies of N99/02 Still Available

If you still need some additional copies of N99/02, please see the IMPORTANT message on the Navigation course web page. (13 Dec 07)

Seminar Workbook (updated 23 Aug 07)

The tool for squadrons to manage student records for Seminars and transmit student information to headquarters for USPS University credit has been updated. Coupled with on-line registration, this Excel spreadsheet application substantially reduces manual data entry. It now is compatible with Office 2007 and the Vista OS. Please download a new copy and begin using it immediately.
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Boating Class Workbook (updated 02 Aug 07)

The alternate tool for boating class administrators to manage their boating classes has recently been updated to insure more accurate reporting. It now contains a link for ED27 reporting and is compatible with Office 2007 and the Vista OS. Please download a new copy and begin using it.
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Exam Ordering Problems

Since the new courses have become available and students are getting ready to take the exams, we have noticed that some squadrons are getting the wrong exams.
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Running the Old Maptech Digital Chart Training CD under Vista

Please note that the following instructions apply to a previous version (5.07d) of the Maptech CD. The latest version (5.08 for Windows XP/Vista) works fine under Vista without any special procedures. (Updated 09 Mar 08)

Maptech's Offshore Navigator (and related products, such as Offshore Navigator Lite and Chart Navigator Viewer) was created long before Microsoft Windows Vista was released. As you may be aware, Microsoft Vista is designed to restrict access to certain core components of the operating system, in order to make the system more robust and secure. Unfortunately, by doing this, older applications must be run "As Administrator" and in "Windows XP Compatibility Mode" in order to function correctly.  Click on this Maptech link to get instructions for how to do this.  Just a reminder, once you have this Chart Navigator software on this CD loaded and operating, you can download and use any charts you would like from Maptech following the “Download - Free NOAA Charts” link on this page.

Chart Smart No Longer Available

Headquarters is out of inventory for Chart Smart. It will not be reprinted, but there’s a roadmap for courses and some recommended alternatives.
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Boating Course Assistant

Major changes have been made to this program so it is very important for all BCA users to switch to this revision. Older versions do not support the new ED27 data reporting standards, so the data will not get to where it is required and worse, the course graduates may not get credit for taking the course. The new version also manages Seminars and supports importing student data from the email generated by the online pre-registration form.
For more information and to download the new version, please visit: BCA Download.

Boat U.S. Hurricane Resource Center

Be prepared for hurricane season with tips from the Boat U.S. Hurricane Resource Center.
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Boater's World Fishing Seminars

USPS has a working partnership with Boater’s World. Conducted in their stores, we have a 10-miute slot in their seminars to discuss “Tips for Anglers” and to present/demo safety equipment.
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