Safe Boating Education

For further information on courses, contact our Squadron Training Oficer Eric Dodd at 604-883-0568

The Boating Course

This course provides a general introduction to the safe handling of boats of all types, and is the prerequisite to all advanced and elective CPS courses. Once successfully completed, membership in CPS is available to the applicant. The Boating course includes an exam for your Coast Guard Pleasure Craft Operator's Certificate (PCOC). Material covered includes; types of boats, boat handling, government regulations, nautical charts, aids to navigation, rules of the road, elementary chart plotting and calculations, the compass, bearings and fixes safety considerations and equipment, lines and knots anchoring, weather, canals, locks, and manners and customs.

BoatWise

Drowning is the second leading cause of accidental death for children 5-14 years of age. The Boat Wise course addresses this situation for young people 8-12 years old, and will equip young boaters with basic boat knowledge, signaling, courtesies, aids to navigation, weather and more. The Course Leader uses activities which promote a positive attitude, enabling the child to enjoy safe and pleasurable boating experiences.

The course material is arranged to be suitable for use by schools or community groups. CPS instruction can be arranged where required.

The course includes such topics as: boating basics, etiquette and courtesies, safety equipment, aids to navigation and rules of the road, VHF radio use, signaling, and weather signs.

Piloting and Advanced Piloting are offered on the bases of sufficient student enrollment and availability of instructors.

Piloting

This advanced course expands on the knowledge gained in the Boating Course. The course is designed to increase your understanding of navigational procedures and chart interpretation and covers topics such as hull forms and performance, buoyancy, stability legal responsibilities, weather, adverse conditions, emergencies, currents and leeway, running fixes, aids to navigation, and controllable/non controllable forces. This course expands on the knowledge gained in the Boating course. It increases the students understanding of navigational procedures and chart interpretation, as well as the ability to handle the boat in adverse conditions or emergency situations. Course topics include: Hull forms, performance, buoyancy and stability Weather, wind, and waves Adverse conditions, and emergency situations Introduction to the effects of current and leeway Running fixes and aids to navigation

Advanced Piloting

This course continues to expand on what you've learned in Piloting and is designed to provide boaters with the ability to boat with increased confidence and safety. The course covers charts, compass, tides and currents, leeway, piloting a course, time-speed-distance, fixes, running fixes, standing clear of danger, aids to navigation, electronic aids and introduction to the sextant.

General Public Interest Courses

Marine Maintenance, Seamanship Power, and Weather are offered on the bases of sufficient student enrollment and instructor availability.

Marine Maintenance

The Marine Maintenance course provides the knowledge required to maintain a safe and operational vessel. The course covers preventive, seasonal and emergency maintenance, repairs to wood, fiberglass and metal hulls, gas and diesel engines, electrical mechanical systems, spars, rigging, and ground tackle, fire and safety equipment, moorings, trailers, tools and fittings.

Fundamentals of Weather

Anticipate adverse forecasts, by gathering pertinent information and interpreting weather signs. The course covers basic weather knowledge, atmosphere, clouds, pressure, wind, temperature, moisture, stability and instability, air masses, frontal weather, precipitation, fog, general circulation tropical hurricanes, wave theory and forecasting.

Seamanship Power

The course will assist the student to understand the basic principles of power-driven vessels. You will gain knowledge on how to operate a power-driven vessel safely, and to be able to deal with any situation which may arise while in control. Covers terminology power train, hull forms, hull performance, engine controls and instruments, buoyancy, stability, handling under power, mooring and anchoring, legal responsibilities, engines, fuels, fuel systems, electrical systems, cooling, lubrication, maintenance, and navigation exercises

Site created and maintained by Paige Ackerman
© 2007 Pender Harbour Power and Sail Squadron.
Page last updated December 10, 2007