United States Power Squadrons Information

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The United States Power Squadrons® is the largest non-profit boating organization in the United States. Created in 1914 the USPS promotes boating education by providing a variety of maritime safety classes to the public. Members participate in a number of advanced courses. Today the USPS has approximately 45,000 members organized into 450 squadrons across the U.S. and in U.S. territories.
The USPS ensign features a red canton with 13 white stars around a fouled (entangled or twisted) anchor. The body of the flag contains 13 vertical blue and white stripes. This flag was designed by Roger Upton and Charles Chapman for the United States Power Squadrons®, and by 1915, the flag was officially adopted by the organization.

USPS Flag Etiquette

Only fly the USPS flag when the vessel is under the direct command of a USPS member.

The USPS flag may be flown in place of the American flag at any time and in any position where it is appropriate to fly the American flag. However it is not appropriate to fly the USPS flag in place of the American Flag in foreign waters.

The USPS flag may be displayed with the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary flag (in cases where the owner belongs to both organizations), however in doing this, the USPS flag may not replace the national flag.

The USPS ensign may be displayed at the funeral or viewing of a USPS member. It may be draped with a black streamer as a sign of mourning.

The USPS flag may be flown on commercial property if the chief commander is present and/or if a squadron, district or national function is being held.

Routine display of the flag is only authorized if the property is a marine facility or the residence of a USPS member.

The USPS ensign may be displayed indoors at meetings, luncheons or other activities provided that it is not obtrusive.

Guide to USPS Flag Display

Flag Flying Times Power Yacht Without Mast Power Yacht With Signal Mast Sailing Yacht With One Mast Power or Sail Yacht With Two Masts
U.S. Ensign,
U.S. Yacht Ensign,
USPS Ensign - when flown in place of U.S. Ensign 0800 hours to sunset Flag Stern Staff Flag Stern Staff Flag Stern Staff,
Underway at Peak of Gaff,
2/3 up Leech of Mainsail,
Equivalent Position along Backstay Flag Stern Staff,
Underway at Peak of After-most Gaff,
2/3 up Leech of Mainsail,
Equivalent Position along Backstay

USPS Ensign- when NOT flown in place of U.S. Ensign Day and Night when in the commission and under command of USPS member Antenna or Staff Amidships - preferably to starboard Starboard Spreader,
Inboard Halyard or Port Spreader when flown with Foreign Ensign Starboard Spreader,
Inboard Halyard or Port Spreader when flown with Foreign Ensign Foremost Starboard Spreader,
Inboard Halyard or Port Spreader when flown with Foreign Ensign

More Information

USPS Operations Manual (pdf) : Chapter 9- "Protocol, Etiquette And Flag Code"

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Copyright (c) 2007 Mandy Barberio. Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License, Version 1.2 or any later version published by the Free Software Foundation; with no Invariant Sections, no Front-Cover Texts, and no Back-Cover Texts. A copy of the license is included in the section entitled "GNU Free Documentation License".

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