Cruising Powerboat Instructor Course
Cruising Powerboat Instructor Course
Prerequisites and course information
Overview
Goals
Boats
Course capacity
Course prerequisites
Course materials
Successful completion
Course outcomes
Validation of instructors
Register
Overview
3 day evaluative course for experienced Instructors who do not possess US Sailing Cruising Instructor certification. Most of the time will be spent on the water demonstrating and critiquing boathandling maneuvers, and demonstrating and discussing teaching techniques applicable to single and twin-screw cruising powerboats.
Goals
1. To gain an understanding of the practical skills and knowledge required for Basic Powerboat
Cruising and Inshore Powerboat Cruising certifications, and the Night Operation Endorsement .
2. To successfully train, evaluate and certify people to meet the standards for these
certifications and endorsement in a variety of cruising powerboats 26’ to 52’ long with single
screw and/or
twin-screws.
3. To acquire additional information on effective teaching techniques and drills for cruising
powerboats courses.
Boats
Each course will have two cruising powerboats: a single-screw with bow thruster, and a twin-screw.
Course capacity
Maximum number in the course: eight instructor candidates. Each boat will be limited to four instructor candidates with an Instructor Trainer.
Course prerequisites
1. Minimum age of 18 years
2. Experienced operator of cruising type powerboats and/or power catamarans
3. Ability to perform the practical skills and knowledge to be a Cruising Powerboat Instructor
4. Current U.S. Coast Guard license
5. Current First Aid and CPR certifications recognized by the U.S. Coast Guard
6. Current US Sailing membership
7. Completed application form accompanied by the course fee
Course materials
Materials will be sent directly to instructor candidates. To allow time to study course materials, US Sailing must receive completed applications and course fees at least one week prior to the course.
Successful completion of the course
Cruising Powerboat Instructors are expected to perform all practical skills of the Basic Powerboat Cruising and Inshore Powerboat Cruising certifications, and the Night Operation Endorsement to a higher proficiency level than that required for receiving them; and to be able to explain the appropriate knowledge concepts for these certifications.
1. In the courses, instructor candidates will demonstrate Cruising Powerboat Instructor skill level,
knowledge and seamanship, and explain key teaching points in the following areas:
• Operation and inspection of boat systems and equipment
• Leaving and/or returning to a dock or slip with and without a bow thruster
• Using a spring line when leaving or returning to a dock or slip
• Backing into a slip
• Backing along a course always maintaining control
• Maintaining throttle and speed control at minimum control speed
• Close-quarters maneuvering and pivot turns
• Anchoring with a single and/or two anchors
• Picking up a mooring
• Simulated person in the water rescues
• Simulated emergency procedures: engine failure, fire, sinking, grounding
• Using dinghy management while docking
• Using a GPS to establish and maintain a course, and to arrive at a determined lat/long
position
• Using radar to take a bearing, measure distance, and determine a boat’s position using
circular lines of position (if boat has radar)
2. Demonstrate use of appropriate knots and line handling.
3. Perform effective communications, demonstrations, command and control.
4. Demonstrate a professional attitude and conduct.
5. Have a working knowledge of the Cruising Powerboat certification system.
6. Receive a successful evaluation from the Instructor Trainers.
Course outcomes
Passing: The instructor candidate has successfully completed the required practical skills and any written tests, and received a successful evaluation from the Instructor Trainers.
Plan of Improvement: The instructor candidate has not yet successfully completed all the requirements and has been given a specific Plan of Improvement to complete within a specific time frame. Arrangements for re-testing and the completion of a Plan of Improvement must be done through US Sailing’s Powerboat Training Manager. The responsibility for completion of a Plan of Improvement rests with the instructor candidate.
Failing: The instructor candidate did not come close enough to meeting the evaluative criteria at the time of the course to be given a Plan of Improvement or did not complete the specifics in the Plan of Improvement that was given.
Plan of Completion: Instructor Trainers were unable to complete the evaluation; therefore the instructor candidate must complete the course at a later date. Arrangements for completion must be done through the Cruising Powerboat Training Manager within 90 days of the course date, and will be dealt with on a case by case basis.
NOTE: Full payment must be received at least 4 weeks prior to the beginning of the course for the candidate to be eligible for the Early-bird Discount. Courses are filled on a “first paid, first registered” basis. The Evaluation Fee covers publications, registration materials/processing and Instructor Trainer costs.
THE TRAINING FEE IS NOT REFUNDABLE unless the course was cancelled by US Powerboating due to a lack of registration.
Validation of instructors
Validation of a Cruising Powerboat Instructor will be for three years, providing First Aid, CPR and
US Sailing membership are kept current. Instructor validation is renewable.
Register
Register securely online or by using our printable registration form.