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America's Boating Course can be taken in any of three ways: · in a classroom; CD included; on the Internet; CD and PIN included; or via home-study; CD and PIN included in case you want to try the novel web-based approach to learning

All options include the same 244-page course manual. The companion CD, with video clips and audio narration, serves as a “virtual” instructor.

The course manual, CD and online course contain identical material, except for individual state safety laws. This boat safety course is fun and very thorough. The course content has been developed conjunction with state boating safety agencies responsible for boater education, is approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA), and is recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard.

Students learn practical marlinespike, navigation rules, hull design and performance, responsibilities of the skipper, boat care, operating a boat under normal and abnormal conditions, what to do in various emergencies and weather conditions, nautical customs and common courtesy on the water.

This course provides a needed introduction to the USPS Educational Program and a strong foundation for members going on to other Advanced Grade courses and/or Cruise Planning or Sail.  The insignia is shown above.

Prerequisites: Boat Smart

This is a 7-week course, meeting once a week.

For information call or email John Klein (803) 329-9873

The course emphasizes planning and checking along with the use of GPS for determining position, and introduces digital charting along with traditional charting, compass and dead reckoning skills. Plotting, labeling, use of the compass, aids to navigation and a host of related topics are included in this all-new approach to coastal and inland piloting. The insignia is shown on the right.

Note: the insignia for completing both Seamanship and Piloting is two bars, as shown. The awardee is called a Pilot as well. The insignia is shown on the right.

Prerequisites: Seamanship

For information call or email Will Jordan (803) 329-1323

This material continues to build on the base developed in Piloting, and includes practical use of additional electronic navigation systems and other advanced techniques for finding position. Among topics covered are: finding position using bearings and angles, collision avoidance using GPS and RADAR, what to do when the electronics fail, tides, currents and wind and their effect on piloting, and electronic navigation with GPS, chart plotters, RADAR, autopilots, etc. Application of course lectures takes place through practical in-class and at-home exercises. The insignia is shown above.

Prerequisites: Piloting

For information call or email Gene Stutz, (803) 831-8252

It is designed as a practical, how-to course, leaving the theoretical and more advanced techniques for the subsequent Navigation Course. Subject matter includes: basic concepts of celestial navigation; how to use the mariner’s sextant to take sights of the sun, moon, planets and stars; the importance and techniques of accurate time determination; use of the Nautical Almanac; how to reduce sights to establish lines of position (LOPs); and the use of special charts, plotting sheets and other navigational data for offshore positioning and passage planning. The insignia is shown on the right above.

Prerequisites: Piloting

For information call or email George Persons, 704-846-6151

The student is introduced to additional sight reduction techniques and develops greater skill and precision in sight taking, positioning and the orderly methods of carrying on the day’s work of a navigator at sea. Of particular interest and importance is the study of offshore navigation using minimal data and/or equipment, such as when on a disabled vessel or lifeboat. The insignia is shown on the right above.

Prerequisites: Junior Navigation

For information call or email Thomas Crawford, (704) 482-5210

Elective Courses for Members

Cruise Planning

Designed for members who plan to cruise for just a day or for a year—in either a sail or powerboat—this course covers the following topics: cruise preparation and planning, boat and equipment, anchors and anchoring, security, chartering, cruising outside the United States, crew and provisioning, voyage management, communications, navigation, weather, and emergencies. The manual includes a twelve-month cruise planning timeline.

For information call or email Ned Albright, 803-329-1346

Engine Maintenance

The complete Engine Maintenance course consists of two modular sections. EM 101, Basic Engine Maintenance, provides information about marine propulsion systems, basic engine principles, engine components, controls, instruments and alarms, marine engine maintenance, and steering systems. There is a chapter on winter storage and spring servicing that includes a 25-step winterizing checklist. An 11-page glossary concludes the student manual.

EM 102, Advanced Engine Maintenance, delves into cooling and exhaust systems, lubrication, fuel and air induction systems, ignition systems, electrical and starting systems, power trains, and troubleshooting. The last chapter is on emergency repairs afloat. An 11-page glossary concludes the student manual.

For information call Worth Parker (803) 366-7530

Instructor Development

This course deals with effective communication for speakers and teachers—a quality that benefits the individual in all walks of life. It offers practical instruction in: preparing for teaching assignments, preparing for meeting presentations, effective teaching techniques, conducting efficient meetings, and selecting and using audiovisual aids.

For information call or email Melvin Roberts, 803-684-6073

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. There are no prerequisites for any of these modules: however, it is suggested that a member take ME 101 before taking ME 102. All three modules must be successfully completed to receive credit for Marine Electronics.

For information call Lee Stinson (803) 548-0939

Sail

The complete Sail course consists of two modular sections. Sa101, Introduction to Sail, teaches basic elements of sailing, including terminology, sailboat rigs and sail plans, boat design and hull types, sails, standing & running rigging, boat, true, and apparent wind, leaving and returning to dock, sailing upwind and downwind, marlinespike for sailors, and basic sailing rules.

Sa102, Advanced Sail, teaches forces, stability and balance, sail trim, tuning a rig, steering and helmsmanship, spinnaker handling, heavy weather sailing, survival in storm conditions, safety procedures, racing and race management, and complete navigation rules for sailing vessels.

For information call or email Jim (Van) Van Blarcom (803) 548-5362

Weather

The Weather course furnishes basic weather knowledge for safer and more enjoyable boating. The student will learn to make weather predictions based upon observations of the sky, upon barometer and wind information, as well as weather data provided by maps, satellite images, and radio and TV broadcasts. Wx101 and Wx102 use a USPS supplement manual together with The Weather Book from USA Today as the textbook.

Wx101, Basic Weather, includes: effects of heat and cold, wind and pressure, storms and fronts, rain, humidity, and fog, and floods, droughts, and winter precipitation. Wx102, Advanced Weather, includes: thunderstorms and tornadoes, tropical weather, atmosphere and clouds, forecasting, and climate. PowerPoint slides showing cloud formations are used in the course.

For information call or email Joe or Barbara Murphy (803) 548-7474

An educational grade of SN (Senior Navigator) is awarded after completion of ALL Advanced and Elective Courses. Only very few members have such a high rank.

We are proud to recognize four of our members who have achieved this grade:

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