Please select your home edition
Edition
Maritimo M50

America's Boating Club® salutes volunteers

by Andrew Golden 21 Apr 2020 20:09 UTC

America's Boating Club® members are used to being on the front lines at this time of year, gearing up for National Safe Boating Week, looking for opportunities to increase boater competence and reduce boating fatalities through education and community service. Due to social distancing measures put in place across the country to mitigate the spread of COVID-19, volunteers are helping by staying at home because safety is our top priority - on and off the water.

The volunteer-run America's Boating Club, also known as United States Power Squadrons, has been keeping the Nation's waterways safe since 1914. The 106-year-old, 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization has a boating community of 337 local clubs and squadrons committed to boating education, boater safety and community service.

To help recreational boaters cope while sheltering in place, America's Boating Channel, the organization's boating video and boater education digital media channel, has launched a weekly online magazine show, America's Boating Channel LIVE. Created by America's Boating Club volunteers, new episodes premiere on Wednesdays at 4 p.m. EDT. Beginning on April 22, each episode will include a segment produced by two young married doctors who discuss staying safe during essential outings.

"We hope to help the recreational boating community better prepare for safer resumption of boating as well as provide worthwhile activities during self-isolation," said Marty Lafferty, America's Boating Channel Project Manager.

Episode six of America's Boating Channel LIVE, debuting on Wednesday, May 13, will focus on National Safe Boating Week, held May 16-22, an important week for the recreational boating safety community. The episode's segments will feature virtual online and social media events promoting life jacket wear, engine cut-off switch use, and other safe boating behaviors. Look for America's Boating Channel LIVE and other boating videos at americasboatingchannel.com and on YouTube.

Clubs and squadrons regularly support their local communities, especially those in need. When Long Island's Patchogue Bay Power Squadron had to cancel its Founder's Day dinner due to COVID-19, members agreed to donate $500, which would have been spent on the event, to the Long Island Community Hospital in Patchogue, N.Y., to support healthcare workers.

"As it turns out, the hospital is receiving matching donations! So, our gift will go even further," wrote Patchogue Squadron Commander Michael Sawaya on Facebook.

"With so many people unable to work or go to school, local food banks need donations now more than ever. Sarasota Power & Sail Squadron's executive committee recently approved a $500 donation to the Sarasota All Faiths Food Bank," said Sarasota Squadron Commander Barbara Wolfe.

Although America's Boating Club offers an online boater safety course and 10 interactive online seminars, until now, most local instruction has been in-person, which goes against, most current social distancing restrictions. To continue the organization's mission of keeping local waterways safe, local clubs have begun teaching online using virtual meeting technologies.

Similarly, being unable to meet face-to-face has been challenging for social volunteers. To fill the void and stay in touch, clubs and squadrons have embraced virtual meetings, in addition to regular phone calls and emails. Quite a few also host virtual happy hours to stay social at a distance.

"As a volunteer organization, we could not exist without our members, and we applaud their dedication and support, especially during this challenging time," said Mary Paige Abbott America's Boating Club Chief Commander. "We encourage everyone to stay safe and stay at home until we can get back on the water together."

To learn more about America's Boating Club, please visit www.americasboatingclub.org.

Related Articles

Daiwa's next generation Saltiga
New 8000 to 25000-size 25 SALTIGA® big game spinning reel advances power, control and smoothness Being born in the SALTIGA family comes with lofty expectations. You're expected to be intelligent as Musk and DaVinci; valedictorian of your class; smooth as Air Jordan; and post wins like Belichick and Lombardi. Posted on 14 Jul
Conservancies' Classic set for Haskell's Beach
This is your chance to wet a line, support a great organization The Sportfishing Conservancy is hosting the seventh annual "Conservancies' Classic" in support of the Gaviota Coast Conservancy and their commitment to recreational coastal access. Posted on 14 Jul
DAIWA: Angler Outrage Intensifies
Saltwater spinning and casting series developed for species and situations DAIWA's new Outrage XV saltwater spinning and casting series developed for species and situations across The Seven Seas. Posted on 13 Jul
Historic Black Marlin recapture!
Records reveal this Black Marlin was originally tagged back in late January 2023 In late March 2025 Charles Purdie was fishing aboard the charter vessel Wingman, off the coast of Costa Rica and managed to land an impressive Black Marlin estimated at 130kg. Posted on 12 Jul
Marine Auctions: Two Online Auctions in July
Also Jacob Seiffert has been appointed as the Area Representative for the Port Lincoln Region Marine Auctions are proud to announce that Jacob Seiffert has been appointed as the Area Representative for the Port Lincoln Region in South Australia. Jacob is a local Commerical Fisherman. Posted on 12 Jul
Aquila introduces the 36 Molokai
Proven performance in a purpose-built fishing platform Aquila Power Catamarans announced the launch of the 36 Molokai, the newest addition to its acclaimed Molokai catamaran series. Posted on 11 Jul
IMTRA introduces Zipwake PRO
The ultimate upgrade to Zipwake's award-winning Dynamic Trim Control System IMTRA, the leading manufacturer and importer of quality solutions and products for the marine, energy and transportation markets, announced today the introduction of the newest innovation in vessel pitch and roll control, Zipwake PRO. Posted on 10 Jul
RAILBLAZA Trident Carbon Fiber Modular Push Poles
Ideal for shallow water anglers RAILBLAZA, manufacturer of premium quality, user-friendly electronics, fishing and boating mounting systems and accessories, has announced the launch of its new Trident Carbon Fiber Modular Push Pole, ideal for shallow water anglers. Posted on 8 Jul
New Online BoatUS Foundation Course
Taking on Biggest Cause of Accidents: Distracted Boating A quick look at the annual U.S. Coast Guard recreational boating accident statistics shows “operator inattention” and “improper lookout” to be perennial placeholders in the top five primary contributing factors in boating accidents. Posted on 8 Jul
NOAA changes Atlantic bluefin tuna retention limit
Announcing changes following feedback from the sportfishing industry and recreational anglers On June 3, NOAA Fisheries announced changes to fishing regulations for private vessels limiting the harvest of one school size bluefin tuna (27 to 47 inches) and charter and head boats would be permitted to retain two school sized bluefin tuna. Posted on 8 Jul
Maritimo S SeriesPalm Beach Motor Yachts