USPS EDUCATIONAL COURSES
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America's Boating Course
Advanced Grades
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Seamanship
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Piloting
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Advanced Piloting-
Junior Navigation
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Navigation
Elective Courses and Programs
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Cruise Planning
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Engine
Maintenance
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Instructor Development
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Marine
Electronics
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Sail
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Weather
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Supplemental Programs
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Seminars
1.
America's Boating Course
The America’s Boating
Course is USPS’ primary tool to teach the fundamentals of safe
boating to the general public. This course is approved by NASBLA
and is recognized by most states that require boating education
before operating a watercraft.
The America’s Boating
Course is offered in three formats: in classroom; via internet;
and home study. The home study format requires that the student
take a proctored examination in order to receive certification.
Although successful
completion of the public boating course is no longer a requirement
for active USPS membership, family members and other affiliates
must take this course as a prerequisite for any advanced grade
courses.
Subjects covered
include:
• Boat
handling • Charts
• Boating
regulations • Navigational
rules
• Lines and
knots • Adverse
conditions
•
Emergencies • Weather
• Boat types
& terminology • Aids to navigation
• Regional
boating • Piloting
techniques
• Engine
trouble shooting • Fundamentals of sailing
• Marine
radio and telephone usage • Trailer boating
2. Seamanship
The Seamanship course
builds on the fundamentals that were presented in the America’s
Boating Course. An in depth study of boating skills, rules of the
road, etc., is an important foundation for other advanced grade
courses. Subjects covered include:
·
Basic marlinespike seamanship
·
Hull design
·
Navigation rules
·
Operation under normal and adverse conditions
·
Responsibilities of the skipper
·
On board emergencies
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Basic first aid
·
Common courtesies on the water
·
Boat care
·
Marine Environment
·
Nautical customs and flag etiquette
USPS is
proud to present this course in an online format through a
partnership with the University of West Florida (UWF), as an
alternative method of boating education.
3. Piloting
The Piloting course
introduces the student to inland and coastal navigation. The
rudiments of piloting – such as keeping track of a boat's
movements, determining one's position at any time, and plotting
courses to a planned destination – are taught. Subjects covered
include:
·
Charts and their use
·
Aids to navigation
·
The mariner's compass
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Variation and deviation of the compass
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Plotting and steering courses
·
Dead reckoning
·
Plotting and labeling charts
·
Introduction to practical GPS navigation
4. Advanced Piloting
This course builds upon the
Piloting course by introducing advanced techniques to determine
position and incorporate modern electronic navigation systems.
Subjects covered include:
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Electronic navigation tools
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Advanced positioning techniques
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Tides and currents and their effect on piloting
·
Electronic navigation using Radar, GPS, etc.
5. Junior Navigation
The Junior
Navigation course is the first of a two-course program that
focuses on offshore navigation. In this course the student will
learn traditional celestial navigational skills. These techniques
will enable them to verify their GPS position and serve as a back
up should their electronics fail. Subjects covered include:
·
Precise time determination
·
Use of the nautical almanac
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Taking sextant sun sights
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Reduction of sights to establish lines of position
·
Use of special charts and plotting sheets for
offshore navigation
·
Integration of electronic tools
·
Develop offshore navigational routines for offshore
passage
6. Navigation
Navigation is USPS’ capstone
course. This second course of the offshore navigation program
introduces taking sights on other celestial bodies and presents
additional methods to reduce sights and plotting. A special
section using digital charting software allows the student to have
hands on experience to voyage planning. Subjects covered include:
·
Navigational astronomy
·
Expanded use of the nautical almanac
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Taking sextant sights on various celestial bodies
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Reducing sights to establish lines of position
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Sight reduction and plotting using NASR method
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Emergency navigation methods
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Offshore voyage planning using digital chart tool
Elective Courses and Programs
7. Cruise Planning
This course is designed
for both power boaters and sailors who are interested in planning
for a weekend cruise or longer. Subjects covered include:
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Planning a voyage
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Financing a voyage
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Managing commitments back home
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How to equip a cruising boat
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Crew selection
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Provisioning
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Voyage management
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Entering and clearing foreign ports
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Emergencies afloat
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Security measures
8. Engine Maintenance
The
Engine Maintenance course presents the principle theories of
marine gasoline and diesel engines. In addition, the course
outlines how to diagnose problems and how to approach general
repairs which a boat owner can perform. Finally, you will be able
to share any gathered information with your mechanic so the right
repairs get performed. Subjects covered include:
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Cooling systems
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Electrical systems
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Fuel systems
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Lubricating systems
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Power train components
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Steering systems
·
Engine controls
9. Instructor Development
Unlike other USPS
courses, this one is not designed to enhance boating skills.
Rather it deals with developing effective communication skills for
speakers and teachers - a quality that benefits the individual in
all walks of life. It offers practical instruction in:
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Preparation of teaching assignments
·
Preparing for meeting presentations
·
Effective teaching techniques
·
Conducting efficient meetings
·
Selection and use of multi-media aids
10. Marine Electronics
The Marine Electronic course
teaches essential knowledge about a boat's electrical and
electronic systems. Subjects covered include:
·
Proper wiring
·
Grounding
·
Corrosion and electrolysis control
·
Batteries and their maintenance
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Depth finders
·
Marine radiotelephones
·
Radar
·
Loran, GPS, and other electronic positioning
systems
11. Sail
The Sail course provides a thorough
study of the terminology and dynamics of sailing. Subjects covered
include:
·
Types of hulls and rigs
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Running and standing rigging
and their adjustment
·
Hull and water forces caused
by wind and waves
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The theory of sailing
·
Sail handling
·
Sailing under various wind
conditions
·
Navigation rules unique to
sailing vessels
12. Weather
The Weather course is designed to
teach a student how to make weather observations and predictions
for more enjoyable boating. Topics include:
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Awareness of weather phenomena
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How to read a weather map and the sky
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How to understand and anticipate weather
developments
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Structure and characteristics of the atmosphere
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Factors considered in weather forecasting
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Sources and use of weather reports and forecasts
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Instrument and visual observations the skipper can
make
13. Supplemental Programs
Supplemental educational programs
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. These presently include:
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Marine Amateur Radio
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Boat Insurance
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GMDSS and marine radio
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Knots, Bends, and Hitches
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Knot Tying: The Basic knots
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Compass Adjusting
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Global Positioning System
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How to Fly Flags
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Introduction to Navigational Astronomy
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Introduction to Sailing
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Plotting and Labeling Standards
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Predicted Log Guide
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Water Sports
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Sight Reduction Methods
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USPS Nautical Glossary
14.
Seminars
USPS University has created short
seminar series of specific topics that can be addressed within a
two-hour format; student materials include valuable take-home
guides. Each seminar provides credits toward the Boat Operator
Certification program, and credit toward elective courses.
These seminars are open to the public and members.
Topics include but are not limited
to:
Boat Handling
Anchoring
Hurricanes and Boats
Marine Radar
Using GPS
Using VHF/DSC Marine Radio
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