Tammy Brown called me recently to introduce herself and ask if I knew about America’s Boating Club. I said it sounded vaguely familiar. She countered: “How about the United States Power Squadrons. That ring a bell?”
It certainly did. When Brown explained that they are one and the same, I felt a bit sheepish. How the heck did I not know that?
As it turns out, a number of us are still coming up to speed on the new name for the old Power Squadrons, the nonprofit organization that’s served recreational boat owners since 1914. Today, the group has 20,000 members throughout the U.S., organized into more than 340 chapters—or clubs—across the country, in fresh and saltwater. “We changed the name because we felt the old one was not descriptive of what we do, but there’s been some confusion. Not everyone is certain that America’s Boating Club is the same place where their grandfathers took safe boating classes,” said Brown, who is marketing director for the organization.
As Soundings celebrates its 60th anniversary this year, I find myself tuning into the stories of other companies and operations that have been up and running, surviving and thriving, for many decades. America’s Boating Club is one of them and its longevity, I imagine, is due in large part to the fact that its mission has real value: to make boating safer for people who love the sport. “We’re dedicated to making the water a safer place for the recreational boater and we’ve been doing so for over 100 years,” said Brown.
The group achieves its mission in a couple of ways. Education is foremost. “It’s 50 percent of what we do,” said Brown. Members have access to dozens of seminars on a variety of subjects tailored for all experience levels, many taught by volunteers. Classes can be taken online or in person—in a classroom and on boats. “The best way to learn boating skills is behind the wheel,” says Brown.
Vessel safety checks are another service the group provides to members, whose dues average $100 per year. America’s Boating Club conducts about 15,000 vessel safety checks annually, and they are free to members and non-members. “Our instructors assist new and experienced boaters who want to learn more about the equipment they should have on board and how it works.” I was surprised to learn that America’s Boating Club also provides a free MMSI number to members. This nine-digit code is used by digital selective calling (DSC) and automatic identification systems (AIS) to identify boats and ships and is a good piece of safety gear to have at hand.
There are social benefits for members, too. Volunteers and instructors at local chapters make efforts to organize raft-ups, rendezvous events, beach barbecues and other gatherings that allow boat owners to get to know likeminded people and build a community of friends.
The club also has philanthropic goals. Beach cleanups and other environmental efforts are a big part of the work the group does in communities. “We also do outreach with nonprofits like The Boys & Girls Club,” said Brown. “We invite kids to go boating for a day and get a sense of what the experience is like. And often, students tell us that time spent on the water got them motivated to study hard so they can work toward a successful career and own a boat in the future.”
Any organization that can introduce more people to the joys of boating is an important one in my mind. Maybe you agree with that idea too. Or perhaps you’re familiar with another long-standing institution that continues to have an impact on our sport. If so, I hope you’ll share its story with Soundings. As we celebrate six decades in the marine industry, we want to highlight the efforts of those who make every day at the helm a good one.
Jeanne Craig, [email protected]
This article was originally published in the February 2024 issue.
