Advanced Education Courses Available to Power Squadron Members Only
Seaman	Seamanship Seamanship builds on the basics taught in the USPS boating courses, and is the recommended first course for new members, both power boaters and sailors. The student learns practical marlinespike, navigation rules, hull design and performance, responsibilities of the skipper, boat care, operating a boat under normal and abnormal conditions, what to do in various emergencies and weather conditions, nautical customs and common courtesy on the water. This course provides an introduction to the USPS educational program and a strong foundation for the other Advanced Grades courses and/or Cruise Planning or Sail.  Next class:  Beginning TBA
Return to Index
Pilot	Piloting Piloting introduces you to the fundamentals of piloting and positioning -- the study of marine charts, aids to navigation, adjustment and use of the mariner's compass, dead reckoning, planning and plotting courses, and taking bearings to determine your on-the-water position. Next Class: Beginning TBA
Return to Index
Advanced Pilot	Advanced Piloting Advanced Piloting builds on the knowledge gained in Piloting to teach you how to navigate safely in coastal waters -- predict tides and tidal currents and their impact on your position, advanced positioning techniques, and the use of electronic navigation systems for positioning and course planning. Next Class: TBA @ Beaufort VFW
Return to Index
Junior Navigator	Junior Navigation Junior Navigator begins your study of offshore (open-ocean) navigation -- integrated electronic positioning systems, sight taking with a mariner's sextant on the sun, moon, planets, and stars, how to reduce sights using the nautical almanac to determine your position, and passage planning with special open-ocean charts.
Return to Index
Navigator	Navigation The Navigator course further develops your understanding of celestial navigation theory and your skills in sight taking and reduction -- additional sight reduction techniques and the orderly methods of carrying on the day's work of a navigator at sea. Of particular interest and importance is the study of offshore navigation using minimal data and/or equipment, such as when on a disabled vessel or lifeboat. Next Class: TBA

Return to Index

Elective Education Courses Available for Power Squadron Members Only
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.
Return to Index
Engine Maintenance	This course attempts to make students more self-reliant afloat, with trouble-diagnosis and temporary remedies given special emphasis. It covers both marine gasoline and diesel engines, including concepts of operation, maintenance and repair of their - Cooling systems Electrical systems Fuel systems Lubricating systems Power train components Ancillary propulsion components
Return to Index
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, GPS, and advanced systems for electronic navigation are also studied. Information is provided on FCC requirements for station licensing and operator permits for radio telephone. This course teaches essential knowledge about a boat's electrical and electronic systems, including - Proper wiring Grounding Corrosion and electrolysis control Batteries and their maintenance Depth finders Marine radiotelephones RADAR LORAN, GPS, and other electronic positioning systems Next Class: TBA
Return to Index
Sail	Sail guides you through the special terminology and dynamics of sailing, hulls and rigging, wind and water forces and balance, points of sail, sail handling, and navigation rules unique to sailing. Course completed February 2007.
Return to Index
Weather	The Weather course is designed to teach a student how to make weather observations and predictions for more enjoyable boating. Topics include: Awareness of weather phenomena How to read a weather map and the sky How to understand and anticipate weather developments Structure and characteristics of the atmosphere Factors considered in weather forecasting Sources and use of weather reports and forecasts Instrument and visual observations the skipper can make 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. Next Class: TBA
Instructor Qualification	Unlike other USPS courses, IQ is not designed to enhance boating skills. Rather, it deals with effective communications for speaker and teacher - a quality that benefits the individual in all walks of like. It offers practical instruction in - Preparing for teaching assignments Preparing for meeting presentations Effective teaching techniques Conducting efficient meetings Selection and use of audio-visual aids
Chart Smart	Next Class:, TBA
CPR/First Aid	Next Class: TBA
Skipper Saver	Next Class: TBA

For further information, contact Education Officer, Lt/C Richard L. McKeon at 252-463-0208

Send email comments to Fort Macon Sail and Power Squadron