HONOLULU
SAIL AND POWER SQUADRON
A unit of the United States Power Squadrons
Copyright 2010 Honolulu Sail & Power Squadron
Public Classes
The course materials include both a 244-page full color manual and interactive "courseware". The manual is your textbook, and the "courseware" is your virtual instructor. Both cover the same topics but each in its own way. The manual includes extensive diagrams, graphics and boating tips. The courseware is narrated and interactive, making use of animation, video, and sound. Both manual and courseware provide review questions so that you can verify that you truly understand the material. In addition to the lessons, the courseware includes resources which will come in handy long after you have completed the course: printable forms (checklists, accident reports, float plans, etc.) and links to reference documents such as the Navigation Rules.
The course manual consists of five chapters packed with boating tips along with the nautical rules of the road. The first four chapters contain core boating information while the last chapter is optional and contains an introduction to GPS waypoint navigation and piloting via dead reckoning skills.
Chapter
1:
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Getting Started—nautical terms
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Required Safety Equipment-life jackets, fire ext.
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Going Boating—fueling, casting off, underway
Chapter 2:
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Navigation Rules
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Navigation Aids
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Lights and Sound signals
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Government Regulations
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State and Local Regulations
Chapter 3:
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Finding Your Way—nautical charts, electronic navigation
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Anchoring
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Adverse Conditions and Emergencies
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Communications Afloat
Chapter 4:
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Water Sports Safety-water skiing, hunting/fishing, paddling
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Trailering
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PWC Operation
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Knots and Lines
Chapter 5: (optional)
Featuring hands-on exercises using standard plotting tools. This chapter is presented in a classroom setting under the expert guidance of an experienced instructor. Classroom plotting exercises build skill and confidence for larger lakes and rivers and coastal waters.
Introduction to Navigation—how GPS works, nautical charts, digital charts
Charts—what they convey and how to interpret the many symbols
Digital Charting—an introduction to waypoint and route planning using the latest in computer software
Both the manual and CD-ROM
containing the courseware are provided with each purchase, as well as
a PIN (Personal Identification Number) that provides you with Internet
access to the on-line courseware. Learn the basics of boating at your own
pace, at home or away, using either a PC or a Macintosh.
America's Boating Course is recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard and has been
approved by the
National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. In addition to the
course material, a fellow
boater in your area from USPS® will contact you with an offer of assistance
regarding state regulations, taking a final exam, and answering any other
questions you may have. The United States Power Squadrons® is at your
disposal.
