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TRSPS Community Service - Public Service Through Education |
Cooperative Charting: A major
civic service of USPSâ and its members is Cooperative Charting.
Cooperative Charting is the collection of correction data for nautical and
aeronautical charts, reports on marine facilities, and condition and status of
geodetic survey markers (bench marks). This data is reported to the National
Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) and to the National Ocean Service
(NOS), both of the Department of Commerce. USPS contributes the largest number
of chart correction reports, although NOAA and NOS also obtain data from the
U.S. Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, and Civil Air Patrol
among others.
Members who do not have a boat can
participate in the program by reporting on the geodetic survey markers
positioned in locations all over the area. The marks are used in surveying and
in map making. Members can also participate by turning in facility reports on
marinas. Small craft charts contain data about marina facilities. This data
changes frequently and needs regular updating. There is competition among
Squadron and Districts based on the number of reports and reporters from each
Squadron and District. Recognition of achievement for Cooperative Charting is
given at District and National meeting.
Summer Festival: Summer Festival is an annual waterfront event held and sponsored by
the Washington, NC city government during the last week of July. Approximate
250 vendors including boating interests (private and for profit), city
services, private companies, and churches participate by setting up booths with
free information and items for sale. The Tar River, Cape Lookout, and Kinston
squadrons participate in co-hosting a booth at this event to advertise the
public boating courses offered in each respective area, distribute literature
about USPS, and answer questions about boating and boating safety.
Members from all three squadrons
combine their talents to make this a fun and exciting event for all. Suitable
for members including their families, the Summer Festival is a time for fun and
frolic on the Washington waterfront. Come join us.
National Safe Boating Week: National Safe Boating Week is scheduled in mid-May of each year.
The National Safe Boating Council sponsors this event. The Tar River Sail and
Power Squadron will be participating in National Safe Boating Week through the
distribution of safe boating materials promoting safe boating to general public
at a safe boating booth and area marinas during safe boating week. Members are
encouraged to assist in the dissemination of this material during the safe
boating week campaign.
Kids Health Fair: The Tar River Sail and Power Squadron participates in the Annual
Kids Health Fair by providing a safe boating booth for children. Information is
distributed to children and their parents promoting boating safety and the
importance of wearing life jackets. Data has shown that children are very prone
to boating accidents and especially involving drowning. This booth provides the
opportunity to distribute literature and special children oriented give-away
items promoting boating safety. Approximately 400 Pitt and surrounding county
children participate in the Kids Health Fair each year.
Vehicle
Safety Check: In January of 2000, the USPS signed a memorandum of agreement with
the USCG AUX to participate in a Vessel Safety Check program (VSCP). Due to a decline in qualified USCG Aux
personnel, USPS agreed to become an active partner in this vital program. The VSCP
program is growing in importance as more people become recreational boat owners.
VSCP is a proactive program that insures key marine safety equipment is present
on a boat, is compliant with Federal and State requirements, and is within
prescribed functional limits. The
program provides the examiner an opportunity to discuss the purpose of marine
safety equipment, to clarify regulations, to emphasize safety procedures, and
encourages additional boater education through various organizations
represented. TRSPS member, P/C Ben Reed, AP, has become certified as a VSC
examiner, and performs these vital exams several times a year in conjunction
with other TRSPS events, such as the National Safe Boating Week gathering at
Washington, NC waterfront, the Summer
Festival at the same venue, and various Squadron activities such as the annual
Bath NC waterfront rendezvous. Squadron
members are encouraged to become licensed examiners to assist in carrying on
the VSP activities throughout the year for recreational boaters as well as within
the Squadron.
"USPSâ" and "United States Power Squadronsâ" are registered
Trademarks of United States Power
Squadrons