The United States Power Squadrons USPS® was born in 1914 as a subdivision of  the Boston Yacht Club with the objective of instructing sailing yachtsmen in the handling and navigation of the small powered vessels that were then becoming popular.  In addition to its educational activities it also became a social organization, with monthly meetings that featured guest speakers on various  nautical subjects.  It quickly expanded beyond Boston to other East Coast yacht clubs and, finally, became a nationwide confederation of 'Power Squadrons' with no yacht club affiliations. The development of the USPS is directly attributable to the many thousands of hours and nautical miles of practical experience from thousands of yachtsmen and seafarers.

 Utica Squadron is one of eighteen squadrons that comprise New York State’s District 6 (D6) and was founded in 1941.  We are an active and sociable group of  boating people dedicated to promoting the principles of safe boating and fellowship on the water.

 It is true that most of us do not engage in extensive ocean cruising, but lake, bay, river and offshore coastal cruising are also critically demanding in the arts of seamanship and navigation.  For those whose interest lies in ocean cruising or racing, you will always find in your travels skippers and navigators who are USPS members and/or USPS trained.