February 7, 2012

NEWS from BoatUS
Boat Owners Association of The United States
880 S. Pickett St., Alexandria, VA 22304
BoatUS Press Room at www.BoatUS.com

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: D. Scott Croft, 703-461-2864, SCroft@BoatUS.com

US Power Squadrons and BoatUS
Bestow Civic Service Awards at Annual Meeting


Photo Caption: (L to R) US Power Squadrons Immediate Past Chief Commander Frank A. Dvorak, current District 5 Commander, Bernard Karpers, Jr., and BoatUS Foundation Assistant Director of Boating Safety, Ted Sensenbrenner.
Download hi-res photo.
 

JACKSONVILLE, Fla., February 7, 2012 -- At the US Power Squadrons (USPS) Annual Meeting held recently in Jacksonville, Florida, five squadrons from across the country and one district were honored with Civic Service Awards. Sponsored by Boat Owners Association of The Untied States (BoatUS), the awards are given annually to the USPS district and squadrons in recognition of exceptional service and public boating safety education and service to the boating community.

 
BoatUS Foundation Assistant Director of Boating Safety Ted Sensenbrenner, who presented the awards said, “The Power Squadrons take a very hands-on approach. They help us keep our boating safe by offering vessel safety checks at ramps and marinas each spring and summer, and teach us boating safety classes throughout the year. They’re now expanding their traditional reach by visiting schools, attending parades and participating in coastal clean-ups.”
 
The five squadrons that earned Civic Awards in 2011 are:
 
Peace River Sail & Power Squadron, District 22, FL
St. Petersburg Sail & Power Squadron, District 22, FL
Jones Beach Power Squadron, District 3, NY
Miles River Sail & Power Squadron, District 5, MD
Ocean City Power Squadron, District 5, MD
 
Awards are determined by the amount of logged classroom hours, community outreach hours including attendance at boat shows and conducting vessel safety checks. These voluntary and free safety reviews are designed to educate boaters about the condition and recommendation of required safety equipment aboard recreational vessels.
 
The Top Squadron Award went to Peace River Sail & Power Squadron for their work in reaching out to the to media and publishing more than 50 articles in local newspapers and magazines about their programs and volunteer experiences.
 
The Top District Award, which recognizes the collective efforts of all of the squadrons within a region, went to District 5 for the second year in a row. It serves the recreational boaters in Maryland, Delaware, Virginia, District of Columbia, eastern Pennsylvania, and southern New Jersey.
 
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