|
|
  

Education
courses available to members
Advanced
Grade Courses See
the course schedule here

The following
courses are considered as "core" courses for advancement in critical boating
areas and their completion reflects the level of accomplishment by the member.
Upon successful completion of the course, the course designation is appended to
the member's name in organization records and correspondence to reflect the
member's "rank". An example would be: John Doe,. AP
Seamanship.
Building on the basics taught in the Boating Course, Seamanship is the
recommended first course for new members, both power boaters and sailors.
Students learn practical marlinspike (working with knots and lines), navigation
rules, hull design and performance, skipper responsibilities, boat care,
operating a boat under normal and abnormal conditions, emergency procedures,
nautical customs and common courtesy on the water.
Piloting. This is
the first of a two-part program studying inland and coastal navigation. It
focuses on the fundamentals of piloting - keeping track of boat movement,
determining your position at any time and laying out courses to a planned
destination.
Advanced
Piloting - This is the final part of the inland and
coastal navigation series. It emphasizes the use of modern electronic navigation
systems and other advanced techniques for finding position.
Junior
Navigation. This is the first of a two-part program of
study in offshore (open coast) navigation. It is designed as a practical,
how-to-course, leaving the theoretical and more advanced techniques for the
Navigation course.
Navigation
- This is the
second part of the study of offshore navigation. It further develops the
students understanding of celestial theory.
Elective Courses
These course are offered
to help members gain a better
understanding in areas related to boat maintenance, operation, safety, and
enjoyment. They provide detailed technical material relating to the mechanical
and electrical/electronic systems employed on boats and useful information for
planning.
Cruise Planning
-
Designed for members who plan to cruise for just a day or for a year in either a
sailor power boat. The course covers the following topics: cruise preparation
and planning, boat and equipment, anchors and anchoring, security, chartering,
cruising outside the U.S., crew and provisioning, voyage management,
communications, navigation, weather, and emergencies.
Engine
Maintenance - A two-part course, Basic Engine Maintenance,
and Advanced Engine Maintenance, this course provides invaluable, practical
information on how to properly maintain your boat's mechanical and electrical
systems. The basic section covers marine propulsion systems, basic engine
principles, engine components, controls,
instrumentation, marine engine
maintenance, and steering systems. This section also addresses winter storage
(25 point checklist), and spring servicing. The advanced section delves into
cooling and exhaust systems, lubrication, fuel and air induction systems,
ignition systems, electrical and starting systems, power trains and
troubleshooting.
Marine Electronics
- The Marine Electronics course consists of three modules: ME 101 Boat
Electrical systems, ME 102 - Marine Radio Communications, and ME 103 - Marine
Electronics for Navigation. While there are no prerequisites for any of the
modules, it is suggested that a member take ME 101 before taking ME 102.
Sail
- This course consists of two modules: Sa 101- Introduction to Sail, and Sa
102Advanced Sail. Sa 101 teaches basic elements of sailing, sailing
terminology, sailboat rigs & sail plans; boat design and hull types; sails,
standing and running rigging; boat, true,& apparent wind; leaving and returning
to dock; sailing upwind and downwind; marlinspike for sailor; and basic sailing
rules. Sa 102 teaches forces, stability and balance; sail trim; tuning a rig;
steering and helmsman ship; spinnaker handling; heavy weather sailing; survival
in storm conditions; safety procedures; racing & race management; and complete
navigation rules for sailing vessels.
Weather
- This course consists of two modules, Wx 101 and Wx 102. Wx 101 addresses basic
weather topics including: effects of heat and cold; wind and pressure; storms
and fronts; rain, humidity, and fog; and floods, droughts, and winter
precipitation. Wx 102 address more advanced topics including: thunderstorms and
tornadoes; tropical weather; atmosphere and clouds; forecasting; and climate.
|