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a unit of United States Power Squadrons®

Sail and Power Boating

 

® United States Power Squadrons, USPS, the USPS Ensign, and the Trident Design are Registered Trademarks of United States Power Squadrons, Inc.

Trademark Statement     USPS Privacy Statement      Disclaimer

 

 

WHO ARE WE?

 

BRIDGE

COURSES

ACTIVITIES

PHOTOS

MEMBERS

THE PLOTTER

DISTRICT 21 VIDEO

COMMANDER’S NEWS ROOM

 

UNITED STATES POWER SQUADRON (USPS)

DISTRICT 21

TEXAS PARKS & WILDLIFE

UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILLARY

LOWER COLORADO RIVER AUTHORITY (LCRA)

 

®

 

BOATING IS FUN, WE WILL SHOW YOU HOW

Webmaster - Robert Carswell, P

mailto:rec3@austin.rr.com

GRAND HISTORY OF THE AUSTIN POWER SQUADRON

          

     We are part of the United States Power Squadrons ®, a non-profit, volunteer group of sailors and power boaters dedicated to safer and more enjoyable boating through education. The public is cordially invited to attend any one of several boat safety Classes that we offer annually, where you can increase your knowledge of basic boating skills, water safety, and right-of-way rules. This instruction and testing satisfies requirements for Texas Boater Education Certification, enabling you to apply for a reduction in your boat insurance.

    

     Successful completion of the boat safety exam also qualifies you for APS membership, offering you and your family a variety of social and community service activities. As a member, you may also continue your boating education through advanced classroom instruction in subjects such as Seamanship, Sail, Piloting, Advanced Piloting, Weather, Engine Maintenance, Cruise Planning, Marine Electronics, and Navigation. So please Join Us!

 

     The Austin Power Squadron was chartered by 28 avid boaters on September 11, 1961, and has grown to exceed 100 members. It is one of 15 squadrons in District 21, spreading across Texas & Louisiana, and part of the United States Power Squadrons celebrating 90 years of continued worldwide growth. Simply put, we are a non-profit fraternal group of civic volunteers dedicated to improving the safety of recreational boating through education, and having fun along the way.

 

     Our pennant, designed by Past Commander E.G. Field, is the Lone Star Flag of Texas with seven vertical blue and white stripes representing the seven Highland Lakes of Central Texas. For information regarding this web site, you may contact Cdr. Stephen R. Schmidt, AP via E-mail at sr_schmidt@juno.com or Webster P/C Robert Carswell  rec3@austin.rr.com.

 

BRIDGE 2009-2010

COMMANDER

Stephen R. Schmidt, AP

 

EXECUTIVE OFFICER

L/C Karl Fisher, AP

 

EDUCATION OFFICER

P/D/Lt/C Christine G. Geist, SN

 

ADMINISTRATIVE  OFFICER

Lt Max Werkenthin III, AP

 

SECRETARY

Lt/C Sherri Le Wicker, S

 

TREASURER

LT/C Robert K. Little, AP

 

EXECUTIVE COMMITEE

Lt James Harrison, AP

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lt Patrick Tyler, S

P/D/C Charles V. Strong, SN

 

 

 

 

BOATING COURSES

 

     Our current Education Officer is P/DLt/C Christine Geist, SN. You can contact her by E-Mail at cgeist@austin.rr.com  . The below listed schedules are our public-invited Boating Safety Courses, generally consisting of one day of class instruction, demonstration, and testing. Advanced and Elective courses are offered only to members of the Austin Power Squadron. For our public offering, we can also arrange group instruction for corporate, club and neighborhood associations (certain requirements apply).  Membership to this organization is open and available; click on WHO ARE WE? for additional information.

 

2009 PUBLIC BOATING SAFETY COURSES

         OFFERED BY AUSTIN POWER SQUADRON CALL 343-BOAT TO REGISTER

 

COURSE:   AMERICA’S BOATING COURSE 

 

     This 8 hour course is for all boaters — personal watercraft operators, hunters, fishermen, cruiser skippers, sailing enthusiasts — Material covered includes nautical rules, regulations and courtesies of the sea that all boaters must follow, as well as the Texas water safety laws .  NASBLA and TPWD approved. Austin Power Squadron generally offers instruction for the Boat Smart Course several times a year, April thru August. The currently scheduled Austin classes are as follows:

 

16 May, Saturday 9 AM - 5:00 PM at Lakeway Activity Center, 105 Cross Creek, Lakeway MAP

 

COURSE:   BOATING COURSE

 

     This 6 sessions course is for the more committed boaters, new or experienced, offering useful information to the serious lake boater as well as those who keep their boats on the coast. This course edition includes introduction to reading charts and plotting a cruise using digital charts, Maptech Chart Navigator software, and sample charts for practice. Necessary plotting tools are also included in the nominal course fee. Click on this link to view Course Syllabus. NASBLA and TPWD approved. TBA

 

 

For registration and information regarding date/time and most convenient location, phone 512/343.2628

 

 

ACTIVITIES

Vessel Safety Checks

      A Vessel Safety Check is a free courtesy examination of your boat (Vessel) to verify the presence and condition of certain Safety Equipment required by State and the Federal regulations. The Vessel Examiner is a trained specialist and is a member of the United States Power Squadrons or the US Coast Guard Auxiliary. They will also make certain recommendations and discuss certain safety issues that will make you a safer boater.

This is not boarding or a law enforcement issue. No citations will be given as a result of this encounter. We will supply you with a copy of our evaluation so that you may follow some of the suggestions given. Vessels that pass will be able to display our distinctive VSC decal. This does not exempt you from law enforcement boarding, but you can be prepared to make this a positive encounter.

What is included in a VSC?

For a virtual VSC go to this URL: http://safetyseal.net/what_is_vsc.asp

Who does VSC’s in the Austin area?

The Austin Power Squadron has qualified volunteer Vessel Safety Check Examiners (VE’s) available to examine your boat and make sure it is safe for operation.  There are several Vessel Safety Checks scheduled on area lakes for 2007.  Exact times and locations will be announced prior to the events. 

How do I get a VSC?

You may bring your boat to one of the scheduled events, or an Austin Power Squadron VE can meet you at your Austin location to examine your boat. For a VE in your area, contact:

P/C rob Gentry, JN rgentry@supgrp.com  northwest (Cedar Park/Leander)

P/C Allan Hitchcock, JN alhitch@sbcglobal.net- west (Lakeway)

P/C Paul Mallett, AP paul_mallett@yahoo.com- west (Lakeway)

P/C Ron McCracken, AP rmccracken@us.ibm.com- north (Parmer Lane area)

Lt/C T. Wayne Pike, AP twaynepike@cox-internet.com- northeast (Pflugerville)

P/C Max Werkenthin, AP mwerkenthin1@austin.rr.comsouth (Lake Austin)

Cdr Ginny Strong, AP cvstrong1@sbcglobal.net- west Austin (Hudson Bend)

P/D/C Chrles Strong, AP cvstrong1@sbcglobal.net- west Austin (Hudson Bend)

P/Lt/C John W. Causey, JN mopicjohn@sbcglobal.net - west Austin (Pedernales)

Should you have questions or like know the next scheduled examination, please contact P/C Allan Hitchcock via e-mail: alhitch@sbcglobal.net.

For more information about the national program go to this

 URL: http://safetyseal.net/

U.S.C.G. AUX Form 204 lists the items with which a boat must be in compliance. A few of these items that frequently negate a successful VSC are torn/damaged PFDs, unsecured batteries and/or terminals that are not covered to prevent accidental arcing, and a lack proper sound producing devices (horns, bells), or adequate visual distress signals.

 

Raft ups

Picnics

Monthly Member/Guest Meetings

 

PHOTOS

 

APS WebCast Spring 2008

Flag Day Boat Parade 2008

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