Maritime Education Online Courses with the US Power Squadron
USPS Information and Membership
Meet Some of the Instructors
Register for Maritime Education Online Courses
*These online courses are delivered through the University's online course portal, eLearning. Access the online coursework is not immediate. After you register, your name and email address will be submitted the next regular business day to the University's information technology services (ITS) department (Note: The University is closed on weekends and holidays. To view UWF's holidays, you may go to http://uwf.edu/ohr/benefits/benAndPerks/Holidays.cfm). UWF ITS will create a guest account and send you two email messages. The first will confirm your course enrollment in the eLearning system. The second will contain your login information and directions on how to access the course.
Click on the course titles below to register online:
Seamanship
Building on the basics of recreational boating presented in the public boating courses, Seamanship adds foundational information for continuing boater education. The course contents should facilitate knowledge development for increased safe operation of recreational boats and provide the basis for completion of USCG licensing examination. Emphasis within the course has been placed on higher level boating skills, rules of the road, and marlinspike. This course lasts approximately 8 weeks or 24 hours of class time.
Note: Participants must be a USPS Member to take this course. If you wish to become a member call 1-888.367-8777 ext 229.
USPS Advanced Boat Handling
This seminar is a three-part series: Close Quarters Maneuvering, How Boats Behave and Seas, and Handling at Sea. The seminar shows you how your boat will behave and why in response to your controls. You'll understand what the pro's have learned the hard way. This gets you there faster, and with confidence. Then, on the water you can visualize your actions and execute them easily. The seminar is often offered with on the water training for a complete experience. The full-color book Powerboat Handling Illustrated by Bob Sweet is included as a reference (course can be completed prior to receipt of materials).
USPS Anchoring
This seminar covers selection of anchor, rode and components; anchor selection for sea conditions and bottom characteristics; deployment and recovery of anchors. It also includes tables for sizing an anchor and components, and information for determining loads under various conditions. The kit includes the Anchoring Quick Guide and Student Notes with slides (course can be completed prior to receipt of materials).
USPS Boat Handling
This seminar shows boaters how to depart and dock under a variety of conditions as well as all about trimming the boat underway. The seminar materials include a waterproof USPS Captain's Quick Guide and Student Notes with slides (course can be completed prior to receipt of materials).
USPS Boat Handling Under Power
This seminar shows boaters how to depart and dock under a variety of conditions as well as all about trimming the boat underway. The seminar materials include a waterproof USPS Captain's Quick Guide and Student Notes with slides (course can be completed prior to receipt of materials).
USPS Boat Security
The Security seminar provides simple and in many cases common sense ideas and procedures to secure and protect your boat and equipment. Within the seminar are concepts for deterring “snatch and run” thieves. This seminar includes printable Student Notes with slides (course can be completed prior to receipt of materials).
USPS Crew Overboard
This seminar provides information for the recovery of crew members who have fallen overboard. It shows recommended emergency and recovery equipment and several techniques in the process of finding and recovery of personnel in the water. This seminar includes Student Notes with slides (course can be completed prior to receipt of materials).
USPS Heavy Weather Sailing
Heavy Weather Sailing is based on the experience of long-term deep water sailors and provides tips to improve individual sailing skill. This seminar assists in the area of new knowledge to identify potential serious situations before onset and increased danger for the near and off shore sailor (course can be completed prior to receipt of materials).
USPS How to Read a Chart
Charts provide information essential to your safety afloat. Even with GPS and electronic navigation, the chart is needed to tell you what is around you and between you and your intended destination. A system of symbols is used by cartographers to tell you what lies below the surface of the water and the depths of water. There is key information about visible landmarks and navigation aids to help you navigate your course. The chart also is your link with the GPS via its grid scale, compass rose, and distance scales. A brief introduction to latitude and longitude provides insight to the operation of GPS receivers (course can be completed prior to receipt of materials).
USPS Hurricanes and Boats
This is a mini-seminar. It covers how to select a location and prepare your boat for a hurricane. The kit includes Student Notes with copies of the slides (course can be completed prior to receipt of materials).
USPS Knots, Bends and Hitches
The Knots, Bends, and Hitches seminar is a hands-on "learn how to tie knots" program geared to a wide range of audiences. Participants learn about knots, learn to tie a set of the most useful knots, and then get to take the whole package home with them to practice these and a whole host of other knots described in the included book. The kit comes with a copy of the USPS Guide Knots, Bends and Hitches for Mariners, Student Notes with slides, and a practice knot board with line (course can be completed prior to receipt of materials).
USPS On-Board Weather Forecasting
Changing weather conditions can convert what was a delightful day on the water into a real challenge. While not a course in weather, this seminar explains how just using your own senses can help you determine what conditions you will encounter where you are boating. The seminar explains weather systems, how to understand clouds and their changes, using changing wind direction, temperature, and pressure to hone in on emerging weather fronts. The seminar includes the McGraw-Hill Quick Guide Onboard Weather Forecasting to take aboard your boat and Student Notes with slides (course can be completed prior to receipt of materials).
USPS Partner in Command
This seminar provides an introduction to boating for crew members who need basic information and who may or may not have taken a boating course. It is designed to provide essential information one may require to assist a skipper in the safe operation of a recreational boat. Included in the seminar are actions in response to emergencies. This seminar includes a text and Student Notes with slides (course can be completed prior to receipt of materials).
USPS Rules of the Road
This seminar provides an explanation with examples of the 37 Rules of the Road for both the U.S. Inland Rules and the International Rules (COLREGS). It simplifies the sometimes complex law relating to boat operation for the recreational boater. It is a starting point for study preparation for the USCG License examination. This seminar includes McGraw-Hill One Minute Guide to the Navigation Rules of the Road by Charlie Wing and Student Notes with slides (course can be completed prior to receipt of materials).
USPS Sail Trim
This seminar shows in clear and simple terms how to use and adjust sails for optimum performance under a wide range of conditions. The seminar includes a waterproof USPS Captain's Quick Guide written by North Sails and Student Notes with slides (course can be completed prior to receipt of materials).
USPS Using GPS
The seminar also shows you how to operate your GPS - what the buttons do, what the screens show, and how to access the functions you need. A handheld GPS is used as the demonstration model, but all GPS receivers function similarly. By the time you have completed the seminar, you will be able to store waypoints into your GPS, activate them for navigation, and use GPS to keep you on a safe, pre-qualified course of your choosing. You'll also get some tips for choosing a GPS if you don't currently own one. You will get a copy of the waterproof McGraw-Hill Captain's Quick Guide Using GPS to take aboard to remind you of the steps, or to show another of your crew how to use your GPS.
Meet the Instructors from the USPS
Alan Weston. Senior Navigator with over 20 years experience in coastal and offshore sailing. [Navigation instructor]
Wilbur Hugli. Senior Navigator with nearly 30 years experience in coastal power boating. Instructor for most courses and seminars. Vessel Safety Check and Boat Operator Certifier.