| Marine Navigation We are excited to offer the new Marine Navigation course this winter. The USPS has completely modernized its Piloting course to become more relevant to today’s boater.
Learn the essentials of safe coastal and inland navigation using basic GPS in conjunction with charts and other available marine data. The Marine Navigation course teaches you how to use the GPS along with traditional dead reckoning techniques for planning and laying out safe routes, as well as ensuring that you are on-course while underway. In this course you will learn:
- Latitude and Longitude
- Course over ground
- Speed over ground
- Time/speed/distance calculations
- Waypoints and routes
- Use of basic GPS chartplotter displays and how to interpret the information they provide
- The Seaman's Eye - simple skills for safe navigation
- How to monitor your progress using the tools available to you
- How to plot a course and determine distance and direction
- The use of OpenCPN, a software tool for preplanning a course used by many squadron members
At the end of the course an optional On-The-Water training session will be available to practice the skills learned real time. We encourage those who have taken the Piloting class in the past to consider taking this class. It is an excellent way to refresh skills and learn something new. This is a 9-week class. Cost includes the new e-book or printed student manual. A laptop computer is required. A simple plot ruler and dividers are also required and can be borrowed or obtained locally or through the USPS Store (we can assist with obtaining those items). Upon completion of the exam you will receive credit for Marine Navigation and will have an P grade after your name. This class will be taught by multiple experienced squadron instructors making for a friendly, low key, casual learning experience. Worried about making a 9-week commitment? Don’t be. Our instructor team has the flexibility and work with your schedule should you miss some classes. Please contact Squadron Education Officer Ken Hylander, 952-232-7304 or sign up through our website, www.abclubsavannah.org. |
