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"Boating is fun...We'll show you
how"
Take our FREE boating course, join our squadron; take additional educational classes; socialize with members at
monthly dinner meetings and on-water activities. It's about fun...but it is also about "safe boating through education." We would love to have you "come
aboard"!!
We are a unit of the United States Power Squadrons and reside in
Evansville, Indiana a "river city" on the Ohio River at mile marker 792.5. We're located in the Southwestern tip of Indiana bordering Kentucky. Evansville is widely known for hosting 29 years of unlimited hydroplane racing at
our downtown riverfront during our annual "Thunder on the Ohio" event held the last weekend in June.
In addition, LST 325 (Landing Ship, Tank ---- an amphibious vessel designed to land "battle-ready" tanks, troops and supplies directly onto enemy shores during World War II) is now moored on
the Ohio River here in Evansville. Many LST's were built here in Evansville on the Ohio River banks. New gangway and docks were built to accommodate this World War II ship for it's
permanent mooring here in Evansville. See our "Photo Album" page for pictures of LST 325 and other amphibious
vehicles. See a collection of photos from their Summer 2007 trip to Illinois.
NEWS FLASH - National Safe Boating Week is coming....May 17 - 23,
2008. The theme again this year is: "Wearing Your Life jacket". Evansville Bend will be
promoting this event throughout the Evansville area. For more information about the campaign...go to their website: www.safeboatingcampaign.net .
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| (left: Cdr. Keith Gehlhausen, Richard Rombauer, Steve Wilson, Rick
Moore, and Janice Elwood. |
Our "Bridge" Officers - 2008 - 2009
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OUR PURPOSE

PURPOSE OF EVANSVILLE
BEND - There are many reasons to consider in becoming a member of USPS and Evansville Bend Power Squadron. Foremost,
is the EDUCATION aspect for boaters wanting to improve their boating knowledge and skills through our Public Boating course and members through self-taught courses. Secondly,
our squadron has MONTHLY DINNER MEETINGS with a speaker whose topic is related to boating. Thirdly, we like to have FUN at meetings "on-water" and "on-land" activities. We
welcome ALL BOATERS, powerboaters and sailors.
FREE CLASSES - Evansville Bend Power Squadron offers a FREE Public Boating Course in March for four consecutive Tuesdays. Additional Public Boating Courses may be offered this year based
upon demand. Many insurance companies give a discount on boat insurance for those who take and pass the test. This is one of our main purposes as a squadron of the United States
Power Squadron - offer FREE boating information and courses to improve the boating knowledge and skills of boaters throughout the U. S.
Click here for more information about the USPS Public
Boating Class.
You can also contact our Squadron Education Officer, SEO Steve Wilson, S
812-477-2814, send an e-mail to mailto:stevecfii@sbcglobal.net or register/request information on-line by going to our "Public Boating Course" page.
MEMBERSHIP - Membership
to USPS and Evansville Bend Power Squadron is by application and is for anyone who shares our common love of boating, has passed one of our public boating courses, either the
Squadron Boating Course or Boat Smart. We are also interested in
individuals who share the main purpose and objectives of USPS: the education of members, participation in civic programs, and the creation of an atmosphere of
friendship and camaraderie among members. Active members must be at least 18 years of age; there are no age considerations for family
members.
MEMBER BENEFITS: Members can also take classes and progress through "grade" levels. Each grade levels indicates that you have completed the more advanced boating classes. These classes are: Seamanship, Piloting, Advanced Pilot, Junior Navigation, and Navigation. Elective courses offered include Weather, Marine Electronics, Engine Maintenance, Sail 101 and 102, Cruise Planning and Instructor
Development.
USPS also has a "Port Captains" programs in many cities. As you travel the rivers and lakes,
you can contact a designated "port captain" for information and assistance. Our port captain is P/C Ron Riecken who owns and operates Inland Marina.
VESSEL SAFETY CHECK - A very important activity to help promote safe boating is our Vessel Safety
Check program. Qualified Vessel Examiners from Evansville Bend inspect boats to ensure that required safety equipment is present and in functional condition. The
examiners also check for any basic mechanical problems, make sure registration and documentation are current, and offer information on a variety of boating safety issues. Here's a
boater's checklist all prudent boaters should use before departure.
The
VSC is performed free of charge and without any legal obligations or penalties. If a potential problem or violation is discovered, the Examiner will give the boater options and
information for correcting it.
Vessel Safety Checks are performed periodically. The volunteer examiners are committed to making the waterways safer and will make themselves available to schedule a time and
place for the VSC that is convenient for the boater. Vessel Safety Checks can be performed on any kind of watercraft -- from kayaks, canoes, personal watercraft, to large cabin
cruisers and sailboats.
Boaters that have received the VSC report that the inspection opened their eyes to potential safety hazards that they would have never thought of on their own. The Vessel Safety
Checks enable boaters to take command of their own boating safety.
A
typical Vessel Safety Check takes approximately twenty minutes. At the conclusion of the check, you’ll receive a copy of the Vessel Safety Check form and — if your
vessel successfully meets all the requirements — a VSC decal will be presented on the spot.
To learn where and where the next Vessel Safety Check will take place, or to set-up a
time for your inspection (in season), contact P/C Henry Graper, AP mailto:henrygraper@att.net .
WE HAVE FUN - Be sure to look at our Photo Album to see the many activities and fun events
our squadron conducts each year. We want to increase our boating knowledge through education and enjoy fellowship with each
other, too.
Our monthly meetings include a speaker whose topic is normally related to boating or
on-water activities. In addition, we have an annual on-water raft-up/rendezvous, squadron picnic, Fall cook-out, and Holiday Party.
HISTORY - Evansville Bend was organized through the efforts of
the Kentucky Lake Squadron and District 24. Originally, in 1974 the 11 men in the Evansville, Indiana group who joined USPS were enrolled in the Kentucky Lake Squadron. Today our
squadron has grown to over 85 members; a unit of District
24.
We are extremely proud of our squadron because we many members are serving on District 24 various
committees, and three members have served as District Commander and several others are now serving on various committees.
Take some time and learn more about Evansville Bend and the United States
Power Squadrons. In fact USPS celebrated it's 90th Birthday in 2004.
Click here to read about our history and mission.
Cdr. Keith Gehlhausen, S
EVANSVILLE BEND MEMBERS' INVOLVEMENT IN DISTRICT 24
Our squadron is honored to have three past
District 24 Commanders: P/D/C Richard E. Mahrenholz, JN who served as District 24 Commander during the 2007- 2008 watch year. P/D/C Janice Elwood, JN served as
District Commander in 2002 - 2003. P/D/C LeRoy O. Elwood, AP, having served his watch year in 1996 -
1997.
Sam Richey, SN is serving as Chairman of the Vessel
Safety Check Committtee. Other members serving on District committees are P/C John Trapp, AP in the Treasurer's Department as Chairman of the Educational Fund, and P/C
Ron Eberhart, P who is serving as Chairman of the Publications, Computer Systems, and
Webmaster.

A Unit of the United States Power Squadron -
Sail and Power Boating
- District 24
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