Our History

Over the years, the Oyster Bay Power Squadron (OBPS) has participated in many community events. Like back in 1976, Oyster Bay members volunteered their time, energy, and boats to ferry people out to the tall ships stately anchored in our harbors during the 1976 Operation Sail.
In recent years the OBPS has been invited, by town officials, to spearhead the cleanup efforts associated with Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup program; which is the world’s largest volunteer cleanup effort. Oyster Bay worked diligently with Town Officials

Neil O. Bergin, Commission of the Department of Environment; Councilmen Chris Coschignano and Joseph Pinto of Oyster Bay; as well as, other community organizations: Friends of the Bay, Sagamore Yacht Club, USCG Auxiliary, Atlantic Steamers, Boys and Girls Scouts of America, who all gathered together to clean up our beaches and waterways. Please take the time and view our Photo Gallery to learn more about what we found.

As far back as 1987, the OBPS offered its services to the metropolitan area by taking part in the ‘Around Manhattan Island Swim Marathon.’ Still today, Oyster Bay members volunteer to keep swimmers safe as they guard the waters for the ‘Swim Across the Sound’ event which raises thousands of dollars for cancer care.

Since its inception, the OBPS has been honored with many awards and trophies. Among the honors to date are the Haedrich Memorial Trophy awarded in 1972, 1978, 1979, 1980, 1988 and 2003. This award is given to a squadron who had shown the greatest rate of member retention and member increase, as well as advancement of member’s academic rating. In 1979 and in 1982, the squadron received the Prince Henry Trophy, for the achievements of our members in attaining advanced grades. In 2001, 2006, and 2007 OBPS proudly accepted District 3’s award for Cooperative Charting in the Oyster Bay Area. The squadron also received the Jerrad Memorial Trophy (for the outstanding teaching) in 1973.

We are proud of all our awards, but the squadron gains its greatest fulfillment by bringing safe boating information to our members and the community as a whole. Over the past 38 years, the OBPS has taught over 3,000 individuals about the importance of safe boating in our community. As pleasure boating and PWC’s gain in popularity, it brings with it increased harbor congestion and the potential of danger on the water. Teaching America’s Boating Course, advanced grades and seminars, helps the squadron bring the needed education to experienced and new boaters, alike. Awarded the Anthony Scimeca, Educator of the Year Award in 2007 and again in 2009, Oyster Bay members proudly dedicate themselves to teaching safe boating to all.

As you can see, our squadron continues to play a major role in community service activities in the Oyster Bay area. From helping others in their efforts to raise money for cancer care, to cleaning up our shore line, the Oyster Bay Power Squadron is ready to help others. But teaching all who want to learn, the members of the Oyster Bay Power Squadron welcome you to sign up for a class today. We’re here because you want us to share our knowledge about safe boating.

OBPS strongly pledges, in alliance with the national organization United States Power Squadrons®,
(USPS®), that "Boating is fun...we'll show you how." In its over thirty-eight years of existence, the
OBPS has trained over 3000 local men, women and children in safe boating procedures through its public Boating Courses. Consequently, members of the squadron continue their own boating education by taking advanced grades and elective courses given by the Education Department.
The Squadron now boasts that 60% of our membership seek and advance grades:
11% if memership hold a grade of S (Seamanship)
20% have taken Piloting; while 18% of our members have taken Advanced Piloting
12% are Junior Navigation and 1% have taken and completed Navigation and
6% of our members have been awarded full certificates (after having successfully completed every course offered by USPS®)

Although the youngest of the 19 squadrons of District 3, OBPS has won many prizes and trophies for the achievements of its members and community service projects, thereby making the OBPS a leader in the United States Power Squadrons® throughout
district and the community.