London Power and Sail Squadron 
2012 Course Offerings
Water safety is strengthened by education. CPS volunteers work together to teach various courses and share knowledge and experience. For further information, Access the hyperlinks below, or please call: (519)438-6222.
Click on the following links to register for the courses of your choice.
Boating Course (January 5)
Sail (January 5)
PCOC/Boating Basics (January 12, February 14 and April 24)
Marine Radio (VHF-DSC) ( January 17 and April 24)
Radar ( April 24)
Junior Navigator (TBD)
Recommended Prerequisite: Advanced Piloting
Junior Navigator is the first of a two-part program of study in offshore (open coast) navigation. It is designed as a practical, how-to course using GPS for offshore navigation with sun sight taking using a sextant as a backup technique. The more advanced techniques for other celestial bodies and sights are for study in the subsequent Navigation Course.
JN subject matter includes: basic concepts of celestial navigation; how to use the mariner's sextant to take sights of the sun; the importance and techniques of accurate time determination; use of the Nautical Almanac: how to reduce sights to establish lines of position (LOPs); and the use of GPS, special charts, plotting sheets and other navigational data for offshore positioning and passage planning.
Marine Basic First Aid (TBD)
The Marine Basic First Aid program is designed to train individuals working aboard ships.
The St John Marine Basic First Aid program is based on the St John Ambulance, Standard level First Aid with CPR
level A.
Candidates will receive the Sf. John Ambulance Marine Student Supplement handout along with the Sf John Ambulance,
Student Reference Guide.
Assigned Marine Student Supplement sections are to be completed for the Marine Basic course. Note that much of the review requires reflection on the part of the candidate and is not "marked" as correct or incorrect. The intention is to have candidates review the supplemental material and apply it in a way that is meaningful to their activities.
Marine Maintenance (TBD)
The full enjoyment of boating includes both the pleasure of using the boat and the satisfaction of properly maintaining it. To many boaters, working on their boat is part of the fun, to say nothing of the savings in costs.
All boats need maintenance to correct for the gradual deterioration from wear and tear, let alone exposure to the elements. A boater should be constantly on the alert for signs of vessel degradation, and make repairs while the problem is minor.
From spark plugs to bottom paint, the Marine Maintenance course covers all the basics for DIY boaters.
Navigator (TBD)
Recommended Prerequisite: Junior Navigator
This is the second part of the study of offshore navigation. It further develops the student's skills and understanding of celestial theory.The student is introduced to additional sight reducation techniques for bodies other than the sun.The student develops greater skill and precision in sight taking, positioning and the orderly methods of carrying on the day's work of a navigator at sea.
Of particular interest and importance is the navigation software that is explained and used in practices for planning and navigating in the offshore environment with the included software. Offshore navigation using minimal data and/or equipment, such as when on a disabled vessel or lifeboat is also studied.
Marine Radio (VHF-DSC) ( January 17 and April 24)
The Maritime Radio course teaches emergency radio procedures, as well as everyday operating techniques to you and your family.
In Module 1, you will learn the uses of marine radios, choice of frequencies, operation, phonetic alphabet, procedural words and phrases.
Module 2 covers Digital Selective Calling and the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System, (DSC/GMDSS). All mariners, including recreational boaters, will want to take advantage of the many features and capabilities of this innovative form "automatic" radio.
Sail (Junuary 5)
The objective is to provide a course that is geared to both new sailors and sailors who want to increase their knowledge and skills. This student manual consists of four parts, 22 sections, 2 appendices. Each section of the text is followed by multiple choice homework questions. In the Sailing course, we explain why a sailboat behaves as it does, what forces are acting on it, and why it reacts the way it does. We then proceed to explain how you can control the way your boat reacts to the various forces. This knowledge will enable you to increase speed and/or comfort under both normal and severe conditions.
RADAR for Pleasure Craft (April 24)
Now that the cost of radar has been drastically reduced to the point where entry level units can be had for about $1200, many boaters want to learn more about this valuable safety device.
This new CPS course, "Radar for Pleasure Craft" teaches the use and capabilities of marine radar. You learn how to interpret the screen, how to use the various controls, how to measure distance and bearing to other boats and to hazards.
You learn about radar's abilities and limitations. It is important that you understand the meaning of a unit's specifications when selecting a radar and the course explains these.
This course manual has over 130 pages and also comes with a CD that can be used on a PC computer. Among the CD's various features is a radar simulator that allows you try out the common radar controls including VRM, EBL, ERBL, etc.
Learn collision avoidance in the safety of your home using the simulator's MARPA capability.