Member of the United States Power Squadrons® - Sail & Power Boating
Boating is fun . . . We'll show you how
Member of the United States Power Squadrons® - Sail & Power Boating
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| Last updated March 08, 2008
Join the Lackawanna Sail & Power Squadron Membership Application Membership Presentation
Facts about the Lackawanna Sail & Power Squadron Lackawanna Sail & Power Squadron (LSPS) is a unit of the United States Power Squadrons (USPS). The mission of LSPS is to promote safe boating. LSPS teaches safe-boating courses to the public. In the Boat Smart course, students receive the certificate required to operate a power vessel or personal watercraft in New Jersey. LSPS teaches advanced boating courses to its members. The courses include Seamanship, Piloting, Advanced Piloting, and celestial Navigation, as well as Marine Electronics, Engine Maintenance, Weather, Sail and Cruise Planning. LSPS surveys the conditions of aids to navigation for the National Ocean Service. There are over 150 members of LSPS. The members reside chiefly in Morris, Union and Essex Counties. About half of LSPS members own boats. The boats are located in New Jersey (from Toms River up to Liberty Landing), New York and Connecticut. Approximately half of LSPS members are sailors, and half are power boaters. Every year LSPS has two membership meetings, a festive officers' installation, and a holiday party. LSPS has its monthly Executive Committee meetings at the Madison Community House. LSPS members have raft-ups of boats in Raritan Bay and in Barnegat Bay. LSPS members cruise together, often going through the East River to Long Island Sound and then beyond. LSPS members obtain boat insurance at discounted rates, with discounts that increase as additional courses are completed. Visit www.lackawanna.org for more information about LSPS and www.usps.org for information about USPS. Information about the United States Power SquadronsQ. What is United States Power Squadrons (USPS)? A. Organized in 1914, USPS (http://www.usps.org) 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 45,000 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. Q. What are the activities of USPS? A. Each squadron's activities involve the three primary objectives of USPS: community service, continuing education, and enjoying the friendship and camaraderie of fellow members. Q. What community and civic services does USPS perform? A. 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 desirable 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. Q. How do you enroll in a USPS boating course? A. 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. Some squadrons offer courses during the summer. 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 will be offered in your area is check our online schedule or call toll-free 1-888-FOR-USPS (1-888-367-8777). Q. What about the person who cannot take an evening Boating Course? A. USPS has a 80-minute video Boating Course which can be taken at your own leisure. For information see our online information or call 1-888-FOR USPS (1-888-367-8777). Call today. Safe Boating is more fun. Q. What educational courses are available to USPS members? A. Every squadron offers many carefully planned courses in subjects like Seamanship, Piloting, Plotting and Position Finding, Celestial Navigation, Cruise Planning, Engine Maintenance, Marine Electronics, Sailing, and much more. Experienced member instructors teach these courses, and members who complete them are recognized. Q. What social activities do members enjoy? A. 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. Q. Can sailors become members? A. 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 powerboat 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. Q. Is USPS a part of or supported by the U.S. Government? A. No. While we have many joint programs with the United States Coast Guard, the Coast Guard Auxiliary, and the National Ocean Services division of NOAA, USPS is a private, totally self-supporting organization.
Q. How does one become a member of USPS? A. Active membership in USPS is open to those 16 years and over who are able and willing to contribute time, energy, and skills to the objectives of USPS. Check our online membership information or call toll free 1-888-FOR-USPS (1-888-367-8777). Q. What if you're already a member of the Canadian Power Squadron or the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary? A. 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. Q. What's in it for you?
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