QUIZ Time:

1. Can you identify what all of the symbols on this chart are, and what they mean to you as skipper of your boat?

2. If you saw these lights at night, could you identify them and what they mean to you as a skipper?

If you answered "NO" to either of these questions, you could be endangering both you and your passengers. The first image shows markings that you would typically encounter on any navigable waters of the United States. Not knowing what they mean could be disastrous. The second image is that of a huge ship (freighter, container ship, etc.) and it is heading straight at you. You better know what it is, and which way to steer.

Think about it. What is your life, and that of your passengers worth to you. Is it worth taking a few classes? I hope so. Your safety and enjoyment of the marine environment is paramount to us. This is why we do what we do!

The United States Power Squadrons provides a course designed to provide the students the greatest amount of information possible in the time required and available: America's Boating Course. This is a basic boating course that includes the Texas regulations required to obtain the State Boater Education Certificate.

All courses are taught using volunteer instructors, at our cost. Your only cost is for the books, and for state certification if you wish to get it. The books and materials are $50, and the state certification, should you choose to obtain it is an additional $10.

COURSES AVAILABLE TO GBSPS MEMBERS

Anyone completing the advanced grades, as well as the Electives and Learning Guides will have received roughly the same amount of training given to a midshipman at the Naval Academy. In most cases, this person would be comfortable navigating a boat anywhere in the world.

Classes will be held at the GBPS Strickler Building starting at 1900. Cost will be $50 per course.

Sign up by emailing your course preference to Jim Hammond at james.hammond42@verizon.net

Advanced Grades -

• Seamanship- Building on the basics taught in the USPS Boating courses, Seamanship is the recommended first course for new members, both powerboaters and sailors. The student learns 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 an introduction to the USPS educational program and a strong foundation for the other Advanced Grades courses (see below), and the Elective Courses Cruise Planning and Basic Sail.

• Piloting - Piloting introduces the fundamentals of piloting and positioning -- the study of marine charts, aids to navigation, adjustment and use of the mariner's compass, dead reckoning, planning and plotting courses, and taking bearings to determine on-the-water position.

• Advanced Piloting - Advanced Piloting builds on the knowledge gained in Piloting to teach how to navigate safely in coastal waters -- predict tides and tidal currents and their impact on boat position, advanced positioning techniques, and the use of electronic navigation systems for positioning and course planning.

• Junior Navigation - Junior Navigation begins the study of offshore (open-ocean) navigation -- integrated electronic positioning systems, sight taking with a mariner's sextant on the sun, moon, planets, and stars, how to reduce sights using the nautical almanac to determine position, and passage planning with special open-ocean charts.

• Navigation - Navigation further develops the understanding of celestial navigation theory and the skills in sight taking and reduction -- additional sight reduction techniques 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.
  

Electives -

• Cruise Planning- This course is preparation for a cruise, whether the cruise is for a day, a week, a month or longer. Whether you are going to cruise on rivers, lakes, the coasts, or across the oceans, very valuable information is provided by those who have been there. The topics discussed are: planning the voyage, financing the voyage, equipping the boat, crew selection, provisioning, voyage management, navigation planning, weather, communications, entering and clearing foreign and domestic ports, anchors and anchoring, emergencies afloat, medical emergencies and security.

• Engine Maintenance- This course covers the general construction, operating principles, maintenance and repair of marine gasoline and diesel engines, cooling, electrical, fuel, and lubricating systems and associated propulsion components - clutches, shafting and propellers. Since one of the major objectives of the course is to help the student become more self-reliant afloat, trouble diagnosis and temporary remedies are emphasized along with safety measures. The course is intended to make you a more intelligent and more resourceful boat engine operator.

• Instructor Qualification - The development of practical skills and methods in preparing for both classroom and meeting presentations are the objectives of the unique course. The course includes practice assignments in preparation and delivery of presentations in the classroom, including the use of visual and other aids. All types of aids that can enhance a presentation are studied and the student is afforded the opportunity to become familiar with their best use.

• Marine Electronics - Essential knowledge about your boat's electrical and electronic systems is studied in this course. Proper wiring, grounding, electrolysis control, and batteries and their maintenance are included. Depth finders, marine radio telephones, radar, loran, GPS, and advanced systems for electronic navigation are also studied. Information is provided on FCC requirements for station licensing and operator permits for radio telephone.

• Sail 101 - This course module, Basic Sail, provides a through study of the terminology of sailing; as well as information on the following subjects: sailboat rigs, sail plans, boat design and hull types, sails, standing rigging, running rigging, wind, preparing to sail, sailing upwind, sailing downwind, docking and anchoring, marlinespike seamanship, navigation rules.

• Sail 102 - This course module, Advanced Sail, provides information on the following subjects: wind forces, stability, balance, sail shape, tuning the rig, steering and helmanship, spinnaker handling, heavy weather sailing, storm conditions, sailing safety, sailboat racing, race management, navigation rules.

• Weather - Awareness of weather phenomena, how to read the weather map and the sky, and understand and anticipate weather developments for more pleasurable boating are the objectives of this course. Subjects studied include: characteristics and structure of the atmosphere, what weather is and its basic causes, normal development and movement of weather over the earth, and the factors considered in weather forecasting. Observations that the skipper can make afloat include both instrumental and visual: cloud sequences and the weather they predict; air masses, fronts, storms, and fog; and the use of radio and television weather broadcasts. Throughout the course the student is encouraged to make observations and predications in order to gain experience in applying the principles taught and develop greater insight into weather phenomena.

Learning Guides - These guides are generally short booklets that provide useful information on a variety of marine-related topics. All Learning Guides below, except Sight Reduction Methods, cost $6.95 each. Sight Reduction Methods costs $16.95.

• Amateur Radio
• Boat Design and Construction
• Boat Insurance
• Calculators for Navigation
• Compass Adjusting
• Global Positioning System
• How to Fly Flags
• Introduction to Sailing
• Knots, Bends, and Hitches
• Navigational Astronomy
• Oceanography
• Plotting and Labeling Standards
• Predicted Log Contest
• Radar
• Sight Reduction Methods
• Skipper Saver
• USPS Nautical Glossary
• Water Sports

 

Seminars are short courses that cover a specific topic, generally lasting for two to three hours. They can be done both for members as well as the general public.

Seminars 2011
Seminar	Dates	Instructor/Contacts
N/A	There are currently no scheduled seminars	TBD