SBSPS Education
Scheduled Classes
Public Classes
USPS ABC 3rd Edition Beginning Boating/Charting Classes
The USPS ABC 3rd Edition Public Boating Course is based on materials developed by USPS and is an introduction to safe boating and the use of nautical charts and maps in basic navigation. All participants take the basic boating module. Those interested in chart skills can also add a 2-week charting module. The final week of either course will include a multiple choice exam that meets state boating requirements for all participating states.
Participants who successfuly complete the ABC 3rd Edition Public Boating Course and exam (either course track) will be awarded a certificate of completion recognized by the National Association of Safe Boating Laws Administrators (NASBLA), a certification recognized by participating states as meeting required safe boating training.
The USPS ABC 3rd Edition Public Boating Course is based on materials developed by USPS and is an introduction to safe boating and the use of nautical charts and maps in basic navigation. All participants take the basic boating module. Those interested in chart skills can also add a 2-week charting module. The final week of either course will include a multiple choice exam that meets state boating requirements for all participating states.
Participants who successfuly complete the ABC 3rd Edition Public Boating Course and exam (either course track) will be awarded a certificate of completion recognized by the National Association of Safe Boating Laws Administrators (NASBLA), a certification recognized by participating states as meeting required safe boating training.
First Session - 06 Feb 2012 - 12 Mar 2012 (Six Weeks)
Time/Location - 6:45 p.m., Battell Center, 904 N. Main Street, Mishawaka, Indiana.
Cost - $39.00 for materials. Additional students sharing materials - $14.00.
Second Session - 02 Apr 2012 - 07 May 2012 (Six Weeks)
Time/Location - 6:45 p.m., Battell Center, 904 N. Main Street, Mishawaka, Indiana.
Cost - $39.00 for materials. Additional students sharing materials - $14.00.
For details email education@sbsps.org.
Time/Location - 6:45 p.m., Battell Center, 904 N. Main Street, Mishawaka, Indiana.
Cost - $39.00 for materials. Additional students sharing materials - $14.00.
Second Session - 02 Apr 2012 - 07 May 2012 (Six Weeks)
Time/Location - 6:45 p.m., Battell Center, 904 N. Main Street, Mishawaka, Indiana.
Cost - $39.00 for materials. Additional students sharing materials - $14.00.
For details email education@sbsps.org.
Public Boating Course - Special Weekend Edition
Join us for a special weekend edition of public boating education at marinas in St. Joseph Michigan. We'll cover the usual five-week course in two weekend sessions from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 pm, with the final exam on the third weekend.
Participants who successfuly complete the Public Boating Course - Special Weekend Edition and exam will be awarded a certificate of completion recognized by the National Association of Safe Boating Laws Administrators (NASBLA), a certification recognized by participating states as meeting required safe boating training.
For details email education@sbsps.org.
Join us for a special weekend edition of public boating education at marinas in St. Joseph Michigan. We'll cover the usual five-week course in two weekend sessions from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 pm, with the final exam on the third weekend.
Participants who successfuly complete the Public Boating Course - Special Weekend Edition and exam will be awarded a certificate of completion recognized by the National Association of Safe Boating Laws Administrators (NASBLA), a certification recognized by participating states as meeting required safe boating training.
Dates - 14 Apr 2012 - 28 Apr 2012
Location - Pier 33 Marina, St. Joseph, MI
Time - Classes are 9:00am to 1:00pm. Registration begins the first day at 8:45am.
Cost - $39.00 for materials. Additional students sharing materials - $14.00.
Participants who successfuly complete the Public Boating Course - Special Weekend Edition and
exam will be awarded a certificate of completion recognized by the National Association of Safe
Boating Laws Administrators (NASBLA), a certification recognized by participating states as
meeting required safe boating training.Location - Pier 33 Marina, St. Joseph, MI
Time - Classes are 9:00am to 1:00pm. Registration begins the first day at 8:45am.
Cost - $39.00 for materials. Additional students sharing materials - $14.00.
For details email education@sbsps.org.
Public Seminars
USPS University has developed a series of two-hour seminars targeted to a range of boaters and
types of boating. These seminars are available to the general public. Each seminar provides
credits toward the soon to be released Boat Operator Certification program, and credit toward
elective courses. Information about scheduled seminars will be posted here periodically. A list
of available seminars can be found on the USPS webpage at
http://www.usps.org/e_stuff/seminars.htm.
To find a seminar in your area, navigate to
http://www.usps.org/cgi-bin-
nat/eddept/cfind.cgi.
Advanced Grade and Elective Classes
All USPS Classes are now open to the general public! USPS Members receive substantial discounts on USPS Classes.
All USPS Classes are now open to the general public! USPS Members receive substantial discounts on USPS Classes.
USPS Cruise Planning (Elective)
Instructor - P/C Chuck McFarland, JN and P/C Georgia McFarland, JN
Date/Time - 15 Mar 2012 - 03 May 2012 (8 weeks) [1845]
Location - Battell Center
Cost - Members - $40.00. Additional family members sharing materials $10.00. Non-members $65.00. Additional family members sharing materials $35.00.
Course Description - There is something very special about the thrill of cruising in new waters and the sense of accomplishment upon completing an extended cruise. To go beyond what most boaters do on a weekend overnight or even a week or so marina hopping requires boaters to leave their normal cruising areas and comfort zones. The Cruise Planning course focuses on the planning and preparation necessary for safe enjoyable extended cruises on both inland and coastal waters. Designed for members who cruise on either a sail or powerboat (owned or chartered)—this course covers the following topics:
Date/Time - 15 Mar 2012 - 03 May 2012 (8 weeks) [1845]
Location - Battell Center
Cost - Members - $40.00. Additional family members sharing materials $10.00. Non-members $65.00. Additional family members sharing materials $35.00.
Course Description - There is something very special about the thrill of cruising in new waters and the sense of accomplishment upon completing an extended cruise. To go beyond what most boaters do on a weekend overnight or even a week or so marina hopping requires boaters to leave their normal cruising areas and comfort zones. The Cruise Planning course focuses on the planning and preparation necessary for safe enjoyable extended cruises on both inland and coastal waters. Designed for members who cruise on either a sail or powerboat (owned or chartered)—this course covers the following topics:
- Introduction
- Chapter 1: Cruise preparation and planning - General
- Chapter 2: Boat and Equipment
- Chapter 3: Anchors and Anchoring
- Chapter 4: Security
- Chapter 5: Chartering
- Chapter 6: Cruising Outside the United States
- Chapter 7: Crew and Provisioning
- Chapter 8: Voyage Management
- Chapter 9: Communications
- Chapter 10: Navigation
- Chapter 11: Weather
- Chapter 12: Emergencies
USPS Piloting (Advanced Grade)
Instructor - P/C H. Jay Stevens, SN
Date/Time - 29 Feb 2012 - 25 Apr 2012 (9 weeks) [1900]
Location - Battell Center
Prerequisites - Public Boating Class (Boat Smart®, ABC Boating® or equivalent).
Cost - Members $80.00. Additional family members sharing materials $14.00. Non-members $105.00. Additional family members sharing materials $35.00.
Course Description - A USPS advanced grade class, the Piloting course is the first in the sequence of USPS courses on navigation, covering the basics of coastal and inland navigation. While many members take Seamanship prior to the Piloting course, Seamanship is not a prerequisite. This all-new course focuses on navigation as it is done on recreational boats today and embraces GPS as a primary navigation tool, while covering enough of traditional techniques so the student will be able to find his/her way even if their GPS fails. The course includes many in-class exercises, developing the student’s skills through hands-on practice and learning. Topics covered include:
Date/Time - 29 Feb 2012 - 25 Apr 2012 (9 weeks) [1900]
Location - Battell Center
Prerequisites - Public Boating Class (Boat Smart®, ABC Boating® or equivalent).
Cost - Members $80.00. Additional family members sharing materials $14.00. Non-members $105.00. Additional family members sharing materials $35.00.
Course Description - A USPS advanced grade class, the Piloting course is the first in the sequence of USPS courses on navigation, covering the basics of coastal and inland navigation. While many members take Seamanship prior to the Piloting course, Seamanship is not a prerequisite. This all-new course focuses on navigation as it is done on recreational boats today and embraces GPS as a primary navigation tool, while covering enough of traditional techniques so the student will be able to find his/her way even if their GPS fails. The course includes many in-class exercises, developing the student’s skills through hands-on practice and learning. Topics covered include:
- Charts and their interpretation
- Navigation aids and how they point to safe water
- Plotting courses and determining direction and distance
- The mariner’s compass and converting between True and Magnetic
- Use of GPS – typical GPS displays and information they provide, setting up waypoints and routes, staying on a GPS route.
- Pre-planning safe courses and entering them into the GPS
- Monitoring progress and determining position by both GPS and traditional techniques such as bearings and dead reckoning
- The “Seaman’s Eye” – simple skills for checking that one is on course.
USPS Junior Navigation (Advanced Grade)
Instructor - P/C Bruce Hummel, JN
Date/Time - 09 January 2012 - 26 March 2012 (12 weeks) [1900]
Location - Battell Center
Course Description - Junior Navigation is the fourth in the USPS members-only advanced grade course, and the first in a two-part program of study in offshore navigation. Junior Navigation is followed by the Navigation course. Junior Navigation is designed as a practical "how to" course. Subject matter includes:
Date/Time - 09 January 2012 - 26 March 2012 (12 weeks) [1900]
Location - Battell Center
Course Description - Junior Navigation is the fourth in the USPS members-only advanced grade course, and the first in a two-part program of study in offshore navigation. Junior Navigation is followed by the Navigation course. Junior Navigation 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
- Reducing sights to establish lines of position
- Special charts and plotting sheets for offshore navigation
- Offshore navigational routines for recreational craft
