Educational Program
Public Seminars
General:
  • The squadron conducts seminars open to the public.  
  • Seminars are intended to increase the boating public's awareness and skill  
    related the use of marine equipment and on the water safety.
  • Qualified, enthusiastic and experienced USPS instructors from our squadron
    teach the seminars.  Proctors with years of boating experience offer individual
    help at specific sessions.
  • Each seminar is prepared to introduce the latest knowledge and know-how to the
    boating public
  • boating is fun --- we'll show you how
The following are USPS  member only courses
General:
  • Building on the public boating courses, the squadron offers a wide range of advanced
    and specialty courses for members only.  These courses include the latest
    developments in GPS, electronic charting, GMDSS and other integrated electronic
    systems.
  • There are a total of eleven member courses.  Most of them have a two-hour classroom
    session once a week for 10 to 12 weeks.  Some courses are subdivided into separate
    modules.
  • The five Advanced Grade Courses should be taken in sequence except that you can
    take Piloting and Advanced Piloting without taking Seamanship first.  The Elective
    Courses may be taken in any order with no prerequisites.
  • The Instructor Development course must be completed to be a certified USPS Instructor
    qualified to teach public boating courses.

Advanced Grade Courses:
  • Seamanship;
  • Piloting;
  • Advanced Piloting;
  • Junior Navigation; and
  • Navigation.

Elective Courses:
  • Sail;
  • Cruise Planning;
  • Engine Maintenance;
  • Marine Electronics;
  • Weather; and
  • Instructor Development.

USPS Training Workshops:
  • Vessel Examiner
  • Operations Training
  • Leadership Development
For more information and for joining CCSPS  -- See details
Cape Cod Sail and Power Squadron, Inc.
A Unit of United States Power Squadrons® - District 14
SEO  David Atwood, AP*
For information and to sign up for classes
Call 508-394-4667
Email yankeepeddlar@hotmail.com
GPS Seminar:
  • This one-day seminar is open to both the public and
    members.  It introduces students to GPS (the Global
    Positioning System) and how to use GPS sets to
    navigate.
  • The morning session covers the theory and operation
    of the GPS receiver. The afternoon session is devoted
    to hands-on applications with proctors providing
    individual assistance.
  • Students can sign up for either one or both sessions.
Check for details about the next seminar
Onboard Weather Forecasting Seminar:
  • Over the centuries sailors have tried to predict the
    weather.  Many of their folklore aphorisms like the one
    above have a sound meteorological basis.  In this
    Seminar we will be studying weather not only from a
    mariner’s perspective but also more generally.  The
    seminar has been designed to cover the gamut from
    global wind patterns to local storms.  Through
    understanding the why’s and how’s of weather
    events, students will become wiser boaters and more
    sophisticated users of public weather information
Check for details about the next seminar
A veering wind will clear the sky
          A backing wind says storms are nigh.
  • Welcome to the world of paddle sports, the fastest
    growing boating activity.
  • Kayaks and canoes accounted for some 54% of new
    boats sold in 2006 – over 493,000 crafts.
  • Included are a workbook for note-taking and reference
    and “The Complete Sea Kayaker’s Handbook” by Shelly
    Johnson.
Seminar topics include:
•        terminology
•        equipment – necessary and optional
•        using paddle craft – kayaks and canoes
•        safety practices – includes video clips
•        day-tripping and touring considerations
•        navigation rules and what charts show
•        a few statistics
Paddle Smart Seminar:
Boat Handling Under Power TBD
Check for details about the next seminar
  • TAKE THE SEARCH OUT OF “SEARCH” AND RESCUE
  • VHF radio is the mainstay of coastal communication and
    essential for emergency communications. Digital
    Selective Calling (DSC) is rapidly becoming a reality as
    more Coast Guard Rescue 21 System operations go
    live. Southeast New England deployment is tentatively
    scheduled for November 2009.
  • A handy waterproof McGraw-Hill Captain’s Quick Guide
    Using VHF is included with essential information that
    you should have onboard, which will explain to anyone
    on your crew how to use the radio.
Seminar topics include:
Check for details about the next seminar
  • Maritime Mobile Service Identify (MMSI) number explained
  • Continue sending the distress signal even if the captain is incapacitated.
  • Allow for a non-experienced VHF user to send, with the pressing of one button, a
 goof-proof continuous distress message.
  • Privately hail another DSC equipped vessel, or shore station, with a known MMSI number
  • If properly connected to a Loran or GPS, a “Polling” feature transmits your
  vessel’s position, in digital display.
  • Fully functions as a regular VHF radio.
Using VHF& VHF/DSC Marine Radio:
TBD
Check for details about the next seminar
Trailering Your Boat Seminar
Trailering Your Boat explains how to select tow vehicles, hitches, and trailers.
Check for details about the next seminar
Listed below are GPS, Weather, Paddle Smart, Boat Handling, VHF and Trailering Seminars.
For other seminars such as How to Use a Chart and Basic Coastal Navigation see click here Chart