Membership in the United States Power Squadrons

In order to become a member, you may take one of our approved Boater Safety Courses, either in person or online, or you may obtain  safe-boating knowledge through an approved organization such as the US Coast Guard Auxiliary boating safety course, or attain your nautical knowledge through training in the Navy, or as a Coast Guard License Holder. For all the details and exceptions, please see the question and answer section, which is a link taking you directly to the National Website Question and Answers.

Once you are accepted as a member, you will be sworn in at one of our monthly meetings, and the fun will begin.

While safe boating education remains our primary focus, we have strong social and volunteer functions occurring all the time. As a member in Galveston Bay Power Squadron, you will have some of the following benefits:

• A huge and diverse membership with 245 Active and Additional Active Members, 11 Family Members, and 1 Junior Family Member.
• As the largest squadron membership in District 21, you have access to all of the various courses in both the elective areas and the advanced grades on a frequent basis, in the modern facilities on the beautiful grounds of Lakewood Yacht Club, Seabrook, TX..
• A very active member involvement committee, which insures the opportunity to participate as much as you wish.
• Cooperative Charting (both nautical and geodetic) Activities.
• A Vessel Safety Check program, where you may have your own vessel checked, as well as be trained and certified to check and award others.
• Frequent on-the-water boating activities, with owners and non-owners working together to make sure everyone has the opportunity to go out on the water. Activities range from simple one-day raft ups, to short cruises to facilities that can be reached by land or water, or even long-distance cruises to other area ports.
• Plans in progress for a youth program.
• Monthly meetings, which are always enjoyable social events ranging from potluck dinners, to a beautiful, formal dinner dance during the holiday season at one of the local yacht clubs.

Some of the benefits available to all members, regardless of squadron include:

• Some of the most well-written and presented nautical courses available.
• Discounts for members under most current insurance carriers, with some providing even deeper discounts for completion of the advanced courses.
• Opportunity for insurance through the USPS Boat Insurance Program, with outstanding rates.
• A Port Captains system, which provides lists of contacts throughout the United States, wherever you choose to cruise, affording the local knowledge, which in many cases can mean the difference between fun and outright disaster.
• A credit card program with a major bank, giving a special USPS logo card, with some level of discount on the rates.

I think as you read through all of the benefits available, you will feel as I do:  You would be a fool not to take advantage of all this. Hope to see you soon.