Boating Courses

Our Mission is Education...

USPS believes that the more educated a boater becomes, the more likely that he or she will be a safe skipper. TSPS's mission is to increase knowledge of boating safety good practices and to help boat operators, family and crew become competent pilots and navigators.

We provide courses in boating safety, navigation, and other topics both to our own members and, as basic instruction, to the general public. Our qualified, enthusiastic, and experienced USPS instructors lead our classes as a civic service. There is never a charge for instruction; the only costs are for textbooks and instructional materials, plus overhead costs such as classroom rental, and shipping.

While our student manuals serve as the basis of content for each course, they will also serve as indispensable reference books for the boater or sailor long after the course work is completed. And in addition to their knowledge of fundamental seamanship know-how, our Tokyo-based instructors are a valuable source of information regarding local Japanese waters.

What Courses are Available to the Public vs. TSPS Members?

Non-USPS Members are able to take either our test preparation course for the Japan Class 1 & 2 License, required to operate small powered water craft in Japan, or one of our Basic Boating courses (see below). The Basic Boating Courses do not allow operation of powered vessels in Japan, but are highly recommended to family or crew members, or to those who want to join TSPS without committing the time and expense to earn the Class 1 or 2 license. Completion of any of the Basic Boating Courses, or acquisition of the Japan Class 1 or 2 license, makes you eligible for TSPS membership.

Dates for Class 1 & 2 Japan Boat License Exams in English Announced!

Find out more!

Courses on Tap for Summer:

Sail, Basic and Advanced

Having just finished the Piloting and Advanced Piloting coures, we are now organizing these two courses, which are also quite popular. Classes should get started in late May or early June. The materials are informative and accessible. We also plan to have some hands on instruction with real boats.

If interested, contact our Education Officer.

The courses include the following topics:

Sail 101 Basic Sail

• Sailboat Rigs
• Sail Plans
• Boat Design and Hull Types
• Sails
• Standing Rigging
• Running Rigging
• Wind
• Preparing to Sail
• Sailing Upwind
• Sailing Downwind
• Docking and Anchoring
• Marlinespike Seamanship
• Navigation Rules I

Sail 102 Advanced Sail

• Wind Forces
• Stability
• Balance
• Sail Shape
• Tuning the Rig
• Steering and Helmsmanship
• Spinnaker Handling
• Heavy Weather Sailing
• Storm Conditions
• Sailing Safety
• Sailboat Racing
• Race Management
• Navigation Rules II

Other courses on tap! Look here for more information soon.

Posted 5/11/08

TSPS Members may take a variety of Basic, Intermediate, Advanced, and Elective courses. The Intermediate courses build upon the basis of the Basic Boating courses, while the Advanced courses offer progressively more challenging instruction, from coastal piloting to full-fledged ocean navigation. Our Elective courses focus on practical know-how, including Beginning and Advanced Sail, Marine Electronics, Engine Maintenance, Weather, and others.

Click here to see the course listings as given on the USPS web page.

To view or print an Adobe PDF copy of our member courses, please click here.

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MEMBERS! LET US KNOW WHAT COURSES YOU'D LIKE TO TAKE IN 2007!
Click here to send an email to our Education Officer.

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Basic Boating Courses

If you are interested in getting started in boating or sailing, but don't need to operate your own vessel in Japan, we recommend one of our Basic Boating courses. These will give you an overview of boating rules, regulations, and know-how, and will make you eligible for TSPS membership. There are several alternative textbooks and programs depending upon your needs.

Basic Boating Classroom and Study-At-Home Courses

Boat Smart is the course for all present and future boaters, sailors, and personal water craft enthusiasts to start their boating education. This course teaches the basic nautical rules and regulations, courtesies of the sea, and the natural forces and man-made dangers that all boaters and sailors face on the water. As sailing and boating is often a family or group activity, the course is of value to all members of a crew. TSPS encourages families and sailor friends to attend as groups to enrich the learning experience. This course can also be taken as study-at-home,

USPS encourages Boat Smart graduates interested in learning a little about piloting to follow up with Chart Smart, below.

Chart Smart is designed to give the student an introduction to the subject known as Piloting, or the techniques of determining a vessel's position when it is within the sight or near proximity of land. The course is available to graduates of USPS Boat Smart or America's Boating Course (See section below). The course teaches the use and application of basic navigational instruments and aids to navigation. It builds upon the knowledge gained in Boat Smart or America's Boating Course by covering the following subjects:

• Mariner's Compass
• Charts
• Aids to Navigation
• Plotting a Course
• Distance, Speed, Time
• Determining Position

Chart Smart may also appeal to squadron members as a refresher prior to taking the Advanced Grade course of Piloting.

America's Boating Course is an innovative learning system that includes an online course, CD-ROM, printed manual and personal contact with United States Power Squadron representatives. It is an interactive, self-paced multimedia rich course for the novice and the old salt, for power or sail, and from yachts to personal water craft (PWC). Its fun, effective, and inexpensive so come on board today!