Lesson Plan
Elective-US Power Squadron
Time: 1:00
This and other plans are for Sea Scout and leaders to teach maritime and leadership skills. They are based on the 2016 Sea Scout Manual and requirements. Some lessons have an accompanying PowerPoint presentation. I consider PowerPoint an introduction the topic, to be followed by hands-on practice. Several lessons will not have PowerPoint, usually because it is my judgement that PowerPoint is not an appropriate aid to teaching that lesson. Lesson plans and presentations will be added and modified when ready.
Each plan and presentation has the rank, requirement number and short name. LP means lesson plan, PPT means PowerPoint. APP means Apprentice, the number is the number of the requirement. ORD = Ordinary. ABL = Able. QM = Quartermaster. There are a few miscellaneous items as well.
I created these lesson plans primarily for the Houston area Sea Scout Academy. However, I hope that they are also useful for other Sea Scout situations and venues. So, I expect everyone using the lesson plans to modify them to fit their audience and their style. There are also other resources in the DVD with the Sea Scout Manual, and on www.seascout.org.
I invite comments from those that use these lesson plans, so we can have continuous improvement. If you are aware of a better example, or a great illustration that is not in them, please send them to me for inclusion. Especially, if I miss applying a change from the Sea Scout Manual, Guide to Safe Scouting, or a Coast Guard publication, please contact me so we can keep these current and accurate.
You may contact me at or .
George Crowl; Skipper, Ship 1996; Sam Houston Area Council
Philosophy: If the Sea Scout demonstrates mastery of parts of the subject, then the instructor should annotate on the class roster what has been passed, in the instructor’s opinion. Skippers have the right to re-examine any Sea Scout in any requirement.
Sea Scout Advancement Electives
Ordinary: Choose any three electives.
Able: Choose any four additional electives, level 2 or higher.
Quartermaster: Choose any four additional electives, level 3 only.
Requirements: Leadership
1. Join a local Power Squadron as an Apprentice member.
2. As an apprentice member of the United States Power Squadrons complete the Seamanship and Piloting courses.
3. As an apprentice member of the United States Power Squadrons complete the Advanced Piloting course.
References: www.usps.org. Syllabi for the above courses.
Equipment Required: None to join. Piloting tools for Piloting courses.
Ratio: N/A.
Lesson Plan:`
1. Join a local Power Squadron as an Apprentice member.
The USPS has a membership category for Sea Scouts and other young people under 23. It is called Apprentice member. The cost in 2015 is $13/year. It entitles you to participate fully in the local squadron (except elections). You may enroll in any of the educational courses at the member price. You can find a local squadron at www.usps.org/cgi-bin/sfind.cgi.
2. As an apprentice member of the United States Power Squadrons complete the Seamanship and Piloting courses.
Seamanship and Piloting are offered nearly every semester by most all Power Squadrons. Seamanship takes eight weeks, Piloting ten weeks. It is best to take the course in a class. However, if you believe you are already proficient in one or both subjects, you may be able to pass the course by challenging the exam.
Seamanship covers:
ORD-5b – safety equipment;
ORD-5f – parts;
ORD-8abc – most parts;
ORD-9abcdef – most;
ORD-11bc – most;
ORD-12ab – all;
ORD-13 – all;
ABL-5???;
ABL-7b – part;
ABL-8 – parts;
ABL-9bcd – most;
ABL-11bc – most.
As you can see, this is a large part of the academic information you need for Ordinary and Able.
Seamanship is a multiple choice exam. The Sea Scout manual Chapter 4 is a good study guide. Another good study guide is the SEAL Seamanship practice examination. It will identify your weaknesses, which you can study to overcome.
Piloting covers:
Ordinary 10a - coordinates;
ORD-10b - degrees, variation, deviation;
ORD-10c - parts;
ORD-10d - 24 hour time;
ORD-10f - dead reckoning table;
ORD-10g – GPS.
ORD-10e – Zulu time; and ORD-11f – deck log can be incorporated.
ABL-10a can be incorporated;
ABL-10b can be incorporated;
ABL-10c – bearning fixes is taught.
Piloting should give you the knowledge for Ordinary piloting, and the background to handle Able piloting with just a little extra work.
Piloting is an open book take-home exam that allows seven days to complete. If you are competent at Ordinary and Able piloting, you should be able to pass. We strongly recommend that you complete the Piloting practice cruise and completely correct any errors before you take the exam.
With the background provided by the Piloting course, it is possible to teach the remaining Able requirements in a relatively short period of time.
j. USPS: As an apprentice member of the United States Power Squadrons complete the Advanced Piloting course.
Advanced Piloting is offered regularly by most Power Squadrons. It is best to take the course in a class.
Advanced Piloting (AP) covers:
ABL-10c – bearings, running fix, estimated position;
ABL-10d – double the angle????, danger bearing;
ABL-10g – tide tables, current tables.
However, if you believe you are or can become proficient in the subject, you may be able to pass the course by challenging the exam. Contact your local squadron to enroll and/or take the exam.