These courses are available to ASPS members:

ADVANCED COURSES
SEAMANSHIP covers basic knowledge every prudent skipper wants even before leaving port - practical marlinspike, hull design and performance, boat care, skipper's responsibilities, boating under normal and abnormal conditions, emergencies afloat, and more.

PILOTING introduces you to the critical 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 your on-the-water position.

ADVANCED PILOTING builds on the knowledge gained in Piloting to teach you how to navigate in coastal waters, predict tides and tidal currents, navigate safely with radar, loran C, and GPS, and optimize course planning.

JUNIOR NAVIGATION begins your study of offshore navigation. Learn to use integrated electronic positioning systems, sight taking on celestial bodies with a mariner's sextant, and positioning & passage planning with special open-ocean charts.

NAVIGATION further develops your understanding of celestial navigation theory and your skills in sight taking and reduction. Also learn to navigate with only minimal survival gear in the event of a disabling boat accident.

ELECTIVE COURSES
CRUISE PLANNING helps you prepare for voyaging afloat - whether just week-ending or multi-month cruising. Learn essentials about equipping and provisioning your boat, crew selection, financing your trip, entering and clearing foreign ports, emergencies afloat, & boat security.

ENGINE MAINTENANCE won't make you an expert mechanic, but it will enable you to trouble-shoot most common engine problems and jury-rig many repairs. Covers outboard motors, inboard gas and diesel engines, power trains, and related mechanical systems.

INSTRUCTOR DEVELOPMENT provides you with practical techniques and training in making effective presentations - whether as a teacher, meeting chair, public speaker, or everyday conversationalist.

MARINE ELECTRONICS offers you essential information about boat electrical and electronic systems in terms understandable by non-engineers and non-technicians. Learn about proper wiring and power systems, corrosion and electrolysis, and electronic navigation and safety systems.

SAIL guides you through the special terminology and dynamics of sailing, hulls and rigging, wind and water forces and balance, points of sail, sail handling, and navigation rules unique to sailing.

WEATHER teaches you the basic structure and characteristics of our atmosphere, how to interpret weather maps and reports, and how to make your own skilled observations - all keyed to helping you predict and anticipate weather developments affecting your boating and to make your own skilled observations - all keyed to helping you predict and anticipate weather developments affecting your boating.

GPS is a course taught by an experienced navigator and utilizes a text and Power Point charts recently developed by USPS to explain how to use this fascinating navigation tool. Individual GPS units are available so that you can gain hands on experience with the operation of a GPS during the class. Plan your next cruise, find your way home, record that favorite fish location, determine your exact position anywhere on earth, GPS can do it all if you know how to use it.

SEMINARS
The United States Power Squadrons has created the USPS University Seminar Program to extend Boating Safety knowledge in easily accessible form to the boating public. The Annapolis Sail and Power Squadron has already offered the GPS Seminar and is planning to offer more of them in the near future. Read about USPS University and the Seminar Program at: http://www.usps.org/e_stuff/seminars.htm