Frequently Asked Questions

Can sailors become members?
Yes! Especially in Knoxville with the presence of the Concord Yacht Club, Fort Loudoun Marina, Blue Springs Marina and others, there are numerous sailors who have joined the Oak Ridge Power Squadron. Nationally, more than 40% of our members are sailors. The term "Power Squadron" in our name dates to our founding in 1914 by the power boat division of the Boston Yacht Club. Following the first World War, our ranks broadened to include all types of boats, and sailors have been a major part of Power Squadrons ever since.

How does one become a member of USPSŪ?
Active membership in USPSŪ is open to those 18 years and over who have passed the USPSŪ Boating Course or Boat Smart examination (or equivalent). Check our online membership information or call the national organization toll free 1-888-FOR-USPS (1-888-367-8777) or contact our membership chairperson.

What are some benefits of membership?
The primary benefits of membership are 1)socializing and learning from experienced and conscientious boaters; 2) Through USPS you have the opportunity to purchase boat insurance, which is offered at very competetive rates; 3) Members have access to a number of advanced courses related to boating, from piloting to celestial navigation, weather to engine maintenance. More information on courses.

How do you enroll in a USPSŪ boating course?
The Oak Ridge squadron teaches at least one or two such courses every year. The courses usually begin in March or April and September or October. Sometimes we offer courses during the summer. Courses usually begin at 7PM once a week, but the starting time and day may be adjusted by mutual agreement of all participating. The courses are often publicized with a sign outside the building, in local newspapers, on posters, at marinas, and at various other locations. The easiest way to determine when the next course will be offered in your area is check our online calendar or call toll-free 1-888-FOR-USPS (1-888-367-8777).

Are courses available by other means?
Yes, some are. There are two courses available for home study. The on-line America's Boating Course, a joint effort between USPSŪ and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, includes an interactive computer CD-ROM that serves as a "virtual" instructor with audio and video clips. Most states recognize ABC as meeting their education requirements. If you prefer video learning, you can obtain the USPS Video Boating Course by calling 1-888-FOR-USPS.

What social activities do members enjoy?
Participating both on-the-water and off with fellow members who are skilled in boating is a rewarding and enjoyable experience. On-the-water activities include cruises, rendezvous, sailing, possibly even fishing derbies. Activities ashore include meetings with marine programs, parties, dinners, picnics and field trips. Members or guest speakers have recently given interesting presentations such as an overview of a round-the-world sailing trip or a trip to Antarctica.

Oak Ridge Power Squadron History and Information
The Oak Ridge Power Squadron is a unit of District 17 within the United States Power Squadron national organization. The Oak Ridge Squadron was incorporated in 1947 and we were the first inland Power Squadron. We are one of a very few Power Squadrons in the country that has our own building. Neighboring Knoxville, TN has a Squadron as well.

To show who we are, we designed our own burgee, a triangular identification flag, usually flown from the forestaff or from the spreader below the USPSŪ ensign. The gold trim signifies 50 years of service. The atomic symbol represents Oak Ridge and its origins.

Like all USPSŪ Squadrons, education is a major activity. Each year we conduct several Basic Boating courses for the general public, and most of our members join the squadron from these courses. We are also active in providing advanced education for our members.

We have social activities at least monthly. Activities include meeting for dinner or lunch to enjoy the camaraderie of fellow boaters and have a nautical related speaker or program. We also have several boating-related activities in the summer, such as a sailing event at the Concord Yacht Club (in Knoxville), a cruise to Chattanooga, or a Fall Color cruise.

And finally, we take part in USCG and NOAA related projects, like Adopt a Chart and Co-operative Charting. This way we can help these organizations to update sailing charts in our area. We offer free vessel safety checks with our own Coast Guard approved inspectors.

Every member is kept up-to-date about Squadron activities by reading our monthly newsletter, The Agonic Line. Members are encouraged to send stories about their boat trips, safety information, and experiences with boats and gear, including blunders and mistakes we all make or have observed and from which we can all learn.

Our membership roster is published annually and is available to members in hard copy and eventually will be available on this web site. It also has listings of Bridge and Executive Committee members and Squadron Committee Chairpersons.

History of the US Power Squadron
At the turn of the century most yacht clubs were made up of sailing vessels and large steam yachts, often manned by professional crews. The gasoline powered boat was just coming in to its own and was looked down upon by the sailors and steam boat owners.

Roger Upton, a member of the Boston Yacht Club and the owner of 50-foot ketch, purchased a gasoline powered boat to serve as tender for his sailboat and to tow her when she was becalmed. The older yacht clubs taught and promoted the sport of sailing and as the motor yachts joined the fleet there were few activities for them.

In the summer of 1911, Mr. Upton suggested a club-within-a club to embrace a select group of "gasoliners" who would develop such forms of cruising and racing as the new type yachts demanded. A year later, he was elected Rear Commodore of the Boston Yacht Club, was placed in charge of the Powerboat Division of the club, and soon kept the 36 members busy with instructions, cruises and special "bang-and-go-back" races. He also inaugurated drills -- modeled after U.S. Naval maneuvers -- in the belief that private power boat owners could be of use to the Navy in time of war.

During the summer of 1912, 20 power boats were invited to join 40 windjammers on the annual Boston Yacht Club cruise. During the cruise, a screeching Nor'wester blew up, and many of the sail boats were dismasted or otherwise disabled. The power yachts under Mr.Upton's command went to the rescue and towed the disabled sailing crafts to port. No losses were reported. Motorboat Magazine dramatized the rescue with a six-page story. At the annual meeting in January 1913, the name was upgraded to Power Squadron with its officers and rules printed in the 1913 Boston Yacht Club Yearbook. The value of the Power Squadron was now established and meetings were held to form a national organization. On Feb. 4, 1914, 30 delegates representing 70 clubs and associations having power boats assembled at the New York Yacht Club and during the evening the final work of organizing the United States Power Squadrons was accomplished.

Desiring some unique identification, this new group designed the ensign including the fouled anchor encircled by 13 stars on a red field with 13 vertical blue and white stripes. To protect the USPSŪ ensign Roger Upton applied for and received U.S. design patent #48,803, issued in April 1914. When that patent expired in 1928, trademark and copyright registrations were obtained and have been maintained ever since.

USPSŪ has grown over the years and has been honored by four US presidents for its many civic contributions. Today, USPSŪ comprises more than 60,000 men, women and youngsters in 450 squadrons. USPSŪ members are involved in all types of boating with a third of the membership operating sail boats. For details on USPSŪ membership call our toll free number: 1-888-367-8777 or see our membership information.

Our Building ...Yes, we have a building! This makes it much easier to hold social events and teach courses.
We are located at 707 Emory Valley Road, at the intersection with Fairbanks Road in Oak Ridge, TN. The building, like many in Oak Ridge, is a product of the atomic age when Oak Ridge was growing rapidly and deeply involved in the Manhattan Project. Other organizations such as the Boy Souts also use our building.

Water Bodies near Oak Ridge, and beyond
Oak Ridge lies on Melton Hill Reservoir on the Clinch River, which is a tributary to the Tennessee River. Melton Hill Reservoir has a lock, providing navigable access along the Clinch River from its confluence with the Tennessee River in Watts Bar Reservoir, past Oak Ridge, upstream to Clinton, Tennessee or beyond, to Norris, TN, depending on the size of your boat.

We are not landlocked in Oak Ridge. From the Tennessee River and its series of dams with locks, one ultimately has access to the Gulf of Mexico via the Tennessee-Tombigbee waterway or the Mississippi River. The shortest route is via the Ten-Tom Waterway, and is shown here.
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