Classes You Can Take as a Member

Improving our Boating knowledge has, since 1912, been a purpose of USPS. It remains on of the major benefits of membership. Members may enroll in these courses to make their boating safer and more enjoyable.

Advanced Grade Courses

Seamanship: A further continuation on the Basic Boating Class. Basics on knots and splices; docking; first-aid; boat construction and stability; rough water handling; man overboard procedures; artificial resuscitation; handling fires, and much more.

Piloting: More about charts and charting, compass, plotting, position finding, etc. Expands greatly on the Piloting and Navigation section you had in the Basic Boating Course.

Advanced Piloting: Tides, currents and their tables, speed-time-distance relationships, advanced bearing taking, are all used to predict and determine position in this course.

Junior Navigation: The fundamentals of celestial navigation; importance of correct time and accurate plots; the use of sextants, nautical almanacs and navigational tables.

Navigation: Traditional and modern celestial navigational methods and theory; astronomical phenomena, mathematical principles, and practical applications.

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Elective Courses

Engine Maintenance: The proper care of inboard, outboard, and stern drive engines, diagnosing and repairing.

Marine Electronics: Learn more about radiotelephones, sounders, direction finders, radar, proper wiring, the theory of electrolysis. You can qualify for a Third Class Operator's Permit.

Sail: Both the basic and the fine points of sailing are taught in several modules. You will learn practical methods, physical laws, and improve your technique.

Weather: A thorough study of weather causes and origins, forecasting and lessons best learned in the classroom.

Instructor Qualification: A "must" for USPS instructors. Very useful in your career too.

Cruise Planning: Whether for a weekend or a year, sail or power, this course covers all areas of the cruise and the planning needed prior to it.

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In addition to the above there are many more Supplemental Courses offered in almost any area or interest of boating for classroom or home study. You may contact the Squadron Education Officer for a list and details

Boat Smart

Boating Course

S101 Seamanship    S102 Boat Handling

Sail 101 Basic Sail   Sail 102 Advanced Sail

Piloting Course   Advanced Piloting Course

Junior Navigation   Navigation

Cruise Planning

Weather

Engine Maintenance

Marine Electronics

Instructor Qualification

Request a Course