Pamlico Sail & Power Squadron A District 27 Squadron based in Washington, NC

Come for the boating

Education…Stay for the Friends SM

Pamlico Sail & Power Squadron is always on the lookout for new members. We use every tool possible to promote our squadron and acquire new members. Most importantly, we work diligently at maintaining the members we have by mentoring, partnering with new members and inactive

members, offering a variety of education and skill building, social and civic opportunities for our members to be involved and feel that they are important to our community and our Squadron success. We also invite new and/or reinstated members to a New Member Mixer annually to encourage them to get to know our Bridge Officers, as well as, we get to know and recognize where they may enjoy specific areas of volunteering.

Shakedown Cruise to Belhaven River Dunes Cruise Planning an active and showing an exciting calendar for the entire year is important when encouraging members to participate. It also stimulates current members to bring their friends into the Squadron to enjoy participation and fellowship. Seminars, courses, annual civic events and numerous on the water short and long cruises are planned well in advance with spur of the moment activities, raft ups, etc. added in as the opportunities come up.

Overview

We have a vibrant Education Department, with many certified instructors. Our classes are always well attended. During the past year, we conducted the following courses and seminars: America’s Boating Course, Seamanship, Advanced Piloting, Cruising & Cruise Planning, Engine Maintenance,

Rules of the Road, Partner in Command, Using VHF & VHF/DSC Marine Radio, Weather & Forecasting, Sail Trim, Custom Celestial Navigation Seminar and a dedicated class for Water Quality.

America’s Boating Course Rules of the Road Seminar Weather & Forescasting Seminar & Tour NOAA

Weather & Forecasting Seminar & Tour of NOAA Custom Celestial Navigation Seminar

Education

Engine Maintenance Course Seamanship Course

Advanced Piloting Advanced Piloting

Cruise Planning America’s Boating Partner In Command

PSPS participates in the Marine Market every year as a major fundraiser, but also as a way to talk to boaters looking for bargains, about membership with a dual focus on getting their Free Vessel Safety Check. In addition to the waterfront VSC inspections, our Vessel Safety Chair also schedules VSC Days at surrounding Marinas in

Spring/Summer. This allows us to talk with local boaters about safety and skill building, stimulating interest in PSPS Membership.

Washington Waterfront Marine Market Washington Waterfront Marine Market VSC Event

National Safe Boating - VSC Portion of Event Salvation Army Bell Ringing Supporting LWSS Youths We have established a monthly column with the local newspaper and have published numerous articles on boating safety, boating equipment, boating maintenance, handling emergencies, just to name a few. This article allows us to promote our education classes and the value of squadron membership. Many of our members enjoy volunteering for activities that benefit our local community. Some are annual participation is the Salvation Army Bell Ringing and collecting for the United States Marine Corps Toys. PSPS supports the local youth Sailing School through Scholarships and this year sponsoring one or their sailboats. PSPS has also participated in the National Poster Program.

Civic

PSPS organized a partnership this year with the local North Carolina Estuarium to provide a two week Boating Safety Exhibit for the public inside the Estuarium. The Exhibit was manned with Squadron member volunteers. The last Saturday of the event, a public presentation of Mastering Rules of the Road was conducted. The Exhibit provided a means of reaching the public and an opportunity to recruit new members. This event was embraced by local newspapers, interviews with two TV stations and radio community announcements. A great deal of attention was given to the Exhibit and the reasons local boaters should be aware of the serious side of boating fun.

Safe Boat Exhibit at Estuarium

Park Boat Show Nat Safe Boat Week Event Music in the Streets

PSPS Members organized and enjoyed numerous cruises to multiple destinations, both near and far. This too encourages members to include friends to participate and become familiar with the squadron. Cruises to Washington, Dowry Creek,

Manteo, Belhaven, River Dunes, New Bern, Ocracoke and Oriental just this summer.

New Bern Cruise New Bern Cruise River Dunes

Ferry/car participants on the Ocracoke Cruise Boaters on the Ocracoke Cruise

Boating Activities

Manteo Cruise Manteo Cruise

Numerous Cruises to our local Washington Waterfront is always fun and provides a means for many non-boat owners to join the inevitable dock parties. Morning brunch cruises or afternoon Raft-ups that only take hours and enjoyed by membership.

Raft up view covered by the local newspaper Raft Up

Our regular membership meetings provide excellent dinners and a wide range of speakers to interest our members. In addition, our social events are many, with dock parties and restaurant dinners. Most importantly, we encourage our members to bring guests and they do! All of our activities have resulted in 15 new, 2 transfers and 7 reinstated members. Additionally we had 19 trial members in 2017.

General Membership Meeting General Membership Meeting

Dinner at Ichiban Bistro Dinner in Manteo Lunch at Spoon River

In conclusion, we take our education mission seriously reaching out to the local recreational boaters, we enjoy civic projects, organize numerous cruises annually and we enjoy each other….the strength of our membership.

Meetings &

Social Gatherings