Training – Hal Moore, Training Commodore
Return to top
Training Program
The Pentagon Sailing Club's objective is to encourage the development of seamanship skills and to provide opportunities for sail training, recreational sailing, and related activities to club members. The club's robust training programs are aligned to meet these goals. Certifications are available at several levels. Basic sail training is provided on the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers, and advanced cruising training is provided on the Chesapeake Bay. PSC Training Program (Word file)
Return to top
Basic Sail Training - The PSC River Training Program
The Pentagon Sailing Club, based out of Bolling Air Force Base Capitol Cove Marina, offers Basic sailing courses on the Potomac and Anacostia Rivers. We conduct the training aboard our own small keelboat sailing sloops, which range between 22 and 24 feet. All have outboard motors, a full complement of sails, and sparse accommodations below deck. Completion of our Basic sailing program results in the award of the U.S. Navy Basic Keelboat Skipper (B-KBS) certification. This certification is commensurate with US Sailing and American Sailing Association basic sailing programs. Click here for more information.
How to sign up for Basic Sailing Classes
1. Check the calendar to see when Basic Sailing Classes are scheduled.
2. Contact Katie Harrison, the PSC
River Training Coordinator, to see if space is available in a particular class.
3. Print and fill out a
River Activities Registration Form for the class.
4. Mail your completed River Activities Registration Form
and your payment to:
PSC Treasurer
P.O. Box 23422
Washington, DC 20026-3422
Note: Cost is posted on the PSC Rate Schedule Page. Make checks payable to Pentagon Sailing Club and specify for which class. Sign up early so you will not miss out!
Return to top
Do You Have Your U.S. Naval Sailing Association Qualification Card?
One of the many benefits of belonging to the Pentagon Sailing Club (PSC) is our alliance with the U.S. Navy Sailing Association (USNSA) or Navy Sailing. In fact, your first year PSC membership includes a year membership in Navy Sailing. For those that have taken our Basic Keelboat or river course, you should have received a Navy Sailing qualification card that documents your B-KBS qualification. USNSA also keeps your qualifications on file in their membership database. As you advance through PSC’s Bay Skipper program, the additional qualifications PSC awards are certified by USNSA: Senior Crew (SC), Navigator (Nav), Basic Cruising Skipper (B-CSN) and Advanced Cruising Skipper (D-CS). These advanced qualifications are also kept on file by Navy Sailing.
If you have not received your Navy Sailing qualification card indicating your current qualification levels, please let Hal Moore, the Training Commodore, know so he can update your file with Navy Sailing. In order to do this, your Navy Sailing membership must be current. If you joined PSC over a year ago and have not renewed your Navy Sailing membership (www.navysailing.org), you will need to do this first ($32 per year, $80 for 3 years) before your file can be updated. Hal will let you know if that is required. Please take advantage of this club benefit. One great feature of taking the Basic Boating Course through the USPS is once you've successfully completed the course, you are eligible to join the Power Squadron. This is America's largest private |
|
Return to top
American Sailing Association Certification
The 2009 Pentagon Sailing Club Bridge decided to affiliate with the American Sailing Association (ASA) beginning in 2009. Affiliation involves a lot of complex paperwork, as well as an inspection of our facilities and our records. It will also require the training of instructors in the ASA system. The Bridge is in the process of implementing this plan, but we have no further details on how the qualification aspects will play out.
Return to top
Boating Safety Certification
To sail on the Anacostia and Potomac Rivers, you must successfully complete a boating safety course per D.C. law. You must have this completion certificate on your person while boating, just like a driver’s license. This includes the area North of the Wilson Bridge, Old Town, the Potomac River, Anacostia River and the Washington Channel. On Maryland waters, any person born on or after July 1, 1972 must have a certificate of boating safety education card that is obtained from a course with a proctored exam. This requirement was originally designed to deal with teenagers who were having fatal accidents with jet skis, but it is now capturing people pushing 38 years of age.
While PSC does not yet offer this important certification directly, we encourage a classroom program such as the Basic Boating Course offered by the United States Power Squadrons (USPS). All states, D.C., and the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary offer similar courses. And, key features in each of these courses is that they present material targeted to the type of boating in the local area. This is different than a generic, internet boating course. Taking the course in the classroom, one which includes navigation in the syllabus, suits our members best in the Chesapeake Bay region. And, now is the time to enroll and get started. For those of you taking the PSC Winter Training Program classes, you'll find the Basic Boating Course material very complementary.
For those of you with a few nautical miles already under your keel, you can also get your certification on line at http://www.boatingbasicsonline.com/course/boating/indexa.php?new_state=DC. This certification meets the requirements for both the club and Washington DC, but if you don't have much boating experience, we highly recommend taking the proctored course offered by the US Power Squadron.
Another site with safe boating information is http://www.boatsafe.com/.
The Northern Virginia Sail and Power Squadron will be offering the America’s Boating Course-3rd edition this year. This course is offered in 7 class installments, two hours each, on Tuesday and Thursday evenings. This class will meet the Maryland proctored exam requirement. One class will begin in January, 2010 and two others will run in March. Rich Unis, a PSC Bay Skipper of Record, is the Education lead for the sail and power squadron.
Topics include basic boating terms, critical safety practices, knots, buoy systems on the water, fundamental navigation for safe passage, and the "rules of the road." (We do not recommend taking the “Boat Smart Course” for those of you boating on the Chesapeake Bay because it does not include the navigation segment.)
One great feature of taking the America’s Boating Course through the USPS is once you've successfully completed the course, you are eligible to join the Power Squadron. This is America's largest private boating organization devoted to community service through boating safety, continued self education, and social fun—for all boaters: power boaters, jet skiers, and sailors alike. Our PSC members, who are members of the Northern Virginia Sail and Power Squadron (NVSPS), have recently taken advanced courses in seamanship and navigation. Annually, the NVSPS offers these courses along with celestial navigation, marine electronics, engine maintenance, cruise planning, weather, and other specialty courses.
If after taking the America’s Boating Course you decide to join the USPS, please let them know PSC sent you! |
|
The District of Columbia Harbor Patrol Unit will be hosting boating safety classes for the 2010 boating season. The Boating Safety course is designed to educate boaters of the legal requirements, navigational rules, safety equipment, risks of boating accidents, and other issues pertaining to safe boating. Anyone operating a vessel on District of Columbia waterways is required to have a Boating Safety Certificate. The Boating Safety Certificate is issued to individuals who successfully complete the Boating Safety course. As with the Northern Virginia Sail and Power Squadron, this course involves a proctored exam, which satisfies the Maryland Requirement for those born after 1972.
The Boating Safety course consists of four days of instruction, and the hours are 7 pm to 9 pm. Pre-registration for the Boating Safety course is required. Please call the MPDC Harbor Patrol Unit at (202) 727-4582, or email james.hatton@dc.gov or jeffrey.blevins@dc.gov to sign up or to get more information.
Return to top
Advanced Sail Training - The PSC Cruising Skipper Program
The cruising skipper program (aka the “Bay Training Program” or the “D-CS program”) is conducted on the Chesapeake Bay on PSC-chartered boats in the 32-48 foot range. Members may pursue certification as Navigator, Watch Captain, and Skipper D. Candidates pursue qualifications at their own pace. Click here for more info.
Return to top
Winter Training Program (WTP)
The WTP provides advanced classroom training in Advanced Sail Trim, Heavy Weather Sailing, Safety Equipment, Large Boat Systems, Navigation and Piloting, Anchoring, First Aid and CPR, Rules of the Road, Boat Chartering, and other topics. The WTP is usually held on the first Saturday of every month from October through April. Click here for more info.
Return to top
USNSA Sailing Instructor Course
The U.S. Naval Sailing Association (USNSA) periodically conducts a Navy Sailing Instructor Course at various locations. This course will teach you how to teach sailing. You'll be given an Instructor designation (I) upon successful completion. Taught in conjunction with the U. S. Naval Sailing Association. Must be able to swim (demonstration required). Course consists of classroom with a test and on the water training emphasizing both sailing and directing others. Primary boats will be rainbows (24' keel boats). Cost is generally $300. Contact Bob Howe, Executive Director, U. S. Naval Sailing Association at 410-293-2130, for more details.
Return to top
Non-Affiliated Training Opportunities - Local programs that offer in-depth, specialized training in sailing, safety at sea, navigation, etc.
|
US Power Squadron - Local squadrons offer basic and advanced boating safety courses to boaters. Successfully completing a USPS boating safety course meets the educational requirements for boat operation in all states and is a requirement for squadron membership. For more information, go to www.usps.org. |
|
Safety At Sea Seminar - Learn Safe Boating at the Safety at Sea Seminar. Sponsored by West Marine, ACR and Cruising World Magazine, the annual Safety at Sea Seminar is usually held in Alumni Hall at the US Naval Academy. The seminar addresses the needs of offshore racers and cruisers, as well as providing important safety tips for those whose boating interests remain much closer to home. http://www.mtam.org/ |
Return to top
USNSA/PSC Qualifications Explained
Common USNSA Ratings:
A |
MATE: Minimum qualification to crew on small sailing craft |
B-KBS |
DAY SAILING CRUISING SKIPPER: Qualified to handle small sailing craft with auxiliary power in local waters. Boat may have some ships systems |
C |
CREW: Individual with no formal training aboard a large sailing vessel |
WC |
WATCH CAPTAIN: Individual who has met all PQS requirements for Watch Captain |
D-CS |
CRUISING SKIPPER: Individual qualified to command a sailing vessel in designated or coastal waters. Qualification includes night experience and demonstrated navigation knowledge and skills. Any course developed for this certification must be approved by the DONS. |
D-SS |
SENIOR SKIPPER: Individual who has met all PQS requirements for Senior Skipper D-SS qualified to command a large sailing yacht offshore. Awarded by the DONS/USNSA only. |
E-MS |
MASTER SKIPPER: Qualified to command and race a large sailing yacht offshore under all conditions. Awarded by the DONS/USNSA only. |
Navy Sailing Qualifiers:
I |
INSTRUCTOR: Qualified to train, recommend and/or certify individuals at their Individual sailing qualification level or lower provided they have appropriate experience in vessel used in training |
IT |
INSTRUCTOR TRAINER: Qualified to train and certify sailing instructors at their Individual sailing qualification level |
SPD |
SAILING PROGRAM DIRECTOR: Individual who has been trained in the safe operation of a sailing program and has demonstrated the knowledge, maturity, skills, and leadership necessary to run such a program |
R |
RACING: A member who also has a thorough theoretical and practical knowledge of yacht racing rules, techniques, and has served in the capacity of skipper or crew while racing. This designator is used in conjunction with any of Navy sailing qualifications. This designator is awarded at the local level. |
Return to top
About PSC .
Training .
Bay Activities .
River/Marina Activities .
Join PSC .
Calendar
Newsletters .
Club Meetings .
Volunteer .
Photo Gallery .
Ship's Store
Video Library .
Nautical Links .
Library
Privacy Statement . Contact
Webmaster
This page updated
on March 9, 2010
©
2010
Pentagon Sailing Club
