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O.T. Top of mind - US Power Squadron

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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Initially Posted - 03/30/2010 : 17:11:48

I've been a member of the US Power Squadron since 2001 and I find it to be an organization with wonderful benefits.

But the group also suffers from a lack of name recognition, a poorly understood (or communicated) Mission Statement, and has been losing membership for a while.

Seeing that we have a very large sailing and boating group here on the forum, can you jot down a paragraph or 3-4 bullets of what comes to mind when you think of the US Power Squadron?

If there's any appreciable traffic on this topic, you (and I) may be surprised by the responses.

Bruce Ross
Passage ~ SR-FK ~ C25 #5032

Port Captain � Milford, CT

Edited by - on

Steve Milby
Past Commodore

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Response Posted - 03/30/2010 : 17:58:05

I suspect the vitality of the Power Squadron, or lack thereof, is largely a local phenomenon. When I was younger, I took lots of Power Squadron courses, and the local PS had lots of very active members, teachers and aides. If a local unit has enough local volunteers, with enough expertise to teach the advanced courses, they'll have a good program. If they lose too many of their old-timers, their whole program can deteriorate quickly.

When I think of the PS, I think of:

...Basic boating courses - sail and power;
...advanced courses, sometimes on 2-3 different levels, in navigation, and seamanship, and other subjects.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2010 : 18:25:43

The Safe Boating Certificate course (required in CT) I took some years ago was organized by the local Power Squadron and taught by an inspiring ex-navy gentleman (now a friend). It definitely exceeded my expectations. But after that, I lost touch with and awareness of the organization. I think they could have benefited from doing some marketing and recruiting at our town boat club meetings... They did conduct courtesy inspections at our docks once a year, but I always seemed to miss those days. More recently, I haven't felt their presence here in Mystic, either. (Although with the USCG Academy, Navy sub base, and USCG Sector Long Island Sound here, we have Coasties everywhere!)

I have a suspicion that in the age of GPS, depth sounders, DSC radios, and cell phones, people no longer think of boating as an art that demands education and discipline. Sorry if those are not the thoughts you were looking for...

Edited by - Dave Bristle on 03/30/2010 18:30:26

bigelowp
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Response Posted - 03/30/2010 : 18:32:43

The squadron has updated almost all of their courses to incorporate GPS and other 21st century devices. I have been active on and off in my local chapter for 20 years and can attest that the courses are first rate. The issue the squadron has is that while people like taking courses -- basic for licences and advanced for specific reasons by some -- activities are too often only course-centric in nature. Squadrons that have an active social network via cruises, etc, seem to do better and have more active members. All that said, in particular for anyone the basic boating course is outstanding as is weather and seamanship.

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delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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Response Posted - 03/30/2010 : 18:47:04

Guess I'm showing my ignorance, but I don't know anything about them. Had I guessed, I'd have never expected any sailing courses from something called a power squadron.

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Dave5041
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Response Posted - 03/30/2010 : 19:17:58

That's why here its the Dayton Power and Sail Squadron

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Voyager
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Response Posted - 03/30/2010 : 20:59:25

All, your comments and observations are very useful.
I was not looking for praise of the Squadron, actually I was more interested in the small sample of candid responses you provided. I'd be interested in hearing a lot more.
For the record, the group I belong to is called the Milford Power and Sail Squadron. We have about 40 members and it's 50-50 sail / power boaters.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 03/30/2010 : 21:29:13

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Voyager
 ...it's 50-50 sail / power boaters.<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">That doesn't surprise me, even though power-boaters outnumber sailors by a substantial multiple. The Coast Guard OUPV Captain's License course I'm taking is about 40-50... 40% recreational sailors and 50% guys who work for marine industry companies that require licenses... and then there's me--the sailor (for 50+ years) who's gone over to the Dark Side--maybe the only recreational power-boater in the class.

As for the brand... Instead of adding "and Sail" to the name, I'd integrate it to something like "Marine Squadron", or if that sounds like a military juxtaposition, "Mariners' Squadron". The "...and Sail" sounds like an afterthought, and it shouldn't be about power vs. sail--it should be about seamanship. Brand names matter.

Marketing consulting fee: $.02, fully refundable.

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bigelowp
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Response Posted - 03/31/2010 : 07:58:07

I am not sure that name recognition is the issue. Both the US Coast Guard Aux and US Power Squadron, on the local level, too often do a lousy job attracting -- and retaiing --members. The Darien Sail and Power Squadron, which I am affiliated with, will go to the Norwalk Boat Show each year but never goes to local yacht clubs. At the district level ditto. The National Power Squadron, to the best of my knowledge, has never solicited through associations like ours to explain what they do and where chapters are, etc. Possibly it is a turf war thing, posibly a manpower (all are volunteer organizations) or possibly they just have not thought of it.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
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Response Posted - 03/31/2010 : 11:52:16

Peter: Does your squadron speak at Darien Boat Club meetings? I could imagine that being a regular agenda item, and the club should be a source of members as well as course enrollees. (It's been six years since I was there...)

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bigelowp
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Response Posted - 03/31/2010 : 12:37:56

No, not officially. The party line is "they know who we are and we talk to them if they ask" but no official presentation. Ditto for Noroton (and they use Noroton for courses!), Norwalk, Rowayton, Stamford etc. While Rowayton has a squadron they too do not make any official overture to the Norwalk area yacht clubs and as you know, there are a ton. A simple insert made available to clubs to be sent with the quarterly/annual dues invoices explaining the mission and upcoming courses, etc., would be easy if speaking at the annual meeting is not possible.

Edited by - on

Voyager
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Response Posted - 04/01/2010 : 15:49:20

The comments are great. Keep them coming.

Dave, the name, as well as the perception of the US Power Squadron are two of its main obstacles with the public.

1. Name - USPS is often mistaken for the Postal System. US Power Squadron seems like it excludes sailors and paddle-sport boaters. Unfortunately, when our hero, Charles Chapman (with Chapman's Piloting in its 66th revision), created the venerable organization in the 1910's, the "Power Squadron" was a very fitting name. It was meant to distinguish itself from the old guard steamship captains, and to provide a political voice to the new boys with power boats. When he was granted the magazine "Motor Boating" by William Randolf Hearst, his boating techniques articles were to become the foundation of Piloting.

2. Perception - During the run up to WW-I, then Dept of War chief FDR asked Chapman to train average powerboaters to become naval combatants. At this time, the formerly fraternal organization became paramilitary, and that's when ranks and uniforms were instituted.

Nowadays, the paramilitary perception of the club prevents "civilians" from wanting to sign up. They feel like they are not qualified, or have to undergo some kind of basic training. For others, the perception makes it seem either (a) quaint or (b) like a bunch of make-believe soldiers (aka 'kooks').

While there are some members who insist on wearing the uniforms with epaulets and the funny symbols, its no odder than the Knights of Columbus or the Masons. {for the record, I don't have the uniform, but my wife did buy me the epaulets for my birthday

}

I agree that the Milford Power and Sail Squadron does sound like an afterthought. Many have suggested scrapping the name entirely, and changing it to something like America's Boating Club, The Boating Safety Club or something more representative of its mission statement.

But it is the work of educating the general boating public on the basics of powerboat (incl motorsail) operation and safety, the rules of the road, and personal responsibility that got me interested. I also wanted to learn Piloting, Advanced Piloting, Navigation and Celestial Navigation to satisfy my curiosity and improve my self-reliance out on the water. The weather, sailing, marine electronics and engine maintenance courses were exactly what I needed at the time that I got into the group.

I definitely find it worthwhile. I will recommend several of the suggestions made here to our Squadron, and to the District.

Edited by - on

bigelowp
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Response Posted - 04/01/2010 : 19:26:21

Bruce:

I agree, all good ideas.

Our squadron fills it's basic course each year with people who want (need) a CT boating license. We tend to fail to retain members. My involvement has ebbed and flowed over the past 20 plus years as the social events tend to be few and far between. The uniform and protocol, I think, are kind of neat, but the squadron, from national to local, seems to get too hung up on formal education. Possibly a social event focused on having fun and being opended to yacht and boat clubs would help.

Kids are a bit intimidated too. COurses take time, and most kids have very little to spare -- and yet they need the basic course in particular. An example: my son, the expert sailor and launch operator and all things boating -- has never taken a course because it's "old folk". Every high school on Long Island Sound has a sailing team -- a modified class for them, or discounts, might help attract younger members.

Finally, regarding the intimidation factor, a goods friend started Piloting -- sequenced from basic through Seamanship -- but found it was "not applicable" to his activities on Long Island Sound. I kind of agree if you go out from, say, Norwalk to Bridgeport. some courses might have greater appeal if their was a lite version such as a two session overview of Piloting or Celestial navigation that taught enough to answer basic questions but also showed how much more you could learn by taking the longer course. If the Squadron can offer some short courses and become an intergenerational and inter-club social opportunity, it may have greater success with membership.

Now, all that said, my squadron has heard this but claims "easier said than done"

Edited by - on

Voyager
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Response Posted - 04/01/2010 : 21:48:46

Peter,
We offer several "lite" courses which are 2 hour seminars that can be done in an evening or a weekend morning. There are about 18 of them now including:

o Advanced Powerboat Handling
o Anchoring
o Basic Coastal Navigation
o Boat Handling under Power
o Boating on Rivers, Locks and Lakes
o How to Use a Chart
o Hurricanes and Boats
o Knots, Bends and Hitches
o Marine RADAR
o Mariner's Compass
o Mastering the Rules of the Road
o Onboard Weather Forecasting
o Paddle Smart
o Partner in Command
o Sail Trim and Rig Tuning
o Trailering Your Boat
o Using GPS
o Using VHF & VHF/DSC Marine Radio

The admiral has not completed the eight week boating safety course, but she really appreciated Partner in Command. It shows a non-sailor how to drop the sails, handle the engine, steer, use the VHF and GPS, and drop the anchor.

While most offer useful info and come with a laminated reference card you can take along with you on the boat, I have noticed that since the student makes only a minor committment, they appreciate it much less than a multi-session course.

Edited by - Voyager on 04/01/2010 21:50:39

psechrist
1st Mate

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Response Posted - 04/02/2010 : 08:28:01

Hi
I know of the boating courses the US Power Squadron has but not much more. I am a baby boomer & just now getting into boating. I like to go to boat shows & would think that would be a great place to show your wear. I know that just being able to chit chat in person with someone helps in the education.
Pat

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PCP777
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 04/02/2010 : 08:44:19

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Voyager
 I've been a member of the US Power Squadron since 2001 and I find it to be an organization with wonderful benefits.

But the group also suffers from a lack of name recognition, a poorly understood (or communicated) Mission Statement, and has been losing membership for a while.

Seeing that we have a very large sailing and boating group here on the forum, can you jot down a paragraph or 3-4 bullets of what comes to mind when you think of the US Power Squadron?

If there's any appreciable traffic on this topic, you (and I) may be surprised by the responses.
<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">

My dad was an active member of the power squadron. I've considered joining up to the point of looking up the website and book marking it. I never got any farther than that. The one thing that put me off a bit was this:

"Approximately 20% of our members are sailors."

Edited by - on

Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 04/02/2010 : 13:33:01

Peter, do you want the good news or the bad news first?

Your closest US Power and Sail Squadron mentions sailing in their name, so that's good.

It just happens to be way over yonder .....

For your ZIP: 76648 HUBBARD, TX
Closest Squadrons

Distance: 65.4 Miles
Dallas Sail & Power Squadron District: 21 Chartered: 1956 - Web Site: http://www.dsps.org/
Contact: P/Lt/C Rolin A. Walton, AP Phone: 469-951-1130
E mail: deborahrothermel at hotmail dot com
Location: Dallas (North Central Texas)
Centered around: DALLAS, TX 75201

Edited by - on

delliottg
Former Mainsheet C250 Tech Editor

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Response Posted - 04/02/2010 : 14:47:17

Turns out I've already had contact with mine and didn't even know it. I thought they were some sort of USCG auxiliary folks. They did a free inspection on my boat and gave me a nice sticker to go on the base of my mast to show for it, another for my dink, which has since come off.

The Seattle branch lists themselves as Sail & Power. I think I'll look into some of their seminars.

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 04/02/2010 : 18:25:34

You got a vessel safety check (VSC) which both the USCG Aux and the USPS can perform. They both issue a similar sticker.

What it says is that you have taken care of all your state and federal safety requirements (PFDs, flares, sound producing device, VHF, operating lights, bilge oil prevention and your required stickers) so that if you were boarded by the marine police or state boating patrol, you would be in compliance with state and federal boating laws. In Connecticut, that can save you several hundred dollars in fines.

Our Squadron performed over 60 VSCs last year, and we aim to top our record this year. We have three inspectors in Milford Harbor and one who just happens to keep his sailboat in Mystic.

Dave Bristle may have encountered him over the past few years. They are all great guys and we're really proud of them.

It can really save you a bundle to sign up for a VSC, and sometime even save your skin.

Edited by - on

Dave Bristle
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Djibouti
10005 Posts

Response Posted - 04/03/2010 : 07:19:54

<blockquote id="quote">quote:<hr height="1" noshade id="quote">Originally posted by Voyager
 ...We have three inspectors in Milford Harbor and one who just happens to keep his sailboat in Mystic.

Dave Bristle may have encountered him over the past few years...<hr height="1" noshade id="quote"></blockquote id="quote">No--what's his name? ...But I was boarded by a whole team of newly-minted Coasties on my launch day last spring--glad I had everything aboard and working rather than waiting till I got to my home dock just up the river! They were very military and professional, but they seemed a little disappointed.

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Voyager
Master Marine Consultant

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Response Posted - 04/03/2010 : 21:26:34

Our member in Mystic is Bill Rinckel. He has a Hunter 30, and I believe his boat is located down beyond the RR bridge river right (going downstream). I believe our dates will be the weekend before Memorial Day and the weekend after. If you wish, I can connect the two of you up.

The coasties (not the USCG Aux) can issue tickets. Good to see you were in compliance on all counts.

So one day, I watched the CT DEP "Conservation Officers" and the Coasties gang up on a guy returning from his mooring, crossing the river (maybe 300-500 feet) in the dink, and guess what he forgot to have in his dink - you guessed it:

Flares
PFD
Discharge placard
throwable
Sound producing device
zilch!

They NAILED the poor sucker. Of course, he had everything 200 feet away in his sailboat.

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