General Information

Course starting dates and other pertinent information is available from the
course instructor.  If a course is offered by our squadron on a day that is a conflict, contact the Educational Officer who will check nearby squadrons for their dates.  A USPS member may take a USPS course in ANY squadron, if space is available. 

USPS currently offers twelve courses to its members. These average ten to twelve weeks in duration. A few courses are longer than this and a few shorter. For a few courses, the advanced nature of the course content necessitates completing a prerequisite course. Your Squadron Educational Officer can explain these to you. (See your Roster for the name and phone number of your Squadron Educational Officer.) The remainder become immediately available to you.  If a member has particular knowledge in any subject, he/she may order and read the manual and then take the exam without classroom study. If passed, credit will be given for the course. 

The courses offered are described below. The first five courses comprise a series called "Advanced Grades."  They should be taken in the order listed, since each course builds upon the knowledge gained in the previous one. The next seven courses are termed "Elective Courses" and may be taken in any order.

Advanced Grades

Seamanship

Seamanship takes up where the public boating safety course left off. It covers basic knowledge that every skipper wants to know even before leaving port. It includes practical marlinspike, hull design and performance, boat care, the skipper's responsibilities, boating under both normal and abnormal conditions, handling emergencies afloat, and much more.

The course will be held at the home of Justin Rapp in Monroe .  Class size is limited, and reservations must be made. Next Course to be announced.

 Register by calling Justin at 732-656-1830 or by e-mail: witeagle@yahoo.com.

Instructor:  Justin Rapp

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Piloting

This course introduces you to the important topics of marine charts, aids to navigation, use and adjustment of the mariner's compass, planning and plotting a course, using the "dead reckoning" method of keeping track of your position, and taking compass bearings to determine your boat's position on the water, tides and currents and other aspects of piloting. 

Instructor: Gerald Borna, JN, ab32@optonline.net  Next course February 27 from 1900 - 2100.  Please email the instructor so material can be ordered.  There is also limited space.  

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Advanced Piloting

This course builds on the knowledge gained in Piloting to teach you how to navigate in coastal waters, how to predict and correct your course plots for tides and currents, how to navigate safely with electronic devices such as radar, loran C, and GPS, and how to optimize course planning. The course will start following the completion of the Piloting Course so the Piloting students can move on to Advanced Piloting.  Next course to be announced

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Junior Navigation

While Piloting and Advanced Piloting train you to effectively navigate in coastal waters within sight of land and visible navigation aids, Junior Navigation begins your study of offshore navigation. You will learn to use integrated electronic positioning systems, how to take sights on celestial bodies with a mariner's sextant, and how to use special open-ocean charts to plan your passage and determine your position.

Instructors: Manny Alvarez and Emanuel Alvarez    -   Class has completed   Photos

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Navigation

Elective Courses

Sail

Sail guides you through the special terminology and dynamics of sailing, hulls and rigging, wind and water forces and balance, points of sail, sail handling, and navigation rules unique to sailing and much more.

Instructor:  Maurice Leblon mwleblon@verizon.net    Contact Maurice LeBlon, 732-257-5993 Class size is limited to 6 students. Next course starts Thursday, 2/23/2012, register by 2/9/2012.

Cruise Planning

This course is designed to help you prepare for voyaging in your boat, whether it's just a weekend or a multi-month cruise. You'll learn the essentials of equipping and provisioning your boat, selecting a crew, financing the trip, entering and clearing foreign ports, handling emergencies afloat, and boat security.  Course  runs for 8 consecutive weeks in Freehold, NJ.   To register for the course or to answer any of your questions, please call George Druist at 732-294-9719 or e-mail at gdruist@verizon.net.   

Reservations for the 2012 Cruise Planning Course are being accepted through Monday,  February 27, 2012.  Course starts March 12th, 2012, to conclude by the first week of May.

Instructor:      George Druist  

  Photos

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Engine Maintenance

This course will teach you how to troubleshoot most common engine problems and "jury rig" many repairs. The course covers outboard motors, inboard gasoline and diesel engines, power trains, and related mechanical systems. This course won't turn you into an expert mechanic, but can save you time and money.

   Course runs 2 hours a night for 12 weeks.   Next course starts Monday, 2/27/12, register by 2/13/2012 

Instructor: P/D/C Dick Fiorentini 

Photos

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Instructor Development

Instructor Development provides you with the practical knowledge and training in techniques of making effective presentations, whether as a course instructor, meeting chair, public speaker, or everyday conversationalist.  This course is required for all USPS instructors and re-certification is required every 4 years. 

Instructor: bob@thestahls.com    Contact Past Commander Chub Varga.  Next course spring 2012

Photos

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Marine Electrical & Communication Systems

 Marine Electrical Systems

This course offers you essential information about boat electrical and electronic systems in non technical terms. You will learn about proper wiring and power systems, corrosion and electrolysis. Course limited to 10 students.  George is an electrical engineer.  Instructor: George Zenker, gzenker@optonline.net      Course completed. Next course to be announced.
 
 
Marine Communication Systems
 
This course is an in-depth review of communications 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. One chapter is devoted to the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and another to FCC Rules and regulations. The remaining chapters cover 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 limited to 10 students.  George is an electrical engineer.  Instructor: George Zenker, gzenker@optonline.net        Course completed.  Next course to be announced.  

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Weather

Instructor:  Vincent Praino,AP vincent_praino@roelynn.com  Course completed 

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USPS also offers a series of "USPS Learning Guides." They are self-study handbooks on specialized boating related subjects of interest to skippers and navigators. Topics range from GPS to Knots, Bends, & Hitches; from Amateur Radio to Oceanography; from Boat Design & Construction to Predicted Log Contests. USPS currently has over twenty different Learning Guides.

There are also 18 mini courses (2 1/2 hour seminars) available to members and the public taught at various times:

Advanced Powerboat Handling              Anchoring                               Basic Coastal Navigation         

Boat Handling Under Power                   Boating on Rivers, Locks and Lakes       

How To Use Charts                                  Marine RADAR                              Hurricanes and Boats

Knots Bends and Hitches                        Mastering Rules OF The Road    Mariner's Compass  

Mariner's Compass                                   Onboard Weather Forecasting    Paddle Smart              

Partner in Command                                Sail Trim and Rig Tuning              Using GPS 

Trailering Your Boat                                  Using VHF & DSCMarineRadio

Now it's up to you. Are you ready to expand your boating knowledge and skills?

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