The Tar River Sail and Power Squadron (TRSPS) is a non-profit boating safety organization located in Greenville, NC dedicated to boating safety through education who frequent the coastal waters of eastern North Carolina. While we are just one of the more than 450 Squadrons in the United States Power Squadrons and a member of District 27 (North Carolina), we are unique in many ways. Our members, ou
r local customs, and our activities are different from any other Squadron. Founded in 1983, the Tar River Sail and Power Squadron is an offshoot of the Kinston Power Squadron. With local members from the Greenville and Washington, NC areas, our squadron is proud of its heritage and dedication to safe boating, self-education, civic service and social activities. Nautical courses are offered yearly and are taught in an educational environment. These courses range from Seamanship to Celestial Navigation to Engine Maintenance to Cruise Planning. Tar River Sail and Power Squadron members contribute toward civic service through the Public Boating courses, reporting of nautical chart corrections and additions to the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) to name as few. Regular TRSPS membership meetings offer programs that are interesting and instructive, usually on nautical and related topics, as well as a chance to meet socially with other members. Social affairs and rendezvous are also a regular part of the TRSPS calendar with numerous of coastal and inland boating events scheduled each year. We hope you enjoy your visit to our web site and we wish you fair winds and clear skies! To find out more information about our organization or join, contact our membership chair, Dianne Marshburn at [email protected]
------
2018 Bridge Officers
Commander Ernest Marshburn
Executive Officer Jeff Moore
Education Officer Benjamin Reed
Assistant Ed Officer Stephen Thomas
Assistant Ed Officer Tom Penders
Administrative Officer Paul Cyr
Secretary Lorraine Clark-Reed
Treasurer Melodie Thomas
Member At Large Meg Cooke
Member At Large Ann Vernelson
Member At Large John Phillips
Photographer Paul Gemperline
------
Membership
Want to become a Member? About USPS® Membership
Membership is by application and is for anyone who shares our common love of boating, has passed The Squadron Boating Coursesm (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. Types of Membership
Active Member - provides full membership privileges and responsibilities, which include voting, holding elective or appointed office, serving on and /or chairing a committee, earning a merit mark, attending and participating in meetings and social activities, taking educational courses, paying dues, receiving a copy of the monthly National magazine - The Ensign ® and can fly the USPS® Ensign or Tar River Sail and Power Squadron Burgee. Additional Active Member - One who resides in the same household and is in the same squadron of an active member. This member pays 1/2 of the National dues of the active member. This member enjoys all the rights and privileges of an active member. Family Member - available to members of the family of an active member. This includes the spouse of an active member and all persons related by blood, legal adoption or marriage, who reside with or are dependents of an active emeber. Family members may attend and participate at all General Meetings of the squadron, but may neither vote nor hold elective or appointed office. Family members can take educational courses and attend social functions, but they cannot fly the USPS® Ensign or Tar River Sail and Power Squadron Burgee. They are eligible to earn merit marks. Dues to this member are less than those paid by the Additional Active Member. Junior Family Member - a dependent of an active member who resides in the same household and is less than 16 years of age. A junior family member is accorded all the privilege s and responsibilities of family membership.
------
Community Service (public service through education)
Cooperative Charting: Members who do not have a boat can participate in the program by reporting on the geodetic survey markers positioned in locations all over the area. The marks are used in surveying and in map making. Members can also participate by turning in facility reports on marinas. Small craft charts contain data about marina facilities. National Safe Boating Week: National Safe Boating Week is scheduled in mid-May of each year. The National Safe Boating Council sponsors this event. The Tar River Sail and Power Squadron will be participating in National Safe Boating Week through the distribution of safe boating materials promoting safe boating to general public at a safe boating booth and area marinas during safe boating week. Kids Health Fair: The Tar River Sail and Power Squadron participates in the Annual Kids Health Fair by providing a safe boating booth for children. Information is distributed to children and their parents promoting boating safety and the importance of wearing life jackets. Data has shown that children are very prone to boating accidents and especially involving drowning. This booth provides the opportunity to distribute literature and special children oriented give-away items promoting boating safety. Vessel Safety Check Program (VSCP): In January of 2000, the USPS signed a memorandum of agreement with the USCG AUX to participate in a Vessel Safety Check program (VSCP). Due to a decline in qualified USCG Aux personnel, USPS agreed to become an active partner in this vital program. The VSCP program is growing in importance as more people become recreational boat owners. VSCP is a proactive program that insures key marine safety equipment is present on a boat, is compliant with Federal and State requirements, and is within prescribed functional limits. The program provides the examiner an opportunity to discuss the purpose of marine safety equipment, to clarify regulations, to emphasize safety procedures, and encourages additional boater education through various organizations represented.
------
Educational Program Offerings
The Basic Public Boating Course runs for 7 sessions and normally start in September and March. Some Advanced courses are designated as full-year (seven or eight months) starting in September and ending in April or May, such as Junior Navigation and Navigation. The rest of the courses are generally for three or four months or less. Courses are divided in two types -- Advanced grade and Electives. The advanced grade courses are designed to be taken in sequence after Boating, beginning with with Seamanship and progressing through Piloting, Advanced Piloting, Junior Navigation and Navigation. A member who takes and passes the examination for the advanced course is awarded the title (or grade) S, P, AP, JN, or N. A member's grade is entered into his file, and the member may wear the appropriate grade insignia for the highest course passed on his or her uniform. The grade also appears after the member's name on mailings and in the roster. All courses are open to the public; there is a fee for each course that includes course material, processing, and examination costs. Fees for the course material including the examination fee are due at registration. All final examinations are sent to The United States Power Squadron (USPS) for correction. The member is notified by mail of the final grade. In the case of failure, re-examination can be arranged. Course Descriptions
- America's Boating Course
Advanced Courses
- Seamanship
- Piloting
- Advanced Piloting
- Junior Navigation
- Navigation
Elective Courses
- Cruise Planning
- Engine Maintenance
- Instructor Qualification
- Marine Electronics
- Sail
- Weather
Other Courses
- USPS Seminars
- USPS Guides
-------
Annual Squadron Awards
Charles W. Hammond Award "Outstanding Member" - This award is presented each year at the Squadron Change of Watch to the member who has made the most significant contribution to the Squadron, District or National Organization during the preceding year. Chamberlain Award "Rookie of the Year" - This award is presented each year at the Squadron Change of Watch in those years when there is a deserving recipient and honors the recipient for outstanding leadership and participation within the Squadron during the year preceding the Change of Watch, where it is presented. Recipients are active members who have no more than 18 months service to TRSPS. Marshburn Award "Anchor's Aweigh Meritorious Achievement" - This award is the only award that can be made at a meeting other than the Squadron Change of Watch by the current Commander to the member who has contributed the most toward a Squadron social activity. Joe Vojtecky Award "Educational Achievement" - This award is presented each year at the Squadron Change of Watch to the member who has achieved the highest level or educational achievement during the year. Prime Mover Award "Service to Education" - This award is presented each year at the Squadron Change of Watch to the member who has contributed most significantly to the Squadron's educational effort during the past year who is not a member of the bridge.
-------
