Welcome Aboard!
Spokane Sail & Power Squadron (SSPS) is the Inland Northwest chapter of the United States Power Squadrons (USPS), the largest all-volunteer, not-for-profit, boating education organization in the U.S. The USPS mission is to promote recreational boating safety through education and civic service while providing fellowship for its members. Spokane Sail & Power Squadron offers many opportunities in this three-fold mission and invites you to explore our web site to see how membership in Spokane Sail & Power Squadron can help you Expand Your Boating Horizons.
| Civic Service | Self-Education | Fraternal Boating Club |
|---|---|---|
| America's Boating Course | Advanced Boating Education for Members | Fellowship |
| Vessel Safety Check | Canadian Boating Requirement | Membership |
| Spokane National Boat Show | Squadron Activities | |
| Advanced Boating Education & Training | Lubber Line Newsletter | |
| Youth Activities | boating is fun...we'll show you how |
Clubhouse |
 |
Across-the-Border | |
| History |
Civic Service
America's Boating Course
America's Boating Course is an introductory boating safety course designed for boaters of all types - Power, Sail, PWC, Anglers, Hunters, Paddlers. It is our mission to promote the enjoyment of boating, it is through boater safety education classes, that we can all safely enjoy the many lakes and rivers Spokane has for boating pleasure.America's Boating Course fully satisfies the basic boating education laws of all 50 States and all U.S. Territories, including specifically the Washington State Boater Education Law. Spokane Sail & Power Squadron offers America's Boating Course regularly throughout the year right in Spokane. Upon completion of this course, you are fully qualified to receive your Washington State Boater Education Card. Click on the link to the left to learn the requirements of the Washington State Boater Education Law. Your Washington State Boater Education Card is good for life. Click on the link here to learn all about America's Boating Course.
Vessel Safety Check
Spokane Sail & Power Squadron has a team of trained Vessel Examiners available to provide you with a FREE Vessel Safety Check of your boat. This Vessel Safety Check will give you the assurance that your boat has all the documentation and safety equipment required by Federal and State law. The current Vessel Safety Check decal is visual evidence to law enforcement officials and other boaters that your boat meets all basic safety requirements. Click on the link to the left to learn the Vessel Safety Check guidelines and to schedule a Vessel Safety Check for your boat.
Spokane National Boat Show
Spokane Sail & Power Squadron is an active participant in the annual Spokane National Boat Show sponsored by the Spokane Yacht Club. Spokane Sail & Power Squadron promotes boating safety and boating safety education at the Show through its exhibit booth and by offering America's Boating Course classes and seminars during the boat show at the Spokane County Fair & Expo Center. Click on the link to the left to learn more about the Spokane National Boat Show and Spokane Sail & Power Squadron's involvement in it.
Advanced Boating Education & Training
Spokane Sail & Power Squadron offers a wide range of Advanced Boating Education & Training courses and seminars open to the boating public. These programs are priced 20% to 40% below comparable courses offered by local Community Colleges. Click on the link to the left to learn more about these Advanced Boating Education & Training courses and seminars.
Youth Activities
Spokane Sail & Power Squadron actively promotes boating safety to the Youth of the region through seminars and demonstration/ participation programs. In recent years Spokane Sail & Power Squadron has provided such programs free to the Boy Scouts of America 100th Anniversary camporee in Spokane and the National Park Service's "Paddle Days" program at the Lake Roosevelt National Recreation Area near Kettle Falls, WA. Click on the link to the left to learn more about Spokane Sail & Power Squadron's Youth Activities.
Self-Education
Advanced Boating Education for Members
Spokane Sail & Power Squadron offers a wide range of Advanced Boating Education & Training courses and seminars. These range from basic seamanship to cruise planning, inland and coastal navigation, engine maintenance, marine electronics, sail, weather, open-oceanic navigation, and a full array of short seminars. Prices to USPS members are 70% to 75% below prices to non-members. Click on the link to the left for full details about subject content and prices of Spokane Sail & Power Squadron's Advanced Boating Education for Members.
Canadian Boating Requirements
In coordination with the Castlegar Squadron of the Western Canada Inland District of Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons, Spokane Sail & Power Squadron is able to offer training and full certification for local boaters who want or need their Canadian "Pleasure Craft Operator's Card" (PCOC) or the Canadian "Radio Operator's Certificate (Maritime)" (ROC(M)). These are required by Transport Canada for many U.S. boaters who spend any extended period of time boating in Canadian waters. Click on the link to the left for full details about PCOC and ROC(M) Canadian Boating Requirements.
Fraternal Boating Club
Fellowship
Spokane Sail & Power Squadron is an active boating club of approximately 60 members, drawn from every imaginable boating venue - Power, Sail, PWC, Anglers, Hunters, Paddlers. Most have or had boats on local lakes and rivers, to Puget Sound and the San Juan Islands, to more remote coastal regions. Spokane Sail & Power Squadron members participate actively year-round in a wide variety of civic activities, educational programs (both as instructors and students), monthly squadron dinner/program meetings, cruises and rendezvous, and squadron administration. Click on the link to the left for more information about the many Spokane Sail & Power Squadron activities and Fellowship.
Membership
Spokane Sail & Power Squadron draws its members from a broad region of the Pacific Northwest - from throughout Eastern and Central Washington and North Idaho to Western Montana to eastern British Columbia and Alberta in Canada. Click on the link to the left for more information on USPS and SSPS Membership, where our members come from, and how you may become a member of America's Boating Club.
Squadron Activities
Spokane Sail & Power Squadron offers its members many ways to get involved in a wide variety of civic activities, educational programs (both as instructors and students), monthly squadron dinner/program meetings, cruises and rendezvous, and squadron administration. Click on the link to the left for more information on the many Squadron Activities of Spokane Sail & Power Squadron.
Lubber Line Newsletter
Spokane Sail & Power Squadron's newsletter, The Lubber Line, is published monthly and sent via e-mail or postal mail to all squadron members, many prospective members, officers of USPS at the national and District 16 level, and selected partners and friends of the squadron. The Lubber Line staff are proud to display the USPS "Excellence in Journalism" award given annually to squadron newsletters around the country that meet certain high standards. Click on the link to the left to see copies of recent issues of The Lubber Line Newsletter.
Clubhouse
Spokane Sail & Power Squadron is one of a small percentage of squadrons throughout the United States Power Squadrons that has its own clubhouse. Virtually all squadron dinner/program meetings, parties, classes, and business meetings are held at the squadron clubhouse. The clubhouse is approximately 1,200 sq.ft. in area and features two classroom/meeting rooms, one of which seats up to 40 people, a well-equipped modern kitchen and pantry, a combination library/file room, and a restroom. It is also home to all squadron equipment, course materials, teaching aids, official records, boat show and display materials, and food and party supplies. The Spokane Sail & Power Squadron clubhouse is centrally located just north of downtown Spokane at 925 W. Jackson Ave., Spokane WA 99205 (at the SE corner of W. Jackson Ave. and N. Monroe St., ½ block south of and across the street from Fred's Appliance store on N. Monroe St.). Click on the link to the left to see pictures of Spokane Sail & Power Squadron's Clubhouse and a map to help you find it.
Across-The-Border
Spokane Sail & Power Squadron partners with its neighbors in Western Canada Inland District of Canadian Power & Sail Squadrons (CPS-ECP) in a variety of activities. In the Fall of 2009, Spokane Sail & Power Squadron organized and hosted in Penticton, British Columbia, the first ever joint district conference between USPS and CPS-ECP. Spokane Sail & Power Squadron has also participated in several joint cruise/rendezvous with members of CPS-ECP squadrons. Click on the link to the left for more information about the Across-the-Border fellowship between Spokane Sail & Power Squadron members and members of Canadian squadrons and districts
History
Spokane Sail & Power Squadron was chartered in 1970 as "Spokane Power Squadron." Click on the link to the left to see the heraldry of the squadron burgee, a listing of all Past Commanders, a copy of the current Spokane Sail & Power Squadron Bylaws, and some highlights from the squadron's History.