Boating Links

Learn about the Coast Guards (History, Jobs, News, Services + MORE), The Coast Guards People (Auxiliary, Civilians, Military, Reserve + MORE), The Coast Guards Mission (Maritime Mobility, Maritime Safety, Maritime Security, Maritime Strategy For Homeland Security, National Defense, Protection of Natural Resources + MORE.

The United States Coast Guard Auxiliary was established by Congress in 1939 to assist the Coast Guard in promoting boating safety. It includes more than 30,000 members from all walks of life who receive special training so that they may be a functional part of Coast Guard Forces. Auxiliarists assist the Coast Guard in non-law enforcement programs such as public education, vessel safety checks, safety patrols, search and rescue, maritime security and environmental protection and Coast Guard Academy introduction programs for youth. Auxiliarists volunteer more than 2 million hours annually to benefit other boaters and their families.

USPS Organized in 1914, USPS is a non-profit, educational organization dedicated to making boating safer and more enjoyable by teaching classes in seamanship, navigation and related subjects. Our members are boating families who contribute to their communities by promoting safe boating through education. We enjoy participating with our fellow members on the water and in the classroom. USPS has some 60,000 members organized into 450 squadrons across the country and in some US territories. USPS is America's largest non-profit boating organization and has been honored by three US presidents for its civic contributions.

Although NOAA was formed in 1970, the agencies that came together at that time are among the oldest in the Federal Government. The agencies included the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey formed in 1807, the Weather Bureau formed in 1870, and the Bureau of Commercial Fisheries formed in 1871. Individually these organizations were America's first physical science agency, America's first agency dedicated specifically to the atmospheric sciences, and America's first conservation agency. Much of America's scientific heritage resides in these agencies. They brought their cultures of scientific accuracy and precision, stewardship of resources, and protection of life and property to the newly formed agency.

Information About - Top Stories, Other News, Media Advisories, Science - Services - Stewardship (Weather, Ocean, Satellites, Fisheries, Climate, Research, Coasts + Charting & Navigation)

Lowrance Electronics, Inc., a designer and manufacturer of Sonar, GPS and Aviation instruments, got its start in Joplin, Missouri in 1957. Carl Lowrance, an avid fisherman with an inquisitive nature, shared his love of the sport with his two sons, Darrell and Arlen. Darrell and Arlen were among the first inland skin divers, and through this activity learned that most fish in any given body of water were generally found in schools and in specific areas.

Our Mission - To provide fishing and boating opportunities through the protection and management of aquatic resources.

The Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission is an independent Commonwealth agency comprised of 10 Commissioners appointed by the Governor and approved by the Legislature. Day to day operations are overseen by our Executive Director.