Advanced Courses

To enroll for a course that is scheduled please click on the Registration link in the 'Offerings' column.

If you are interested in a course that is not currently scheduled

please fill out the information form.  A Hiawatha Valley Power Squadron Officer  will contact you shortly.

 

Description Offerings
Cruise Planning :
Course Includes:
  • Cruise Preparation and Planning
  • Boat & Needed Equipment
  • Chartering
  • Outside the United States
  • Crew Selection; Provisions
  • Voyage Managment; Navigation
  • Weather; Emergencies

Includes 18-20 class-hours of instruction, USPS Cruise Planning Course Student Guide

 

America\'s Boating Course:

Americas Boating Course - 3rd Edition (ABC3):

Learn the fundamentals of safe boat handling and operation plus basic piloting in this comprehensive classroom course. This newly revised course will give you the basics of line throwing, knot tying, boat handling, anchoring, navigation rules and aids, emergencies on the water and more.

Instructors have many years of boating experience shared on the Great Lakes and inland waters. Michigan laws and rules will be presented. This course is recommended because of its detailed course study. Completion of this course qualifies you for a FREE 6 month Power Squadron membership and the opportunity to take our advanced courses.

 

Course includes:

  • Required Safety Equipment
  • Navigation Rules & Aids
  • Finding Your Way
  • Marlinspike (knots!)
  • Registration & State of Michigan Watercraft Regulations
  • Trailering
  • Anchoring
  • Communications Afloat
  • Lights and Sound signals

All students are encouraged to attend the supplemental charting and plotting course offered adjacent to the ABC Course.

Seamanship:

Seamanship

This is the First of the Advanced Level Courses
 
Course Covers:
  • What to Know Before You Go
  • Hull and Propulsion System Charecteristics
  • Slow Speed Maneuvering
  • Boat Handling at Sea
  • Rules of the Road
  • Anchoring / Mooring / Rafting
  • Emergencies on the Water
  • Marilinspike / Line Handling

 Includes 16 - 18 class hours of instruction plus course materials 

Advanced Piloting:

Advanced Piloting

This is the third of the Advanced Level courses.
 
Course Covers:
  • Electronic Navigational
  • GPS
  • Digital Charts
  • Plotters
  • Collision Avoidence
  • Radar
  • Positioning
  • Bearings
  • When Electronics Fail
  • Piloting with Tides, Winds & Currents
Incl. 20 class-hours of instruction, USPS Advanced Piloting Course Student Guide, “Weekend Navigator”
Prerequisite: PILOTING
Piloting:
Piloting
Piloting is the second of the Advanced Level courses and is the first course in the sequence of USPS courses on navigation, covering the basics of coastal and inland navigation. This course focuses on navigation as it is done on recreational boats today and embraces GPS as a primary navigation tool while covering enough of traditional techniques so the student will be able to find his/her way even if their GPS fails. The course includes many in-class exercises, developing the student’s skills through hands-on practice and learning.
 
Course Covers:
  • Charts & Their Interpretation
  • Navigational Aids
  • Plotting Coursesand Determining Direction and Distance
  • Using a Compass
  • Converting between True and Magnetic
  • Using GPS
  • Preplanning Safe Courses
  • Monitoring progress and determining position on the water
  • Traditional Techniques such as Bearings and Dead Reckoning
Incl. 20 class-hours of instruction, USPS Piloting Course Student Guide, “Weekend Navigator”

 Prerequisite: SEAMANSHIP

 

Junior Navigation:

Junior Navigation

This is the fourth of the Advanced Level courses and is the first of a two-part program of study in offshore (open coast) navigation. In Junior Navigation, the student will continue to use GPS as the primary position sensor however; the offshore environment poses many different elements for consideration by the Navigator. Ocean currents, wind, and sea state all affect a vessel's performance over the longer passages. Also, visible terrestrial landmarks are no longer available to the navigator as reference points. In the Junior Navigation course, the student will learn to substitute celestial objects such as the sun as reference points. The course begins with the study of celestial navigation, teaching the student to take sights on the sun with a marine sextant and derive a line of position from that observation. Next, the student will plot a running fix from two sun sights taken about four hours apart. Once the student has learned the basics of celestial sight reduction, the course continues with planning, positioning, and checking one’s position in the offshore environment, using both electronic and celestial tools. Course Covers:

  • Precise time determination
  • Basic concepts of celestial navigation
  • Use of the Nautical Almanac
  • Taking sextant sights of the sun
  • Reducing sights to establish lines of position
  • Use of charts and plotting sheets for offshore navigation
  • Offshore navigational routines for recreational craft
  • Passage planning

Includes approximately 29 class-hours of instruction and student manual

Prerequisite: ADVANCED PILOTING

Navigation:

Navigation

This is the fifth and last of the Advanced Level courses. 
 
Course Covers:
  • Overview of the celestial bodies in the sky
  • Find local mean time of solar and lunar phenomena and convert to zone time
  • Taking sights and finding observed altitude, local hour, angle and declination
  • Sight Reduction and Plotting by Law of Cosines
  • Sight Reduction and Plotting by the Nautical Almanac
  • Sight Reduction Method Sight Planning
  • Emergency Navigation
  • Electronics and Software for Offshore Navigation
  • Plan an offshore voyage using both electronic and celestial positioning

Students will need possession of a Windows-based computer with the ability to  download Navigation software.

Includes approximately 33 class-hours of instruction and student manual

Prerequisite: JUNIOR NAVIGATION

Engine Maintenance :

 

Course Covers:
  • Basic Engine Principles
  • Spark Ignition & Diesel Engine Components & Routine Maintenance
  • Inboard Engine Drive Systems
  • Outboard Engines and Stern Drives
  • Contols, Instruments, Alarms
  • Emergency Repairs Afloat

Incl. 20 Class-hours of Instruction plus USPS Engine Maintenance Course Student Manual plus Handouts.

Marine Communication Systems:

Marine Communication Systems

Marine Communications Systems is an in-depth review of those systems available to the recreational boater. Radio history and spectrum definitions are presented along with definitions of radio circuits that the student should learn, to choose the best communications method for his/her situation. Chapters cover Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), FCC Rules and regulations, operating procedures (both voice and digital messaging are covered), High Seas radio (MF/HF and satellite communications), and other systems such as Family Radio Service transceivers. There is also a chapter on troubleshooting of radio installations.

Course Covers:

  • Radio History and Frequency Spectrum
  • Definitions of Radio Circuits
  • Global Maritime Distress and Safety Systems (GMDSS)
  • FCC Rules and Regulations
  • High Seas Radio (MF / HF and Satellite Communications)
  • Troubleshooting of Radio Systems

Incl. 20-22 Class-hours of Instruction plus USPS Marine Electronics Course Student Guide plus Handouts.

 

Marine Electrical Systems:

 

 

Marine Electronics  103 Cover

Marine Electrical Systems:

The Marine Electrical Systems course is presented in seven chapters that start with an explanation of what electricity is, followed by discussions on boat electrical wiring, DC and AC electrical systems, galvanic and stray current corrosion, lightning protection, and ends with troubleshooting of boat electrical problems.

The course includes detailed instructions on how to use a multimeter, how to solder and crimp electrical wiring circuits, and how to read electrical wiring diagrams. This course can be used as a reference guide for anyone interested in properly maintaining their boat electrical system.

Class will be held in room E on the 4th floor of Anthony Franco Communications Center

Weather:

Weather
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.
Wx2012 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 compete 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.
Course Covers: 
  • Effects of Heat and Cold
  • Wind and Pressure
  • Storms & Fronts
  • Rain, Humidity, Fog
  • Hydrological Cycles
  • Thunderstorms and Tornados
  • Tropical Weather
  • Weather Data Analysis
  • Forecasting
  • Climatic Variables and Data
Incl. 20-22 Class-hours of Instruction
Instructor Development:
Instructor Development Course CoverInstructor Development:
Don't let the title scare you. This course is not only meant to prepare our members for classroom and meeting presentations, but will also help you in your professional career.
Our educational program is highly regarded in the recreational boating community.
In cooperation with the State Boating Law Administrators, USPS has developed this course to prepare our members to be certified instructors in safe boating education.

It's emphasis is on enhancing your presentational skills and is designed to demonstrate interactive teaching methods focused in adult learning.

This Course is FREE to all members!

Sail:

  Sail 

Sail has been created to serve the needs of the novice and experienced sailor, as well as the non-sailor, for basic skills and knowledge.Sail 2009 Cover
 
Course Covers:
  • Basic Sailboat Designs and Nomenclature
  • Rigging
  • Safety and Sail Processes
  • Physical Aspects of Sailing Forces and Techniques
  • Sail Applications
  • Marlinespike
  • Helmsmanship
  • Handling of More Difficult Sailing Conditions
  • Navigation Rules
  • Introduction to Heavy Weather Sailing
Appendices provide an introduction to sailboat racing and sailing in Canadian waters. This new Sail course is a single volume Manual developed in cooperation with the Canadian Sail & Power Squadron. 
America's Boating Course :

Sign up now for Fall classes!

Americas Boating Course - 3rd Edition (ABC3:)

Learn the fundamentals of safe boat handling and operation plus basic piloting in this comprehensive classroom course. This newly revised course will give you the basics of line throwing, knot tying, boat handling, anchoring, navigation rules and aids, emergencies on the water and more.

Instructors have many years of boating experience shared on the Great Lakes and inland waters. Michigan laws and rules will be presented. This course is recommended because of its detailed course study. Completion of this course qualifies you for a FREE 6 month Power Squadron membership and the opportunity to take our advanced courses.

Successful completion of the course earns a MI DNR Boater Safety Card which is REQUIRED by EVERYONE born on or after July 1, 1996 to operate a boat legally in Michigan.

http://www.bpsd9.org/userfiles/image/abc.jpg

The Boater Safety Card is also REQUIRED by EVERYONE born

after December 31, 1978 to operate a Personal Water Craft such as a Jet Ski, Waverunner or Sea-Doo.

Check back here for more information as it becomes available.

Questions?  Contact the Squadron Education Officer at seo@bpsd9.org

Course includes: 

  • Required Safety Equipment
  • Navigation Rules & Aids
  • Finding Your Way
  • Marlinspike (knots!)
  • Boat Registration
  • State of Michigan Watercraft Regulations
  • Trailering
  • Anchoring
  • Communications Afloat
  • Lights and Sound signals
  • Introduction to Charting and Plotting

Instructor Re-Certification:

           

Instructor Re-Certification

The revised 2011 Instructor Recertification Seminar focuses on new technologies and techniques for presenting to adult audiences. It is a fun and audience participative program designed to renew enthusiasm and enhance presentation skills. It covers the benefits and pitfalls of using PowerPoint as an aid, as well as the value of manual aids. We have incorporated a lot we have learned from feedback since the inception of PPT in our courses. It is a two-hour seminar which can be more readily run by squadrons as well as districts.
 
The 2011 Recertification Seminar Instructor Guide and PowerPoint slides may be downloaded from this site (see Downloads below)
 
The certification policy has been revised to remove the grandfathering clauses, which expired at the end of 2005 along with the original 4-hour certification seminar. The original seminar was designed to refresh and grandfather current instructors for initial certification and introduce them to the concepts of the new the ID Course. In contrast, the 2011 revision of the seminar is for the recertification of currently certified instructors to keep them enthused and up-to-date with new ideas and concepts. However, it will serve as more than that, as it focuses on presentation skills useful for any kind of presentation whether in a leadership role or as a member providing a program for a membership meeting, etc. As such, the program will need to be revised and refreshed at least every four years.
 
Downloads
2011 Recertification Seminar Materials

Instructor Guide

957KB

PPT Presentation Slides

8251KB

 

Electronic Navigation:

Electronic Navigation

 
Electronic Navigation introduces GPS technology from the most basic receiver to chart plotter systems for navigation on board. Despite differences among the various manufacturers' offerings, a thorough discussion of the following features is included:
·         Navigating by establishing waypoints and routes
·         Running the planned courses
·         Examining electronic charting software for the desktop computer
·         Creating waypoints and routes on the desktop
·         Downloading to the onboard unit.
Special attention is paid to apps for tablets and smartphones that provide the electronic navigation function at the helm, for relatively little cost.
 
Students should be familiar with basic charting concepts such as latitude, longitude, the compass, course plotting, and time/distance calculation, to get the most out of the course.
 
This course is an elective for the Senior Navigator certification and is required for the Third Level of the Boat Operators' Certificate (BOC).
 
Materials include a soft-bound course text and a Windows-compatible CD for electronic content. The course menu provides an interactive homework tool, hands-on exercises on the PC that simulate GPS function, as well as the Maptech Chart Navigator software and a chart plotter emulator from Standard Horizon.
 

 

Boat Operator's Certification On the Water Program:

USPS District 9 is offering  an on the Water Certification towards any of the three levels of Boat Operator's Certification that are currently available; they will be offered during the day June 17 and June 18.  Register with the SEO to be notified when the new schedule is firm.   The schedule will depend on the BOC levels of the  registrants.  Registrants are asked to share the gas cost.  The levels, in sequential order are:

- Inland Navigator

- Coastal Navigator

- Advanced Coastal Navigator

Details and advantages of the BOC completion may be found on the USPS Website at www.usps.org/eddept/boc/main.htm

 To register, contact seo@bpsd9.org

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