Courses/Training Page      

 The Squadron offers the Boat Pro course to those interested  in earning their Pleasure Craft Operator Card, as well as courses for VHF Radio Restricted Operators' Certificate (Maritime) and GPS (the Global Positioning System).
 

 Training Schedule
 

We need at least 12 students for each boating class,  6 students for Piloting, Advanced Piloting , Marine Electronics, Seamanship Sail, Weather, or any other electives.

Course  Descriptions
Boat Pro
This is a two night course that will enable you to earn your Pleasure Craft Operator Card. The first night is instruction on the course material. The second night is a comprehensive review followed by a test. If you pass, you will receive your certification on the spot! You are entitled to join our Squadron as an Associate Member.  Registration is required two weeks in advance and material read prior to first night of instruction.
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VHF Radio Restricted Operators' Certificate (Maritime)
This is a two night course that teaches you how to use your VHF radio properly as well as give you an introduction on the new Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), and the new Digital Selective Calling (DSC) radios. The first night is instruction on the course material. The second night is a comprehensive review followed by a test. If you pass, you will receive your certification on the spot! Registration is required two weeks in advance and material read prior to first night of instruction..
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GPS
This is a two night course that teaches you how to use your GPS  properly. The first night is instruction on the course material. The second night is additional instruction and a comprehensive review and exam. Registration is required two weeks in advance and material read prior to first night of instruction..
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Boating
This is the basic course that CPS is so well known for, and you must pass this course to qualify for full membership into CPS. It is a prerequisite for Seamanship (formerly Piloting,) Advanced Piloting and Celestial Navigation. Here you will learn the "must know" information about mandatory boating equipment, boat licensing or registration, boating safety, basic chart reading and navigation, etc.
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Seamanship (formerly Piloting)
The piloting course builds on the basic boating course and includes navigation/plotting skills, seamanship skills, also boat capabilities and performance, etc. The basic boating course is a prerequisite.
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Advanced Piloting
This course will teach you advanced coastal navigation principles. You will become familiar with charts; compass; timing and steering a course; tides and currents;lines of position; running fixes; aids to navigation and much more! The Seamanship (formerly Piloting) course is a prerequisite.
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Celestial Navigation
The "CN Course" provides you with the fundamental knowledge and practical skills of celestial navigation. You will learn how to take sights on the sun, moon, planets and stars, and then reduce these sights to arrive at a position using only a sextant, accurate timepiece, compass and the knowledge gained in CN. Advanced Piloting is a prerequisite.
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The next courses are electives which can be taken by members and non-members alike. They do not have a prerequisite. There are still exams at the end of each course.

Seamanship Power
This course expands upon the Boating Course to provide the knowledge
necessary to become a safe and proficient operator of a power-driven vessel.
Course content: Power trains, engine controls and instruments; handling and
cruising under power; mooring and anchoring; legal responsibilities; engine
and trouble diagnosis; fuels and fuel systems; electrical systems; cooling
and lubrication; maintenance and fire safety.
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Seamanship Sail
This introductory course will teach some of the basic sailing techniques for
safe operation under various conditions, and will encourage the participant
to become a more competent sailor.
Course content: Spars and rigging; sails and theory of sail action; sailboat
handling; pilot and cruising under sail (day sailers and keelboats). Fire
safety and sailboat racing are included as additional information.
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Fundamentals of Weather
This new introductory weather course, first published Sep. 2000, is designed
for the coastal and Great Lakes mariner.
The course consists of seven chapters:
* How the Sun causes Weather: deals mainly with the atmosphere.
* What Causes the Wind to Blow: explains atmospheric pressure.
* Water in the Atmosphere: covers the various forms of precipitation
and fog.
* Clouds - Signposts of the Skies: includes the most common types and
how they develop.
* Fronts and Frontal Weather: what they are and the weather that is
associated with them.
* Thunderstorms and Tornadoes: this section also covers stability and
instability.
* Forecasting the Weather.
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Extended Cruising
This fascinating course focuses on the unique aspects and challenges of
sailing offshore, in order to maximize the enjoyment and minimize the risks
for those on board the boat.
Course content: Passage planning and the voyage; oceanography and the
weather; checklists and repair kits, and Maritime Mobile Nets
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