The Ensign (USPS magazine)
Encyclopedia
The Ensign magazine is the official publication of the United States Power Squadrons
(or USPS). All active members and apprentice/Sea Scout
members of USPS receive a subscription unless they opt out. Published at USPS headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina
, The Ensign covers topics of interest to USPS members and other boating enthusiasts.
The Ensign is published quarterly. Most articles are written by USPS members, and all are edited by a professional staff. Each issue contains two to four feature articles related to boating or USPS. Regular columns and departments in The Ensign are
Author Marlin Bree has twice won the West Marine Writer’s Award, the top writing award from Boating Writers International, for feature articles published in The Ensign. He won the 2004 award for “A Solo Sailor Meets His Storm of the Century: The Day All Hell Broke Loose,” which appeared in the June 2003 issue. Bree also won the 2008 award for “The Old Man and the Inland Sea,” which was published in the January–February 2007 issue.
United States Power Squadrons
The United States Power Squadrons is a non-profit educational organization, founded in 1914, whose mission is to improve maritime safety and enjoyability through classes in seamanship, navigation, and other related subjects. The USPS comprises approximately 45,000 members organized into 450...
(or USPS). All active members and apprentice/Sea Scout
Sea Scout
Sea Scouts are members of the international Scouting movement, with a particular emphasis on water-based activities, such as kayaking, canoeing, sailing, and rowing. Depending on the country and the available water these activities are on lakes, rivers or sea in small or large ships. Sea Scouting...
members of USPS receive a subscription unless they opt out. Published at USPS headquarters in Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh, North Carolina
Raleigh is the capital and the second largest city in the state of North Carolina as well as the seat of Wake County. Raleigh is known as the "City of Oaks" for its many oak trees. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the city's 2010 population was 403,892, over an area of , making Raleigh...
, The Ensign covers topics of interest to USPS members and other boating enthusiasts.
The Ensign is published quarterly. Most articles are written by USPS members, and all are edited by a professional staff. Each issue contains two to four feature articles related to boating or USPS. Regular columns and departments in The Ensign are
- Bridge–a message from a member of the USPS national Bridge
- Soundings–letters to the editor
- Provisions–new-product briefs
- Stargazer–stargazing article and calendar
- Currents–USPS calendar and news
- Scorecard–boating product review
- Shipshape–in-depth technical articles, how-to tips and safety information
- Ship's Library–book reviews
- Waypoints–local squadron news and activities
- Last Horizon–listing of recently deceased USPS members
- Bitter End–photos, contests, puzzles, nautical quotes and trivia, and stories behind members' boat names
Author Marlin Bree has twice won the West Marine Writer’s Award, the top writing award from Boating Writers International, for feature articles published in The Ensign. He won the 2004 award for “A Solo Sailor Meets His Storm of the Century: The Day All Hell Broke Loose,” which appeared in the June 2003 issue. Bree also won the 2008 award for “The Old Man and the Inland Sea,” which was published in the January–February 2007 issue.