An Educated Boater is a Safer Boater!

Advanced Piloting Course – Details

Advanced Piloting is the second in the sequence of USPS courses on navigation. It continues to build coastal and inland navigation skill, allowing the student to take on more challenging conditions – unfamiliar waters, limited visibility, and extended cruises. GPS is embraced as a primary navigation tool while adding radar, chart plotters, and other electronic navigation tools. As with Marine Navigation (Piloting), the course includes many in-class exercises, advancing the student’s skills through hands-on practice and learning. Ten 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 exam.

Topics covered include:

  • Review of skills learned in Marine Navigation
  • Advanced positioning techniques such as advancing a line of position
  • Other electronics: radar, depth sounders, autopilots, chartplotters, laptop computer software, etc.
  • Hazard avoidance techniques using electronics (e.g., “keep out” zones in GPS)
  • Collision avoidance using radar and GPS
  • Working with tides: clearances, depth, effects of current
  • Piloting with wind and currents
  • The “Seaman’s Eye” – simple skills for checking that one is on course

Dates & Cost:

  • Starts: Mar. 5, 2025
  • Once a week for 10 weeks plus exam
  • Average 2 hours per session
  • Course – FREE for USPS & SCYC Members
  • Course – $198 for Non-Members
  • You must Register online to reserve a seat in the class (space is limited!)
  • Recommended Pre-Requisite: ABC3 Boating Safety Course

Exclusive Benefits!!!

FREE courses for SLRPS & SCYC Members!

Members of St. Lucie River Power Squadron & also Stuart Corinthian Yacht Club can attend Advanced & Elective courses at no charge!!!

Student Manuals will be provided on a loaner basis for the duration of the course, but must be returned upon course completion. Manuals can be purchased separately if members would like a personal copy.

For more information about the course, please contact our Squadron Education Officer Paul Bendeck at:  [email protected]