The following links take you to different USPS web sites, including local, district, and national sites.

USPS Home Page: This is the home page of our National Headquarters, where you can find what is probably the most complete and in depth information available regarding the Power Squadrons.

District 21 Home Page: This is the home page of our District Headquarters, where you can find activities that are being planned for our district, as well as links to all squadrons within our district.

Houston Power Squadron: This is the home page for our sister squadron. Typically, members living on the North and West sides of Houston have gravitated towards this group, while people living south and east of Houston gravitate to our squadron. This gravitation is simply a matter of convenience, in attending events, classes, etc.

 

 

 

 

NAVAL VESSEL PROTECTION ZONES
Are you aware that there is now in place a security zone around all Naval Vessels? If you should survive a breach of this zone, are you aware of what the punishment could be? The following is a graphic extracted from a U.S. Coast Guard PowerPoint presentation I was able to get my hands on:

HOUSTON/GALVESTON SECURITY ZONES

Did you know that in order to protect many of our nation's more sensitive infrastructure facilities, that Security Zones have been set up in many parts of the country. Just because you don't know about them doesn't mean they aren't there. Should you happen to stray into one of these areas, you can expect an armed response, by local law enforcement, the U.S. Coast Guard, or the military. For your sake, we hope that your boat doesn't appear too threatening. A better solution would be to know what these areas are, and to avoid them like the plague.

Because this is the Galveston Bay web site, we are providing a link to a PDF file that will show you the areas in Houston and Galveston to avoid. Please take time to review them and even print them for use while navigating the area. Should you be from another area, we hope that you will take advantage of the other two links, and gleam as much information as you can in regards to your area.

If you do not have a PDF browser, you may Click here to go get a free download from Adobe of the Acrobat Reader.

HOUSTON/GALVESTON SECURITY ZONES PDF file

U.S. COAST GUARD website

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HOMELAND SECURITY website

One final note. If you notice suspicious behavior it should be reported to either U.S. Coast Guard Group Galveston at 409-766-5608, U.S.C.G. Vessel Traffic Service Houston -Galv at 713-671-5103, or Channel 13 VHF-FM, or U.S.C.G. Marine Safety Office Ho-Galv at 713-671-5133. There is also a National Response Center 24-hour telephone number at 1-800-424-8802

USCG Light List: Use this link to go obtain information from the Coast Guard's Official Light List

Local Notices To Mariners: The site will open to Gulf Coast Notices. Using the menu bar on the left of the screen will allow you to access the Notices to Mariners for any region.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The following links provide the average mariner with a wealth of information to help them make the appropriate decisions in planning and conducting boating operations:

NEW: SmartCaptain.com: Prepare your boat and crew. Checklists, and cruise planning information for daysailing, coastal, ICW, and offshore sailors.

Chart Corrections: Use this site to obtain corrections for your. If you don't think they are outdated, look at the date on the chart and then reconsider using this link.

NOAA Coast Pilot: Use this link to review the NOAA's Coast Pilot online.

NOAA Graphic Tide, Wind and Temp: Use this link to look at current observations vs. predictions.

NOAA Tide Predictions: Use this link to figure tides for your area.

NOAA Current Predictions: Use this link to figure currents for your area.

NOAA Weather Bouys: NOAA'a Interactive World Map of Weather Bouys