United States Power Squadrons®

The United States Power Squadrons is one of two volunteer boating safety organizations in the U.S., the other being the Coast Guard Auxiliary.  The organization got its name in 1911 when a small group of  “power” boaters, whose craft had the new gasoline-fueled internal combustion engines, formed a separate division of the Boston Yacht Club, most of whose participants were diehard sailors.  Similar groups sprang up along the East Coast, prompted by original member Charles Chapman, whose “Chapman Piloting,” the boater’s bible, is now in its 64th edition.  In 1914 they met in New York and officially formed and named the new organization.

The Power Squadrons, whose motto is “Safe Boating through Education,” has boating safety and self-education as two of its principal objectives.  The help of the USPS in training sailors for the U.S. Navy was gratefully accepted by Franklin D. Roosevelt in both World Wars I and II.  More than 70,000 members are currently active.

The Door County Sail and Power Squadron, which celebrated its 50th anniversary in 2004, welcomes all boaters to its ranks.  Members from Door and Kewaunee counties conduct boating safety classes for the public each spring and fall, and offer free courtesy Vessel Safety Checks throughout the two counties upon request. A variety of courses ranging from Weather to Piloting and Navigation is offered to active members.

The group’s flag, or ensign, is flown daily at the Door County Maritime Museum.  For additional information on the Door County Sail and Power Squadron call Tom Cashin at 920 868 3631.