Behind the buoy

Boat/US Magazine, May, 2002

It's been said that time is the most valuable thing you can spend. And as the world becomes more complex and fast-paced, this valued commodity becomes increasingly precious to all of us.

But there's a big difference between "spending" your time and investing it, and every year untold numbers of Americans invest their time in myriad volunteer programs that pay big dividends -- the world of recreational boating included.

BoatU.S. members contribute countless hours of their time to volunteer activities as diverse as sounding their home waters to help NOAA improve nautical charts to tagging fish so that scientists can learn more about their migratory habits.

We are always amazed at the creativity and drive of the human spirit that is at work among boaters. That is why BoatU.S. works continually to improve the climate in which volunteers and volunteer organizations can flourish and grow.

For example, for over 35 years this organization has worked closely with the men and women of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary and the United States Power Squadrons to develop innovative national programs that help them accomplish their mission to promote boating safety through education.

Nearly 20 years ago, we put the BoatU.S. information and data processing infrastructure to work and created a novel Boating Safety CourseLine in which the thousands of courses taught by volunteers were put into a national computer database -- for the first time -- and made available to the public via a toll-free 800 telephone number.

The BoatU.S. Foundation for Boating Safety and Clean Water maintains this database of boating courses nationwide. With a simple phone call, new boaters or those who just need a refresher class can find a boating safety course close to home. Of course, while all this information is now available on the Web, it's the volunteers behind it that make the system work.

There is no way anyone could pay for the hours that these volunteers contribute, but at BoatU.S. we strive to honor it. Because the U.S. Power Squadrons is a leader in promoting safe boating, this year we will launch an annual award to recognize excellence among local squadrons. This award is just one feature of a new agreement between BoatU.S. and the Power Squadrons, a partnership that offers not only recognition, but also valuable benefits to all USPS members as well.

USPS has some 60,000 members organized into 450 Squadrons that offer boating safety courses to the public as well as advanced instruction to their members in seamanship, navigation, weather and more. Squadrons also conduct on-the-water activities for members such as regattas, navigation contests and fishing derbies, plus social events on shore.

Under this agreement, the Power Squadrons have become a national BoatU.S. Cooperating Group. This means that local Squadrons are no longer required to sign individual agreements to receive Cooperating Group benefits.

All Power Squadrons members can now join BoatU.S. for $9.50 per year, half the standard membership dues rate. The agreement also extends to USPS members other valuable BoatU.S. benefits in appreciation of their volunteer service to boating. If you are already a Power Squadrons member, consult your Squadron commander for details. (If you are not already a member, learn more about this outstanding organization at: www.usps.org.)

As part of our new partnership, BoatU.S. will welcome the Immediate Past Chief Commander of USPS to serve on the BoatU.S. National Advisory Council. The Council is made up of 16 eminent leaders in boating, all of whom dedicate their time and effort to the many public policy issues affecting recreational boating today.

Maybe you are already a volunteer instructor, or perhaps you're a Sea Scout leader molding tomorrow's boaters. Then again, you might be part of a local effort to get the handicapped out on the water.

If so, we salute you. But if you've yet to experience the satisfaction of giving something back to your favorite avocation, why not invest some of your time in making boating better? It will be time "well-spent" and in very good company.