News from
the United States Power Squadrons®
A Way to
Learn Everything You Wanted to Know about Boating
 USPS University™
is now offering a full range of subjects so you can learn about just what
you want - when and where it’s convenient. United States Power Squadrons®
is offering everything from short seminars at your local marine store to
full-certificate boating competency programs for recreational boaters.
See www.usps.org for full details.
With over 450 squadrons across the U.S., the United
States Power Squadrons is near you. This 45,000-member organization has
been instructing safe boating to the public since 1914. “Today, with
many types of boats and boaters, the one size fits all approach to
boating programs just doesn’t work anymore,” said Ernie Marshburn, USPS Chief Commander. “The university
concept fits what we are offering – a full range of short and comprehensive
programs and widely-recognized certificates. At USPS, we believe boating
is fun, and we’re here to show you
how.”
Want to know how to use that new DSC feature on
your radio? How about using your GPS, or autopilot, or radar? There’s a
program for you. Would you like to be able to tell what weather is coming
your way? How about trimming those sails? Spend a couple of hours and
learn something useful. Short seminars are offered at a wide range of
locations and include handy guides you are likely to want to take aboard.
 Here’s a good
question for you; just how do you demonstrate to the world that you have
the skills necessary for your type of boating? After all, insurance
companies, charter companies, and prospective passengers might just want
to know. USPS University™ includes a comprehensive Boat Operator
Certification program. Comparable to the International Certificate of
Competency (ICC) now being issued and required across Europe, the
certification may eventually be required in the U.S., but in the
meantime, you can get a head start.
Boat Operator Certification includes four levels or
categories. Take just those that you need for what you want to do. The
“Inshore Certificate” gives you the skills to master inland waters.
Endorsements can be added for paddling, sailing, navigating locks, and
more. The “Coastal Certificate” shows you can safely navigate coastal
waters. An “Advanced Coastal Certificate” takes that credential to 20
miles from shore. Lastly, the “Offshore Certificate” sets you up with the
skills to navigate the high seas.
To get one of these certificates, you take a series
of courses conveniently offered near you, add some seminars, and
demonstrate a set of skills. Up until now, you needed to get a U.S. Coast
Guard license if you wanted to have a recognized credential. Most
recreational boaters neither want nor need those professional licenses.
The USPS Boat Operator Certification is all they need. You can reach the
USPS for more information at 1-888-FOR-USPS or at www.usps.org
on the web.
Article thanks to U.S. Coast Guard 'Waypoints - Feb
2007'
For information on the USPS public boating course closest to you, call
1-888-FOR-USPS.
In Canada, for the CPS course, call 1-888-CPS-BOAT.
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