The Annapolis Sail and Power Squadron took top squadron honors and U.S. Power Squadron District 27 was named the top district at the recent annual meeting of the U.S. Power Squadrons in Orlando, Fla.
The awards are sponsored by BoatUS and given annually in recognition of exceptional service and public boating safety education and service.
“Power Squadron members work hard, giving up their own time to help make boating safer. They offer boat owners free vessel safety checks, provide boating safety instruction and more. Their commitment to ensuring everyone has a safe day on the water is greatly appreciated,” BoatUS Foundation assistant director for boating safety Ted Sensenbrenner said in a statement.
The Annapolis Sail and Power Squadron held a local collection for Toys for Tots; a clothing and food drive to benefit a local food bank that filled an entire member’s pickup truck; contributed financially and gave through volunteer work at the National Sailing Hall of Fame in their community; and assisted a local non-profit organization, Chesapeake Region Accessible Boating, in getting people with disabilities on the water.
Squadron members also participated in the National Safe Boating Council’s “Wear Your Life Jacket to Work Day” and wrote many articles for local papers about boating safety. The vessel safety checks its members performed found nearly a dozen recalled fire extinguishers.
The Top USPS District Award recognizes the collective efforts of all squadrons in a region. USPS District 27 includes 20 squadrons in North Carolina. The award is based on the amount of classroom hours logged, community outreach hours and the number of vessel safety checks performed.
