Membership in USPS brings with
it many intangible benefits. Some are quite obvious and others are not.
The USPS Port Captain's program is an example of one of the less obvious
benefits and is often overlooked. Here are some frequently asked questions
and answers that may dispel any mystery about the national Port Captain's
program. Some 500+ Port Captains are ready to serve. Shouldn't you be
one of them?
Question:
What is a Port Captain?
Answer:
A Port Captain is a member of the United States Power Squadrons®, who
stands ready, at all times of his or her choosing, to provide advice
and assistance to USPS® members, and if the Port Captain chooses, to
others making contact.
The Port Captain can recommend mechanics,
sail makers, and repair yards in the area as well as medical and dental
facilities in his or her locale. the Port Captain can also direct weary
sailors and boaters to local restaurants and motels.
The Port Captain is familiar with the
activities of local USPS squadrons, the U.S. Coast Guard and the Coast
Guard Auxiliary.
While Port Captains are under no obligation
to provide more than friendly advice, they are persons who enjoy meeting
people and serving their fellow members.
Still, their primary expertise lies in
their knowledge of local waters and unmarked hazards to safe navigation.
The objective is to provide information, reliable advice and comradeship.
Their aim is make fellow members feel they are welcome and have found
a friend.
It is inevitable that word of the program
will circulate through the boating public....Port Captains are to project
the image of being part of a fraternal organization devoted to boating
safety. Persons interested in USPS or the public Boating Course (SM)
will be referred to their nearest squadron commander or squadron educational
officer.
Knowledge, seamanship, service to others,
friendship and fraternity -- this has been the essence of the United
States Power Squadrons since 1913. P/C/C Pou Bailey, N
Refer to the Port
Captain's Guide (pdf format) for further information.
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Question:
Is there a limit to the number of Port Captains?
Answer:
No. The Port Captain's program is open to all willing to serve. Multiple
Port Captains for a given boating area is also encouraged in order to
provide access to multiple sources of to local knowledge.
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Question:
Should new Port Captains be appointed each year?
Answer:
USPS Port Captains serve for terms that are only limited by their capability
and the discretion of the squadrons from which they were appointed.
The practice of appointing new USPS Port Captains each year is discouraged.
Local Port Captains are a choice of each squadron and they will be included
as USPS Port Captains program only if a registration is submitted.
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Question:
Why does a new Port Captain appointment require Cdr or AO approval?
Answer: The squadron is the backbone
of the USPS. It is at that level that the recognition of the skills
and capabilities of a prospective Port Captain are best know. The approval
process for listing on the USPS Port Captain's Roster is a simple matter
of the Squadron Commander or Administrative Officer acknowledging the
capability of the person requesting the listing. The approval process
is done via email in response to the request for approval which is generated
automatically when an "add" request is submitted and an approver email
address is included.
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Question:
What is the difference between a Waterway and PC Area?
Answer:
The Port Captain's Roster is organized by state and boating areas. A
Waterway is a general description of the region where the Port Captain
has special knowledge. A Waterway is, for example, a large lake, harbor,
or extended river or coast line. The PC Area is the specific boating
area, such as south shore, inner harbor, river mile marks or distances
along the ICW. Individual inland lakes are also examples of PC Areas,
while the region within the state would be considered a Waterway description.
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Question:
How do I register or change my listing as a Port Captain?
Answer:
The preferred method is to use the online form. This form may be accessed
at: www.usps.org/national/PortC/pcform.html. It is linked to from both
the public and member only Port Captains websites. As an alternative,
the form can be printed, filled in by hand and mailed to the database
manager listed on the form.
The form provides three options for registration,
add, change, or delete. Please select the correct option before submittal.
If any at any time the Port Captain's personal information changes,
such as a change of address, please use the form to submit the change
to the roster.
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Question:
How do I know that my registration has been received?
Answer:The registration forms are sent
to the database manager who will check it for completeness. When the
information from the form has been entered into the database and the
online websites have been updated the database manager will send a return
email to acknowledge the fact that the changes have been made.
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Question:
Is the Port Captains Roster a USPS-CPS private or public document?
Answer:
The Port Captains Roster is considered a private document. It is not
available to anyone outside the memberships of USPS or CPS. This privacy
is protected by the certificate number and zip code login requirement
to gain access to the Roster.
Each Port Captain has responded to the
question of privacy. Those that wish the list to remain USPS-CPS private
will not be listed in any subsequent release to the general boating
public..
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Question:
Is the personal information shared outside USPS-CPS?
Answer: The Port Captains Roster is
an "opt-in" roster. Personal information will not be disclosed outside
USPS-CPS unless the individual Port Captain has given approval
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