February 5, 2010 9:00 – 11:00 am

This basic 2 hour seminar is a great “starter” for getting the most out of your GPS device. This seminar is being taught by Douglas Townes and is offered for the general public.

Where: West Marine, 4989 Friendship Road, Buford, GA

Cost:  Free.  Additional materials are available for purchase ($20).  Purchase of materials is not required to take the seminar.

To register, contact seo@usps-atlanta.org

From the January 2011 Waterlog, here’s a photo and the video of French artist Julien Berthier’s incredible non-sinking boat! For the full story and more photos, visit Gizmag’s article.

Download and read the Waterlog for January 2011.

The ASPS is excited to host an interactive safety exhibit at the upcoming 2010 Atlanta Boat Show, January 13-16 at the World Congress Center in downtown Atlanta. Our booth will include a multimedia display where the public can learn more about the Atlanta Sail and Power Squadron, our events, activities and education. We will also have an interactive fire simulator available.

This training aid will allow our booth visitors to use a realistic fire extinguisher to try their hand at putting out a video fire at multiple difficulty levels. The experience is very true to life and illustrates the challenges of extinguishing a fire. ASPS hosts will be on duty throughout the boat show to assist visitors with the simulator and provide valuable hands-on training in the correct techniques for using a fire extinguisher effectively. Please plan to stop by and see us at the boat show, and be sure to try out your fire safety skills. But be warned, this simulator is extremely fun and hard to put down!

The ASPS is also geared up to start our next advance boating class session on January 24. This session will mark the first time that these advanced level courses will be available to the public. Anyone with an interest in increasing their nautical knowledge may enroll. Classes run from 7:00 until 9:00 p.m. and meet at the Heiskell School in Buckhead. USPS qualified instructors who are also experienced boaters teach the material. There will be three subjects offered in this session: Piloting, Weather, and Marine Communications Systems.

Piloting covers coastal navigation using charts and electronic equipment.   Students will learn to plan courses and to determine their position on the water using terrestrial navigation aids.

Weather is a comprehensive study of weather systems and patterns.  Students will learn the causes of weather phenomena and how to predict weather changes using observations and instruments, information of tremendous value to serious boaters.

Marine Communications Systems is a review of communications systems available to the recreational boater.  The course covers standard VHF radio, Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (GMDSS), FCC Rules and regulations, High Seas radio (MF/HF and satellite communications) Family Radio Service transceivers.  The course also covers troubleshooting radio installations.

Detailed information about each class, fees, and instructions on signing up can be found here. Membership in the Atlanta Sail and Power Squadron is not required to take a class, but as an added benefit, students who decide to become members of Atlanta’s Boating Club will receive a discount off their first year’s dues equal to 50% of the cost of the course. This special discount will be valid for up to 6 weeks after course completion.