The Boating Course:

The Boating Course coverWhether you are interested in powerboats, sailing vessels or kayaks, this course is for you! Enjoy boating activities year round by taking The Boating Course.

The Boating Course provides in depth boat operation and safety training as you learn the basics of seamanship. As well, you will experience the challenge of plotting and costal navigation with a marine chart.



Subjects covered:
     * Boat handling - power and sail - under normal and adverse conditions
    * Docking and anchoring
    * Navigation aids (buoy system) and rules of the road
    * Government regulations
    * Compass and chart familiarization

Successful completion of the examination will allow you the opportunity to join Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons PS as a Regular member and to receive the benefits of membership. By passing the exam, you will also receive your Pleasure Craft Operator Card (PCOC).

Seamanship (formerly Piloting):
Recommended prerequisite: the boating course

The Seamanship Course builds on techniques introduced in the Boating Course.Seanmanship cover

Seamanship uses traditional navigation, GPS fixes, Way Points, along with the introduction of Deviation in the three homework cruises, and the examination take home cruises.

This course offers: interpretation of charts, the DR plot, bearings, fixes, running fixes, Collision Regulations, and plotting and labeling in True and Magnetic.

Seamanship explains the hazards of weather, wind, waves, tides, and tidal currents and how to deal with them.

When unforeseen circumstances arise such as man-overboard or medical emergencies, the seamanship course helps the student to acquire the skills to deal with life-threatening situations.

Advanced Piloting:
Recommended prerequisite: seamanship or piloting

Advanced Piloting coverA necessary course in advanced coastal navigation for short duration trips out of sight of land, the Advanced Piloting course will give you greater accuracy in positioning and plotting exercises, as well as adherence to standardized labeling. Your chartwork skills will be developed to standards recognized in the maritime industry.

You will be taken out of the realm of conning and visual plotting to coastal cruising out of sight of land, navigating in tidal waters, dealing with current, standing clear of danger, and determining position by visual observation or with the use of electronic devices.

Develop a back-up system to your electronic navigation tools and advance your piloting skills by taking this exciting course.

Junior Navigator:
Prerequisite: advanced piloting

Junior Navigator coverJunior Navigator is the first of a two-part program of study in offshore (open coast) navigation. It is designed as a practical, how-to course using GPS for offshore navigation with sun sight taking using a sextant as a backup technique. The more advanced techniques for other celestial bodies and sights are for study in the subsequent Navigation Course.

JN subject matter includes: basic concepts of celestial navigation; how to use the mariner's sextant to take sights of the sun; the importance and techniques of accurate time determination; use of the Nautical Almanac: how to reduce sights to establish lines of position (LOPs); and the use of GPS, special charts, plotting sheets and other navigational data for offshore positioning and passage planning.

Navigator:
Prerequisite: junior navigator

Navigator coverNavigator is the second part of the study of offshore navigation. It further develops the student's skills and understanding of celestial theory. The student is introduced to additional sight reducation techniques for bodies other than the sun. The student develops greater skill and precision in sight taking, positioning and the orderly methods of carrying on the day's work of a navigator at sea.


Of particular interest and importance is the included navigation software that is explained and used for planning and navigating in the offshore environment. Offshore navigation using minimal data and/or equipment, such as when on a disabled vessel or lifeboat, is also covered.