The Manchester Power Squadron offers these member-only courses to all USPS members on a continuous rotation. They are designed to take in sequence, as each course expands on the skills learned in previous courses.
This introductory course covers basic knowledge every prudent skipper wants to know - practical marlinspike, hull design and performance, boat care, skipper's responsibilities, boating under normal and abnormal conditions, emergencies afloat and more.
This course introduces you to those all-important marine charts, aids to navigation, adjsutment and use of the mariner's compass, dead reckoning, planning and plotting courses, and taking bearings to determine your on-the water-position.
Builds on the knowledge gained in Pitloting to teach you how to navigate in coastal waters; predict tides and currents, safe navigation with radar and GPS, and optimized course planning.
Begins your off-shore study of navigation. Learn to use the integrated electronic positioning system, sight taking with a mariner's sextant on celestial bodies, and positioning and passage planning with special open-ocean charts.
Further develop your understanding of celestial navigation theory and your skills in sight taking and reduction. Learn to navigate with minimal survival gear in the event of a disabling boat accident.
Interested in obtaining an advanced grade? Contact Lt/C Sandy Pierog at seomanchester@aol.com for more information and upcoming schedules.