Boat Operator Certification is probably the most significant advancement
in recreational boater education in decades. It has been well received by
the Coast Guard, boating organizations and manufacturers as a critical
need. USPS is at the forefront of this field and pushing hard and fast to get
the program underway and form solid partnerships. This will be a widely
recognized certification for non-professional, recreational boaters and will
integrate into the International Certificate of Competency which is rapidly
becoming a requirement for boating in European and other countries.

This spring, we are rolling out the first of the four levels, Inland Certification.
To achieve this certification, you will need to complete the USPS
Seamanship Course. Engine Maintenance, Marine Electrical Systems, and
the Inland Elective. You also will need to complete a demonstration of
boat handling proficiency on the water, or provide evidence of equivalent
skills.

Marine Electrical Systems is one of the three new courses expanding
from the current Marine Electronics course. Completion of the current
Marine Electronics will satisfy that requirement. The Inland Elective is a
composite of six seminars. Four are required (How to Use a Chart; Using
GPS; Using VHF and VHF/DSC Marine Radio; and Onboard Weather
Forecasting).

We are developing the on-the-water certification program. We also are
seeking to partner with U.S. Sailing and will accept their Safe Powerboat
Handling program as meeting our skill certification requirement.

Now is the time to line up those courses so members can fulfill the
Inland Certification requirement. Experienced boating members can begin
to document their boating experience to be considered in lieu of the onthe-
water demonstration. Seminars and courses should be made available
to our membership this year to meet the demand.

The Coastal Certification comes next with the Inland Certificate as a
pre-requisite. For the Coastal Certificate, you will need to add Piloting,
Marine Communications Systems, and Navigation Electronics in addition
to the Coastal Elective. Marine Communications Systems and Navigation
Electronics are the other two courses to spin-off from the current Marine
Electronics course later this year. The Coastal Elective will consist of six
seminars that are currently being defined and developed.