26-Sep-2007

Statistics confirm boating education saves lives

Dennis Montgomery pours used cooking oil in his boat's tank. 2006 © The Ithaca Journal. Reprinted with permission.

Member cooks up savings

As the U.S. seeks to reduce its dependence on foreign oil, an Ithaca Power Squadron member ... . More

The most recent USCG Boating Statistics (2005) support what USPS members already know: Boating education saves lives. As some states adopted mandatory boater education, we saw a decline in recreational boating accidents and fatalities. Download the 48-page report. –Don Baker

Report highlights

Between 1991 and 2005, recreational boater fatalities have dropped from 8.3 to 5.4 per 100,000 registered boats.
Only 65, or 13 percent, of the 491 people who drowned in 2005 were wearing life jackets.
People with no boating safety education have a higher fatality rate—9.9 per 100,000 vessels—than boaters with education, and USPS-educated boaters had a lower fatality rate than any other educational provider at 3.2 per 100,000 vessels.

Pack your bags for the 2007 Governing Board

Norfolk shortcuts

Book your room

Travel to Norfolk

Expo 2007

USPS University seminars

VIP seminars

Norfolk GB dress code

Arrival to Thursday, 6 Sept.: Any color USPS polo shirt or other appropriate casual attire

Friday, 7 Sept.: White USPS polo shirt with USPS blazer or other appropriate attire

Saturday, 8 Sept.: For day, wear Uniform G
Uniform G or other appropriate attire. For evening, wear pirate garb or other appropriate attire.

C/C Ernie Marshburn, SN, welcomes you to Norfolk.

Thanks Expo 2007 sponsors!

Download GB program

VIPs shine

Get acquainted with a few of the VIP luminaries scheduled to present in Norfolk, and you'll want to hear what they have to say. More

Be first in class

USPS University kicks off
in Norfolk, so don't miss
your chance to be among
the first students to attend
a USPS U seminar. More

Rooms going fast

The Marriott is full, but rooms are available at the Sheraton Norfolk Waterside, only a block away. Use group code USI05A when making your reservation.

One-second Survey

Previous survey results: Will rising fuel prices affect the amount of boating you do this summer?

Yes 66.0 %
No 28.6 %
No, I don't use fuel 5.4 %

Take the latest survey

Boaters reminded
to switch to 406

Recreational boat owners must switch to 406 MHz emergency position indicating radio beacons before 1 Feb. 2009, when the International Cospas-Sarsat Programme will stop monitoring distress signals from EPIRBs that operate on the 121.5 and 243 MHz frequencies.

To prepare users for the transition, the Federal Communications Commission has prohibited the use of 121.5 MHz EPIRBs as of 1 Jan. 2007.

Click here for more information from the Coast Guard about the switch.

Enter the Best of USPS photo contest

USPS Speaker's Bureau FAQ

E-mail us your winning shots in the following categories:

Then visit usps.smugmug.com to give a thumbs up to your favorite photos and read the contest rules. Please limit submissions to four photos per person.

Make USPS Speaker’s Bureau your first stop when searching for an interesting presentation to jazz up — and boost attendance at — squadron, district and national meetings. More

USPS to offer MMSIs

In late summer, a new USPS website will begin issuing Maritime Mobile Service Identities free to qualifying U.S. boaters. More

Barbecue season skewers marital bliss

Summer, the season of boating and barbecues, has finally arrived. For one Minnetonka Power Squadron couple, a typical grilling-out experience goes something like this:

Before the guests arrive, Nancy—who, incidentally, is not the designated cook—has already gone grocery shopping.

The night of the big event, she makes the salad, prepares the vegetables and meat, and gets out the dessert in a galley the size of a telephone booth.