The New Castle Power Squadron (as a unit of the United States Power Squadrons) offers a Public Basic Boating Course to anyone who is interested. For more information on this course, please go to the "Public Courses" link on the left.  We also offer internal education classes to any of it's members who are interested.  There are both Advanced Grade classes and Elective classes.  We sometimes offer seminars to the public. If you are interested in any of these classes, please contact Squadron Education Officer Al Martin 412-671-6314

USPS Advanced Grades Program

Seamanship (S)

Building on the basics taught in the USPS Basic Boating Course, 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 a needed introduction to the USPS educational program and a strong foundation for the member going on to take other Advanced Grades courses and/or Cruise Planning or Sail.

Piloting (P)

Piloting is the first of a two-part program of study of inland and coastal navigation. Focus is on the fundamentals of basic piloting -- keeping track of your movements on the water, determining where you are at any given moment, and laying out a course to your planned destination. Included are a thorough study of charts and their use, aids to navigation, mariner’s compass, variation and deviation, bearings, dead reckoning, and developing skill at plotting and labeling.

Advanced Piloting (AP)

The second part of the study of inland and coastal navigation, with strong emphasis on the latter is Advanced Piloting . The student learns many more advanced positioning techniques and is introduced to the phenomena of tides and tidal currents and their impact on piloting. Also covered are the simple use of the marine sextant and various modern electronic navigation systems for positioning and course planning.

Junior Navigator (JN)

Junior Navigator is the first of a two-part program of study in offshore (open ocean) navigation. It is designed as a practical, how to course leaving the theoretical and more advanced techniques for the Navigation course. The subject matter includes: the basic concepts of celestial navigation; how to use the mariner’s sextant to take sights of the sun, moon, planets, and stars; the importance and techniques of accurate time determination; use of the nautical almanac; how to reduce sights to establish lines of positions (LOPs); and , the use of special charts, plotting sheets, and other navigation data for offshore positions and passage planning.

Navigator (N)

This is the second part of the study of offshore navigation. It further develops the student’s understanding of celestial navigation theory, essential to shortcut emergency methods. The student is introduced to additional sight reduction techniques and develops greater skill and precision in sight taking, positioning, 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.

Elective Grade Courses of the USPS

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 not intended to produce trained mechanics but rather more intelligent and more resourceful boat engine operators.

Instructor Development

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. Attendance at the majority of the class sessions is mandatory before taking the examination.

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, omega, 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

This course provides a thorough study of the terminology of sailing; types of hulls, rigs, and sail-plans;. Running and standing rigging and their adjustment and tuning; and sailboat marlinespike. The dynamics of sailing are covered including: hull and water forces caused by wind and waves; forces versus balance; techniques of sailing; points of sail; sail handling; sailing under various wind conditions from light air to storm survival; boat operation and emergency techniques unique to sailboats.

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.

For more indepth descriptions of the above courses, click here, and then click on the course abbreviation symbol in the lower left hand part of the page and then on the description for the desired course.

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    Last Update:  Feb. 2015