Marine Navigation (Formerly Piloting)
Materials Fee: $85.00 (members), $170.00 (non-members)
Dates: Wednesdays, April 12 through June 7 (9 weeks)
Time: 7:00 to 9:00
Location: Bayport Marina Clubhouse (200 5th Ave So, Bayport) or Online via your computer
Marine Navigation, formerly Piloting, is the first course in the sequence of USPS courses on navigation, covering the basics of coastal and inland navigation. This course focuses on navigation as it is done on recreational boats today and embraces GPS as a primary navigation tool while covering enough of traditional techniques so the student will be able to find his/her way even if their GPS fails. The course includes many in-class exercises, developing the student’s skills through hands-on practice and learning. Nine classes of two hours each normally are scheduled for presentation of this course. In addition the students have seven days to complete the open book, take home exam.
Members who complete the course and pass the test will be granted the advanced grade of "Pilot."
- Charts and their interpretation
- Navigation aids and how they point to safe water
- Plotting courses and determining direction and distance
- The mariner’s compass and converting between True and Magnetic
- Use of GPS – typical GPS displays and information they provide, setting up waypoints and routes, staying on a GPS route.
- Pre-planning safe courses and entering them into the GPS
- Monitoring progress and determining position by both GPS and traditional techniques such as bearings and dead reckoning
- The “Seaman’s Eye” – simple skills for checking that one is on course.
For more information, please contact the St. Paul Squadron Education Officer: education@stpaulsquadron.com
Members: Please register on the Member Classes page
America's Boating Course
Materials Fee: $35.00
Dates: Wednesdays, February 15 through March 15, 2023
Time: 7:00 to 9:00
Location: Bayport Marina Clubhouse (200 5th Ave So, Bayport) or Online via your computer
Become a safer, more confident boater!
America’s Boating Course is the most comprehensive, single source, in-person boating course available to provide both new and experienced boaters the skills needed to safely enjoy time on the water. Topics include: rules of the road; required safety equipment; navigation aids, lights and sounds; anchoring; communications; adverse conditions; water sports and personal watercraft safety; trailering; local and federal laws; and knots & lines. This course is perfect if you are a new boat owner or just want to freshen up your knowledge. Local information, discussion with other boaters, and ample time for questions expand on the course curriculum to broaden students' boating knowledge.
This course is recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard and approved by the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators. It meets all Minnesota and Wisconsin requirements for obtaining boating license and operator certification. Instructors are NASBLA-certified and members of the local St. Paul Sail and Power Squadron.
This course is considered the first step in joining America's Boating Club. If you know of people considering membership, please refer them to this course, and this website.