W e l c o m e   A b o a r d

The Huntsville Power Squadron (HPS), based in Huntsville, Alabama, was chartered in 1965, and is one of the 450+ squadrons of the United States Power Squadrons® (USPS).  Although we are called the Huntsville Power Squadron, we have  members living all over northern Alabama. The Tennessee River flows through our area, providing opportunities to enjoy boating year-round. 

One of our most important civic service activities is teaching America's Boating Course® to the general public. This course is designed to be useful to all boaters, from the fisherman in a skiff to the skipper in a large cruiser or sailboat. We encourage families to attend as a group. The course is taught in three lessons, usually on consecutive Tuesday or Thursday evenings for convenience.  The course consists of in-class lectures and reading assignments in the America's Boating Course® book and accompanying CD.  At the end of each section of the book, there are review questions designed to test the student's understanding of the information. There is a proctored examination at the end of the course.  Students who successfully pass the exam are given a certificate which, in the state of Alabama, is valid proof that the person meets all eligibility requirements to be licensed as a "Vessel Operator" without further testing.

Another important public boating safety service we perform is the "Vessel Safety Check" Program.  We provide trained experts to perform safety checks of privately owned boats according to a carefully prepared checklist and with attention to state and federal requirements.  These vessel checkouts are free of charge and provide confidence that nothing of a safety related nature has been overlooked by the vessel owner or operator. You can locate the vessel safety check Examiner nearest you by going to the Vessel Safety Check Locator site and entering your zip code.

The majority of our members, men and women, joined us for the excellent training courses the United States Power Squadrons® has developed exclusively for its members.  We place emphasis on advancing the education of our members, with courses ranging from Seamanship to Navigation, and Engine Maintenance to Weather.  Whether you own a boat or not, these courses will prepare you to operate a vessel safely under any conditions, day or night.  You can also learn how to properly care for and maintain a boat, how to tell where you are at all times on the water, how to use electronic instrumentation, what to do in an emergency, and even how to tell what "the other guy" is doing.

The "Scuttlebutt" is our monthly publication and contains a wealth of information on our Squadron's happenings, including a calendar of events. In the boating season, on-water and off-water events such as cruises and rendezvous and picnics are important social activities for us.

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The USPS Ensign (Flag Design), "Wheel-and-Flag Design", "Officer Trident Design", "United States Power Squadrons", "USPS", "The Ensign", "the Squadron" with flag graphic, "Boat Smart", "Jet Smart", and "America's Boating Club" are registered trademarks of United States Power Squadrons.