America’s Boating Club Wilmington offers educational courses to its members in two general categories: Advanced Grades and Elective Courses.  Additional information relating to any of the following courses is available to membership through the ABC Education Department.  It is important to note that the form of study materials may be offered in printed or electronic formats.  The squadron SEO can offer you guidance in your course selection.The Elective Courses listed below are for members of the United States Power Squadrons ®. Click here to find out how to join ABC-Wilmington.

Cruising and Cruise Planning (C)

Designed for members who plan to cruise for just a day or for a year--in either a sail or powerboat--this course covers the following topics: 

Cruise preparation and planning
Boat and Equipment
Anchors and Anchoring
Security
Chartering
Cruising Outside the United States
Crew and Provisioning
Voyage Management
Communications
Navigation
Weather
Emergencies

Students will have to take a multiple choice closed book exam upon completion of the course.

Engine Maintenance (EM)

The new Engine Maintenance course has been put into one ten chapter course that stresses the diagnosis of modern systems, while also teaching the basics of engine layout and operation. Gasoline inboards, outboards, and diesel engines are taught in a way that reinforces the common aspects of how engines work. 

Modern engines offer high reliability and good performance through the use of computerized systems for fuel delivery and engine timing. Most of these systems are “black boxes” that can no longer be serviced by weekend mechanics with ordinary tools. The EM course covers those repairs that do-it-yourselfers can still perform, teaches how to diagnose problems that might be beyond your ability to fix, and how to share information with your mechanic so the right repairs get performed. The new Engine Maintenance course also covers basic mechanical systems such as drive systems (propellers), steering systems, and engine controls. The last chapter discusses solutions you might use to problems that could occur while afloat and away from a repair facility. Gasoline, diesel, and outboard engines are treated independently in this chapter.

This  course is complete in one book with one exam.

Students have seven days to complete an open book exam..

Marine Electrical Systems (MES)

This course is presented in seven chapters that start with an explanation of what electricity is, followed by discussions on boat electrical wiring, DC and AC electrical systems, galvanic and stray current corrosion, lightning protection, and ends with troubleshooting of boat electrical problems.

Course includes detailed instructions on how to use a multimeter, how to solder and crimp electrical wiring circuits, and how to read electrical wiring diagrams.  

This course can be used as a reference guide for anyone interested in properly maintaining their boat electrical system.  Requires nine two-hour sessions.

Students will have to take a closed book exam upon completion of the course.

Marine Communication Systems (MCS)

This course is an in-depth review of those systems available to the recreational boater or to those with whom he/she shares the water.  Radio history and spectrum definitions are presented along with definitions of radio circuits that the student should learn, to choose the best communications method for his/her situation.   

One chapter is devoted to the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS) and another to FCC Rules and regulations to set the stage for instruction of radiotelephone operating procedures (both voice and digital messaging are covered).  

The remaining chapters cover High Seas radio (MF/HF and satellite communications) and other systems such as Family Radio Service transceivers. 

 There is also a chapter on troubleshooting of radio installations.  Requires seven two-hour sessions. 
Students will have to take a closed book exam upon completion of the course.

Electrical Navigation Systems (MNS)

Electronic Navigation introduces GPS technology from the most basic receiver to chart plotter systems for navigation on board.  The process of navigating by establishing waypoints and routes, and then running the planned courses, is demonstrated.  

Further, electronic charting software for the desktop computer is examined, and creation of waypoints and routes on the desktop and subsequent download to the onboard unit.  Despite differences among the various manufacturers’ offerings, a thorough discussion of the features being made available is included.  

Special attention is paid to apps for tablets and smartphones that provide the electronic navigation function at the helm, for relatively little cost.  
Students should be familiar with basic charting concepts such as latitude, longitude, the compass, course plotting, and time/distance calculation to get the most out of this course.  
This course omits Radar and Depth Sonar technologies, however Appendix 8 of the course text on Automatic Identification System (AIS) is presented and made part of the examinable material for USPS® course credit.

Students will have to take a closed book exam upon completion of the course.

Radar for Boaters 

Radar for Boaters is up-to-date for radar technologies available now and into the near future.  The course covers the different types of radar equipment, their capabilities and limitations, as well as their features and how they apply to students’ needs.  It covers what you need to know about radar, from how and where to mount the antenna to how to interpret the displays, so you can use your radar for collision avoidance and for navigational purposes.

Sail (Sa)

Sail is a completely new sail course created to serve the needs of the novice and experienced sailor, as well as the non-sailor, for basic skills and knowledge.  

The course starts with basic sailboat designs and nomenclature, rigging, safety, and sail processes and then tackles the physical aspects of sailing forces and techniques, sail applications, marlinespike, helmsmanship and handling of more difficult sailing conditions, navigation rules, and an introduction to heavy weather sailing.  

Appendices provide an introduction to sailboat racing.  
Course completion is documented by a closed book exam graded by USPS® headquarters.

Special attention is paid to apps for tablets and smartphones that provide the electronic navigation function at the helm, for relatively little cost.  
Students should be familiar with basic charting concepts such as latitude, longitude, the compass, course plotting, and time/distance calculation to get the most out of this course.  
This course omits Radar and Depth Sonar technologies, however Appendix 8 of the course text on Automatic Identification System (AIS) is presented and made part of the examinable material for USPS® course credit.

Students will have to take a closed book exam upon completion of the course.

Weather (Wx)

The safety and comfort of those who venture out-on-the water have always been weather dependent. In this course students will become keener observers of the weather, but weather observations only have meaning in the context of the basic principles of meteorology — the science of the atmosphere.

The course focuses on how weather systems form, behave, move, and interact with one another and reflects the availability of all sorts of weather reports and forecasts on the Internet. Wx2012 is a general weather course benefiting those sitting in their living rooms, as much as those standing behind the helm. 

Each student receives:

A Weather Manual - USPS Weather - an explanatory text with full color photographs and drawings covering weather in the United States and its coastal and inland waters; 
A set of three Daily Weather Maps - learning aids with a complete explanation of map symbols designed to develop weather map reading and analysis skills; and
NOAA’s Sky Watcher Chart - a reference to assist in identifying cloud types – helpful indicators of approaching weather. 

Course completion is a multiple choice closed book exam.

Instructor Development (ID)

Unlike other USPS® courses, the Instructor Development course is not designed to enhance boating skills. Rather, its emphasis is on enhancing instructor skills. The course has been designed to demonstrate interactive teaching methods focused on adult learning. Students are required to prepare lesson plans and give three presentations to their peers utilizing a variety of teaching aids and presentation skills.   The instructor may assign a topic for these presentations or you may use material and PowerPoint slides from existing USPS® courses, and they may build on one another.  

NOTE:  Instructor Development, previously referred to as Instructor Techniques (I), replaces the Instructor Qualification (Q) course.

Cruising and Cruise Planning	Engine Maintenance	Marine Electrical Systems	Marine Communcation Systems	Electronic Navigation Systems
Radar for Boaters	Sail	Weather	Instructor Development