UNITED STATES POWER SQUADRONS
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UNITED STATES POWER SQUADRONS ®
SAIL AND POWER BOATING
National Educational Officer
Vice Commander Craig D. Fraser, SN
3320 Hillcrest Dr Norton, Ohio 44203
Home Number 330-825-3659 Cell Number 330-697-9815
cdfraser6@yahoo.com
National Educational Officer
USPS Board of Directors & Advisors Report
2019 USPS/ABC Louisville Governing Board Meeting
9 -15 September, 2019
BASIC PUBLIC EDUCATION (BPE Com) – R/C Dick Carson, JN
America’s Boating Course 3rd Edition (ABC3) public education course 2018 printing.
This 2018 USPS basic boating knowledge education course for public education was evaluated
by review process with NASBLA and each state/territory for conformity with published
ANSI/NASBLA/State standards. The material was approved by NASBLA and 40 states and
territories for presentation. Of the 40 state and territory approvals, 32 approved classroom and
on-line and 8 approved only classroom presentation. The approved course is certified through
31 December 2021 and available in English and Spanish languages. The approved supporting
documents include downloadable: 2018 Instructor Manual; 2018 course and supplemental state
examinations with answer keys; and, course and state approved 2018 instructor PowerPoint
teaching aids with the respective state educational material imbedded. Stocks of ABC3 Student
manuals identified on the spine as 2015 and 2017 printings may be used to supply depletion
then replaced with the 2018 printings of ABC3 student manual. The 2022 review process
begins again in December 2020.
Seminars
1. New in 2019 is the Spanish language only ENGAGING HISPANIC YOUTHS IN
RECREATIONAL BOATING EDUCATION “seminar style” program. Seminar style
means completion recognition is within the squadron using a certificate of completion
rather than HQ800 USPS documentation. The seminar is for students over 7 years of age,
preferably conducted concomitantly with Spanish language ABC3 for adults or guardians
associated with the youths. The course strives to graduate youths ready for recreational
boating working to be a Partner in Command.
2. HOW TO USE A CHART parallels ABC3 Chapter 5 Section 17 as a stand-alone education
for reading a chart and using the data thereon to plot safe passage, correctly anchor and
avoid hazards to navigation. It reinforces basic boating knowledge education on Aids to
Navigation and choosing the correct chart scale for the intended boating. A great work-up
to Marine and Advanced Marine Navigation3. INTRODUCTION TO NAVIGATION serves as education complementing How to Use a
Chart then expanding to electronic navigation. The seminar includes an introduction to the
OpenCPN software used in ABC3 Chapter 5, Marine Navigation and Offshore Navigation
courses.
4. PADDLE SMART recognizes the fastest growing and economical recreational boating field.
It stresses necessary education on USCG Rules and provides focus on rather unstable boats
which may operate in uncharted waters and require special flotation aid and head
protection. This seminar is undergoing revision to include paddleboards and their status as
boats under the Rules when operating outside the surf zone.
5. TRAILERING YOUR BOAT provides education for the vast number of recreational boaters
who frequent the nations boat ramps. Boat ramp etiquette is stressed, the skills of backing
a trailer identified for training before going to the ramp. Discussion is included about the
safety fasteners, correct weight distribution on the trailer, hitch requirements and highway
towing.
Continued Actions
1. Launch a PADDLE SMART seminar that embraces the many variations of human powered
craft, their safety aspects and need to comply with the Rules. 2. Introduce the emerging USCG
personal flotation device labels for life jackets and buoyancy aids. 3. Keep a steady strain on
HQ800 education to the education team. 4. In concert with Marketing, develop robust
advancement programs to reach out to our Spanish language recreational boaters. 5. Update
the 18-year-old Memorandums of Understanding.
BOAT HANDLING (BH Com) – R/C Jan Lane, SN
After completion of the Boat Handling 2018 Pilot Program, corrections were made to the Instructor
Guide, Student Guides, and PowerPoint presentations as a result of the feedback from the Pilot
Program participants. Additionally, a glossary has been added to the Student Guide for the entire
course. The Boat Handling 2019 course will be available as a complete course consisting of six
seminars:
Rules of the Road – A Practical Approach
Confidence in Docking and Undocking – Slow Speed Maneuvering
Boating with Confidence – Handling Your Boat Underway
Anchoring with Assurance – Don’t Get Carried Away
Emergencies on Board – Preparations for Handling Common Problems
Knots and Line Handling – The Knots You Need to Know
Each seminar may also be taught individually. Upon successful completion of the exam (which
covers all 6 seminars), the student will receive credit for all seminars documented as attended as
well as the Boat Handling Course with a grade of Seaman. The Boat Handling 2019 course will
be available as e-books beginning in September, 2019 and as hard-copy books shortly thereafter.
Pricing will be finalized soon. Additional information will be in the 2019 Governing Board issue of
Currents. A huge THANK YOU to the Publishing Committee for all their help and encouragement
to complete this project. We could not have done it without them.
Additionally, the committee has been working with the Instructor Development Committee to
create scenarios to be used with the Boat Handling Online Course. These scenarios will be used
to help the instructors facilitate the on-line discussions with students. Since the idea of online
Page 2teaching was a new concept for most of the committee members, this has been an educational
experience for them as well. This is an ongoing activity.
Due to the extensive amount of activity with the new Boat Handling 2019 course and Boat
Handling Online course, work on the Sail course and Sail Trim seminar have been put on the
backburner.
BOAT OPERATOR CERTIFICATION / ON THE WATER TRAINING –
(BOC/OWT) R/C Robert Anderson, AP
R/C Robert Anderson is the current committee chair. Stf/C Bob Holub, SN and Stf/C Ted Shanks, SN are the
Assistant Committee chairs. The committee has 9 addition committee members. The committee has 12
Regional Directors and 25 Assistant Regional Directors. A Regional Director is assigned to each BOC Region
and a Regional Director or Assistant Regional Director is assigned to each USPS district. This should help the
DEOs and SEOs with their on the water training programs. The Regional Directors are responsible for the
242 BOC certifiers in the various Regions.
BOC/OWT is responsible for two flexible programs, The Jump Start Program and On-The-Water Guides.
The Jump Start Program is for non-members and new members who are new to boating and would like
individual instruction or help learning about their new boat. This
Training is provided by squadron members who are experts in the special needs of the new boater.
The boat is provided by the boat owner.
The On-The-Water Guides Program is a supplemental program to the formal USPS classroom courses.
The student takes the knowledge they learned in the classroom and applies it to practical on the water
exercises.
BOC/OTW is responsible for two credentialed programs. The first is the Hands-On Training programs,
Basic Powerboats and Large Powerboats. The instructor in both cases is a BOC certifier who teaches
basic powerboat handling in both small, under 26 feet, and large boats over 26 feet.
The second credentialed program is the Boat Operator Certification program. The four levels of certification
are Inland Navigator, Coastal Navigator, Advanced Coastal Navigator and Offshore Navigator. The four levels
require a combination of USPS courses, seminars, webinars and practical skills demonstrations. There have
been the following Boat Operator Certifications through 1 July 2019. INs 706, CNs 217, ACNs 52, ONs 14 for
a total of 989 certifications.
Certifier Manual, BOC Endorsements Manual and BOC
BOC/OTW has completed several updates. The
Level Requirements and Equivalencies Handbook have been updated and are on the BOC website and
may be downloaded. USPS course names have been changed in BOC materials to conform to the new names.
Equivalencies are only approved for USPS courses. No equivalencies are approved for seminars, webinars
or On the Water Skill Demonstrations. This was announced by the NEO at the National Meeting in Orlando
in 2018.
A review has started of the On-The-Water guides for updating. As courses are updated the On the Water
Guide will be updated to conform to the updated course. A new Basic Powerboat student guide and a Basic
Powerboat instructor guide for Small Boat Basic Powerboat has been completed. A new Instructor Tool Kit
has been developed with a new Power Point seminar, Instructor guide, skill sheets and guides. This is
available for download on the BOC website. A new Power Point Big Boat seminar has been developed and
is being prepared for release in combination with the Hands-On Training Basic Powerboat seminar. This
Power Point seminar will be included in the Instructor Tool Kit.
Page 3The On-the-Water Training & Certification website has been brought up to date, 8 May
2019. The new names for courses have been included in the website. The updated website is more
intuitive and easy to move around to areas of interest. The website can be entered through the Educational
Department or the Boat Operator Certification committee pages.
BOAT SYSTEMS COMMITTEE (BS Com) – R/C Charles Tremaine, SN
• The Propane Systems on Your Boat seminar has been out for a few months and is
receiving positive reviews.
• The long-awaited AIS Electronics for Boaters seminar is finished and available in EBook
and printed formats with extremely positive reviews. AIS will be our template for
future seminars.
• A rewrite of our Using VHF and VHF/DSC Marine Radio (2010) seminar based on All
About Marine Radio produced by Educational Outreach is in progress and should be
released soon. Our seminar name will be changed as part of this.
• A new GPS seminar based on How to Use GPS generated by Educational Outreach is in
progress and should be released shortly after the new VHF seminar is completed. A
new name for our seminar is likely.
• After the above GPS seminar is complete; we are planning to update our Using GPS
(2006) seminar. In progress is a new seminar to replace Marine Radar (2008). The
new seminar will not require a third-party text and will be completed after GPS is
released.
• Forward progress on the sonar seminar is being made and moving along well. This will
be a new addition to our seminar offerings and therefore a long-term project.
• A seminar on marine communication protocols is planned and once completed may be
combined with GPS, radar and sonar to form a new Marine Navigation Systems course.
• A new Marine Electrical Systems is in the works to replace the 2008 version we now use.
This has been delayed until after the above seminars are completed. An attempt is
being made to write each chapter as a standalone subject dependent seminar. The new
MES will be in alignment with ABYC standards.
• A new Marine Communication Systems is in the works to replace the 2009 version we
now use. This will be a long-term project to allow us to completely rewrite a new
course and not just an update to our present course. The new AIS and VHF seminars
will be part of MCS along with chapters on GMDSS and Rescue 21. Work on this course
will start as soon as the new VHF seminar is completed.
• We have issued over 4,500 MMSI registrations so far this year vs. 3,840 for all of last
year.
CONTENT DEVELOPMENT & DELIVERY – ANEO R/C Robert Rayburn, SN
Boat Show Mini-Seminars
There are five one-hour mini-seminars available for use by local clubs and squadrons for presentations. The five
mini seminars are: How to Read the Weather, About AIS, How to Use a Modern VHF/DSC Marine Radio, Using
Radar, and Anchoring Techniques. The education department developed short, non-credit seminars to match
the schedules of people attending boat shows. The mini-seminars provide a way to deliver content to that
Page 4audience. The DEOs for each district are the communication link for requesting and using the mini-seminars.
The DEOs are able to coordinate the activities and planning between squadrons/clubs. A DEO request to use the
mini-seminars allows us to record program usage. The approved request form reply includes a link to the
materials. A response form is part of the procedure after the boat show and allows feedback for improving the
program.
The mini-seminars descriptions and other information items are provided when a request is made to use the mini-
seminars for a local boat show. A DEO will contact an ANEO to request materials. Currently ANEO Bob Rayburn
is handling requests. The material provided includes planning guidelines as well as the presentation materials to
use at a booth provided with the mini-seminar presentations. Planning and preparation should create a very
good experience for both the local squadron/ club and boat show attendees.
Local clubs/squadrons choose which mini-seminars fit their audience. They also decide how many times each
mini-seminar presentation fits into the boat show schedule. Multiple presentations allow flexibility for attendance
at the seminars. The location and the size of the presentation area also impact presentation decisions. A prime
location may be hard to find. Attracting an audience will likely require the need for advertising. A smaller area
requires more presentations. When possible have the descriptions of the seminars placed on the boat show web
site. It will provide recognition to our organization as well as creating a stronger awareness of the clubs/local
squadrons.
Currently five districts have used the mini-seminars. In September of 2018, districts 12 & 14 presented the five
mini-seminars at the Newport Boat Show. Each mini-seminar was presented 2 – 3 times by local squadron
members to about 186 people. Multiple presentations allowed for flexibility to reach the audience attending the
show as the presentation space available was not large. The positive comments from people attending the
presentations however, illustrated the strong fit of the audience to our content. In April 2019 District 3 presented
an Anchoring seminar during the Long Island Boat Show to eight people, District 25 presented each seminar one
time with the following attendee results: Anchoring – 32, Radar – 43, Weather – 37, VHF/DSC – 24. More
presenters would likely have led to higher attendance. District 22 presented two mini-seminars at the St. Charles
Yacht Club. The attendee results were: Anchoring -11, Weather – 3. In February 2019 Ft. Wayne, D 29 presented
Anchoring and Weather to 3 attendees. The DEOs have provided feedback that is helpful in planning for future
changes.
We are encouraging more districts to plan for boat show presentations and use this path to attracting members
to your local education offerings. Sharing your experiences allow members in other locations to plan and execute
more successful presentations. A boat show is a strong fit for our content. Give it a try and let us know how it
works for your members.
EDUCATIONAL OUTREACH COMMITTEE (EOCom) – R/C Andy Sumberg, SN
Educational Outreach has completed the interactive online seminar Cruising Boats and Systems that will be
releasing it around the time of the Governing Board meeting. The seminar covers the systems aspect presented
in the Cruise Planning Course with the same interactive approach as the other seminars released to date. These
include Crew at the Helm, Weather for Boaters, Hurricane Preparation for Boaters, Boating on Rivers, Locks and
Lakes, GPS for Boaters, VHF/DSC Marine Radio, AIS, Propane Systems, and Planning Your Cruise.
Cruising Boats and Systems, Weather for Boaters, and Planning Your Cruise will be bundled into a full course
called Cruise with Confidence on Your Boat that along with an on-line exam will allow a student to obtain the
same credit as they would if they passed the classroom Cruise Planning Course. This bundle will be released in
October.
The committee is actively exploring additional online authoring tools that are oriented more towards mobile
devices which have a vertical scroll orientation as opposed to the page flipping orientation of PowerPoint or the
Interactive Online seminars currently in release.
The committee is also exploring new course delivery technology than may help USPS become more independent
in online course delivery in the future.
NAVIGATION COMMITTEE (Nav Com) – R/C Eric Pearson, SN
The Navigation Committee is responsible for the content and examinations for the navigation courses offered by
America’s Boating Club. The courses include Marine Navigation, Advanced Marine Navigation, Offshore
Page 5Navigation and Celestial Navigation. The current course offerings use the following Student Manuals: Piloting,
Advanced Piloting, Junior Navigation and Navigation.
The committee organization includes the chairman, four Stf/C’s, and the committee members. The chair is
responsible for overall administration of committee activities and is assisted by the Stf/C’s. Each Stf/C is
responsible for the administration of one course: Burt Pearson, Marine Navigation; John Locke, Advanced Marine
Navigation; Doug Durfee, Offshore Navigation; and Ron Jones, Celestial Navigation. Committee members are all
involved in evaluating examinations and sight folders or contributing to course content and other products such
as Celestial Tools.
The goal of the committee is to provide a unified approach for teaching practical waterway navigation in the
different environments found in inland waters, coastal zones and the ocean. Moving forward, the next generation
of courses will embrace the electronic tools available today for recreational boaters. These courses will offer
flexibility and value for all boaters, from paddle boaters, day trippers, coastal cruisers and offshore passage
makers. The goal is to make all boaters feel confident about getting from here to there, and back, safely.
Course results for this calendar year, January-June, are:
Marine Navigation, 335 students completed exams, 87 percent passed, average grade 90;
Advanced Marine Navigation, 142 students completed exams, 90 percent passed, average grade 92;
Offshore Navigation, 51 students completed exams, 90 percent passed, average grade 93;
Celestial Navigation, 49 students completed exams, 85 percent passed, average grade 88.
INSTRUCTOR DEVELOPMENT COMMITTEE (ID Com) – R/C Jeff LaGrew, SN
Certified Instructors
As of July 1, 2019 there were 1,965 USPS certified instructors. In addition, there are 2,337 expired Instructors.
The number of certified instructors is down by 79 from December 2018. This represents a decrease of about
3.8% over the past year. The decrease is consistent over the past few years.
A combination of loss of interest in certain areas of the United States, attrition and declining new membership all
contribute to the loss of instructors. Also, we have had difficulty in recruiting new members with an interest in
teaching.
Teaching Aid Competition
The national teaching-aid submissions will be presented at the 2019 Annual Meeting. Two submissions may
come from each district. Members will vote on the submission to choose the most effective teaching aid. ID
Committee member Carl Filios is in charge of the Teaching Aids Competition. Carl is also developing a Teaching
Aids Resource Library which will be unveiled soon.
Online Teaching Guidelines
Squadrons are using communications software such as GoToMeeting or Free Conference Call to teach courses
and squadron members in an online learning environment. Effective instructional strategies and techniques used
in the traditional classroom can be transferred to online learning with adjustments for the online learning
environment.
Recertification Seminar
The Committee hosted an Instructor Recertification at the 2019 Annual Meeting in Orlando to a standing room
crowd. Again, the Committee will host a recertification seminar at the 2020 Annual Meeting in Ponte Vedra,
Florida. The Committee continues to promote recertification of our substantial instructor pool.
Chapman Award
The Charles F. Chapman Award for Excellence in Teaching recognizes outstanding USPS instructors. Once a year
each squadron may nominate one outstanding instructor to its District. The District in turn may nominate one
outstanding individual to national for judging. The National Chapman Selection Committee, a part of the
Instructor Development Committee, selects three individuals to be recognized as the most outstanding of the
USPS volunteer instructors for the previous year. Congratulations to the 13 Districts that have nominated a
candidate for this year’s Chapman Award.
Goals for 2019-2020
Page 6• Develop and present Train the Trainer program for each new or updated Course or Seminar as they are released.
• Encourage committees to incorporate some blended learning to add flexibility to course schedules. Investigate
placing some ID Course content online for blended learning.
• Investigate developing visual examples of instructional strategies and placing the teaching strategies online for
use with the ID Course.
MARINE ENVIRONMENT COMMITTEE (MEnvCom) - R/C Judith D. Swanson, SN
After much discussion we have decided not to divide the Rivers, Lakes, and Locks seminar into three
separate seminars. We are instead proposing a new seminar on what we need to know about the Great
Lakes for sailing or boating.
At this time, we are well into the development of the Great Lakes seminar. It will include the differences
between Great Lakes boating and the ocean or small lakes boating, types of vessels, seasonable impact,
access ramps, boating hazards, governmental regulations, navigational regulations environmental
considerations, types of emergencies, and communications all require slightly different education than
either small lakes or oceans. This will be an area that we have not described before and is unknown by
all boaters not living near the Great Lakes. We are including objectives for student, content and how to
teach it, learning targets, and determination of what the student needs.
We also are developing a new webinar on 500 MB weather reporting. Again, this is an area that has a
lot of information that contributes widely to boaters everywhere especially in ocean travel. There have
been significant changes in how NOAA uses 500 MB information as it has been changed to be part of
the Grib Files. We have been working with NOAA to include these changes and updates.
We have completed a rewrite on Part 1 of Chapter 8 for the Weather Course which is being processed
now. Rewrite includes weather manual text including images and three appendices which include
modern forecasting and Marine forecasting. There is a short Instructors Guide for the rewrite and slide
presentation and an outline of the manual rewrite.
PUBLISHING COMMITTEE (Pub Com) – R/C Jan Wright, SN
Since our last report, PubCom’s primary curriculum-development focus was supporting:
• The newly-established Curriculum Development and Delivery group’s formulation of student
engagement modalities and teaching aids for course delivery in synchronous online
classrooms.
• Boat Handling Committee’s Boat Handling course and seminar series: Implemented all
error-and-enhancement updates to course materials, most as a result of feedback from pilot
program participants. Led BHCom’s update of interactive online glossary entries to support
this curriculum. Completed course material formatting for eBook and print publication. The
Boat Handling 2019 course and seminar series is scheduled to launch in eBook format in
Louisville, and printed materials will be available this fall.
• Boat Systems Committee’s seminars: Advanced preparations of instructor materials for new
classroom editions of two interactive online seminars: All About Marine Radio and How to
Use Your GPS.
• Educational Outreach Committee’s Cruising Boats and Systems seminar: Reviewed all
seminar materials; drafted the student handout.
• Boat Operator Certification Committee’s update of Navigator Guides for all four levels of the
BOC program.
PubCom also focused on organizational and administrative policies, procedures, and
infrastructure:
• Significantly advanced the comprehensive update of the 2002 Educational Department
Manual III (National Organization) and companion USPS Style Guide. As part of this effort,
Page 7developed new master slide templates for PowerPoint presentations with America’s Boating
Club® branding and new InDesign templates using higher-level formatting tools that will
help ensure consistency, automate some processes previously performed manually, and
better support future eBook strategies.
• In collaboration with Educational Department leadership and content committees,
maintained the Educational Department website. Provided a courtesy review of all content
submitted by committees for posting, developed pages to support new curriculum,
maintained the course catalog. Support was also provided to the Marketing and
Information Technology committees in their redevelopment of the public website, and to
ITCom on the standard squadron site.
• Worked with Information Technology committee and headquarters staff on systems
supporting eBook delivery, reporting, and billing and provided help-desk support for eBook
redemptions.
• Responded to an average of 3–4 Contact Us queries per week from SEOs, DEOs, instructors,
and students. Responses are geared to address the question at hand and equip our teams
with the knowledge they need to handle similar situations in the future.
• Administered sections of the FTP and ShareFile archive sites and graphics/video library
(other than America’s Boating Channel).
PubCom worked with:
• Course committees and headquarters staff on the procurement of external printing services
for new and updated curriculum and the maintenance of adequate warehouse inventory.
This responsibility includes providing specs for printing, approving contract award
recommendations, and reviewing all printer’s proofs prior to authorizing printing. Since our
last report, this also included preparing eBook versions of legacy products (e.g., seminars to
be replaced by the Boat Handling seminar series) and publications with low demand (e.g.,
Sight Reduction Methods), to provide continued availability without incurring printed
inventory costs.
• Marketing Committee and headquarters staff on the update of the 2018 boater education
trifold, available for general use.
• The Chapman Award committee on award documentation for 2019.
PubCom created and disseminated monthly America’s Boating Course statistics and managed
production of the Currents newsletter for the 2019 Governing Board Meeting.
SIMULATOR PROJECT – P/C Lisa Wilson, N, & P/R/C George Hallenbeck, AP
This update report includes a summary of progress for the United States Power Squadrons (USPS) Boating Skills
Virtual Boating Skills Virtual Trainer VI (1182.25). The major project activity updates include program operation,
development, and partnership initiatives.
Grant 1182.25 (2018 grant) was awarded beginning July 1, 2018. Progress is being made on 6.0 functionality
and deliverables and grant activities are on track to meet all committed deadlines.
Program Updates
United States Power Squadrons (USPS) has continued to enhance the existing Simulator Training program
through advanced software and training expansion.
To Date Activities (Jan 2019-June 30, 2019)
Page 8Supported primary winter and spring boat show season with YTD 2Q2019 captured usage of 1470 users in 20
states and 35 events.
Presented BSVT with new iPad data collection system at USPS Annual Meeting during February 2019 in Orlando,
FL and at the International Boating and Water Safety Summit during March 2019 in Jacksonville, FL.
New iPad-based data collection and reporting method successfully used at larger shows and 5 additional software
collection stations in use.
Continued enhancement of Simulator Training program curriculum and resources including the launch of two
external customizable promotional videos (3 min/30 sec).
Development is on track for 6.0 software release in September which incorporates audio instructions for selected
exercises, adds an anchoring lesson, corrects system bugs, optimizes the system for enhanced performance and
further hones the realism of the boating experience.
Next Steps
Test and launch sixth generation functionality software development; update supporting instructor and operations
documentation.
Demonstrate enhanced sixth generation functionality at USPS Governing Board meeting during September 2019
in Louisville KY.
Continue incorporation of enhanced data capture and reporting at 2019 Norwalk Boat Show and Newport Boat
Show and two Tall Ships events (Minnesota, Ohio) with 1,000,000+ in attendance for each. Twelve-fourteen
scheduled Fall boat shows, including Washington State Fair with exposure to 1,000,000 attendees.
Sale of five older units to local squadrons to further distribute units geographically for local educational programs
and reduce shipping and repair expenses.
Continued discussion with leaders of Coast Guard Auxiliary for application within their training programs and joint
activities for training with Sea Scout units.
Change in Project Scope
Due to the recent announcement of reduced funding for Boating Safety Virtual Trainer VII, we have adjusted the
scope of the BSVT program from the purchase and development of new virtual trainers going forward to focusing
on maintaining the current inventory we have on hand. In order to accommodate a successful transition, we will
need to adjust spending in the current project (BSVT VI) to allow for funding of extensions to current maintenance
and technical support agreements through the next project year (ending December 2020). During the remainder
of the current project year and throughout the next, we will continue the development and upgrade of the latest
virtual trainer purchase to version 6.0. Concurrently, we will be reducing the number of older virtual trainers in
circulation. As a result of the change in project scope, we will formally submit a re-budget request to allow for
the planned adjustments in spending.
Have you ever thought about owning your own Virtual Trainer? Now is your chance to acquire a fully functional
Boating Skills Virtual Trainer at a discounted price of $5,000.00. You will need to carry VDI support $489 per
year plus your own insurance, but you will receive all software updates annually at no charge. Think of being
able to have your own trainer available without the delay or shipping costs in getting one. Now you can use it
next week in your local class. As part of the Coast Guard grant program we will ask you to continue to share the
Bulk User reporting forms you use today.
Why are we making these available? Continuous shipping can take a toll and we need to raise funds to support
the balance of the program due to reduced Coast Guard funding. The units will be available fully functional in
their original shipping boxes and verified by the Manufacturer VDI.
First come first served. For more information contact P/R/C George Hallenbeck, gwlk@aol.com, (203-348-7121).
Page 9DIGITAL MEDIA LIBRARY PROJECT — P/D/C Marty Lafferty, AP
• DML 4.0 GRANT AWARD
Received grant award notice from U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) for 7/1/19-9/30/20 DML 4.0 proposal to continue
and expand America’s Boating Channel project. Revised deliverables and budget to align with USCG funding
commitment, including production of eight (8) original unduplicated video titles and systematic year-round
viewership promotion during term, along with development of independent funding through sponsorships to be
completed in extended thirty-nine (39) month period.
• DML 4.0 VIDEO SCRIPTS
Based on prior selection of eight (8) video content categories to match USCG areas of interest, conceptual
rundowns have been completed, and video scriptwriting is now underway for videos with working titles Boater
Education, Engine Cut-Off Devices, Life Jacket Care, Cold Weather Boating, Behavioral Consequences, Introducing
ATONS, Dispelling BUI Myths, and Life Jacket Labels. Additional proposal is in process for electric shock drowning
(ESD).
• DML 4.0 VIDEO PRE-PRODUCTION
Based on DML 3.0 field production at thirty-seven (37) shooting locations with one-hundred eight (108) United
States Power Squadrons (USPS) volunteer participants, new opportunities are being created for larger number of
interested districts, squadrons, and members to appear in DML 4.0 videos. Production equipment, software
inventory, talent authorization forms have been refreshed, background music tracks relicensed, voice-over
auditions commenced.
• DML 3.0 ONLINE PROPERTIES
America’s Boating Channel website (americasboatingchannel.com) and branded social media accounts on
YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, Pinterest, and Linked-In have been maintained with ongoing daily
content updates following DML 3.0 launch completion 4/30. Primary website was technically upgraded for
automated ad insertion and agreement consummated with Marine Ad Network. Now Playing section revamped
to include USPS promotional videos. America’s Boating Channel Android mobile app continues to be distributed
at no charge through Google Play; new IoS platform app continues to be built under extended Apple developer
program agreement.
• DML 3.0 ORIGINAL VIDEO PRODUCTION
Following resumption of USCG video review process after hiatus resulting from federal government partial
shutdown, editing was completed and final approvals received for downloadable and closed-captioned streaming
versions all DML 3.0 videos: Cold Water Survival (05:55), Wear a Life Jacket (05:57), Safety Tips for Paddle Sports
(05:14), Stand-Up Paddleboard Safety (05:22), Electronic Navigation with GPS (06:32), Situational Awareness
(05:59), What Is BUI? (03:32), and Dangers of BUI (03:37). All videos premiered during DML 3.0 launch
promotion.
• DML 3.0 PULLOUT POST-PRODUCTION
Audio tracks were created featuring four (4) professional narrators mixed with customized licensed musical
backgrounds to complete audio requirements for the first sixteen (16) of DML 3.0’s thirty-two (32) pull-outs based
on repurposing DML 1.0 video content for younger more mobile viewers. Three hundred sixty-one (361) live-
action video scenes were remastered, sixteen (16) opening title and closing sequences produced using animated
logo and title, plus new end-tags cross-promotional feature.
• DML 3.0 MARKETING
YouTube viewership now exceeds 185,000 minutes per month. Launch promotion campaign was completed
followed by now ongoing viewership maintenance program featuring weekly release of new pullouts leveraging
search engine optimization (SEO) and social media with action steps for press, social media, USPS members, and
affiliate groups. Video Resources section of Boat Live 365, developed featuring DML 1.0 and 2.0 titles, has now
been updated to also include DML 3.0 videos. A carriage agreement was entered into with Caribbean Broadcast
Network (CBN-TV) to provide for distribution of 50+ videos to 170K television households and cross-promotion
to 410K radio households throughout the Caribbean islands.
• DML 3.0 BOATING CHANNEL BACKSTAGE
Generic demo Boating Skills Virtual Trainer promotional videos in 3:00 online version and 0:30 broadcast spot
have been added to Virtual Trainer page of americasboatingchannel.com backstage for USPS instructors and
members as well as how-to-order customization materials. Animations page revision is in-process to add
explanatory metadata and downloadable versions of sixteen (16) boating skills animations to current offering.
Page 10e-Books – P/R/C Priscilla Clark, AP
Obtaining USPS/ABClub eBook files by students and instructors continues to proceed smoothly provided
individuals enable web browser popups and disable ad-blockers to facilitate file download. For the first time, the
May 2019 delivery of AIS Electronics for Boaters Instructor file in zip format includes two narrated Power Point
Instructor files, a non-narrated instructor Power Point file, along with the student guide. All Student Guides
continue to be provided in pdf format.
Access to the Instructor and Student eBook material ordered, is obtained by logging into the USPS/ABClub
website. The eBook Redemption key tab is located at the top of the home (landing) page. e-Book keys are valid
for 45 days from date of order. Course/seminar catalog number and key expiration date are provided on the
eBook key redemption pdf file sent to the SEO. Non-members must become USPS University members prior to
redeeming an eBook key. eBooks redeemed can be added to one’s personal library and retained forever. eBooks
downloaded to a desktop computer can be copied to a personal laptop or iPad.
Course and seminar materials currently available in eBook format for the Boat Handling and Boat Systems
Committee are listed in the Educational Department Course Catalog along with two legacy seminars. These are:
Cat. No. Title
16-72-101 Boat Handling Student Guide
16-72-102 Boat Handing Instructor Kit.
16-19-101 Propane Systems on Your Boat Student Guide
19-19-001 Propane Systems on Your Boat Instructor Kit
16-19-002 AIS Electronics for Boaters Student Guide
19-19-002 AIS Electronics for Boaters Instructor Kit
16-19-006 Anchoring Student Guide
17-19-001 Anchoring Complete Student Kit (contains Anchoring Quick Guide and Anchoring Student Guide)
19-19-003 Anchoring Instructor Kit
16-19-005 Emergencies on Board Student Guide
Since the initial Boat Handling eBook launch 10 September 2018, 102 squadrons across twenty-nine (29) Districts
have ordered eBook material.
Order and redemption data for the period 01 January 2019-30 June 2019 shows:
Boat Handling
• 428 Boat Handling Student Guides ordered
• 54 Boat Handling Instructor Kits ordered
• 290 Boat Handling Exams ordered
• 113 Boat Handling Student Guides redeemed
• 32 Boat Handling Instructor Kits redeemed
Propane Systems on Your Boat - launched February 2019
• 22 Propane Systems Student Guide ordered
• 5 Propane Systems Instructor Kit ordered
• 1 Propane Student Guide redeemed
AIS Electronics for Boaters - launched May 2019
• 2 AIS Instructor Kit ordered
Anchoring Legacy Seminar – launched April 2019
• 10 Anchoring Student Kits ordered
• 2 Anchoring Instructor Kit ordered
• 10 Anchoring Student Kits redeemed
• 1 Anchoring Instructor Kit redeemed
Page 11On the horizon are two Boat Systems Com seminars, which are GPS and VHF/DSC Marine Radio.
Work continues to proceed on obtaining an accurate count of eBook keys redeemed on a monthly basis.
My continued thanks to ITCom members, P/D/Lt/C James Heckman, SN and P/R/C Tom Brincka, SN, for their
excellent assistance throughout this project.
Page 12You can also read
