America's Boating Club(TM) - Grand Lake is a non-profit boating organization located in Grove Oklahoma on beautiful Grand Lake O' The Cherokees and is a proud member of District 30 of the United States Power Squadron. Our membership includes all types of boaters and boating families (power, sail, and paddlers) novices and experienced boaters alike.
The USPS is not an official body, although the squadrons do work in cooperation with the Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary to promote common objectives. Boats commanded by members of the USPS may fly the USPS ensign, normally at the starboard yardarm or spreader.
Unlike the yacht ensign, the USPS ensign is not recognized even by custom as a substitute for the national ensign, although some people use it that way. The USPS ensign is a registered trademark of the U.S. Power Squadrons.Joe McMillan, 23 August 2000I have had an interesting exchange of information with the Assistant Chairman of the Flag and Etiquette Committee of the United States Power Squadrons regarding the use and history of the USPS Ensign. Below is part of that exchange.The ensign of USPS was designed to be (in essence) the 'reverse' of the United States yacht ensign which is the 'Betsy Ross' flag with the fouled anchor inside the circle of 13 stars. Both the colors and the direction of the stripes are reversed. The count of everything remains the same as also of course the position of the canton.It was designed by then Chief Commander Roger Upton (the first Chief Cdr).
It was patented (a so called design patent) in 1914. Design patents last for only 14 years. However it is copyrighted (a so called common law copyright) as of the day it was created. Copyrights are not 'granted'; they are the right of anyone, personal or corporate, to one's own intellectual property.USPS began in 1914. Before that date it was a loose confederation of power squadrons groups within individual yacht clubs. In that period, the individual squadrons flew a distinguishing pennant in conjunction with their yacht club's burgee. It wasn't an ensign, but was a distinguishing item.In U.S.
Waters it may be flown in lieu of the U.S. Ensign in the several appropriate places. These are the flag (stern) staff, the peak of the aftermost gaff on a gaff rigged sailing vessel, or at the leech of the aftermost sail (current policy allows attachment to the backstay as an acceptable alternate.) In international waters, it is normally flown at the starboard spreader or similar location.It is not to be used as substitute for the U.S. Ensign on land. For that matter, we prefer it not to be so used on the water.
We also do not like the double hoisting of the USPS ensign, or any other flag below the U.S. I recognize that it is done and by many otherwise responsible authorities; we just feel it is not proper.Nathan Bliss and L.G. Ward, 30 October 1997image located by Jason Saber, 5 January 2015image located by Jason Saber, 5 January 2015image located by Jason Saber, 5 January 2015All USPS squadron burgees can be found on the- select adistrict, then click on the 'Web Pages, Information & Burgee' link.Dov Gutterman, 8 October 2002image located by Peter Edwards, 21 July 2019'America’s Largest Nonprofit Boating Organization Begins Promotion Of ItsNew Brand.'
'Raleigh, N.C. – United States Power Squadrons® – America’sBoating Club®, the country’s largest nonprofit boating organization,announced today 14 December 2017 the launch of its new logo. This is thefirst of several planned updates in the organization’s new brand image andidentity. Changes to the organization’s website, social media platforms andcollateral are expected in the coming weeks.' “We are United States PowerSquadrons but we are also America’s Boating Club,” said Louie Ojeda, chiefcommander, United States Power Squadrons. “This is not just a name change, itdescribes what we do. We go boating and have fun doing it.
Over time oursquadrons have evolved to become social clubs as well as providers of highquality boating education – allowing members to enjoy the sport andcamaraderie of boating and any number of activities that keep us together.Togetherness is what this lifestyle is all about. We joined the organizationfor the boating education, but we stayed for the friends.”'Offeringclasses For Boaters, By BoatersSM in seamanship, navigation and relatedsubjects, United States Power Squadrons – America’s Boating Club serves as avirtual “yacht club” with boating and social activities for all types ofrecreational boaters. With over 27,000 members organized into 356 squadronsacross the country, America’s Boating Club is comprised of families whocontribute to their communities by promoting safe boating through education.' 'In February of 2017, the United States Power Squadrons announced itsAmerica’s Boating Club co-brand to its squadrons, following an almostyear-long re-naming exercise.'
Source: accessed 11 July 2019,Peter Edwards, 21 July 2019.
Updated17-Aug-2019Make a Difference – Come Join UsBeverly-Marblehead Sail & Power Squadron (BMSPS) provides opportunities to continue your, and participate in. BMSPS also provides an opportunity to Make a Difference.You can start by taking courses and seminars, and joining us at fun member events. Then you can help others by becoming active in our Education Team, either teaching a topic yourself or starting as an assistant. If your “taste” is more on the social side, there are opportunities to become active in our Meetings & Events Team.
As a Vessel Examiner, you can help educate boaters on what makes the safest boat!Interested in joining us? Visit our page.Benefits of MembershipAs a member of BMSPS, you are also a member of the United States Power Squadrons which provides additional benefits and opportunities. Click on any of the following to learn more. magazine is the official magazine of United States Power Squadrons. A great value as The Ensign magazine is free to members., an electronic newsletter is available to members and friends of USPS. Published every other month, the newsletter contains the latest news from USPS. Complimentary or discount on existing membership.
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