3. Mission Statement
To increase awareness and knowledge of safe boating by educating
and training members and the general public, by fostering fellowship
among members, and by establishing partnerships and alliances with
organizations and agencies interested in boating.
Photo: Jeff Evans
4. Over 75 Years Teaching Safe
BoatingCPS-ECP began in 1938 as Canadian Power Squadrons and organized
along the same lines as the United States Power Squadrons. In 2013,
the organization celebrated its 75th
Anniversary.
Photo: Don Butt
5. Across Canada
CPS-ECP is a non-profit organization that has been bringing boaters
together for over75 years. CPS-ECP has 26,000 members in 155
Squadrons across Canada.
Photo: Jeanette Gordon
6. National Office
CPS-ECP has 12 paid staff at its Toronto Headquarters to assist in
course material production, warehousing, membership, PR, shipping
and liaison with the Government Organizations
Photo: Vanessa Schmidt
7. CPS-ECP instructors are boaters
tooAll instructors and members who run or help in local Squadrons and
Districts, are volunteers and take their responsibility seriously. They have
taken courses such as Instructor Development and Officer Training.
Photo: Penny Carpenter
8. FREE Courtesy Checks
Get a Courtesy Check from a CPS-ECP Boating Safety Specialist at your
yacht club or launch ramp and verify that you have all the required safety
equipment on board.
Photo: Vanessa Schmidt
9. How to become a CPS Member
There are two levels of membership: Regular and Associate
Photo: Bruce Leavitt
10. Regular Members
Graduates of the CPS-ECP Boating Course become Regular
Members. Regular Members can fly the CPS-ECP flag.
Associate Members
Graduates of Boating Basics or the Pleasure Craft Operator Card
test become Associate Members.
Both types of membership have access to the same Member
Benefits.
11. CPS-ECP also recognizes certain course equivalences from:
-Canadian Yachting Association
-Association Maritime du Québec
-United States Power Squadrons
-Transport Canada Certified Professional Mariners, Navigators
You must present copies of your course completion certificates to be
considered for membership at CPS-ECP.
CPS-ECP does admit holders of Pleasure Craft Operator
Cards from other organizations.
Equivalences
13. CPS-ECP Boating Courses
CPS-ECP has been offering boating courses long before they were
mandatory. Introductory, Advanced, Electronics, Marine Radio, Flares
and Elective courses are available.
Photo: Jeanette Gordon
14. Short course to obtain PCOC. Topics
include: knowing and equipping your boat,
safety, marine rules of the road, aids to
navigation, trailering, anchoring, docking,
licensing, registration, hypothermia,
recovery and fire procedures.
Youth Course available for ages 8-14
-Transport Canada Approved
-NASBLA Approved
-Recognized by US Coast Guard
Boating Basics
Pleasure Craft Operator Card Course
16. Topics include: the magnetic compass, global
positioning and charts, navigation, conning,
plotting, digital charting, anchoring, lines and
ropes, electrical hazards, towing, boating and
the environment, and more.
Duration: 8–10 weeks, 1 night per week
Recommended prerequisite: PCOC
Combine this course with any PCOC to
become a Regular CPS-ECP Member.
Boating Essentials
Cruise with confidence
17. Topics include: hazards of weather, wind,
waves, tides and tidal currents and how to deal
with them. Life-threatening situations such as
man overboard or a medical emergency. Learn
the ropes, from knots and hitches to bends and
splices.
Duration: 10-12 weeks, 1 night per week
Recommended Prerequisite: PCOC and
Boating Essentials
Seamanship
Take the next step
18. Topics include: coastal navigation for short trips
offshore, positioning and plotting, tidal waters,
currents, positioning with electronics and
traditional methods Piloting skills.
Duration: 10-12 weeks, 1 night per week
Recommended Prerequisite: Seamanship
Advanced Piloting
Navigating beyond the horizon
19. Junior Navigator is the first of a two-part
program of study in offshore (open coast)
navigation.
Recommended Prerequisite: Advanced Piloting
Navigator is the second part of the study of
offshore navigation. It further develops the
student's skills and understanding of celestial
theory.
Recommended Prerequisite: Junior Navigator
Duration: 12-14 weeks each course,
1 night per week
Junior Navigator and Navigator
Let the sky be your guide
20. Topics include the features, capabilities and uses
of electronic charts and the variety of ways they
are available – from chartplotters, PDAs, tablets,
laptop and computers. Positioning, course
planning and real speed/direction.
This course comes with a CD including a
complimentary Maptech computer navigation
program, electronic chart samples and GPS
simulator.
Duration: 6-8 weeks, 1 night per week
Electronic Navigation
Upgrade your skills from paper to pixel
21. To operate a maritime radio, you need the
certificate. It's the law! The Maritime Radio
course teaches emergency radio procedures,
and everyday operating techniques.
Learn all about the uses of marine radios, choice
of frequencies, operation, phonetic alphabet,
procedural words and phrases, as well as Digital
Selective Calling and the Global Maritime
Distress and Safety System.
Duration: 8 hours
Maritime Radio
Secure your lifeline today
22. Fundamentals of Weather
Covers many aspects of the formation and
behavior of weather, presented in a
straightforward manner. With practice, you will
develop the skills to make short term forecasts.
Global Weather
Global Weather expands on concepts introduced
in the Fundamentals of Weather. Work with
measurements such as air pressure,
temperature, dew point and wind direction/speed
to sharpen your forecasting skills.
Weather
Forecast the weather beyond ‘red sky at night’
23. Emphasis is placed on how a sailboat works and
the special terminology associated with
sailboats, sailing, and practical seamanship.
There is no chart work or navigation. The
particular problems of piloting under sail, and
making progress to windward are discussed.
Duration: 6-8 weeks, 1 night per week
Sailing
Understand the theory and practice of sailing
24. This course provides the seasoned cruiser with
skills such as passage planning and execution,
oceanography and weather, and instrumentation.
Learn also how to deal with adverse conditions.
Duration: 9-10 weeks, 1 night per week
Extended Cruising
Gain the skills required to reach distant shores
25. From spark plugs to bottom paint, this two part
course covers all the DIY basics for boaters. Plus
all aspects of maintaining and repairing your
boat in all seasons.
You will learn how to safely handle mechanical
emergencies afloat.
Duration: 10-12 weeks, 1 night per week
Boat and Engine Maintenance
Keeping your boat in Bristol condition
26. This course covers the different types of
equipment, their capabilities and limitations.
Understand the available features and how they
apply to your needs.
Learn to navigate using radar and to determine
where you are.
Duration: 3-4 weeks, 1 night per week
Radar for Pleasure Craft
better than 20/20 vision
27. “great course, user friendly, helpful proctors, would like to take more
courses, great information, good value”
“really enjoyed the course, would encourage others to take it, super fun,
helpful, ran on time, great group”
“great course presentation, easy to follow along, student cruise was
valuable and fun, dedicated volunteers”
“very informative even if you don't have a boat, everyone was very
helpful and entertaining, really interesting, a new "expert" every week”
Testimonials
What recent grads are saying about CPS-ECP
28. We invite all boaters to increase their skills and promote safety on the
water by accessing training.
CPS-ECP is a great resource for off-season training.
[Squadron Name] and other local squadrons have many choices of
courses.
You’re Invited!
30. Phone: (416) 293-2438 or 1-888-CPS-BOAT
Website is www.cps-ecp.ca
Local Squadrons also have websites
[Squadron site]
Contact us
youtube.com/CPSECP
facebook.com/cpsboat
twitter.com/cpsboat
Connect with us
Prepare for your boating season by getting a FREE Courtesy Check from Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons (CPS) and get your safety inspection sticker.
CPS, working in partnership with Transport Canada’s Office of Boating Safety, will help ensure that you and your family have an enjoyable and safe summer on the water.
You can be fined $200 if you do not have the correct safety equipment aboard.
We will help ensure that you and your family have an enjoyable and safe summer on the water and issue you the sticker once your boat passes the requirements. This may help speed things up when you’re at customs in the US.
CPS is the only agency that is certified by Transport Canada to provide these checks and Transport Canada trains us to carry them out properly.
You can call CPS Headquarters to arrange this OR if a few of you are interested, we can arrange with the Yacht Club to have you checked all at the same time at your slip. Any interest?
Everyone loves to save money – we continue to seek other partners
We have courses for a variety of interests and needs, for power, sail, or smaller vessels, for beginners or for experienced boaters.
$50-$250
Couple of evenings to several weeks or months.
Our courses are both in English and French.
Main line courses: Boating Essentials – Seamanship/AP – JN - N
Introductory: Boating Basics (PCOC), PCOC for Youth,
Advanced: Seamanship, AP, JN, N
Electives: Electronic Navigation, Boat and Engine Maintenance, Marine Electrical Maintenance, Weather, Sailing, Extended Cruising, Maritime Radio, Officer Training, Instructor Development
Too many boaters that buy a GPS get a false sense of security. There is a lot more to safe boating than just knowing where you are. Also, keep in mind, what if your GPS fails (and they do)? Courses are a must to have safe and fun boating.
Our courses are constantly being updated to meet the current standards and meet the needs of pleasure boaters.
The Competency of Operators of Pleasure Craft Regulations require all operators of pleasure craft fitted with any type of motor and used for recreational purposes to carry proof of competency on board
PCOC – pleasure craft operator card is proof of competency.
Proof of competency indicates the boater has a basic level of boating safety knowledge required for safe recreational boating.
Course approved by Transport Canada
Course also includes types of boats, general information on engines, licensing, registration, safety including hypothermia, falls and recovery and fire procedures. Safety is stressed.
Upon successful completion, you will get Associate membership in CPS
*The only Canadian Course approved by NASBLA (National Association of State Law Administrators) and thus recognized by USCG. Which is a benefit for cross border boaters as many States are also adopting a proof of competency program.
Upon successful completion through CPS, enjoy a free year as an Associate Member with all its benefits.
Duration: 8 hours
Also available online http://www.cps-ecp.ca/pcoc/
You can’t get where you’re going if you don’t know how to get there. This course continues where the Boating Basics course stops and offers instruction in navigation, charting, plotting and an introduction to electronic navigation.
Duration: 8-10 weeks, 1 night per week
In a single word, Seamanship describes the art of operating a boat. You will be introduced to the multitude of skills needed to understand the hazards of weather, wind, waves, tides and tidal currents and how to deal with them. Your instructor will also guide you through the process of dealing with potentially life-threatening situations such as man overboard or a medical emergency, and of course – learn the ropes, from knots and hitches to bends and splices.
You will build on your navigational skills by plotting three cruises using traditional navigation, GPS fixes and way points along with the introduction of deviation. You complete the course with a take-home examination cruise.
This would be the minimum you would want before heading offshore or chartering a boat.
Recommended Prerequisite: The Boating Course (PCOC and Boating Essentials)
Duration: 10-12 weeks, 1 night per week
This course takes you beyond Boating with more in-depth study of contemporary electronic navigation tools.
A necessary course in advanced coastal navigation for short duration trips out of sight of land, the Advanced Piloting course will give you greater accuracy in positioning and plotting exercises, as well as adherence to standardized labeling. Your chartwork skills will be developed to standards recognized in the maritime industry. You will be taken out of the realm of conning and visual plotting to coastal cruising out of sight of land, navigating in tidal waters, dealing with current, standing clear of danger, and determining position by visual observation or with the use of electronic devices.
You need to learn to develop a back-up system to your electronic navigation tools and advance your piloting skills in order to be a safe sailor. This course will do that for you.
Recommended Prerequisite: Piloting or Seamanship
Duration: 10-12 weeks, 1 night per week
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.
Navigator 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 included navigation software that is explained and used for planning and navigating in the offshore environment. Offshore navigation using minimal data and/or equipment, such as when on a disabled vessel or lifeboat, is also covered.
Considering sailing into the sunset? GPS technology provides additional safety and can help make navigating much easier on the water. You will learn about hand held and built in GPS and Chartplotter instruments and become familiar with the many features and capabilities of these devices.
You will learn about the features, capabilities and uses of electronic charts and the variety of ways they are available – from chartplotters, PDAs, tablets, laptop and desktop computers. Learn about electronic navigation programs like Maptech, OZI, FUGAWI and Nobeltec. This course comes with a CD including a complimentary Maptech computer navigation program and many electronic chart samples and GPS simulator.
The simulation in the courses is excellent – like using the real thing. Over 200 charts included.
Duration: 6-8 weeks, 1 night per week
This complete package with CD, will prepare you for the Restricted Operator Certificate (Maritime) with DSC Endorsement exam.
Your radio is your lifeline and there are significant fines if you are found using a VHF or marine radio without the Restricted Operator’s Certificate (Maritime) ROC(M) card.
In helping you prepare for the ROC(M) exam, our instructors will guide you through everyday operating techniques, the uses of VHF radios, choice of frequencies, operation, phonetic alphabet, procedural words and phrases as well as Digital Selective Calling and the Global Maritime Distress and Safety System (DSC/GMDSS).
CPS is the only provider certified by Industry Canada to offer this course and the exam for the certificate.
Duration: 8 hours
Fundamentals: Customizing forecast timing with basic weather knowledge and local observations will enhance your enjoyment and safety on the water.
Learn to read the sky, wind, waves and barometer. Learn to read weather charts and other meteorological information. Learn to forecast the weather and plan for a safer passage (locally and long distance ocean voyages).
Answer how land and lake breezes will affect your sailing. Learn the different kinds of fog… when and how will a fog dissipate.
Clouds are very important clues for adjusting forecast timing. You should be able to judge when instability is likely to be a problem to keep yourself safe.
Global weather includes weather systems everywhere: Chinooks, El Nino, cyclones, typhoons, Tropical depressions, hurricanes, etc.
Crossing the Great Lakes or the oceans, this course is for you. Learn the behavior of Tropical winds and weather. You’ll want to know the differences of the Easterly Trades and the Westerlies or what the weather is like in the Horse Latitudes and the Doldrums.
Making forecasts from your own observations and more sophisticated maps from the Internet will give you personal satisfaction and make you a safer boater.
Duration: 8 weeks, 1 night per week per course
The Sailing Course provides the knowledge required to operate a sailboat safely. Building upon the skills gained in Seamanship, this course will acquaint the beginner with day-sailing in protected waters, and sharpen the skills of more experienced sailors.Emphasis is placed on how a sailboat works and the special terminology associated with sailboats, sailing, and practical seamanship. There is no chart work or navigation. The particular problems of piloting under sail, and making progress to windward are discussed. maps from the Internet will give you personal satisfaction and make you a safer boater.
This is a completely new course targeting both the novice and seasoned sailor. Nomenclature, theory, techniques and applications are covered.
New to sailing or old salts who want to brush up on theory, this course is for you.
Duration: 8 weeks, 1 night per week per course
What would you do if your sail tears? Could you repair it? Do you know what could happen upon entering a foreign port?
This course can help you learn and understand the aspects of mishaps during an ocean crossing. It will prepare you for those unknown laws and protocols that can land you in trouble if you are not prepared. Weather planning, sail design, and preparing for a longer voyage are all included. You will be prepared for a safe voyage with this course.
This course is also good for those who want to cross smaller bodies of water or just go offshore for a bit.
Course takes 8-10 weeks. It’s worth it if you’re taking 5 weeks to sail to the Mediterranean.
From hull maintenance and repair to head and holding tank troubleshooting, this course will help keep your boat ship shape and safe. You’ll learn to recognize osmosis damage and if you need a quick gelcoat repair, you’ll know how to do it.
Learn what to do with your rigging and fuel system for the off season, learn how to handle emergencies when out on the water. You’ll cover all engine types – inboard, outboard, gas and diesel; and you’ll become confident about the controls, instruments and alarms involved.
A solid boat is a safe boat.
The cost and physical size of radar has come down to the point that most sailors can now have the benefits of this technology.
It is important that you know how to use the various controls and how to interpret the screen.
With the help of the instructor, manual and simulator, you will gain al the knowledge you need to understand how to use radar to keep you and others safe.
Radars also show you the CPA or closest point of approach – shows you when and where you will collide if you are on a collision course.
Take a course for fun or to improve your knowledge or skills. Courses are available for all types of boaters and boaters of all ages.
We invite all boaters to increase their skills and promote safety on the water by accessing training.
CPS is a great resource for off-season training.
[Squadron Name] and other local squadrons have many choices of courses.
The national website will direct you to a Squadron that has the course for you, when you want it.