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The United States Power Squadrons (USPS) is a national organization of recreational boaters dedicated to making boating safer and more fun. USPS is safe boating and known as America's boating club. Our members conduct public boating safety classes and vessel safety checks. We also provide a variety of social and boating activities for our members. Learn more about USPS and what their members do. Check out all of the benefits and savings offered to our members.

District 6 is comprised of 18 squadrons and approximately 1300 individual members. We serve throughout central and western New York State. Please check out our District Map. The location of each of our squadrons are shown on the map, along with links to the individual squadrons websites.

The District bridge is made up of volunteers elected from members of the squadrons. They include the District Commander, five Lieutenant Commanders and many committee volunteers from within the squadrons. As leaders of this level they support, promote, and enhance the functions at the squadron level. They act as the facilitators at meetings of the district and its squadrons.

The District meets four times a year. Two Council meetings and two District Conferences. The purpose of the council meetings is to set the agendas for the respective conferences. In addition, the latest national information is passed along to the squadron management. Additionally, seminars and educational workshops are provided for both the squadron management and members. The conferences are business meetings where the latest national information is discussed, seminars are held to educate the membership, educational training is provided, various social events are provided and enjoyed, and district officers are elected once each year.

Click Here for a link to a map showing all 33 districts within USPS


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Safe Boating Classes

America's Boating Course

USPS instructors conduct public boating safety classes that meet New York State requirements, including personal watercraft (PWC) certification. Note that as of January 1, 2004, all PWC operators in New York State, regardless of age, are required to complete a boating safety class that includes a proctored examination.

The premier USPS public boating course is the The Squadron Boating Course which now includes an introduction to digital charts and waypoint navigation along with basic topics of navigation rules, charts, the mariner's compass and plotting course. (A hyperlink for The Squadron Boating Course is ... http://www.usps.org/e_stuff/Basic.html ). The popular Boat Smart course covers fundamental navigation rules and satisfies New York State's requirement for PWC education. (A hyperlink for Boat Smart is ... http://www.usps.org/e_stuff/BoatSmart.html ). Just fyi ... a more detailed explanation of the public boating courses may be found at ... http://www.usps.org/national/eddept/b/main.htm

Check the USPS website to locate a boating class near you.

Vessel Safety Checks

USPS Vessel Safety Examiners conduct free Vessel Safety Checks. A Vessel Safety Check is a courtesy examination of your boat to verify the presence and condition of safety equipment required by State and Federal regulations. The Vessel Examiner is a trained specialist and is a member of USPS or the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. They will make recommendations and discuss safety issues that will make you a safer boater.

This is not a law enforcement issue. No citations will be given as a result of this encounter. We will supply you with a copy of our evaluation so that you can follow the suggestions given. Vessels that pass will be able to display the VSC decal.

Click here to locate a vessel safety examiner near you.

Important Information on Passports and Homeland Security

Traveling to and from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean and many other places that we have not had to produce anything more than a drivers license and a simile is about to change. Know what documents you will need and how to go about getting them long before you start your trip, whether by land, sea, or air. The Department of Homeland Security and The State Department are both available to help you obtain the right information and documents for your travel needs. Find out where to get your passport and what it will cost. If this is your first passport you will need to download form DS-11 and fill it out to take with you with proof of citizenship. Visit the above links and get all of the facts.

Boating and Social Activities

Read about who we are. Find out why all boaters, fishermen, and water-sports enthusiast should be involved with USPS.

Local squadrons host a number of activities for members, including:

Each summer we conduct a district-wide cruise. Recent locations have included Rochester Yacht Club, Gateway Canal Park in Tonawanda, NY, the Finger Lakes, Clayton NY in the Thousand Islands, and Port Credit Yacht Club near Toronto, Ontario.

We also perform public service activities, including:

Join Us

All boaters with an interest in boating safety are welcome to join USPS. Test your boating safety knowledge with this twenty question quiz. Members must complete a boating safety class offered by USPS, US Coast Guard Auxiliary, or other approved organization. Click here to Locate a Squadron Near You or call 1-888-FOR-USPS (1-888-367-8777) or 919-821-0281 for more information.

Benefits of membership include:

Thank you for visiting our website!

This page last updated 28 September 09.