The Lackawanna Sail & Power Squadron offers: •Courses for Members •National Discounts
Boat Insurance, Mapping and Navigation Software, and Computer Discounts
Boating Course, Vessel Safety Checks, & Cooperative Charting
Ensign magazine, Totem newsletter, Port Captains
Courses for Advanced Grades Seamanship (S) helps you become a competent boat handler in all types of conditions. Topics include: · Before leaving the dock | · The skipper's responsibilities | · Docking and undocking | · Cruising considerations | · Anchoring, rafting, mooring and dinghies | · Weather and waves | · Towing, trailering | · Operating in adverse conditions | · Marlinespike | · Safety | · Rules of the road | · Emergencies | · Hull design and performance | · Nautical etiquette and customs | · Boat care | |
•Piloting (P) shows you how to get there safely and comfortably. This new course covers use of GPS and the basics of traditional coastal navigation skills needed if GPS becomes unavailable. Topics include: - Use of GPS
- Typical GPS displays and information they provide, planning safe courses and entering them into the GPS (setting up waypoints and routes)
- Staying on a GPS route.
- Determining position by GPS and by traditional techniques such as bearings and dead reckoning
- Charts & digital charting
- Navigation aids
- Plotting courses and determining direction and distance
- The mariner’s compass and converting between True and Magnetic
- “Seaman’s Eye” – simple skills for checking that one is on course
• Advanced Piloting (AP) takes your coastal navigation skills to a new level. This all-new course covers use of GPS and other electronics under more challenging conditions – limited visibility, unfamiliar waters, and tides and currents. It would be worthwhile for those who took the previous version of Piloting to take this course, and for those who took the previous version of Advanced Piloting to hone their skills by auditing this course. Topics include: - Review of skills learned in the new Piloting, including
- Typical GPS displays and information they provide, planning safe courses and entering them into the GPS (setting up waypoints and routes)
- Staying on a GPS route.
- Determining position by GPS and by traditional techniques such as bearings and dead reckoning
- Other electronics: RADAR, depth sounders, autopilots, chartplotters, laptop computer software, etc.
- Hazard avoidance techniques using electronics (e.g., “keep out” zones in GPS)
- Collision avoidance using RADAR
- Advanced positioning techniques such as advancing a line of position
- Predicting and working with tides – clearances, depth
- Predicting and piloting with current
•Junior Navigation (JN) is the first of a two-part program of study of offshore celestial navigation. It is designed as a practical how-to course. Topics include: · Concepts of celestial navigation | · Taking sextant sights of the sun, moon, planets and stars | · Accurate time determination | · Use of the nautical almanac | · Reducing sights to establish lines of position | · Special charts and plotting sheets |
•Navigation (N) is the second part of the study of offshore celestial navigation that further develops the student's understanding and skills. Topics include: Additional sight-reduction technique Honing skills in sight taking and positioning Orderly methods for the day's work at sea Navigating with minimal resources, as on a disabled vessel or lifeboat
Elective courses can be taken in parallelElective Courses GPS for Boaters (GPS) helps you to make the best use of your GPS receiver and takes the mystery out of all those buttons and screens. The course covers navigation concepts and how to use GPS to solve navigation problems. Topics include: · GPS concepts | · Nearest waypoints | · Using a GPS receiver (buttons, screens, menus) | · Using a track | · Performing basic navigation (entering & using waypoints, entering & following routes) | · Making the map screen useful | · Plotting position & staying on course | · Chartplotters & PCs | | · What you do if GPS quits |
You do not need a GPS receiver to benefit from this course. But if you have a receiver, please bring it, fresh batteries, and the manual. •Weather (W) provides the knowledge to look at the sky, determine the near term forecast, and gives you the ability to "know before you go". Topics include: | · Global weather systems | · Dynamics of frontal systems | | · Temperate weather systems (in the Northeast US) | · Forecasting | | · Tropical weather systems | · Why lightening strikes | · Rain, humidity and fog | | · Cloud types and what they tell you | · Thunderstorms and tornados |
• •Engine Maintenance (EM) helps the recreational boater manage maintenance, know what the mechanic should do (and is doing), diagnosis & remedy trouble, become more self-reliant afloat, and save time and money by doing do minor service of inboards, stern drives, and outboard engines. Topics include: Basic Engine Maintenance | Advanced Engine Maintenance | · Marine propulsion systems | · Cooling and exhaust systems | · Basic engine principles | · Lubrication | · Engine components | · Fuel and air induction systems | · Controls | · Ignition systems | · Instruments and alarms | · Electrical and starting systems | · Marine engine maintenance | · Power trains | · Steering systems | · Trouble shooting | · Winter storage – a 25 step winterizing checklist | · Emergency repairs afloat | · Spring servicing |
•Cruise Planning (CP) helps prepare you, your boat and your crew for cruising for a day, a week, a month or longer.Topics include: · Cruise preparation & planning | · Weather | · Boat and equipment | · Chartering | · Crew | · Cruising outside the USA | · Provisioning | · Emergencies | · Voyage management | · Security | · Communications | · A twelve-month cruise planning timeline | · Navigation |
Sail (S) covers the elements of sailing and techniques required to optimize your performance. Topics include: · Boat design and hull types | · Wind forces, stability and balance | · Sailboat rigs, sail plans and sails | · Sail shape and tuning the rig | · Standing rigging and running rigging | · Steering and helmsmanship | · True and apparent wind | · Spinnaker handling | · Preparing to sail | · Storm conditions and heavy weather sailing | · Sailing upwind; sailing downwind | · Sailing safety | · Docking and anchoring | · Sailboat racing and race management | · Marlinespike | · Navigation rules |
Operations Training (OT) provides the best general overview of all aspects of USPS – Squadron, District, and National. It explains how all the ingredients work together to produce success in our mission to educate the boating public and to advance the educational and fraternal aspects of Squadron life. It prepares members to assume leadership positions within the Squadron. After you complete the course, you will know a great deal about the organization to which you belong, and feel comfortable participating with your friends in various aspects our mission.
Instructor Development (ID) builds skills and confidence in public speaking and instruction that can benefit you in all walks of life. The course is part of the program to certify our instructors, but it is open to any member who wants to become a more competent speaker. Topics include: Download our complete membership presentation (Power Point)
Don't have Power Point? Download the MS Power Point viewer.
Printable: Elective and Advanced course. Descriptions of the advanced and elective courses
Advanced Grade (pdf) Electives (pdf) If you have already taken our Public Boating or Boat Smart Courses or have taken one of the approved courses or been part of a recognized organizations we welcome you to join the Lackawanna Sail & Power Squadron. |
