Frequently Asked Questions and Links to Other Important Boating Sites

Q. Why should I take a class? I’ve been boating for years.
A. Imagine what our roadways would be like if no one had to learn the rules of the road before driving. If you’ve never had a class you may be a hazard to yourself and others on the water. 40% of Texas boating fatalities in 2010 involved people who had no formal training.

Take the short TPWD boating quiz to see some of the reasons why we say, “Take a course!”

Or, take the Are you Boat Smart? quiz based on our most basic class. This is a PDF file.

A third quiz is from our Seamanship course. Selected Seamanship questions. This is also a PDF file.

Q. Can I come to one of your events without being a member?
A. Yes. See the list and sign up on the Home page.

Our new page for coordinating plans for joint activities with the Sea Scouts may be found HERE

Below are links to some useful websites for boaters:

• HSPS courses offered through Leisure Learning Unlimited. Select Boating, then Power Squadron
• Click for “USPS News” RSS feed
• Here is the Compass - a short online magazine with boating tips
• Texas Parks & Wildlife Department
• Nautical chart booklets from NOAA to print
• Charting Products such as raster and vector nautical charts for computers and chartplotters plus paper charts, Coast Pilot and other products from NOAA
• Coop Charting info and Reports to CCWeb
• Houston Safe Boating Council
• Rescue 21
• Local Notices to Mariners
• NOAA Weather information
• NOAA tide information for Galveston Bay
• NOAA current information for Galveston Bay area
• U.S. Coast Guard Auxillary site
• Galveston Corps of Engineers Safety Office
• Galveston Bay Power Squadron
• FCC site
• General Safe Boating site
• Comprehensive tips on water safety
• National Water Safety Congress
• National Safe Boating Council
• Miscellaneous boating info and links from Commander Bob
• Printer repairs
• Donate your boat
• Kayaks