|
|
|
Who we are
We are
an organization of Sail and Power Boaters located in the Wilmington, DE area.
Our members live in Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey,
and Pennsylvania. Most of us boat on the beautiful
Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. |
|
|
America's Boating Club -
Wilmington (also known as the Wilmington Sail and Power
Squadron) is a unit of the
United States Power Squadrons® (USPS®) and a member of
District 5 (D/5) covering the Mid-Atlantic states. USPS® is a
nonprofit, educational organization dedicated to making boating safer
and more enjoyable by teaching classes in seamanship, navigation and
related subjects.
Since 2020, USPS and it's local chapters have been publically presented
as
America’s Boating Club®
Click here for the United States Power
Squadrons® - America's Boating Channel on
YouTube.
Our members are boating
families who contribute to the community by promoting safe boating
through education. We enjoy participating with our fellow members on the
water and in the classroom.
More information on USPS®
member benefits and discounts can be found
here.
Here's a link on
how to
become a member.
|
|
Educational opportunities
 We offer the
Basic Boating Course to the public. In addition, members have the opportunity to take many boating education courses including
advanced educational courses such as Seamanship, Piloting, Advanced Piloting, Junior Navigation, and Navigation. Other boating education courses include
elective courses in Sail, Weather, Engine Maintenance, Marine Electronics, Cruise Planning, and Instructor Qualification. We also offer
home study courses such as Compass Adjusting, Navigational Astronomy, and many more.
Click this link to go to the
Boating Education page.
|
|
Social
Activities
We also offer many social events, including on-water
activities, picnics, and meetings. All are listed on the
calendar on the About Us
page.
Take a look at our
Photo Album
to see some of our activities.
Social meetings are held each month from September through
May (during the summer months, we're too busy boating!) and
typically feature a guest (boating related) speaker
in addition to a great meal. During the boating
season,
we host on-water
activities, including a well-attended annual
week's cruise and several on-water get
togethers.
|
|
Vessel Safety Checks |
 We also offer free courtesy Vessel Safety
Checks to verify the presence and operable
condition of certain safety equipment required by
state and federal regulations.
A Vessel Safety Check is
a 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.
Visit theVirtual
VSC page and do a self-evaluation of your
own boat, this is just between you and your boat.
You may then ask for a Vessel Examiner to contact
you for an actual VSC!
Boaters
can bring their trailerable boats to selected marine
centers or arrange for a future Vessel Safety Check
appointment with the Vessel Examiner at your boat
launch, marina or yacht club.
|
|
During an examination the Vessel Examiner will look
at:
-
Registration and
vessel numbers
- Navigation
lights
- Anchor &
line
|
|
- Life Jackets
- Fire
extinguishers
- Sound
producing device
|
|
|
- Flame
arrestors and ventilation (if required)
- No oil in
bilge
- General safe
boat condition
|
|
Want a free
Vessel Safety Check? Contact John Bailey at
mpnwhat@gmail.com
or click here and
you will be taken to the Coast Guard Auxiliary site to fill out a
contact form. The closest examiners from the USPS® and USCGA will
contact you. |
Civic Service
America's Boating Club-Wilmington also supports NOAA by maintaining and updating nautical charts with our
Cooperative Charting Program.
Join
Us
So. Are you ready to join up? Membership is by application.
Check out our "Join Us" page
for details. Hopefully, we'll see you at one of our
educational opportunities,
social activities and out on the water.
Ship's Store
Click the link above to visit the Ship's Store.
America's Boating Club-Wilmington members may
purchase caps, polo shirts, fleece vests / jackets,
etc. bearing ABC-Wilmington logo.
Our Current Bylaws
Click the
above link to view our
Bylaws.
Merit Marks
Click the
above link to view USPS® criteria for
awarding merit marks. |
