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SQUADRON EDUCATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Palm Beach Sail & Power Squadron provides many
educational opportunities to both the boating public and to its members. One
of the key concepts of the United States Power Squadrons is the
self-education of its members, meaning that successful students go on to
teach other students to perpetuate boating knowledge. USPS instructors who
teach public courses are also certified regarding their ability to teach and
use modern instructional methods.
PUBLIC SAFE BOATING
USPS provides basic boating education to the public via its America's
Boating Course and The Squadron Boating Course. Further details on
Palm Beach Sail & Power Squadron’s local public safe boating course are
provided on the adjacent
ABC Course web page.
ADVANCED GRADES
Five Advanced Grade courses are offered by USPS. They are
designed to be taken in sequence because each builds on skills taught in the
previous course. Learn how to
become a member of USPS and take any or all of these
courses at a discount.
The Advanced Grades are a series of in-depth navigational
courses, and completion of the highest level course determines a member's
"grade". Letter grades may appear in USPS printed materials
while insignia appear on a member's uniform. Descriptions of these courses,
as well as the letter grades and insignia, and course offering details are
given in the tables below.
Please note: To assure that course material will be on hand,
paid registration must be made with the Instructor at least two weeks prior
to class start date. Those registering late or at class beginning will have
to start without their student manuals. All active and family members
are eligible to attend the above USPS courses. Non-Members may take
Squadron courses on a space available basis with a course cost of twice the
(members) cost listed below.
Course
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Boat Handling -- Seamanship (S) Revised:
12Dec2022
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No. Weeks/Day
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8 weeks/Thursdays/Wednesdays
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Start/Exam Dates
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January 25,
2023/March 15, 2023
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Chm./Instructor
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P/C
Rick Wood, JN
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Cost (Members)
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$70 - Member, $105 2 Members sharing course materials
($140 -
non-members)
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Contact
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seamanship@palmbeachsps.org
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Elements Covered
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● practical marlinespike, ● Navigational Rules ●
Hull design and performance ● Responsibilities of the skipper ●
Boat care ● Operating a boat under normal and abnormal conditions,
and much more.
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Description
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Building on the basics taught in the public boating course,
Boat Handling (formerly Seamanship) is the recommended first course for 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 students going on to
other Advanced Grades courses and/or Cruise Planning or Sail.
Boat Handling is advisable, but not mandatory, before Marine Navigation and
Elective Courses.
Boat Handling and Marine Navigation must be passed prior to taking Advanced
Marine Navigation.
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Course
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Marine Navigation -- Piloting* (P)
Revised: 14May2022
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No. Weeks/Day
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8 weeks/Thursdays
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Start/Exam Dates
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June 9, 2022/July
28, 2022
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Chm./Instructor
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Lt. Mike Galvin, SN
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Cost (Members)
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$110 - Member plus dividers and plotter if needed
$155 - 2 Members
sharing course materials
($220 -
non-member)
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Contact
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piloting@palmbeachsps.org
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Elements Covered
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● keep track of a boat’s movement ● Determining
position at any time ● Lay-out courses to a planned destination. ●
about mariner’s compass including Variation and Deviation ● Plotting
courses. ● use of charts & intro to GPS..
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Description
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Marine Navigation (formerly Piloting) is the first of the advanced 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.
* Seamanship course is advisable but not mandatory before taking
Piloting and Sail courses.
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Course
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Advanced Marine Navigation -- Advanced Piloting (AP)
Revised: 06Mar2022
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No. Weeks/Day
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8 weeks/Wednesdays
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Start/Exam Dates
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August 3, 2022/September
21, 2022
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Chm./Instructor
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TBD
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Cost (Members)
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$90 - Member
$135 - 2
Members sharing course materials
($180 -
non-member)
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Contact
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advpilot@palmbeachsps.org
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Elements Covered
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Advanced Marine Navigation (Formerly Advanced Piloting) is the second part of the Inland and Coastal navigation series.
It teaches the use of modern electronic Navigation systems & other
advanced & traditional techniques of finding position.
Learn about: ● Tides & Currents and their effect on piloting.
● Electronic Navigation ● Radar, GPS, etc.
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Description
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Boat Handling and Marine Navigation must be passed prior to taking Advanced
Marine Navigation.
Advanced Marine Navigation (formerly 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.
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Course
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Junior Navigation (JN)
Revised:
06Mar2022
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No. Weeks/Day
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12 weeks/Wednesdays
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Start/Exam Dates
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March 23, 2022/TBD
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Chm./Instructor
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P/C Darryl
Aubrey, SN
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Cost (Members)
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$100 - Member
$150 - 2 Members
sharing course materials
($200 -
non-member)
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Contact
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juniornav@palmbeachsps.org
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Elements Covered
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Junior Navigation is the first of a two-part program in
Offshore (open-ocean) Navigation.
Subject matter includes: ● Determining precise time. ● Using the
Nautical Almanac. ● Taking sextant sights of the sun. ● Reducing
sights to establish lines of position. ●Determining latitude from a noon sight. ● Using special charts and plotting sheets for offshore
navigation. ● Setting offshore navigational routines for recreational
craft.
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Description
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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 using GPS for offshore navigation with sun sight taking using a
sextant as a backup technique. The more advanced techniques for other
celestial bodies and sights are for study in the subsequent Navigation
Course.
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Course
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Navigation (N)
Revised:
06Mar2022
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No. Weeks/Day
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TBD -- Scheduled as needed
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Start/Exam Dates
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TBD/TBD
(Contact
Instructor to indicate your future preferences)
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Chm./Instructor
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P/C Darryl Aubrey, SN
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Cost (Members)
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$160
- Member
$240 - 2 Members
sharing course materials
($320 -
non-member)
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Contact
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navigation@palmbeachsps.org
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Elements Covered
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This is the second part of the study of Offshore
Navigation. The student will learn additional sight reduction
techniques, how a navigator carries on the day’s work, take sights on the
moon, planets & stars and much more.
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Description
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This is the second part of the study of offshore navigation.
It further develops the student’s skills and understanding of celestial
theory. The student is introduced to additional sight reduction techniques
for bodies other than the sun. The student 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 navigation software that is explained and used in
practices for planning and navigating in the offshore environment with the
included software. Offshore navigation using minimal data and/or equipment,
such as when on a disabled vessel or lifeboat is also studied.
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ELECTIVE COURSES
Six
Elective Courses are offered by USPS. They cover separate and
independent topics and therefore may be taken in any order according to a
person’s interests and time. Learn how to become a member of USPS and take any or
all of these courses at a discount.
Descriptions of these courses, as well as the printed listing
letter designations, and course offering details are given in the tables
below.
Please note: To assure
that course material will be on hand, paid registration must be made with the
Instructor at least two weeks prior to class start date. Those registering
late or at class beginning will have to start without their student manuals.
. All active and family members are eligible to attend the above USPS
courses. Non-Members may take Squadron courses on a space available
basis with a course cost of twice the (members) cost listed below.
Course
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Engine Maintenance (EM)
Revised: 06Mar2022
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No. Weeks/Day
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10 weeks/TBD
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Start/Exam Dates
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TBD/TBD
(Contact
Instructor to indicate your future preferences)
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Chm./Instructor
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TBD
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Cost (Members)
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$70
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Contact
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engmaint@palmbeachsps.org
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Elements Covered
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Engine maintenance makes students more self-reliant afloat
with mechanical trouble diagnosis. It covers both marine gasoline and
Diesel inboard engines, etc.
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Description
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The complete Engine Maintenance course consists of two modular
sections. EM 101, Basic Engine Maintenance, provides information about
marine propulsion systems, basic engine principles, engine components,
controls, instruments and alarms, marine engine maintenance, and steering
systems. There is a chapter on winter storage and spring servicing that
includes a 25-step winterizing checklist. An 11-page glossary concludes the
student manual.
EM 102, Advanced Engine Maintenance, delves into cooling and exhaust systems,
lubrication, fuel and air induction systems, ignition systems, electrical
and starting systems, power trains, and troubleshooting. The last chapter
is on emergency repairs afloat. An 11-page glossary concludes the student
manual.
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Course
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Marine Electronics--Electrical
Systems Revised:
06Mar2022
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No. Weeks/Day
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8 weeks/
TBD |
Start/Exam Dates
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TBD/TBD
(Contact
Instructor to indicate your future preferences)
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Chm./Instructor
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TBD
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Cost (Members)
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$60
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Contact
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marine-elect@palmbeachsps.org
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Elements Covered
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Description
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The Marine Electronics course consists of three modules: ME- Boat Electrical Systems, ME-Marine Radio Communications, and ME-Marine
Electronics for Navigation. All three modules must be successfully completed to
receive credit for Marine Electronics.
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Course
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Marine Electronics--Marine Communications
Revised: 06Mar2022
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No. Weeks/Day
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8 weeks/TBD
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Start/Exam Dates
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TBD/TBD
(Contact
Instructor to indicate your future preferences)
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Chm./Instructor
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Lt. Hal Leahy, AP
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Cost (Members)
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$60
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Contact
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marine-com@palmbeachsps.org
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Elements Covered
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Description
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The Marine Electronics course consists of three modules: ME- Boat Electrical Systems, ME-Marine Radio Communications, and ME-Marine Electronics for Navigation. All three modules must be successfully completed to
receive credit for Marine Electronics.
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Course
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Cruise Planning (CP)
Revised:
06Mar2022
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No. Weeks/Day
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9 weeks/Monday
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Start/Exam Dates
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May 2, 2022/July
11, 2022
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Chm./Instructor
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P/C Ken
Peters, SN
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Cost (Members)
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$70
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Contact
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cruiseplan@palmbeachsps.org
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Elements Covered
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● Planning a voyage. ● Selecting a proper crew. ●
Financing a voyage. ● Provisioning, ● Managing a voyage. ●
and a whole lot more
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Description
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Designed for mariners who plan to cruise for just a day or for
a year—in either a sail or powerboat—this course covers the following
topics: cruise preparation and planning, boat and equipment, anchors and
anchoring, security, chartering, cruising outside the United States, crew
and provisioning, voyage management, communications, navigation, weather,
and emergencies. The manual includes a twelve-month cruise planning
timeline.
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Course
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Weather (WE)
Revised: 06Mar2022
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No. Weeks/Day
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10 weeks/Monday
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Start/Exam Dates
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February 7, 2022/April
11, 2022
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Chm./Instructor
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Lt/C Art Dodd, SN
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Cost (Members)
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$70
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Contact
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weather@palmbeachsps.org
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Elements Covered
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• The atmosphere: temperature and heat.
• Wind, pressure & waves. • Tropical weather & storms.
•Mid-latitude weather & storms. • Tropical weather & storms.
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Description
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The safety and comfort of those who venture out-on-the water
have always been weather dependent. In this course students will
become keener observers of the weather, but weather observations only have
meaning in the context of the basic principles of meteorology — the science
of the atmosphere. The course focuses on how weather systems form, behave,
move, and interact with one another and reflects the availability of all
sorts of weather reports and forecasts on the Internet. It is a
general weather course benefiting those sitting in their living rooms, as
much as those standing behind the helm.
Each student receives: a Weather Manual - USPS Weather
- an explanatory text with full color photographs and drawings covering
weather in the United States and its coastal and inland waters; a set
of three Daily Weather Maps - learning aids with a complete explanation of
map symbols designed to develop weather map reading and analysis skills;
and NOAA’s Sky Watcher Chart - a reference to assist in identifying
cloud types – helpful indicators of approaching weather.
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Course
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Instructor Development (ID)
Revised: 06Mar2022
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No. Weeks/Day
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8 weeks/TBD
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Start/Exam Dates
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TBD/TBD
(Contact
Instructor to indicate your future preferences)
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Chm./Instructor
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TBD
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Cost (Members)
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Free to Members/$100 for Non-Members
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Contact
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instructordev@palmbeachsps.org
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Elements Covered
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• communicate more effectively • prepare for meeting
presentations.
• prepare for teaching in front of a class • prepare your lesson plan
This is your opportunity to become a part of our dynamic group of educators
in our Squadron Educational Department.
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Description
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This course deals with effective communication for speakers
and teachers—a quality that benefits the individual in all walks of life.
It offers practical instruction in: preparing for teaching assignments,
preparing for meeting presentations, effective teaching techniques,
conducting efficient meetings, and selecting and using audiovisual aids.
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Course
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Sail* (Sa)
Revised:
21August2022
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No. Weeks/Day
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12 weeks/Thursday
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Start/Exam Dates
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September 8,
2022/
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Chm./Instructor
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Lt. Jon Arck, P
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Cost (Members)
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$70 USPS Members, $105 2 Members sharing materials, $140
non-members
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Contact
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sail101@palmbeachsps.org
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Elements Covered
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● Type of hulls ● Rigging ● Points of
Sailing. ● The theory of sailing. ● Sail Handling., etc.
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Description
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Sail is a complete sail course beginning with basic boat
designs, rigging and sail processes for the non-sailor. The course
proceeds into the physical aspects of sailing, sail applications,
marlinespike, helmsmanship, and handling of more difficult sailing
conditions, navigation rules, and an introduction to heavy weather sailing.
* Seamanship course is advisable but not mandatory before taking
Piloting and Sail courses.
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SEMINARS
Revised: 4Jan2020
USPS has a series of short seminars open to the public on a
variety of boating related topics, such as Global Positioning System (GPS),
weather, and marine radio. The materials included with each two hour seminar
include a Student Note Book and other take-away guides related to that
particular topic.
To reserve a spot:
Members- contact the instructor (phone or email listings
are in your Roster)
Non-Members – Contact our Squadron Educational Officer (SEO)
The Seminars offered by USPS are listed below.
If you
are interested in scheduling any of these, please contact the
the Squadron Educational Officer (SEO)
Boat Handling Under Power
Instructor: TBA
Schedule: TBA
Partners in Command
Instructor: TBA
Schedule: TBA
Anchoring
Instructor: TBA
Schedule: TBA
This seminar covers:
● anchor, rode and components,
● anchor selection for different
sea conditions & bottom characteristics,
● includes Anchoring Quick Guide for reference,
● deployment and recovery of anchor and much more.
How to Read a Chart
Instructor: TBA
Schedule: TBA
On Board Weather Forecasting
Instructor: TBA
Schedule: TBA
Advanced Powerboat Handling
Instructor: TBA
Schedule: TBA
Knots, Bend and Hitches
Instructor: TBA
Schedule: TBA
Mastering the Rules of the Road
Instructor: TBA
Schedule:TBA
Tides and Currents
Instructor:
TBA
Schedule:TBA
GPS
Instructor: TBA
Schedule:TBA
VHF/Radio with Digital Selecting Calling
Instructor:
TBA
Schedule: TBA
Marine Radar
Instructor: TBA
Schedule: TBA
This seminar covers:
● how radar functions
● operation of the radar under various conditions
● basic navigation, setting of controls
● display interpretation
● collision avoidance using radar, and much more.
Hurricane Boat Preparedness (FREE..!)
Instructor: TBA
Schedule: TBA
If you own a boat— in the water or on a trailer,
and live in Florida—this seminar is for you
Sail Trim & Rig Tuning
Instructor: TBA
Schedule: TBA
RECOGNITION LEVELS
USPS awards grades to its members to indicate how far they have
progressed in the continuing education program. Since one of the USPS
objectives is boating safety through education, USPS encourages every member
to strive to achieve the Educational Proficiency level, with the
ultimate goal being that of the Educational Achievement Award.

Anyone completing a
grade level of at least Advanced Piloting (AP) and three Elective Courses
receives the Educational Proficiency Award. Shown below is an AP
insignia with the Educational Proficiency bar below it.

Anyone completing all Advanced Grade navigational courses that
results in a grade of Navigator (N) and all Elective Courses receives the
Educational Achievement Award. This award, also known as the
Senior Navigator award, is the highest educational recognition awarded
by USPS. Holders of this honor can be recognized in print by the
"SN" following their name. Shown here is the Educational
Achievement Award insignia that you might see on a member's uniform.
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