Our Approach
Teaching Since 1951
The United States Power Squadrons® have been teaching safe boating since 1914. Our local chapter, Cape Fear Sail & Power Squadron, continues this tradition since its inception in 1951 by offering the most comprehensive and thorough training you will find. By combining the fundamentals of safe boating with our exclusive Local Knowledge and On-the-Water components, you will be provided with an unsurpassed level of learning for you to become a safe and responsible boater while gaining the confidence to boat in our coastal area.
Our Story
Teaching
We teach boating courses ranging from the fundamentals found here to advanced celestial navigation, including popular classes in Seamanship, Weather, Engine Maintenance, Marine Electrical Systems, Sail, Cruise Planning, Marine Navigation Systems and many more.
Squadron
Our squadron has 130+ members from all walks of life with a common bond -- love of boating. Some our our member's boats are large, some are small, and some members do not have a boat at all. We're sure you would find someone just like yourself to share the fun of boating and additional education opportunities.
You can find out more about the national organization at www.usps.org and about us locally at www.capefearsailandpowersquadron.org.
Meet the Team
Cdr Barbara White, AP
Commander
Barbara White is originally from Richmond Virginia, where she graduated from the Medical College of Virginia with both Baccalaureate and Master of Science degrees in Nursing. Having held a variety of positions in health care she retired from Arizona State University as Professor Emerita of Nursing and Health Innovation after teaching there for 20+ years. She is now enjoying being around the water after all those years in the desert and has served the squadron as Administrative Officer, Assistant Secretary, Secretary, Photographer, and Commander.
1/Lt Meg Morrison, JN
Lead Instructor
In addition to obtaining a 100-ton U.S. Coast Guard Captain’s license, 1/LT Morrison is an accomplished sailor bringing over 20 years of boating experience including crewing on a transatlantic passage, numerous sailings in the Caribbean as well as sailing her 40-foot Endeavor from Tampa Bay, FL to Wrightsville Beach in the Fall of 2016. Although her background is sailing, she and her instructors bring an in-depth knowledge of power boats – large cruisers to small outboards, personal watercraft (PWC) to kayaks and paddleboards.
P/D/C Otis J. White, P
Squadron Education Officer
Otis retired as Faculty Chair for Business, Management and Public Administration at Rio Salado College and as a faculty member in the School of Public Affairs at Arizona State University where he taught Public Sector Leadership online. For over 25 years he has taught classes in entrepreneurship, business statistics, human resources, public leadership and a wide variety of management courses in both the community college and university setting. Family includes his wife Barbara (Current Commander of the Squadron), son Robert and daughter Heather. Barbara and Otis moved to Wilmington permanently in 2016 after retirement but have been traveling here regularly since 2011 to visit grandchildren and family.
His boat is a completely rebuilt classic 22’ Shamrock inboard named Potential II. His local interests include boating on the NE Cape Fear River and the ecology of the river environment as well as the history of the Cape Fear area. Otis and Barbara joined the squadron in 2017, and he has served as Member Involvement Chair (1 year), Administrative Officer (1 Year), Executive Officer (1 year) and Commander for 3 years 2020 to 2022. Otis served as District 27 Commander for 2024 – 2025. District 27 covers all of North Carolina and has 12 very active squadrons. He is currently serving as Squadron Education Officer for the Cape Fear Squadron and is a member of several national committees.