USPS®
Frequently Asked Questions FAQ
This is USPS
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What is the United States Power
Squadrons®?
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What are the activities of USPS?
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What community and civic services does
USPS perform?
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What educational courses are available
to USPS members?
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What social activities do members
enjoy?
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Can sailors become members?
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Is USPS a part of or
supported by the U.S. Government?
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How does one become a
member of USPS?
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What if you're already a
member of the Canadian Power Squadron or
the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary?
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How do you enroll in a
USPS boating course?
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What about the person who
cannot take an evening Boating Course?
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What's in it for me?
Organized in 1914, USPS is
a non profit, educational organization
dedicated to making boating safer and more
enjoyable by teaching classes in seamanship,
navigation and related subjects. Our members
are boating families who contribute to their
communities by promoting safe boating
through education. We enjoy participating
with our fellow members on the water and in
the classroom. USPS has some 60,000 members
organized into 450 squadrons across the
country and in some US territories. USPS is
the world's largest non-profit boating
organization and has been honored by three
US presidents for its civic contributions.
Each squadron's activities
involve the three primary objectives of
USPS: community service, continuing
education, and enjoying the friendship and
camaraderie on-the-water and off with our
fellow members.
Local squadrons offer
boating safety courses
on a regular
basis to boaters in our communities. These
courses are open to the public and there is
no age limit for participants. USPS®
squadrons have offered these courses for
over half a century and have educated more
than 3 million boaters to date. Successful
completing a USPS® boating safety course
meets the educational requirements for boat
operation in all states and is a requirement
for squadron membership. Our members also
help the National Ocean Service keep our
nautical charts accurate by reporting chart
corrections, and our local squadrons
participate in many other community
improvement projects.
Every squadron offers many
carefully planned courses in subjects like
Seamanship,
Piloting,
Celestial Navigation,
Weather,
Sail,
Engine Maintenance,
Marine Electronics
and
Cruise Planning, and
much more. These courses are taught by
experienced member instructors, and members
who complete them are recognized.
Participating both
on-the-water and off with fellow members who
are skilled in boating is a rewarding and
enjoyable experience. On-the-water
activities include cruises, rendezvous, sail
races, navigation contests and even fishing
derbies. Activities ashore include meetings
with marine programs, parties,
dinner-dances, picnics and field trips.
Of course. More than 40%
of our members are sailors. The term "Power
Squadrons" in our name dates to our founding
in 1914 by the power boat division of the
Boston Yacht Club. Following the first World
War, our ranks broadened to include all
types of boats, and sailors have been a
major part of USPS ever since.
Is USPS a
part of or supported by the U.S. Government?
No. While we
have many joint programs with the United
States Coast Guard, the CG Auxiliary, and
the National Ocean Services division of
NOAA, USPS® is a private, totally
self-supporting organization.
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How does
one become a member of USPS?
Active
membership in USPS® is open to those 16
years and over who have passed the
USPS® Boating Course or
Boat/SMART®
examination, the CPS
(Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons) Boating
Course examination, or the USCGAux Boating
Skills and Seamanship or Sailing and
Seamanship examination and who are able and
willing to contribute time, energy, and
skills to the objectives of USPS®. Check
our online
membership information.
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What if
you're already a member of the Canadian
Power Squadron or the U.S. Coast Guard
Auxiliary?
If you
already belong to either of these
organizations you do not have to pass a
USPS® course to become a member because you
have already completed a qualifying course.
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How do you
enroll in a USPS boating course?
Every USPS®
squadron teaches at least one or two such
courses every year. Some squadrons teach
many more. The courses usually begin in
September or October, then again in January
or February. Carquinez Squadron offers a
Boat/SMART®
class once every month.
The courses are publicized in local
newspapers, on posters, at marinas, and at
various other locations. The easiest way to
determine when the next course offered by
the Carquinez Squadron is to check our
online
class schedule, outside the area check
the USPS®
website.
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What about
the person who cannot take an evening
Boating Course?
USPS® has a
80-minute
video Boating Course
which can be taken
at your own leisure. For information see our
online information
or call 707-55-BOATS
(707-552-6287). Call today. Safe Boating is
more fun. Or join us on the weekend for
a Boat/SMART
-WEEKEND Class.
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What's in
it for me?
1. A great
variety of courses to choose from: As a
USPS® member, you and your family can enroll
in a great variety of advanced grades and
elective courses which are only available to
USPS® members. These courses include
Seamanship,
Piloting,
Celestial Navigation,
Weather,
Sail,
Engine Maintenance,
Marine Electronics and
Cruise Planning. In addition, USPS®
offers more than two dozen self
study courses
on such subjects as the
Water Sports,
Boat Insurance,
Oceanography,
Introduction to Sailing
and much more.
2. Meeting with other boaters in your
area: As a member of a local squadron (and
there are approximately 450 squadrons
throughout the USA, including Alaska,
Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin
Islands) you will join with other
knowledgeable boaters in your area who are
familiar with the local waters, the best
anchorages, and marinas and boat repair
shops.
3.
Participation in a variety of on water
activities: As a USPS® member you're
automatically invited to join in the
squadron and district cruises, rendezvous,
predicted log contests, raftings and other
on-water activities.
4. Savings on Boat Insurance: There are
many marine insurance companies which
provide discounts to those who complete
advanced boating courses. This savings can
be significant.
5. USPS® Networking with other members
throughout the USA, Canada and even more
distant areas: Thinking of boating in a
river, lake or ocean far from your home?
USPS® has a Port Captain program which will
provide names and telephone numbers of local
USPS® members who know the territory.
6. Receive the official USPS® magazine
THE ENSIGN.
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