Welcome Penfield Sail And Power Squadron

We teach safe boating and navigation and the

State of  Connecticut accepts successful completion of our one day eight hour Safe Boating Class as a qualifying exam for the purchase of a CT Safe Boating Certificate.

Penfield is the Squadron serving the Long Island Sound shore towns of Fairfield, Stratford, and the City of Bridgeport


 Bridge Officers

  • Commander: Donald Peterson, JN
  • Squadron Educational Office: Norman Marsilius, AP
  • Squadron Assistant Educational Officer Carole Heller SN
  • Administrative Officer: Rich Daddario
  • Secretary: Lee Parratt, JN
  • Treasurer: Donald Peterson, JN

  • Message for 2022-2023

    Commander's Message


    July, 2022 Commander's Message
    Boating Season Now Here
    Questions: Don Peterson - dfp1061@gmail.com

    burgee




    New Penfield Reports - Teen Boating Series: As we all realize, the recruitment efforts for new USPS members is a nationwide concern. In fact current USPS thinking is the Membership is Job One. There is plenty of theories why USPS membership has steadily decreased for at least a decade, but current efforts have not reversed the trend. As I think about what Fairfield County organizations remain strong, many involve activities related to children. As I think about "soccer/hockey moms," and "little league dads" and so on there must be a role USPS and Penfield could play in addition to our association with "Sea Scouts" to support youth boating. Please read the attached report from a Westport teen, I recruited to write two articles this summer related to "Teen Boating." Click below to read article"

    Update on June 25th D2 Winter Council and Spring Conference The much anticipated discussion related to resolutions proposing the dissolution of District 2 was withdrawn after Chief Commander Fraser explained that existing bylaws required all Squadrons be assigned to a District. If a District voted to dissolve, each squadron would be reassigned to a remaining district and D2 assets (mainly financial) would be allocated prorata to the receiving districts. The potential of eliminating the districts with squadrons reporting directly to national is on hold pending further study. My thanks to Rich Daddario for also representing Penfield on the call.
    Penfield Burgees: The Squadron has ordered six 12" x 18" Penfield Burgees from Prestige Flags of California. The cost will be ~$30. Sadly they will not be ready until September, but for those who did not request one already, there is still time to add to the order. Please contact me if you would like one.

    Upcoming Event: Our Squadron will participate with the Fairfield Rotary Club at their Sept 10, 2022 Paddlefest Event which will be held at Jennings Beach from 8 am to noon. We will set up a canopy to pass out 2022 CT Safe Boating guides, the orange Coast Guard "If Found" stickers and perform Kayak and Paddleboard safety checks for individuals that request one. The Rotary Club is also looking for boaters to be take up stations around the course perimeter.

    Speaking of kayaks, attached is a report from BoatTest.com (copied with their permission) describing a fatal kayak accident that reinforces the need to WEAR your pfd and affix the "If Found" sticker in your kayak.

    Stay Tuned for other upcoming events being planned: Send me your ideas
    Vessel Safety Checks: Let me know if you would like to arrange for a courtesy check. Also let me know if you are interested in learning to be a Vessel Safety Examiner.





    Upcoming Event  Our Squadron will participate with the Fairfield Rotary Club at their Sept 10, 2022 Paddlefest Event which will be held at Jennings Beach from 8 am to noon. We will set up a canopy to pass out 2022 CT Safe Boating guides, the orange Coast Guard "If Found" stickers and perform Kayak and Paddleboard safety checks for individuals that request one. The Rotary Club is also looking for boaters to be take up stations around the course perimeter.

    Stay Tuned  for other upcoming events being planned: Send me your ideas  

    Vessel Safety Checks:  Let me know if you would like to arrange for a courtesy check. Also let me know if you are interested in learning to be a Vessel Safety Examiner

    How to get added to Penfield's "Local Boaters" Constant Contact email list or request a free vessel safety check: email Donald Peterson at dfp1061@gmail.com

    Donald Peterson
    Commander



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    MEETINGS AND EVENTS

    September 10 - Penfield Safe Boating Booth

               at  2022 Rotary Paddlefest

                     Jennings Beach, Fairfield 8 AM to Noon



    History

    History Of Penfield/United States Power Squadrons

    A Brief History of the United States Power Squadrons
    When motorized yachts became more common in the early 1900’s, a small group of members of Yacht Clubs around Boston and New York City believed an organization should be formed to promote the teaching of boating skills to the owners of these “power” boats. This led to the formation in 1914 of what became the United States Power Squadrons (“USPS” or “Power Squadron”). In fact, in 1917, the then Secretary of the Navy, Franklin D. Roosevelt, asked the group to provide nautical training to individuals in the even the United States became involved in the War in Europe (which, of course occurred later in 1917). The Power Squadrons grew into a national organization which celebrated its 100-year anniversary in 2014. The organization has been focused on competent and safe boating by teaching a broad list of boating skills through classroom study, seminars, and recently, on-the-water instruction. Thousands of USA boaters have taken the Power Squadron’s America’s Boating Class to improve their boating knowledge and/or earn certification for state boating licenses. Another public service performed by the USPS is to perform voluntary vessel safety checks which earns a vessel passing the US Coast Guard requirements a decal issued by the Coast Guard valid for one year. In fact, there is sometimes confusion between the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Power Squadron. While both organizations teach safe boating courses, can perform vessel safety checks, and members of both are volunteers, USPS is not a governmental body where as the Auxiliary falls under the Coast Guard and has on the water patrol and rescue capabilities.

    A Brief History of Penfield Sail and Power Squadron
    The Housatonic River Power Squadron covered the Long Island Sound towns of Fairfield, Bridgeport and Stratford, but in 1969 had grown so large that several members, mostly based in Fairfield, split from Housatonic River and formed a new squadron named after the Penfield Reef and Lighthouse. Penfield grew and maintained a friendly and cooperative coexistence with Housatonic River. Both Squadrons hit their peak membership and activity levels in the 80’s and 90’s. Both Squadrons became smaller and less active in 2000’s and in 2011, Housatonic merged into Penfield so the three towns were again under one roof. While many Squadrons have experienced declining membership, the Fairfield County Long Island Sound squadrons have opened their classes and activities to each other’s members. Penfield enjoys good relations with the Greenwich, Stamford, Darien, Norwalk and Westport squadrons. We are eager to welcome both new and experienced boaters to our group. While many of our members have stopped actively boating, they still enjoy the social aspects of the Squadron and many simply want to support an organization that is dedicated to the teaching and practice of safe boating.

    Recent developments
    Most Power Squadrons changed their names to, for example, Penfield “Sail” and Power Squadron about 25 years ago to dispel the notion that only power boaters were welcome, when in fact many squadrons have a equal number of sailors and motor boaters. More recently, as the popularity of paddle craft (kayaks, canoes, paddleboards) and personal watercraft (jet skis) has increased, USPS has adopted a more generic “go to market” name of “America’s Boating Club” to capture a broader cross section of the boating community. Some squadrons choose rebrand themselves, as for example, America’s Boating Club of Greenwich, others, like Penfield have continued to use the Sail and Power Squadron name. Of course, it takes more than a name change to help volunteer organizations, such as the Power Squadrons, regrow their membership which has declined over the last 15 years. For our organization, our goal is to increase our membership and number of people taking our classes by making membership and classes more in line with our changing environment and competition for how we spend our leisure time. To that end we are broadening our reach through technology advances for classes, meetings, social activity and most of all, boating.


    Mission of Penfield and United States Power Squadron

    Teach and Practice Safe Boating through Education and by Example

    How to get added to Penfield's "Local Boaters" Constant Contact email list

    How to get added to Penfield's "Local Boaters" Constant Contact email list or request a free vessel safety check: email Donald Peterson at dfp1061@gmail.com


    Useful Links

    Useful Links


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