• BoatPro
  (Pleasure Craft Operator's Certification)
• The Boating Course
  (CPS Membership Qualification)

• Piloting
• Advanced Piloting
• Celestial Navigation

(NB: The Advanced Courses are available to members only.)

• Extended Cruising
• Maritime Radio (VHF Radio)
• Navigating with GPS
• Marine Electronics
• Marine Maintenance
• Distress Signaling

• Fundamentals of Weather
• Global Weather
• Depthsounders
• Instructor Development (Members)
• Seamanship Sail

Extended Cruising

To roam upon the seas has long been the dream of many adventurous sailors. In today’s fast paced life, the sea remains one of the few places where one can explore our planet while making a personal journey as well.
Offshore sailors possess many skills. On any day they are helmsperson, navigator, plumber, shipwright, radio operator, cook, doctor, sailmaker, mechanic and diplomat.

(Image courtesy of Paul & Sheryl Shard)

The environment is both demanding and rewarding. This course focuses on the aspects of that environment that the offshore sailor must understand to maximize the enjoyment and minimize the risks for their crew and vessel.

Amongst topics of discussion in this course are:

Maritime Radio
(VHF)

Learn the phonetic alphabet, as well as correct radiotelephone operating procedures. This manual will enable you to pass the Industry Canada Restricted Radiotelephone Operator's Certificate Exam, which will be given at the conclusion of the teaching session.

SECTION 5.0 Safety Communications

5.1 Priority
5.2 Safety Signal
5.3 Procedures
5.4 Examples of a Safety Call

SECTION 6.0 Distress Simulations

6.1 Involvement with Canadian Coast Guard Radio Stations
6.2 Distress Call and Message
6.3 Homework Study

SECTION 7.0 Additional Information

7.1 Alarm Signals
7.2 General Electronic Information
7.3 Alternative Radio Services

SECTION 8.0 Global Maritime Distress & Safety System (GMDSS)

8.1 GMDSS Equipment
8.2 Maritime Safety Information (MSI)
8.3 GMDSS Sea Areas
8.4 CCG Maritime Communications & Traffic Services (MCTS) Centres
8.5 Operator Proficiency

APPENDIX 1 Table of Transmitting Frequencies
APPENDIX 2 Exemption of Radio Apparatus on Board a Ship or Vessel
APPENDIX 3 Contraventions Act
APPENDIX 4 Time Zone Comparison
APPENDIX 5 Radio Station License Sample
APPENDIX 6 Safety Information
APPENDIX 7 Regional & District Offices of Industry Canada - Spectrum Management
GLOSSARY

Navigating with GPS

Course Description

The objective of this manual/seminar is to enable the operator of a recreational small craft to navigate safely and efficiently to any destination, using primarily a GPS receiver and conventional charts. It is restricted to only the navigational aspects of GPS, and may suggest when additional skills are required as a backup.

To select a route to follow, utilizing a GPS receiver, requires a knowledge of basic navigation principles. Without such knowledge, the navigator must place complete reliance and blind trust upon complex equipment and the ability to use it properly, under all circumstances.

When properly installed and operated, modern electronic navigation systems are generally very reliable. These inexpensive and portable hand held systems are available to serve as primary, back-up, or lifeboat navigation systems.

Although the controlling authorities go to great lengths to ensure reliability and accuracy; the signals upon which all such systems depend are not always available. A more common cause of navigation failure is human error. Many mistakes are made in entering and in sequencing of data. Incorrect positions or commands are often inserted and wrong waypoints selected, sometimes with disastrous results, as the computer does precisely what it is commanded to do.

This course outlines procedures designed to minimize the possibility of human error in the operation of electronic navigation equipment.

The download version of the manual includes the complete text, adds colour to the illustrations and may include some animated sequences.

Table of Contents

Unit 1 - Electronic Navigation

• Why Electronic Navigation

Unit 2 - Navigation Fundamentals

• Preparation
• The Form of the Earth
• Great Circles (GC)
• Geographical Position
• Latitude
• Longitude
• Datum
• Waypoints
• Distance and Speed
• Courses and Bearings
• Course Made Good (CMG)
• Compass Direction and Deviation
• Maps and Charts
• Charted Navigation Information
• Using Charts to Navigate
• Speed
• Navigating the Planned Route

Unit 3 - Global Positioning System (GPS)

• What Is GPS?
• Features
• Signal Processing
• Dilution of Precision (DOP)
• GPS Accuracy
• Selective Availability (SA)
• Ionosphere Propagation Error
• Datum Errors and Cartography References
• Chart Surveys
• Differential GPS (DGPS)
• Selecting a GPS Receiver
• Intended Application
• Power Consumption
• Multi-channel
• Display Capabilities
• GPS Sensors

Unit 4 - Navigation Techniques

• Waypoint and Route Navigation
• Waypoint and Route Selection
• Chart Plotter Waypoints
• Other Uses for Waypoints
• Keeping Track of Progress
• Alternate Approaches
• Plotting GPS Positions on Paper

Unit 5 - Other Uses for GPS

• Speed Curves
• Speed in River and Tidal Currents
• Sailboat Tacking
• Compass Heading
• Sail Trim
• Replacing Racing Instruments
• Tidal Waters and Leeway
• Leeway Due to Wind and Current
• Wind, Current and Tide Determination
• Use of Velocity Made Good Calculations

Unit 6 - GPS Installation Considerations

• Installation Hints
• Power Source Connection
• Electrical Grounding Considerations
• Antenna Installation

Unit 7 - Performance Evaluation (of GPS Receiver)

• Interference
• Tracking Down Interference Sources
• Special Note for DGPS Users
• Controls and Indicators
• Hand-held Models
• Disadvantages of Some Models
• Electronic Charts
• Operating Manuals
• Soft Keys
• True or Magnetic Heading
• Nautical, Statute Miles or Metric
• Personal Preferences
• Navigation Computers
• Precautions
• Autopilots
• Planning a Trip

Marine Electronics

This course is aimed at the boater who wants to take advantage of modern electronic devices for safety afloat and navigation.

Course content: Electricity; DC and AC systems; wiring; galvanic and stray-current corrosion, and electrical interference. Lightning protection and the marine radiotelephone are also detailed. Electronics such as the depth sounder, RADAR, LORAN-C, satellite systems and auxiliary equipment are explored, and can be taken as separate seminars.

Duration: 15 weeks

Course kit includes Student Notes and Homework Folder.

Marine Maintenance

The Maintenance course will expand the average boat-owner's knowledge of vessel maintenance.

Course content: Seasonal maintenance and repairs to wooden, fibreglass and metal hulls are stressed. Sections are devoted to maintenance for electrical and mechanical systems; spars, rigging and ground tackle; fire and safety protection; moorings and berths; trailers; tools and fittings.

Duration: 12 weeks.

Course kit includes Student Notes and Homework Folder

Distress Signaling

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Types of Flares and their Operation
3. Principles of Signalling
4. Regulations Governing the Use of Distress Flares
5. Suggested Distress Signals to be Carried On Board
6. Purchase of Flares
7. Storage of Flares
8. Disposal of Flares
9. Other Distress Signals

Appendix A: Mandatory Canadian Flare Requirements
Appendix B: Fines for Contravention of the Canada Shipping Act
Appendix C: Mandatory US Flare Requirements
Appendix D: Assisting a Vessel in Distress

Introduction

Boaters should always go out on the water in well-equipped and maintained vessels, which are able to handle all conditions that are likely to be encountered. The size of vessel, equipment carried, and experience of the skipper will vary according to whether the outing is a short fishing trip, a weekend cruise, or an offshore passage. However, despite the best planning, unforeseen situations can occur during any of the above cruises which may place the boat and its passengers in dangerous, or even life threatening, circumstances.

As a result, all vessels should carry emergency safety equipment appropriate for their size and the type of voyage planned. In Canada, the Small Vessels Regulations stipulate various items of safety equipment that, by law, must be carried by specified types and sizes of vessel. Except in a few particular cases, these include a minimum number of marine flares of approved design (for Canadian and US requirements see Appendices A and C).

Having the correct type and number of flares on board will satisfy the legal requirements. However, in order for any type of safety equipment to perform its intended purpose efficiently, it must be stored and used properly and safely. All boaters should therefore be knowledgeable with regard to:

• the types of flares that must be carried
• their correct storage
• how to operate them correctly and safely
• how to check for government approval and date of manufacture
• any precautions that should be taken during operation
• when it is appropriate to use the various types
• approved methods of disposal of outdated flares

The object of this module is to cover the above topics, and to prepare boaters to be better informed on all aspects of marine flares and their use.

Fundamentals of Weather

This new introductory weather course, first published Sep. 2000, is designed for the coastal and Great Lakes mariner.

The course consists of seven chapters:

• How the Sun causes Weather: deals mainly with the atmosphere.
  
• What Causes the Wind to Blow: explains atmospheric pressure.
  
• Water in the Atmosphere: covers the various forms of precipitation and fog.
  
• Clouds - Signposts of the Skies: includes the most common types and how they develop.
  
• Fronts and Frontal Weather: what they are and the weather that is associated with them.
  
• Thunderstorms and Tornadoes: this section also covers stability and instability.
  
• Forecasting the Weather.

The Course Kit includes, Student Notes, Homework Folder, Homework Answers, Cloud Chart, State of the Sea Chart, and Mapping Weather booklet

Global Weather

The Global Weather Course is designed for those who wish to make ocean crossings or for the student who would just like to gain a more in depth knowledge of meteorology.

While it can be used as a stand alone module, it does assume a certain familiarity with the basic principles of weather. For those who do not possess this knowledge, it would be wise to first take the CPS introductory weather course, "Fundamentals of Weather".

Global Weather consists of six chapters, some highlights of which are shown below:

• Equilibrium in the Atmosphere, explains stability, instability in detail and the effect of atmospheric adiabatic vertical temperature profiles.
• General Circulation, covers terrestrial wind circulation, El Nino, La Nina and Jet Streams.
• Air Masses, deals with their classification, characteristics and their source regions.
• Extra Tropical Cyclones, explains how they are formed and the interaction of the fronts within them.
• Tropical Cyclones, takes the student from the hurricanes of the Atlantic to the typhoons of the Pacific, how they are formed, their dangers and how to react with their approach.
• Forecasting, teaches how to interpret the professional weather map and explains in detail the various aspects of making a personal forecast.
  
  The text book includes a Glossary and several useful appendices.
  
  The course kit includes, Student Notes/Text, Homework Folder, Homework Answers, Cloud Chart, State of the Sea Chart and Mapping Weather booklet.
  
  The Instructors Kit includes all the above plus the Instructors Notes.
  
  Global Weather is examinable and one of two exams may be written after completion of the course with the pass mark being 80%.

Depthsounders

This mini-course will introduce the recreational boater to the various types of echo-location devices that are common on smaller recreational vessels. In it you will find information that is often missing from the manuals and glossy brochures of the market-place. A must for any boat’s on-board library.

Instructor Development

Seamanship Sail

This introductory course will teach some of the basic sailing techniques for safe operation under various conditions, and will encourage the participant to become a more competent sailor.

Course content: Spars and rigging; sails and theory of sail action; sailboat handling; pilot and cruising under sail (day sailers and keelboats). Fire safety and sailboat racing are included as additional information.

Course kit includes Student Notes, Homework Folder, and Collision Regulations