United States Power Squadrons
Encyclopedia
The United States Power Squadrons (or USPS) 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 squadrons across the United States
and in some US territories
. It is America's largest non-profit boating organization and has been honored by three US presidents
for its civil contributions
. Its official publication is The Ensign
magazine.
There are many educational opportunities available within the United States Power Squadrons. USPS offers courses that teach basic knowledge necessary to operate boats safely and legally. The basic course meets the requirements set forth by NASBLA. The United States Power Squadrons offer courses in advanced navigation
using modern equipment such as GPS
and Radar
. Courses are even offered in celestial navigation
. USPS also teaches advanced courses in Weather, Marine Engine Maintenance, Marine Electronic and Electrical Systems, Sail, and Cruise Planning.
One critical activity of the United States Power Squadrons is Vessel Safety Check. During a Vessel Safety Check, a qualified USPS Vessel Examiner will board vessels (with permission) and check for the presence and condition of various pieces of equipment required by federal and state laws for the safe operation of that particular vessel. A vessel safety check is provided at no charge and is not a law enforcement boarding. If the boat carries the proper equipment, a sticker will be awarded to display on the vessel. If a boat does not pass the inspection, the USPS informs the owners, but does not report its findings to any law enforcement or government agency.
A parallel organization operates in Canada, under the name Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons
(Escadrille canadiennes de plaisance) (CPS-ECP). It was founded as an offshoot of USPS in 1938.
for the United States Power Squadrons, and by 1915, the flag was officially adopted by the organization. The design and other specifications of this ensign are described in the USPS bylaws and also in the operations manual.
Sea
A sea generally refers to a large body of salt water, but the term is used in other contexts as well. Most commonly, it means a large expanse of saline water connected with an ocean, and is commonly used as a synonym for ocean...
safety and enjoyability through classes in seamanship
Seamanship
Seamanship is the art of operating a ship or boat.It involves a knowledge of a variety of topics and development of specialised skills including: navigation and international maritime law; weather, meteorology and forecasting; watchstanding; ship-handling and small boat handling; operation of deck...
, navigation
Navigation
Navigation is the process of monitoring and controlling the movement of a craft or vehicle from one place to another. It is also the term of art used for the specialized knowledge used by navigators to perform navigation tasks...
, and other related subjects. The USPS comprises approximately 45,000 members organized into 450 squadrons across the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and in some US territories
Insular area
An insular area is a United States territory, that is neither a part of one of the fifty U.S. states nor the District of Columbia, the federal district of the United States...
. It is America's largest non-profit boating organization and has been honored by three US presidents
President of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
for its civil contributions
Civil service
The term civil service has two distinct meanings:* A branch of governmental service in which individuals are employed on the basis of professional merit as proven by competitive examinations....
. Its official publication is The Ensign
The Ensign (USPS magazine)
The Ensign magazine is the official publication of the United States Power Squadrons . 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...
magazine.
There are many educational opportunities available within the United States Power Squadrons. USPS offers courses that teach basic knowledge necessary to operate boats safely and legally. The basic course meets the requirements set forth by NASBLA. The United States Power Squadrons offer courses in advanced navigation
Navigation
Navigation is the process of monitoring and controlling the movement of a craft or vehicle from one place to another. It is also the term of art used for the specialized knowledge used by navigators to perform navigation tasks...
using modern equipment such as GPS
Global Positioning System
The Global Positioning System is a space-based global navigation satellite system that provides location and time information in all weather, anywhere on or near the Earth, where there is an unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites...
and Radar
Radar navigation
Marine and aviation radar systems can provide very useful navigation information in a variety of situations. When a vessel is within radar range of land or special radar aids to navigation, the navigator can take distances and angular bearings to charted objects and use these to establish arcs of...
. Courses are even offered in celestial navigation
Celestial navigation
Celestial navigation, also known as astronavigation, is a position fixing technique that has evolved over several thousand years to help sailors cross oceans without having to rely on estimated calculations, or dead reckoning, to know their position...
. USPS also teaches advanced courses in Weather, Marine Engine Maintenance, Marine Electronic and Electrical Systems, Sail, and Cruise Planning.
One critical activity of the United States Power Squadrons is Vessel Safety Check. During a Vessel Safety Check, a qualified USPS Vessel Examiner will board vessels (with permission) and check for the presence and condition of various pieces of equipment required by federal and state laws for the safe operation of that particular vessel. A vessel safety check is provided at no charge and is not a law enforcement boarding. If the boat carries the proper equipment, a sticker will be awarded to display on the vessel. If a boat does not pass the inspection, the USPS informs the owners, but does not report its findings to any law enforcement or government agency.
A parallel organization operates in Canada, under the name Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons
Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons
Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons / Escadrille canadiennes de plaisance has been connecting enthusiastic recreational boaters across Canada for 70 years and has played a major role in boating culture in Canada...
(Escadrille canadiennes de plaisance) (CPS-ECP). It was founded as an offshoot of USPS in 1938.
United States Power Squadrons Ensign
The USPS ensign features a red canton with 13 white stars around a fouled (entangled or twisted) anchor. The body of the flag contains 13 vertical blue and white stripes. This flag was designed by Roger Upton and Charles F. ChapmanCharles Frederic Chapman
Charles Frederic Chapman was an avid boater, editor of Hearst's Motor Boating magazine from 1912 to 1968, co-founder of the United States Power Squadrons, and author of the standard boating reference work, Chapman Piloting.-Early life:Chapman was born in Norwich, Connecticut, in 1881...
for the United States Power Squadrons, and by 1915, the flag was officially adopted by the organization. The design and other specifications of this ensign are described in the USPS bylaws and also in the operations manual.
| Flag | Flying Times | Power Yacht Without Mast | Power Yacht with Signal Mast | Sailing Yacht with One Mast | Power or Sail Yacht with Two Masts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ensign of the United States, U.S. Yacht Ensign (informal), USPS Ensign (when flown in place of U.S. Ensign) |
0800 hours to sunset | Flag Stern Staff | Flag Stern Staff | Flag Stern Staff, Underway at Peak of Gaff Gaff -Pole-shaped devices:* Fishing gaff, a pole used in fishing* Gaff or hakapik, used as a seal-hunting weapon* Gaff rig; A fore-and-aft sailing arrangement where the sail is held up by a spar called a gaff-Ankle-worn devices:... , 2/3 up Leech of Mainsail Mainsail A mainsail is a sail located behind the main mast of a sailing vessel.On a square rigged vessel, it is the lowest and largest sail on the main mast.... , Equivalent Position along Backstay Backstay On a sailing vessel, a backstay is the piece of standing rigging that runs from the mast to the transom of the boat, counteracting the forestay and jib... |
Flag Stern Staff, Underway at Peak of After-most Gaff, 2/3 up Leech of Mainsail, Equivalent Position along Backstay |
| USPS Ensign (when NOT flown in place of U.S. Ensign) | Day and Night when in commission and under command of a USPS member | Antenna or Staff Amidships - preferably to starboard | Starboard Spreader, Inboard Halyard or Port Spreader when flown with Foreign Ensign | Starboard Spreader, Inboard Halyard Halyard In sailing, a halyard or halliard is a line that is used to hoist a sail, a flag or a yard. The term halyard comes from the phrase, 'to haul yards'... or Port Spreader when flown with Foreign Ensign |
Foremost Starboard Spreader, Inboard Halyard or Port Spreader when flown with Foreign Ensign |
External links
- USPS Official site
- The Ensign magazine website
- Vessel Safety Check
- Official site of CPS
- USPS Ensign Information from United-States-Flag.com
- List of Squadron Websites