Safe Boating through Education
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.
Boating , Seaman Ship (formerly Piloting) , Advanced Piloting ,Marine Maintenance , Seamanship Sail
Seamanship Power , Fundamentals of Weather , VHF Radion, GPS, Basic Boating, (Boat Pro)
Course Descriptions
Whether you are interested in powerboats, sailing vessels or kayaks, this course is for you! Enjoy boating activities year round by taking The Boating Course.
The Boating Course provides in depth boat operation and safety training. As well, you will experience the challenge of plotting and navigation.
Successful completion of the examination will allow you the opportunity to join Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons PS as a Regular member and to receive the benefits of membership. By passing the exam, you will also receive your Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC).
The Seamanship Course builds on techniques introduced in the Boating Course.
Seamanship uses traditional navigation, GPS fixes, Way Points, along with the introduction of Deviation, in the three homework cruises, and the examination take home cruises.
This course offers: interpretation of charts, the DR plot, bearings, fixes, running fixes, Collision Regulations, and plotting and labeling in True and Magnetic.
Seamanship explains the hazards of weather, wind, waves, tides, and tidal currents and how to deal with them.
When unforeseen circumstances arise such as man-overboard or medical emergencies, the seamanship course helps the student to acquire the skills to deal with life-threatening situations.
A necessary course in advanced coastal navigation for short duration trips out of sight of land, the Advanced Piloting course will give you greater accuracy in positioning and plotting exercises, as well as adherence to standardized labeling. Your chartwork skills will be developed to standards recognized in the maritime industry.
You will be taken out of the realm of conning and visual plotting to coastal cruising out of sight of land, navigating in tidal waters, dealing with current, standing clear of danger, and determining position by visual observation or with the use of electronic devices.
Develop a back-up system to your electronic navigation tools and advance your piloting skills by taking this exciting course.
This course covers many aspects of the formation and behavior of the weather around us. Meteorology is quite technical in nature, whereas Fundamentals of Weather is presented in a clear, straightforward manner that eliminates much of the jargon.
The study of weather is both fascinating and satisfying. The skills you will develop from this course will serve you for a lifetime. With practice, you will be able to make short term forecasts - challenge the professionals as to who better predicts the weather in your local area.
With Fundamentals of Weather, you will forecast the weather beyond 'red sky at night'.
The enjoyment of boating includes both the pleasure of using the boat and the satisfaction of properly maintaining it. To many boaters, working on their boat is part of the fun, to say nothing of the savings in costs. All boats need maintenance to correct for the gradual deterioration from wear and tear, and exposure to the elements. A boater should be on the alert for signs of vessel degradation, and make repairs while the problem is minor.
From spark plugs to bottom paint, the Marine Maintenance course covers all the basics for DIY boaters.
This complete package with CD, and the new Digital Selective Calling, will prepare you for the Restricted Operator Certificate (Maritime) with DSC Endorsement exam.
To operate a maritime radio, you need the certificate. It's the law! The Maritime Radio course teaches emergency radio procedures, and everyday operating techniques.
Learn all about the uses of marine radios, choice of frequencies, operation, phonetic alphabet, procedural words and phrases, as well as Digital Selective Calling and the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, (DSC/GMDSS). All mariners, including recreational boaters, will want to take advantage of the many features and capabilities of this innovative form “automatic” radio.
Secure your lifeline. Be sure that you and your family take the Maritime Radio course.
This seminar will introduce you to the versatile Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers. With this course you will learn simple explanations of the system which makes GPS such an effective navigational aid, and methods of extracting the maximum navigational information from your equipment.
Improved position information, course planning and real time speed/direction data improves your boating safety and cruise enjoyment, while reducing transit time and fuel consumption.
All operators of motorized pleasure craft are required to show proof of operator competency.
To get your Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC), you need to write a test approved by Transport Canada. This handbook helps you and your family prepare for that test. All you need to know for your test is presented in an easy to read format that is both informative and entertaining. You can be confident in knowing that this study guide meets all the standards established by Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety.
Once comfortable with the study material, you may challenge the PCOC exam. As an extra benefit, if you pass the exam offered by Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons, your Card is recognized by BOTH Transport Canada and The National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (USA). You may contact Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons to locate a testing facility in your area.
