Benefits of Membership

All Power Squadron members enjoy a multitude of benefits ranging from educational opportunites to discounts on boat insurance and other special organizational discounts. Click here for a complete description and list of the benefits available. THE ENSIGN is the magazine of USPS®. Published bimonthly, it contains interesting features and articles including new products and "hot tips". Port Captains stand ready to provide advice and assistance to USPS® members on a wide variety of subjects from mechanical and repair services to local restaurants and motels. This can be especially useful to members when cruising away from their home port.

Membership is by application and is for anyone who shares our common passion for boating, has passed the public boating course, and who is interested in advancing the objectives of the organization: the education of members, participation in civic programs, and the creation of an atmosphere of friendship and camaraderie among members.  In addition to boating course graduates, membership is offered to retired or active US Navy, US Coast Guard, USCG "Six Pack" or "100 ton" certificate holders, and Merchant Marine licensed officers.

The public boating course refers to the course offered by USPS®, CPS (Canadian Power and Sail Squadrons), or the Coast Guard Auxiliary. If you have taken the home study or video version of the USPS course but have not taken the examination, arrangements can be made with Marin Squadron to take the examination. 

Active members must be at least 18 years of age; there are no age considerations for family members. 
 

For Membership Information

For more membership information, please click "Contact Us" and call or e-mail the Squadron Membership Chairperson. 

Major Benefits

As a member of the finest boating organization in the world, you are entitled to major benefits including:

Educational

• 11 diverse and challenging courses, as well as a variety of supplemental programs on exciting boating topics.
• Boating videotape libraries maintained by your squadron.

Financial

• A program that offers members the best and most competitive boating insurance.
• A USPS Visa® credit card that offers competitive rates, no annual fee and a cash-back incentive for your squadron.
• A program offering a discount membership that saves you money on boating equipment purchases.
• A 501(c)(3) federal tax exempt status that allows you to deduct many USPS expenses on your income taxes.

Informational

• 12 Issues of The Ensign magazine that contain boating information.
• 12 Issues of the Marin Log newsletter that contain squadron activities.
• 3 Issues of Light 25 newsletter that contain local district activities.
• The Port Captains Program that offers a directory of USPS members who are available to assist you in unfamiliar waters.

Boating Activities

• Participate in cruises to interesting Pacific Ocean, San Francisco Bay, and Sacramento Delta ports.
• Enjoy dinner meetings with speakers from government boating agencies and private yachting interests.

Other Fun Activities

While we work hard, we also have a lot of fun together sharing a variety of interests. Boating education and cruises are our primary activities, but other social events are always enjoyed by Marin Squadron members. The annual Crab Feed, Shrimp Peel-O-Rama, and Commander's Dinner are very popular social activities. In addition, we have some very special events which are great fun. A pig roast at "Thorsson's Ranch" brought smiles to all who attended, and our annual Christmas Party is a memorable event.

Pig Roast


Annual Christmas Party

Each year the new officers who will serve on the Bridge to guide our squadron are installed at a combined ceremony and dinner party called the "Change of Watch". As you can see from the many smiles on those who attended, this is a very enjoyable annual event. Please be patient... this large slideshow may take a minute or two to load. You may use the buttons on the controller at the bottom to pause or resume playing the slideshow.

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