[Psml] RE: America's Boating Club - another perspective

[David Howe]

The recent discussions on psml regarding membership, education, and indeed 
the whole purpose of USPS, have been intriguing and informative.  We are 
somewhat divided in our views.  I apologize for offending anyone, but I 
believe passionately that advanced education and rebuilding our reputation 
for superb on-water skills are the best hope for growth.

The image of USPS as a boating club simply does not work.  We see that in 
declining membership and activity.

In 2004, according to 
http://www.nmma.org/facts/boatingstats/2004/files/populationstats2.asp, 
there were almost 18 million boats and about 69 million boaters in the US.  
Our membership is only a tiny fraction of that.  How can we attract more?  
Rephrase that -- why should anyone join USPS?  They need reasons.

I think the knee-jerk impression most outsiders have of USPS is that we are 
not experts in recreational boating.  That is our fault, and I blame the 
America's Boating Club mantra.  Rightly or wrongly, we are seen by too many 
people as happy amateurs more interested in cruisin' and boozin' and 
swapping awards than in promoting high standards.  We are more than that, 
and people should know.

But nowadays, if people want a NASBLA card most of them will go to BOAT/US 
on line.  It is free, convenient, easy, and immediate: 10 minutes on the 
home computer to take the test and print the card.  If they want detailed 
knowledge of practicalities (e.g., what size lines or anchor or rode do I 
need?), they will look in the BOAT/US catalog or maybe Chapman's.  If they 
want to learn how to use their new GPS or radar, they will read the 
manufacturer's manual.  If they want to rent a boat or join a time-share 
group, they will not be told to take a USPS course.  Most of them will never 
take a USPS course, and many USPS members will not complete our whole 
program -- and even if they do, they might not learn what they need to know, 
and they might not stay current.

In short, we have competition for the new blood.  We need to offer something 
different and better.  Uniforms and insignia and flags and socials are fine 
for those who like such things, but obviously they are not enough to 
maintain membership.   I do not fly the USPS ensign or squadron burgee on my 
boat, for several reasons: she is basically a workboat, although "pleasure" 
also appears on her document; her underway time involves underwater work, 
not USPS; and I usually fly ALFA and often fly a dive flag, but only carry 
two flag halyards and do not want much bunting aloft.  I want people see 
ALFA and the dive flag.  Not that ALFA and the dive flag are known or 
respected by all boaters: while flying them I have often been passed close 
aboard by pleasure boats -- some proudly flying the USPS ensign! -- throwing 
large wakes or even coming right alongside to ask "Hey, what does the big 
blue-and-white flag mean?" while I had divers in the water.  Happily, that 
genius was not flying USPS colors.

The bottom line seems to be that too many recreational boaters have no idea 
what they are doing, only a few want to learn, and only a few of those see 
USPS as a convenient source of good training.  If we want to attract 
students we need to offer and market the best, best-known, and perhaps most 
convenient educational program there is.  If we want to attract and retain 
members we need to make them proud to belong.  I would not be proud to be in 
a boat club.  USPS should not "dumb down" to the amateur level,  Avocational 
yes, amateur no.  It's a question not of pay, but skill and pride.  I think 
USPS needs to be and be known as the best and most skilled people on the 
water.  "Got a question? Want to know? Call the Power Squadrons."  That is 
not the same as being America's Boating Club.

To get back to the original issue under discussion, the question of waiving 
the entrance exam for membership is irrelevant because it does not address 
and would not affect the real problem of how we see ourselves and are seen 
by outsiders.