WEST SPRINGFIELD — The Education Department of the Springfield Power Squadron has just reported their spring offering of boating courses, of which there are three:
I. BASIC BOATING COURSE
II. SEAMANSHIP
III. PILOTING
Classes will begin on March 2 and require approximately eight weeks to ten weeks of two-hour classes. All three offerings will be taught at the West Springfield Middle School, on Wednesday nights, from 7-9 p.m. Students arriving early (after 6 p.m.) will be offered additional instruction on prior lectures. A review of preceding chapter questions will begin at 6:45 pm.
All three courses are free of tuition, but there is a $65 charge for books and teaching supplies. All instructors are USPS-certified, with experienced boaters in attendance serving as proctors.
The United States Power Squadrons is an education organization, dedicated to teaching boating safety and techniques. Our students are encouraged to take advantage of a complete academic boating education, up to, and including that of Senior Navigator.
Our offerings include the Basic Course, followed by Seamanship, completion of which elevates the student’s rank, and entitles him/her to use the designation “S” in correspondence, and wear the insignia on uniforms, casual clothing, etc.
The courses which follow are all advanced, but do not require pre-requisites, allowing for various levels of education and experience. They are Advanced Piloting, Junior Navigation, Navigation, and finally Senior Navigation. SN is the most advanced rank offered in the hierarchy. The Springfield Squadron plans to offer all of these boating courses, which when completed as a package, will parallel that offered by any of the naval academies’ marine program.
Our fall offerings, beginning October 5, will be the basic ABC Course, Seamanship, and Advanced Piloting. For those needing advanced courses, students are advised to remain in sequence. For more information, or to register, please contact Cdr. Edwin Orwat, N, at (413) 749-0524, or 896-6391. Also, [email protected].
