Civic Service

The Pamlico Sail & Power Squadron is involved in a number of key Civic Service functions and projects supporting safe boating within the local Pamlico Sound recreational boating community.

Our Educational Programs include an introductory boating safety course and a series of 2 to 3 hour seminars for the general public. The seminars range from how to use charts, various electronics topics to onboard weather forecasting. The courses and seminars are offered to the boating public on a regular basis and there is no age limit for participants. USPS Squadrons have offered these courses for over half a century and have educated more than 3 million boaters to date.  As of May 1, 2010 North Carolina Boating Law  now states "that no person under 26 years old shall operate a vessel with a motor of 10 horsepower or greater on the public waters of this State unless the operator has met the requirements for boating safety education". 

Successful completion of the America's Boating Course offered by PSPS meets the NC State specific and National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA) requirements for certification. Also, completion of this course may also qualify the owner for a discount from most boating insurance companies.

Visit our Education Calendar for all course dates or contact our PSPS Education Officer, Tom Graham, at 252-946-7632 or email PSPS Education.  Ask about how you can obtain 6 months FREE USPS/PSPS Membership.

Certified Vessel Safety Check (VSC) is an excellent way to make sure your boat is ready for fun-filled, worry-free outings.  Ensure your boat has all the necessary safety equipment by getting a VSC before boating season.  Best of all, it’s FREE.  The program provides our recreational boating community with important guidance 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 Vessel Safety Check Program provides a trained, certified PSPS Examiner who will have the opportunity to discuss the purpose of marine safety equipment, clarify regulations if needed, emphasize safety procedures, and encourage additional boater education.   PSPS schedules a number of planned Vessel Safety Check events as well as participates in National Boating Week.

Visit our Calendar for specific dates or contact Fred Schroeder, PSPS Vessel Safety Check Chair, at 252-948-0682 or email PSPS Vessel Safety to set up an individual appointment.

National Safe Boating Week is sponsored by the National Safe Boating Council.   PSPS participates as a way to further emphasize the importance of safe boating and, in particular, wearing a life jacket. PSPS encourages you to practice safe and responsible boating throughout the boating season, always wear your life jacket, and be alert and aware while on the water.  By practicing these simple steps you can save your life as well as the lives of the people boating with you and those boating around us.

National Safe Boating week for 2012 is May 19 through May 25. Watch for our local promotion of this event, visit our waterfront tent, get a free Vessel Safety Check.

Cooperative Charting is a joint effort between USPS and NOAA (National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration). NOAA is responsible for production of up-to-date navigation charts used by recreational boaters as well as commercial shipping.   Keeping nautical charts up-to-date and accurate is a difficult job due to the constant changes caused by wind, tide and man. PSPS volunteers assist this effort by organizing specific boating events to gather and record corrections to water depth, bridge heights, buoy locations and man-made features, which are then reported to NOAA by the squadron. PSPS also participates in NOAA’s Adopt-a-Chart Program.   Our Chart is “11554”.  We invite you to contact Edie at 252-975-6479 or email Edie if you are interested in participating in this project.   It’s a great excuse to get out on the water! 

PSPS Port Captains is a group of PSPS Members who stands ready to provide advice and assistance to USPS members and transient boaters traveling into our boating area.  Their primary expertise lies in their knowledge of local waters and unmarked hazards to safe navigation of the Pamlico River and surrounding area.  The objective is to provide information, reliable advice and comradeship.  They can recommend mechanics, sail makers, and repair yards, as well as medical facilities.  Their aim is to make fellow transient boaters and fellow USPS members feel they are welcome.  Our Port Captains are Tom Miller (phone 252-975-6479), Don Dunlap (phone 252-974-7791) and Larry Colwell (phone 252-975-2550). 

Washington Marine Market was introduced by The Washington Harbor District Alliance in 2011.  It was a huge success, and PSPS volunteers were involved in the planning, as well as, organizing the exhibitors with parking and set-up.  We participated with a PSPS Booth filled with member-donated boating equipment and boating-related items for sale.  PSPS is already involved in the planning for the 2012 Marine Market to be held on Saturday, April 28th.  PSPS members can contribute by volunteering to help at the market, or by donating items for sale by PSPS.  Proceeds will be used to support public boating safety within Beaufort County.  If you can help, contact our Executive Officer, Edie Miller at 252-975-6479 or via email.

Washington Flotilla

In the past, PSPS was asked to support the annual Christmas Flotilla in Washington.  Members of the squadron gladly stepped up to the plate to provide both on water organization, land management services, and education regarding the navigation components of the parade.  PSPS has continued in this role since that time.  With the cancellation of the 2011 Christmas Flotilla, Washington will resume with a Patriotic Flotilla during the summer of 2012 and PSPS will be a part of the festivities.

The flotilla brings joy and pleasure to hundreds of children and their parents. If you would like to enter enter your boat in the 2012 Flotilla or would like to help in some other way please contact Edie Miller at 252-975-6479 or any PSPS member.

Our squadron has been instrumental in the United States Marine Corps Toys for Tots collection project for several years.  The community response was terrific each year.  We continue to support this worthy cause for deserving children in Beaufort County.

PSPS also joins volunteers across the nation as Salvation Army Bell Ringers during each holiday season.  The Red Kettle Campaign provides food, toys and clothing to over 6 million people during the holiday season and helps more that 34 million Americans recovering from all kinds of personal disasters nationwide.