Who Should Join
Anyone who shares our common love of boating, has passed one of USPS® public boating courses, either the Squadron Boating Course or Boat Smart® (or equivalent*), and who is interested in advancing the objectives of the organization: the education of members, participation in civic programs, and the creation of an atmosphere of friendship and camaraderie among members.
Active members must be at least 18 years of age; there are no age considerations for family members.
Member Benefits
To find out more about the numerous benefits of being a member:
The Ensign, the official magazine of USPS
USPS Member Benefits
USPS Port Captains Program
How to Join
Membership is by application. If you are interested in joining FWSPS, please contact Allen Weston at 850-863-1904 or Wilbur Hugli at 850-863-0874, or Contact Us, for an application and more information about our Squadron.
Boating Course Information
Please see Courses (Public Boating Course and Seminars) for our schedule of classes, information and locations. The USPS® America’s Boating Course is also available for home study, as an online/CD or as a video. If you want to obtain this course or additional information, you may call:
USPS National Headquarters
888-FOR-USPS or 919-821-0281
www.usps.org
If you have taken a home study (online or video) version of the USPS® course but have not taken the examination, please contact our Boating Course Chairman Lt John F. Johnston, AP, at 850-651-4545, or Contact Us, to make arrangements to take the examination.
Additional education opportunities are available through University of West Florida, Department of Continuing Education, Maritime Education, www.uwf.edu, in cooperation with USPS and Fort Walton Sail and Power Squadron.
* Equivalent Boating Courses
The following are acceptable alternatives to our Public Boating Courses:
State Courses:
Arizona
Connecticut – proctored exam.
Delaware – Boating Basics, (Proctored Exam Course Only)
Louisiana – Boat Louisiana (©2002)
Illinois
Massachusetts – Boating Basics Course (©2000)
New Hampshire – Boating Basics Course
New York – Safe Boating Course
North Carolina – Boater Education Course (2000), proctored exam.
Ohio – Proctored Exam Course Only
Pennsylvania – Proctored Exam Course Only
Texas – Boat Texas (©2002)
Virginia – Proctored Exam Course Only
Wisconsin
