Advanced Grades
Available to USPS Members Only

Advanced Grade classes are designed to be taken in sequence (but do not need to be) after BoatSmart, beginning with Seamanship and continuing with Piloting, Advanced Piloting, Junior Navigation and Navigation.

Seamanship Grade: S

Building on the basics taught in the USPS Boating courses, Seamanship is the recommended first course for new members, both power boaters and sailors. The student learns 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 an introduction to the USPS educational program and a strong foundation for the other Advanced Grades courses, and the Elective Courses Cruise Planning and Basic Sail. In 2002, Seamanship was completely rewritten into two modules. The new course consists of S101, Seamanship and S102, Boat Handling.
Piloting Grade: P

Piloting introduces the fundamentals of piloting and positioning -- the study of marine charts, aids to navigation, adjustment and use of the mariner's compass, dead reckoning, planning and plotting courses, and taking bearings to determine on-the-water position.
Advanced Piloting Grade: AP

Advanced Piloting builds on the knowledge gained in Piloting to teach how to navigate safely in coastal waters -- predict tides and tidal currents and their impact on boat position, advanced positioning techniques, and the use of electronic navigation systems for positioning and course planning.


Junior Navigator Grade: JN

Junior Navigation begins the study of offshore (open-ocean) navigation -- integrated electronic positioning systems, sight taking with a mariner's sextant on the sun, moon, planets, and stars, how to reduce sights using the nautical almanac to determine position, and passage planning with special open-ocean charts.

Navigator Grade: N

Navigation further develops the understanding of celestial navigation theory and the skills in sight taking and reduction -- additional sight reduction techniques 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.






Courses Offered

Basic Boating

Advanced Grades

Electives

Home Study Course

Learning Guides


Educational Calendar

Course Calendar


Directions to Course Venues

Marina Community
Center

San Leandro Yacht
Club

Benicia Yacht Club

Coyote Point Yacht
Club