| Advanced Grade Courses |
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Seamanship (S)
Building on the basics taught in the public boating course,
Seamanship is the recommended first course for new
members, both power boaters and sailors. Students learn
practical marlinespike, navigation rules, hull design and
Building on the basics taught in the public boating course,
Seamanship is the recommended first course for new
members, both power boaters and sailors. Students learn
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 a needed
introduction to the USPS Educational Program and a strong foundation for members
going on to other Advanced Grades courses and/or Cruise Planning or Sail. The
insignia is shown on the right.
and abnormal conditions, what to do in various emergencies and weather conditions,
nautical customs and common courtesy on the water. This course provides a needed
introduction to the USPS Educational Program and a strong foundation for members
going on to other Advanced Grades courses and/or Cruise Planning or Sail. The
insignia is shown on the right.
Piloting (P)
Piloting is the first of the navigational classes focusing on
techniques for piloting a boat in coastal and inland
conditions. The course emphasizes planning and checking
along with the use of GPS for determining position, and
Piloting is the first of the navigational classes focusing on
techniques for piloting a boat in coastal and inland
conditions. The course emphasizes planning and checking
along with the use of GPS for determining position, and
introduces digital charting along with traditional charting, compass and dead reckoning
skills. Plotting, labeling, use of the compass, aids to navigation and a host of related
topics are included in this all-new approach to coastal and inland piloting. The insignia
is shown on the right.
skills. Plotting, labeling, use of the compass, aids to navigation and a host of related
topics are included in this all-new approach to coastal and inland piloting. The insignia
is shown on the right.
Note: the insignia for completing both Seamanship and
Piloting is two bars, as shown. The awardee is called a
Pilot as well. The insignia is shown on the right.
Piloting is two bars, as shown. The awardee is called a
Pilot as well. The insignia is shown on the right.
Advanced Piloting (AP)
Advanced Piloting is the final part of the inland and coastal
navigation series. This material continues to build on the
base developed in Piloting, and includes practical use of
additional electronic navigation systems and other
Advanced Piloting is the final part of the inland and coastal
navigation series. This material continues to build on the
base developed in Piloting, and includes practical use of
additional electronic navigation systems and other
advanced techniques for finding position. Among topics covered are: finding position
using bearings and angles, collision avoidance using GPS and RADAR, what to do
when the electronics fail, tides, currents and wind and their effect on piloting, and
electronic navigation with GPS, chart plotters, RADAR, autopilots, etc. Application of
course lectures takes place through practical in-class and at-home exercises. The
insignia is shown on the right.
using bearings and angles, collision avoidance using GPS and RADAR, what to do
when the electronics fail, tides, currents and wind and their effect on piloting, and
electronic navigation with GPS, chart plotters, RADAR, autopilots, etc. Application of
course lectures takes place through practical in-class and at-home exercises. The
insignia is shown on the right.
Junior Navigation (JN)
Junior Navigation is the first of a two-part program of study
in offshore (open coast) navigation. It is designed as a
practical, how-to course, leaving the theoretical and more
advanced techniques for the subsequent Navigation
Junior Navigation is the first of a two-part program of study
in offshore (open coast) navigation. It is designed as a
practical, how-to course, leaving the theoretical and more
advanced techniques for the subsequent Navigation
Course. Subject matter includes: basic concepts of celestial navigation; how to use the
mariner’s sextant to take sights of the sun, moon, planets and stars; the importance and
techniques of accurate time determination; use of the Nautical Almanac; how to reduce
sights to establish lines of position (LOPs); and the use of special charts, plotting
sheets and other navigational data for offshore positioning and passage planning. The
insignia is shown on the right.
mariner’s sextant to take sights of the sun, moon, planets and stars; the importance and
techniques of accurate time determination; use of the Nautical Almanac; how to reduce
sights to establish lines of position (LOPs); and the use of special charts, plotting
sheets and other navigational data for offshore positioning and passage planning. The
insignia is shown on the right.
Navigation (N)
This is the second part of the study of offshore
navigation. It further develops the student’s
understanding of celestial theory. The student is
This is the second part of the study of offshore
navigation. It further develops the student’s
understanding of celestial theory. The student is
introduced to additional sight reduction techniques and develops greater skill and
precision in sight taking, positioning 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. The insignia is shown on the right.
precision in sight taking, positioning 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. The insignia is shown on the right.
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