Youth Poster Contest 2010

Open to all children in three age groups: 6-8years, 9-11years & 12-14years old. Theme: Water Smarts: Boat Safe and Clean. All entries become the propery of USPS, which reserves the right to display or otherwise use the submission for future reporductions.

Posters will be judged first at the squadron level. The first-second-and third-place winners will be submited and judged at the district level against other district squadron winners.  First-place winners in each age category at the district will then be entered into judging at the National level against other district winners. Prizes: in each age group: $150 to first-place, $100 to second-place & $75 to third-place at the national level.

Contest rules: the entry must be on 15x20 or 14x22 inch poster paper; the entry may be vertical or hoizontal in orientation; participants may sketch the design lightly with pencil, but the end result must be a color poster; there is no limit to the type of media used (except professional illustrations, photos, copyrighted material or computer generated are may not be used); do not fold the poster; the poster will be judged for the idea presented more than artistic ability. The contest entry form (available from any bridge officer) must be completed in full, legiby printed and adhered to the back of the poster.

USPS Boating is Fun! Photo Contest

Email up to 4 high-resolution phots to uspsphotocontest@gmail.com depitcting what makes boating fun for you. Include your name, certificate number, and a brief caption with your submissions. Photos should be 'at leat' 3x5 inches at 300dpi. The larger the better. Photographs should not be digitally altered except for cropping, color/contrast adjustment, and dust removal.

The contest is open to all amateur/professional photographers who are USPS members. Photographers must hold rights to the photos submitted and must obtain permission before submitting photos of identifiable people.

Your entry constitues an agreement to allow your photos and name to be sued in any USPS publication or website. All photos used by USPS will carry a photographer's credit.

All photos must be received by 1 Nov 2010. Winners will be featured in the Winter 2011 issue of The Ensign.

National Safe Boating Campaign www.safeboatingcampaign.com

Watch for information on the 2011 campaign May 21-27, 2011

Cooperative Charting

Cooperative Charting Program of the United States Power Squadrons is conducted in close coordination with the Marine Chart Division, National Ocean Service, National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration of the U.S. Department of Commerce. The Program is a major public service of USPS. Under it, members supply information to the Marine Chart Division of NOS/NOAA leading to corrections to nautical charts, small craft charts, and Coast Pilot publications. They also supply data on depth surveys, range status, and formerly, geodetic marks and aeronautical charts. The Adopt-A-Chart subprogram provides for individual squadrons to assume responsibility to keep a chart or a portion of a chart in their local boating area up to date and get recognition on new editions for their work. We have been told that the Cooperative Charting Program is recognized as the most effective user-participation program in all of the Federal services.

Marine Observing Network (MAROB)

Having accurate weather information is important for the safety of your vessel and the comfort of the crew. .Through the MAROB program, USPS has partnered with the National Weather Service to improve NWS data and thereby improve their computer models and forecasts. Currently there are six test districts (3, 8, 9, 16, 22 & 26) involved in the initial program. Let’s all support this worthwhile initiative.

 America's Waterway Watch Program

America’s coasts, rivers, bridges, tunnels, ports, ships, military bases and waterside industries may be the next terrorist targets.  You can help by participating in America’s Waterway Watch.  To report suspicious activity call the National Response Center: 800-424-8802 or 877-24WATCH