The Potomac River Power Squadron, founded in 1915, is one of the oldest of the 450 regional squadrons that make up the world's largest boating organization. Located in Washington, DC, the squadron offers to the public, at nominal cost, Boating Courses. Members enjoy boating and water activities, fascinating speakers at monthly meetings and education courses covering topics from Seamanship and Piloting to Celestial Navigation with electives in other subjects such as Engine Maintenance, Marine Electronics, Weather, and Sail. As a civic service, we offer Vessel Safety Examinations at no cost to the public.

Vessel Safety Check

One service the United States Power Squadron takes pride and pleasure in doing across the country are Vessel Safety Checks. Vessel Safety Checks are completely FREE and are aimed to provide information and suggestions regarding items on board a boat that puts safety first for you , your passenger, the boat, and the environment. For more information Click Here!

Current Year Decal

Merit Marks

As an active member of The Power Squadron, one can be rewarded with what is known as a Merit Mark. A Merit Mark is a sign of appreciation from The Power Squadron for you hard work to making it a success. As a bonus, earning a total of 25 merit marks places you into the lifetime member category of The Power Squadron. Ways to earn merit marks include but not limited to conducting a number of vessel safety checks, teach Power Squadron courses, volunteering at several functions held but the Power Squadron.

Boating Safety Tips and Videos

The Navigation Rules are much like the rules of the road on the highway. They establish a consistent way to navigate safely and avoid collisions when two boats are crossing paths, are on course to meet head-on, or when one boat wishes to overtake another. The U.S. Aids to Navigation System is a system maintained by the U.S. Coast Guard, consisting of visual, audible, and electronic signals which are designed to assist the prudent mariner in the process of navigation. The aids to navigation system is not intended to identify every shoal or obstruction to navigation which exists in the navigable waters of the United States, but rather provides for reasonable marking of marine features as resources permit.

Knot Sure...

It's a scary fact, but there are Captains who don't know how to tie some of the most essential knots for boating. If they cannot quickly tie the most suitable knot for their boating or docking situation, they risk failing to attach to a piling, another boat, a cleat, lifesaver, or any other object relative to boating. Even if a captain does know how to tie a knot, their knowledge is often limited to just one knot. But there are several ways to tie a knot and there are certain knots that should be used for the best results for your situation. To the left, the video shows you six classic knots every captain should know and gives you the information on when you should use them.

Markers on the Water

As the US Coast Guard puts it, Navigation can provide a boater with information similar to that which drivers get from street signs, stop signals, road barriers, detours, and traffic lights. Take some time to review the image to the left, and keep a similar reference onboard your boat as a quick reference. Your understanding of the markers you see on the water will help ensure that you, your family, and your friends have fun and safe boating trips.

Officers


Commander: Cmd. Edwin Gasaway, S	Executive Officer: P/C. Howard Gasaway, P


Education Officer: Lt/C. Dominic Gasaway, P	Secretary: Lt/C. Janett Gasaway, S


Treasurer: Lt/C. Lorrainne Roberson	Administrative Officer: Lt/C. Steve Edwards


Assistant Secretary: 1st/Lt. Nancy Gorman, S	Assistant Treasurer: Lt/C. Dominic Gasaway, P