I took the public boating course from Poverty Bay Power Squadron in 1968 and joined the group so that I could take advantage of the many boating classes offered by the U S Power Squadron. I have completed seven of their courses and hold an AP (advanced piloting) rating. I have earned 15 merit marks for serving three years as Squadron Education Officer and for teaching the Sail class several times.

The Power Squadron has recently changed its name to the U S Sail and Power Squadron in recognition of the high number of sailing members in their roster. The primary purpose of this organization is to improve the nautical skills of the general boating public so that fewer lives are lost through boating accidents. The organization also provides annual boating safety examinations and issues certificates of compliance, together with the Coast Guard Auxiliary. And they have fun as a social boating club with monthly dinner meetings and monthly cruises.

Poverty Bay is a bay in Puget Sound just south of Des Moines and north of Federal Way, where the sound bends from its north/ south flow to a east/ west flow with Redondo at the bend. Meetings for the group were held in Burien when I joined, but are now held in Des Moines, where they have been for many years.

Information about this group is available on their web site at http://www.pbps.org.