Commander Bowen has requested all members read the following article forwarded from National.
Friend or Foe? Tough to Tell

The D16 Fall Council/Conference Meeting will be held in Bellingham on October 10-11, 2008. Click here for a copy of the registration form if you would like to attend.

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Because You Asked . . .

Certain questions always arise and need answering, such as, what is the United States Power Squadrons (USPS), and how does the Friday Harbor Power Squadron (FHPS) fit in?  Simply put, USPS is a national organization devoted to boating safety and education.  Within the USPS, there are 34 regional districts.  FHPS is one of 17 squadrons in District 16, which covers the state of Washington.

FHPS qualified instructor volunteers teach approximately six different boating classes a year to over a hundred students.  The basic course, America’s Boating Course, satisfies the Washington State Mandatory Boating Safety Education Law and is available to everyone.  Some courses, available only to members, determine educational rank, such as Seamanship, Piloting, Advanced Piloting, Junior Navigator, and Senior Navigator.  The achievement letters, “S”, “P”, “AP”, “JN”, and “SN” are listed behind members’ names.  Because it is an accomplishment to pass these courses, we want others to know our level of proficiency.  Six elective courses are offered to squadron members only.  They cover separate and independent topics and therefore may be taken in any order according to a member’s interest and time.  These courses include Engine Maintenance, Marine Electronics, Cruise Planning, Weather, Sail, and Instructor Development.  By completing the courses and applying what we have learned, we become better and safer boaters.

In addition to boating courses, FHPS members meet monthly, except during the summer months.  At these monthly potluck meetings, we conduct a brief business meeting followed by a boating related program speaker, such as an interesting cruising adventure, a Pearl Harbor survivor, a marine repair professional, or a US Customs official advising on rule changes to prepare us for the cruising season.  Our goal is to make these well attended meetings fun and informative.

Another FHPS event is our Annual “Pig War” with our Canadian sister squadron, Brentwood Bay Power Squadron.  The Canadians also have a national organization, the Canadian Power Squadrons (CPS) which consists of districts and squadrons.  For over 20 years, FHPS and BBPS have “fought” this vicious war over a game of bocce ball and Frisbee golf.  The only real loser is the pig.  We gain through wonderful relationships with our international partners who share our commitment to boating education and safety.  Incidentally, the victory scorecard is pretty even.

Our annual Flare Shoot kicks off National Boating Safety Week.  It provides the public with a chance to practice lighting and shooting off flares with the hope that we never have to do it for real.  If so, we have offered the opportunity to become educated in the safe use of these devices.

FHPS is a casual, congenial group of interested boaters who enjoy sharing boating experiences in the company of fellow boaters (but you do not have to own a boat to be a member). Squadron members do not wear uniforms, however once a year, Bridge officers wear uniforms (black jacket and trousers, white shirt, black tie, and blazer insignia pocket slide) at our annual Change of Watch where new officers are installed.