Couldn't find a contact for the Portsmouth Power Squadron. Suggest you email the contact for the Hampton Roads Power Squadron:
Elizabeth River Power Squadron
Contact: NONE
Centered around: PORTSMOUTH, VA 23702
Hampton Roads Power Squadron
Contact: Stf/C Arlene M. Anderson, AP
Email:
arlene.anderson47@yahoo.com
Location: Hampton, Newport News, Williamsburg, Yorktown
Centered around: NEWPORT NEWS, VA 23602
At a minimum suggest you take course(s) to give you a basic idea of the daymarkers, charts and how to plot a course. If your wife does not want to take complete courses suggest you find a course called skipper saver or some other name which gives basic instructions to woman as to how to get the boat back/ call for help if the skipper is overboard or stricken.
Marty