United States Power Squadrons

Overview

The United States Power Squadrons (USPS), also known as America's Boating Club, is a non-profit educational organization founded in 1914. It is dedicated to improving maritime safety and enhancing the boating experience through educational programs in seamanship, navigation, and related subjects.

Mission and Activities

USPS aims to make boating safer and more enjoyable by offering a variety of courses and seminars. These include basic boating safety courses that meet the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) standards, as well as advanced classes in navigation using GPS and radar, celestial navigation, weather forecasting, and engine maintenance.

The organization also conducts vessel safety checks, inspecting boats for compliance with federal and state safety regulations. These checks are provided at no cost, and if a vessel passes, it is awarded a safety sticker. However, if a vessel fails, the results are communicated to the owner without being reported to authorities.

Structure and Membership

The United States Power Squadrons comprises approximately 45,000 members organized into about 450 squadrons across the United States and in some U.S. territories. This makes it one of the largest non-profit boating organizations in the country.

Recognition

USPS has been recognized by three U.S. presidents for its significant civic contributions. It publishes its own magazine, The Ensign, which serves as an official publication for the organization.

Parallel Organization in Canada

A parallel organization exists in Canada, known as the Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons (CPS) in English and Escadrilles canadiennes de plaisance (ECP) in French. Founded in 1938 as an offshoot of USPS, it shares similar goals and activities.

Official Flag

The USPS ensign features a distinct design with a red canton bearing 13 white stars around a fouled anchor on a background of 13 vertical blue and white stripes. This flag was officially adopted by the organization by 1915 and is described in its bylaws and operations manual.