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General Information
Course starting dates and other pertinent information is available
from the 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. Registration Cutoff Date: Payments received after cut off dates will
incur a $10 fee to cover additional shipping and handling charges If you are interested in taking a course and one is not offered at the present time, you may wish to get a group together and request the education Officer arrange for an instructor to offer the course. Squadron Educational Officer Lt/C Vincent J. Praino email Advanced GradesSeamanship
PilotingThis 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: Cdr. Gerald Borna, JN, ab32@optonline.net Starts: September 2013 Advanced PilotingThis 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.
Completed next course date to be announced.
Junior NavigationWhile 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: P/C Manny Alvarez and Emanuel Alvarez - Class has completed Photos Starts: Next course date to be announced NavigationThis course further develops your understanding of celestial navigation theory and your skills in taking and "reducing" sights. You will also learn to navigate with only minimal survival gear in the event of a disabling boat accident. The course starts October 17, 2011Instructors: P/C Manny Alvarez, mannyjalvarez@aol.com, Emanuel Alvarez TOPmalvarez@c-3technologies.com Starts: Course completed. Next course to be announced SailSail 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: Pat Greer email Class size is limited to 6 students. Starts: Class in Progress
Cruise PlanningThis 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, contact instructor Instructor: Jerry Borna email Starts: Next course starting date Spring 2014 Engine MaintenanceThis 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. Instructor: P/D/C Dick Fiorentini USPSpwrbtr@aol.com Starts: Completed. Next course TBA Instructor DevelopmentInstructor 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: Contact P/C Chub Varga. cjvarga@optimum.net Starts: Next course date to be announced Marine Electrical & Communication Systems Marine Electrical Systems Instructor: Jerry Borna, email Course completed. Starts: Next course starts September 2013 Instructor: Jon Harrison, email Starts: Next course date TBA WeatherThis class will teach you how to predict the weather by reading the sky, wind, clouds, temperature, barometer, etc. It will also teach you where to look on the internet for weather information and how to read weather maps. It is an excellent class if you want to be able to forecast good or bad boating days and learn what to do in the event bad weather is approaching.
The weather course will be at Keyport Yacht Club. All members interested in attending should contact me via email at Vincent_Praino@roelynn.com or call me at 732-942-9650 ext. 104 (leave a message). Instructor: Lt/C Vincent Praino, JN vincent_praino@roelynn.com Starts: Class Completed. Next course to be offered in November 2013
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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