Public Courses

America’s Boating Course (New)

United States Power Squadrons
Educational Opportunities

A series of short guides on a wide variety of subjects of interest to boaters are also available; these are known as USPS Guides. Some Guides are also available to the public at various marine supply stores and book stores. These items may be used in USPS® classroom courses and seminars or for home study.

Member Educational Opportunities

Recognition Levels

IMPORTANT

Public Educational Opportunities

USPS Seminars

USPS Guides

Member Advanced Grades

Member Elective Courses

Public Courses

Ponce Inlet Househouse approach from Atlantic Ocean

Ponce de Leon Inlet

Sail & Power Squadron

District 23

www.PonceInletSquadron.org

Our Courses

Our Courses...

● animated, narrated home-
study CD

● digital charting CD with
software and charts

If you are interested in an exciting, in-depth boating safety course, check out America's Boating Course

January 23, 2010 - the Ponce de Leon Inlet Sail and Power Squadron is again proud to present the America’s Boating Course Version 3 (ABC3) to the public. This ABC 3 class is being streamlined for the upcoming one day event at the New Smyrna Beach Boat and Ski Club for 23 January 2010. Flyers are available for Squadron members to circulate. Speak to your friends about this SPECIAL opportunity. Deadline for registration is Wednesday, January 20th.

We continue to be excited about this newly updated, in-depth boating safety course. The course content was developed in conjunction with state boating agencies responsible for boater education and is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) and is recognized by the U. S. Coast Guard. The graphics are state-of-the-art. Along with the 244 page course manual you get the companion CD, with video clips and audio narration. All 5 chapters of the manual are packed full of information that will help you to become a safe and educated boater.

ABC3 is designed to be taught in four sessions with an optional two sessions for those who wish to learn the basics of navigation (chapter 5). This includes how GPS works, chart basics, plotting on a chart, the mariner’s compass, steering a course, digital charts, and using chart navigator.

So give us a call and we will get you started on a Safe Boating Cruise

Please email me if you need more information and/or if you plan to attend.
See you there, P/C Bill Myers, SN

CLBB

how not to do it!

Learn

how not to do it!

For more information contact:

Lt/C Will Benny, SN - Squadron Education Officer

email me

Educated Boaters Are Safe Boaters - Call Today For A Course Near You!

*** Our local information request hot-line 877-276-0837 ***

email your request for Course Information

Member Courses

NEWS FROM THE NATIONAL EDUCATION DEPARTMENT

In an effort to inspire more interest in taking in-house boating courses, Headquarters has announced prize giveaways for certain member courses. Here is how it works. Take and complete one of the qualifying courses between 7/1/2009 and 6/30/2010. Successfully pass the examination before 6/30/2010. You will be automatically entered in the drawing. The winner’s names will be drawn at the 2010 Governing Board in Seattle between 8/30 and 9/4/2010. The available prizes are:

1. For Seamanship (3) Handheld VHF Radios
2. For Piloting (3) Handheld GPS
3. For Advanced Piloting (3) Sets of Navigational Software
4. For JN (1) Chart Plotter
5. For Weather (3) Barometers
6. For Marine Electrical Systems (3) Multi-meters
7. For Engine Maintenance (3) Multi-meters

So if your interest has been sparked, contact me to get the course started. Lt/C Will Benny, SN - Squadron Education Officer, email me

ADVANCED PILOTING

So far I’ve heard from one member interested in taking this class. If I do not hear from more members, I’ll assume there’s no interest and canceled.

.
OTHER CLASSES

If you are interested in Seamanship or Engine Maintenance or any other class let me know as soon as possible so that I can get them planned.

For more information contact:

Lt/C Will Benny, SN - Squadron Education Officer

email me

*** Our local information request hot-line 877-276-0837 ***

email your request for Course Information

Keep your mind sharp and your skills up-to-date - enjoy a seminar, take a course, review

by proctoring our safe boating classes - education is a major part of our organization.

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United States Power Squadrons 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.

USPS University

- is here with new programs targeted to a range of boaters and types of boating. The hallmark of this concept is the Seminar Series. These short seminars are targeted to specific topics and needs with a two-hour format, and valuable take-away guides. Each seminar provides credits toward the soon to be released Boat Operator Certification program, and credit toward elective courses.

Using VHF & VHF/DSC Marine Radio	Using GPS
How to Use a Chart	Onboard Weather Forecasting
Boat Handling Under Power	Sail Trim
Paddle Smart	Knots, Bends, and Hitches

Three New Seminars Available

Anchoring
Hurricanes and Boats
Marine RADAR.

USPS provides basic boating education to the public with no charge for instruction. Local squadrons may teach The Squadron Boating Course, Boat Smart, or America's Boating Course. Squadrons may also follow a Boat Smart or America's Boating Course with a Chart Smart course to provide charting and plotting information not covered in those two courses. Locate a course to be taught near you soon.

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. Check here to see the offerings.

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Member Educational opportunities are available through two segments, Advanced Grades and Elective Courses. Learn how to become a member.

The Advanced Grades are a series of in-depth navigational courses for members, 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, are given on the Advanced Grades page.

A wide discipline of courses that cover related boating topics other than navigation are also offered as part of the instructed course curriculum for members. Descriptions of these courses are given on the Elective Courses page.

Take the finest course available

♦ in classroom

♦ on internet, or

♦ at home

244 page full-color book, comprehensive boating information, introduction to navigation, and two CDs.

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.

Educational Proficiency Insignia 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.

Senior Navigator Insignia 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.