Who Are We? Where Are We? The MPS Bridge Education Information Schedule of Courses Safety Check Photo Gallery Events Calendar Useful Links The Charles Island Bell Member Handbook USPS Home	MPS Education Department The Education Department of the Milford Power and Sail Squadron is devoted to the instruction of the public and to its members. All courses are taught in accordance with the rules and regulations set forth by the National Headquarters of the USPS in Raleigh, NC. For information about MPS Education Courses contact Educational Officer Al Mongillo . or Assistant Educational Officer Bob Post . Public Courses: America's Boating Course Squadron 6 Lesson Boating Course Chart Smart Using GPS Kayak Safety Course Member Courses: These classes are for members of any US Power Squadron Unit and are divided into Advanced Grade Courses and Elective Courses. Advanced Grade Courses: On passing the Advanced Grade Classes the student member will receive a rating designating their educational rank in the USPS. These courses and their ratings are: Seamanship (S) Piloting (P) Advanced Piloting (AP) Junior Navigation (Basic Celestial Navigation) (JN) Navigation (Advanced Celestial Navigation) (N) Elective Courses: Elective courese are of considerable interest but no rating is attained by completion until all courses have be successfully passed. These courses are: Engine Maintenance Marine Electronics Weather Cruise Planning Sail Instructor Qualification After successfully completing Advanced Piloting or higher and three elective courses a Certification of Educational Proficiency will be awarded to the student. After successfully completing all advanced and elective courses the student qualifies for a grade of Senior Navigator (SN). AMERICA'S BOATING COURSE DESCRIPTION The America's Boating Course is an 8 hour class in basic boating. A USPS text will be supplied along with a State of Connecticut Boaters Guide. The course will address such topics as: Boats, hulls and motors PFD's and how to use them Rule of the road and right of way How to prevent accidents Registration and legal requirements Lights and what they mean Docking, knots and trailering Personal watercraft operation A Personal Watercraft (PWC) Video will be shown to satisfy the State of CT requirement for the PWC certificate. A passing grade for the examination is 80%. SQUADRON 6 LESSON BOATING COURSE DESCRIPTION The Squadron 6 Lesson Boating Course is presented for those students who desire a more through knowledge of the same material as presented in the America's Boating Course. This course will also present a lesson on marine navigation which consists of discussions on compass use, plotting and charts. Additional time is devoted to topics of boating safety such as rules of the road and right of way. The final chapter of the text is devoted to Personal Watercraft. This course is presented in six weekly 2 hour sessions with a seventh session reserved for the examination. A passing grade for the exam is 80%. CHART SMART The Chart Smart Course is an introduction to Piloting. It presents basic navigational techniques for many uses such as: Planning a cruise Plotting a course Determining your position Estimating how long it will take to reach your destination There are six topical sections to the course: The Mariners Compass Charts Aids to Navigation Plotting a Course Distance, Speed Time Determining Position The Course has been written for presentation to the public. Each student will receive a text, dividers and a course plotter. It is a 4 hour program and on completion the student will receive a "Certificate of Completion". SEAMANSHIP COURSE DESCRIPTION Building on the basics learned in Boating, the Seamanship course is an important foundation for other "advanced grade" courses. The student learns - Basic marlinespike seamanship Hull design Navigation rules Operation under normal and adverse conditions Responsibilities of the skipper Fire prevention and control Basic first aid Common courtesies on the water Boat care Nautical customs and flag etiquette PILOTING COURSE DESCRIPTION This course is the first of a two-part program studying inland and coastal navigation. Its focus is on the fundamentals of piloting - keeping track of a boat's movements, determining one's position at any time and laying out courses to a planned destination. Included are subjects such as - Charts and their use Aids to navigation The mariner's compass Variation and deviation of the compass Plotting and steering courses Dead reckoning Plotting and labeling charts ADVANCED PILOTING COURSE DESCRIPTION This course is the final part of the inland and coastal navigation series. Its emphasis is on the use of modern electronic navigation systems and other advanced techniques for finding position. Among topics covered are - Tides and currents and their effect on piloting Finding position using bearings and angles Simple use of the mariner's sextant Electronic navigation - Radar, Loran, GPS, etc... JUNIOR NAVIGATION COURSE DESCRIPTION Junior Navigation is the first in a two-part program of study in offshore navigation. It is designed as a practical "how to" course. Subject matter includes - Precise time determination Use of the Nautical Almanac Taking sextant sights of the sun, moon, planets and stars Reducing sights to establish lines of position Special charts and plotting sheets for offshore navigation Offshore navigational routines for recreational craft NAVIGATION COURSE DESCRIPTION This course is the second part of the study of offshore navigation, further developing the student's understanding of celestial navigation theory. The course covers - Additional sight-reduction techniques Honing skills in sight taking and positioning Orderly methods for the navigator's day's work at sea Navigating with minimal resources, as in a lifeboat USING GPS SEMINAR Practical GPS Seminar - 2-3 hours. For all boaters Using handheld GPS for boating: Magellan or Garmin Basic Theory, Practice and Applications for use of your hand-held GPS. Settings, Menus and Features. KAYAK SAFETY COURSE Kayak Safety Course - for kayakers and canoeist of all skill levels Practical tips on kayaking, kayak and equipment selection, and rescue techniques. You will learn: Selecting a Kayak Strokes - power stroke, draw, brace Moving water - rivers, currents, winds and waves Weather, lightning and fog Hypothermia - dressing for the weather Sharing the water with other boaters Navigation basics, compass, charts & GPS Pool session: PFD & safety gear - selection and use Practicing strokes Capsizing and spray skirts Self and partner rescues Presented by Bruce Ross Updated: May 24, 2013