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If you are looking
for boating classes, or a complete
boating education, you've come to the right place. If you are looking
for a Maritime Mobile Service Identity, you've come to the
right place. If you are looking for someone to perform a free vessel
safety check on your boat, you've come to the right place. If you
would like to help enhance the Boating
Guide to America, this is the place. If you would like to have some
real fun boating, join the 40,000 members of USPS and help spread the word.
America's Boating Course - 3rd Edition
America's Boating Course - 3rd Edition
is the latest public boating course offered by USPS to the general boating
community. You may be familiar with our prior courses such as The
Squadron Boating Course, Boat Smart, the original America's
Boating Course, or Chart Smart
The Squadron
Boating Course
The Squadron Boating Course,
now being replaced by America's Boating Course - 3rd Edition,
is a classroom course for all boaters including skippers of a family
cruiser, sailing enthusiasts, personal watercraft (PWC) operators,
hunters or fishermen operating an outboard utility boat, and canoe and
kayak paddlers. It covers the basics you need to know to safely and
legally operate your boat, such as basic boating terminology, boat
handling, water sports safety, PWCs, legally required equipment and other
boating laws and regulations, right-of-way rules between boats, and
marine radio operation. The course is meant to be of interest to the
whole family, and we encourage your family to attend as a group. Beyond
the basic safety material, additional material covers the fundamentals of
reading nautical charts, of using a chart to plot and follow a safe
course, and the basics of using a Global Positioning System (GPS) for
navigation. In addition to practice charts and plotting tools, the
materials supplied with the course also include a CD-ROM containing Maptech’s Chart Navigator computer program, allowing
the student to learn about this exciting new electronic technology.
The
Squadron Boating Course can be taught in either of two
formats at your local squadron's discretion – an eight (8) hour course
covering basic safety topics, or a twelve (12) hour course covering
safety plus charting and navigation topics. Either format with its
proctored examination meets the requirements of National Association of
State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) so that you can get your safety
certificate in those states that require one to operate a power driven
vessel. Get more
information on The Squadron Boating Course.
Public
Seminars
USPS has a series of short seminars
covering specific topics of interest to boaters. Some of the topics
that are available now cover GPS, chart reading, VHF radio usage
(including the Digital Selective Calling feature found on all new
radios), and on-board weather forecasting. These seminars are
usually taught in a single two-hour class. A student note
book is included, along with a take-away guide or other items that are
useful on your boat. Seminars on other topics are now being completed,
and will be released in the near future. Get more information on
USPS’s public seminars.
USPS Guides
A series of booklets on a wide variety of subjects of interest to
boaters, known as USPS Guides,
are also available from USPS. Some Guides are also sold at marine
supply stores and book stores. These guides are a great fill-in to
complete your boating and marine-related education, whether you are out
on the water or relaxing around the house.
Beyond Our Public Courses
Beyond these courses, seminars, and learning guides offered to the
public, USPS also teaches a large number of members-only courses,
ranging from basic deck seamanship to advanced navigation and engine
maintenance. Many USPS members feel these member-only courses
are the top reason for joining USPS
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