South Shore Power Squadron
A Unit of the United States Power Squadrons®

Elective Grade Courses of the USPS

Cruise Planning

This course is preparation for a cruise, whether the cruise is for a day, a week, a month or longer. Whether you are going to cruise on rivers, lakes, the coasts, or across the oceans, very valuable information is provided by those who have been there. The topics discussed are: planning the voyage, financing the voyage, equipping the boat, crew selection, provisioning, voyage management, navigation planning, weather, communications, entering and clearing foreign and domestic ports, anchors and anchoring, emergencies afloat, medical emergencies and security.

Engine Maintenance

This course covers the general construction, operating principles, maintenance and repair of marine gasoline and diesel engines, cooling, electrical, fuel, and lubricating systems and associated propulsion components - clutches, shafting and propellers. Since one of the major objectives of the course is to help the student become more self-reliant afloat, trouble diagnosis and temporary remedies are emphasized along with safety measures. The course is not intended to produce trained mechanics but rather more intelligent and more resourceful boat engine operators.

Instructor Qualification

The development of practical skills and methods in preparing for both classroom and meeting presentations are the objectives of the unique course. The course includes practice assignments in preparation and delivery of presentations in the classroom, including the use of visual and other aids. All types of aids that can enhance a presentation are studied and the student is afforded the opportunity to become familiar with their best use. Attendance at the majority of the class sessions is mandatory before taking the examination.

Marine Electronics

Essential knowledge about your boat’s electrical and electronic systems is studied in this course. Proper wiring, grounding, electrolysis control, and batteries and their maintenance are included. Depth finders, marine radio telephones, radar, loran, omega, and advanced systems for electronic navigation are also studied. Information is provided on FCC requirements for station licensing and operator permits for radio telephone.

Sail

This course provides a through study of the terminology of sailing; types of hulls, rigs, and sail-plans;. Running and standing rigging and their adjustment and tuning; and sailboat marlinespike. The dynamics of sailing are covered including: hull and water forces caused by wind and waves; forces versus balance; techniques of sailing; points of sail; sail handling; sailing under various wind conditions from light air to storm survival; boat operation and emergency techniques unique to sailboats.

Weather

Awareness of weather phenomena, how to read the weather map and the sky, and understand and anticipate weather developments for more pleasurable boating are the objectives of this course. Subjects studied include: characteristics and structure of the atmosphere, what weather is and its basic causes, normal development and movement of weather over the earth, and the factors considered in weather forecasting. Observations that the skipper can make afloat include both instrumental and visual: cloud sequences and the weather they predict; air masses, fronts, storms, and fog; and the use of radio and television weather broadcasts. Throughout the course the student is encouraged to make observations and predications in order to gain experience in applying the principles taught and develop greater insight into weather phenomena.