CO-OP Charting

In 1962, USPS® entered into a cooperative agreement with the chart makers of the federal government's Nation Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA).  Since then at no cost to the taxpayer, members have reported corrections and additions to nautical charts in the USPS® CO-OP Charting Program .  Tens of thousands of these reports have been incorporated in the NOAA "roadmaps of the waterways."  For further information contact our CO-OP Chairperson here.

Boating Classes

The USPS Boating Course is a traditional civic service of the United States Power Squadrons organization. Since 1914 local squadrons have presented the course to anyone who wished to attend - to date more than 4 million people.  Learning to boat safely is important and the increased knowledge will enhance your safety on the water and your enjoyment of the sport. 

There are now three courses, the Squadron Boating Course, Boat/SMART® with Jet/SMART™ and Chart/SMART®, designed to be useful to all boaters, from the fisherman in an outboard to the skipper of a large cruiser or sailboat. All boaters are subject to nautical rules and regulations. Skippers should learn and respect traditional boating courtesies. The courses are meant to be of interest to the entire family; older children are welcome. We encourage your family to attend as a group.

The Squadron Boating Course contains six chapters. The Boat/SMART® with Jet/SMART contains three chapters. There are homework questions at the end of each section to assist retention of the information presented. The Chart/SMART class continues where Boat/SMART class left off, equaling the materials covered in the Squadron Boating Course.

The Squadron Boating Course covers subjects in greater depth than the Boat/SMART® with Jet/SMART and cover additional topics such as an introduction to reading charts and plotting courses.

Safe Boating Week

USPS® cooperates with the U.S. Coast Guard, U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, American Red Cross, numerous national and statewide organizations in maintaining safety awareness during National Safe Boating Week and throughout the year.

Vessel Safety Check Program By the authority of the United States Coast Guard.

The United States Power Squadrons and the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary have become "Partners in Boating Safety" we are now qualified to give your vessel a FREE check for equipment compliance with federal and state safety requirements. Vessel Safety Check decals are awarded to vessels that meet the safety standards. For this free service call 707-55-BOATS (552-6287) or fill out a local area request form here.