Commander's Corner Cdr Thomas Rea, N. Tip of the Mitt Sail and Power Squadron Michigan District 9 A Unit of the United States Power Squadrons

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1 The Bar meter Tip of the Mitt Sail and Power Squadron Michigan District 9 A Unit of the United States Power Squadrons September Vol. 12 No. 06 Commander's Corner Cdr Thomas Rea, N Terrapin and I are docked at Mackinaw Island after a busy summer adventure of cruising. In the past, - Nancy and I have been able to spare only two weeks and, long weekends to venture into the North Channel and Northern Michigan waters. Now, with restrains of continued employment removed, we took off in June and did not return until late August the first of what we hope to be numerous adventures with Terrapin and exploration of our environment. Most of our summer was spent in Georgian Bay, with a pleasant stay in Parry Sound, attending the Great Lakes Cruising Club Rendezvous. This was the first that we had attended in the thirtysome years that I have been a member. Precious two week vacations did not allow the opportunity to share our free time. We enjoyed the numerous seminars and events that the GLCC provided, as well as the wealth of information about the Georgian Bay area from the numerous Canadian members that attended. We were able to sample only a small part of the beauty of this region, and are already planning our return. Tip of the Mitt's August rendezvous in Boyne City was attended by thirty members, who were thoroughly entertained. I signed up for the Don t Leave Home without It seminar and came away with multiple ideas that will make my next (continued on Page 03, Column 01 )» From the SEO Lt/C Tom Tietjen, SN It s back-to-school time for the kids and, I suppose, for us big kids too! I trust everyone had a safe and enjoyable boating season. Given the extraordinarily good weather, I d imagine it was especially fine for those fortunate to have spent the months of July and August in the North Channel. With all those memories so fresh in our minds, it is a good time to stop and think about what makes a great boating season. At TOMSPS, it is our strong belief that enjoyable boating begins with safe boating. And I m convinced safety is (gulp!) all about luck. Yes you heard me right! That is, if luck can be defined as, The crossroads where preparation and opportunity meet. How does one obtain a sufficient level of preparedness, you ask? Let s consider a case of two boats anchored identically in the middle of Long Point Cove last summer. (continued on Page 02, Column 02 )»

2 The Barometer Page 02 September 2012 Return to Hemmingway s Haunt Lt/C Bill Lovett, P The 19 September General Membership Meeting will be held at the City Park Grill in Petoskey Refreshments; 1900 Dinner RSVP to: jackkathyweber@sbcglobal.net The program will be: "The Boater's Guide to The World Wide Web" presented by our own Lt/C Tom Tietjen, SN. From the SEO ( continued from Page 01, Column, 02) Both skippers had access to the same weather forecast, but one was aware that the altocumulus clouds she saw that morning portended a stronger-than-forecast approaching warm front. How odd it must have seemed to the other skipper when at midday, with winds light out of the northwest, she shifted her anchorage to the southwest corner of the cove and put out a second anchor! And you know the rest of the story, don t you? The Tietjen Test Lt/C Tom Tietjen, SN Editor's note: We continue our column to test your knowledge of things nautical. See how well you know your stuff. Answers on Page 05 (no peeking!). 1. Most U.S. Great Lakes charts are what projection? 2. How is an Estimated Position constructed on a nautical chart? 3. Which provides the more accurate RADAR fix: Two LOPs from bearings, or two COPs from ranges? Because the weather-wise skipper had the knowledge, she was prepared to act when the action was easier to take while the unlucky skipper posted an anchor watch all night. How can you get this kind of knowledge, you ask? Take USPS Weather Course, that s how! If you haven t had Piloting (or Advanced Piloting, for those who are already Pilots), these classes are scheduled, too. Hurry to register, as time is running out. See the announcements attached to this month s Barometer and join those who are improving their luck! Superior sailors use superior judgment to avoid situations that require superior skill! Boating is Fun We ll Show You How!

3 The Barometer Page 03 September 2012 Commander's Corner ( continued from Page 01, Column 01) boating adventure more comfortable. For example, nesting Te-fal pots with removable handles; a small portable DC charger from Radio Shack for charging phones or Ipads; an extra-large bottle of Maker s Mark bourbon for that Anchor Drink. These and many other items were presented and explained. There were talking points too, exploring the concerns of most cruisers like head management (for you landlubbers, we are talking about the toilet). The head is not a problem until it does not work. Not only are repairs a problem, but "how do we prevent that from happening again?" Crew communications were discussed, and seem to be the root of most problems. We did not totally solve that one, but made some head way. This seminar was well worth attending. The knot tying and docking seminar was going on at the same time. I cannot speak to the success of that group, but from afar I could see that they had Joe Kimmel tied up pretty good and he seemed to be happy. Everyone was laughing also. Go figure. If you did not attend this rendezvous, you missed a great weekend of fun and the celebration of the end of summer. But hold on, the fall activities of the TOMSPS are just about to begin. All is not lost; you can still be part of the joy, laugher and camaraderie of the squadron just by participating in the upcoming membership meetings in September, October and November. Yes, we are only two-thirds of the way through our squadron s schedule for Not only that, but we have an outstanding fall-winter educational program that will benefit anyone who attends. Check the TOMSPS calendar and get involved. Our squadron is only as good as you make it. Your participation is vital to our future. I am looking forward to seeing all of you in September to share our adventures. Ethanol Oh, Oh A U.S. Court of Appeals has dismissed petitions filed by various marine industry groups that protested an EPA ruling that will allow a 15-percent ethanol content in gasoline. E-15 could prove to be trouble for recreational boaters, potentially damaging hoses and engines. Website of the Month Jack Staats, AP Tip of the Mitt squadron is fortunate to have talented instructors offering a variety of classes to meet the needs of its members. What are those needs? They vary from person-toperson. Some take classes to increase their knowledge, knowing they may never use those skills. Others have a plan a BIG plan. For the last two years, members Cindy Mom and Megan Frey have been taking several of our classes. Cindy and Megan have sailed with anyone who would take them on as crew, delivering boats, racing on a J-110 weekly, and cruising with Tom Tietjen & Mike LeButt, and Jack & Crissie Staats. In early August, they announced that they were going to sail to Oban, Scotland. Both quit their jobs, Cindy sold her home and car, and they prepared for the adventure of their lives. Sunset aboard Iona in the Les Cheneauxs On 24 August, friends drove the pair to Sudbury, Ontario, where they caught a train to Halifax. Cindy and Megan will sail to Oben, Scotland as crew aboard Vittoria, a 40-foot ketch. Their adventure has started! Follow them on their blog using this website: **** Too Many Dinner Meetings The Coast Guard has issued new rules requiring passenger-carrying vessels to assume the average weight of passengers to be 185 lbs., up from 140. This will cause operators to reduce the number of passengers carried, or modify their vessels to accommodate the extra weight.

4 The Barometer Page 04 September 2012 What is AIS? Jack Staats, AP What is AIS? The Automatic Identification System is intended to help ships avoid collusions, and assist port authorities in controlling ship traffic entering port. Transponders aboard all commercial vessels, and some pleasure craft, include a GPS receiver and a VHF transmitter, which transmits on two VHF frequencies channel 87 and 88. Other vessels are able to receive this data showing name of the ship, its direction and speed, integrated with a chart plotter. This information is made available to the general public for use on their cell phones, I-Pads or laptops. Go to A world map is presented with coverage areas in green. Click on area #37 (NW Lake Michigan). A local map shows all vessels in the area. They are color coded (see left side of page) by type. Move your mouse to any vessel. A question mark appears, along with the name of the ship, its speed and course. If you click on a vessel, additional info is presented. Drag the map to any part of the Great Lakes to see vessel movement in that area. Tip of the Mitt in Action In June, members of Tip of the Mitt Sail and Power Squadron assisted squadron members from the Detroit area in a pilot program to train dock hands from state and municipal marinas along Michigan s east coast. Instruction was given in boat handling and docking characteristics, line-handling, and related topics. With the success of this program, it could become an annual effort. *** In May, Tip of the Mitt members volunteered a work day aboard the Icebreaker Mackinaw Maritime Museum. Cleaning gangs attacked crew s berthing, crew s mess, pilot house, and captain s quarters. Clouds of bugs kept us from doing any exterior painting, though one crew was able to get the ticket booth touched up. The gang then retired to the Keyhole for socializing and the world s best onion rings. Do I need to install an AIS receiver aboard my vessel? It depends on the type of boating you are doing. If you spend any time at night or in the fog while crossing the Great Lakes then AIS would be a worthwhile addition. There is a great deal of information on this web site. We will be able to track Cindy and Megan using AIS when they are close to port.

5 The Barometer Page 05 September 2012 Dockhand Training 1 st /Lt Bill Fleck, AP On June 6, 2012, District 9 (D9) members who had instructor certification met with Heritage Route 23 dockhands & harbor masters at the Straits State Marina office to conduct a training session. The concept here was to provide both classroom and hands-on training for those who are in charge of helping us dock our boats at the marinas on the sunrise side of the state. The classroom portion included selected chapters from the USPS Seamanship Course, as well as using the laser fire extinguisher system available to USPS groups. The hands-on session involved using the converted lobster boat, Ugly Ann, for teaching the use of mid-ship spring lines and general docking procedures. R/C Don Fiander, SN, current USPS Assistant National Educational Officer and former District Educational Officer of D9, and D/Lt/C Duane Carlson, the current DEO, took on the major teaching roles with the use of PowerPoint slides and lectures. Those of us in attendance from TOMSPS Bill Fleck, Jack Staats, Dick Lappin and Jim Ellis were able to add our comments as the class was conducted. We were also able to work one on-one-with those students who wanted to learn Marlinspike, most particularly the bowline. We also were there (continued next column )» Training ( continued from previous column) to help when the docking procedures were demonstrated and practiced. At the end of the five-hour session, both instructors (including a representative from MSU s Michigan Sea Grant) and students thought the class went well and was valuable, hoping it could become a yearly event. The class was repeated the next day in East Tawas with Dick Lappin representing TOMSPS. As an added bonus, we were all able to see the old Keewatin, an early 1900s passenger vessel, get towed into place at the old car ferry docks by two Beaver Island tugs. The Keewatin has been sold to a Canadian firm, and will become a tourist attraction at the south end of Georgian Bay, near Port Severn. Answers to the Tietjen Test 1. Polyconic Projection 2. As a line from the DR, perpendicular to the LOP. The Estimated Position is located at the intersection of this line and the LOP, and is designated by a 3. Two circles-of-position from ranges. As a result of the above experience I learned that Hammond Bay harbor of refuge has been dredged, and boasts a nine-foot depth at the harbor entrance, and the same depth at most of its docks. When Birute and I were cruising, this harbor had silted in and was too shallow for us to use. That has been remedied. It was fun to meet local harbormasters and marina staff, and hear their side of the docking story. Public education is the main reason for USPS s existence, and all of us from TOMSPS felt useful when we were able to help with this instruction.

6 The Barometer Page 06 September 2012 Final Exam Megan Frey, P It has been a year and some in the making for this passage. All the preparations, including quitting our jobs, selling a house and a car, packing only the necessities, and not to mention learning how to sail, have been completed, although, that last one will take a lifetime to complete. In my opinion, I would say we are ready! Mackinaw Rendezvous P/Lt/C Michael LeButt, SN Mid-June found the Tip of the Mitt sail and Power Squadron tied up in Mackinaw City for an action-packed early-summer rendezvous. On a warm, sunny Friday evening we gathered on the fantail of the retired icebreaker Mackinaw for fellowship with refreshments and hors d oeuvres, catered by Audie s. Cindy and Megan aboard Brain Waves We meet the skipper and sailboat, a 1980 Victory Ketch, in Halifax, Nova Scotia on 08 September, and the following day leave for St. Johns, Newfoundland. From there, we make the crossing to Oban, Scotland, with a crew of four. All-in-all, the passage is planned to take approximately three weeks. On a personal note, I want to extend my thanks to the Tip of the Mitt Sail and Power Squadron. I have learned much from the courses I attended over this last year, and I hope that I can apply this theory to my days at sea. I will not forget the statement a wise sailor recently told me: "Your final exam will come at a time and place not of your choosing. If you wish, you can follow our sailing adventures on our blog: hitchhiketheatlantic.wordpress.com Fair Winds and Happy Sailing! After a catered breakfast at the marina on Saturday morning, two seminars were held to overflow crowds. 1 st /Lt Bill Fleck, AP, commandeered the RADAR seminar, while Lt/C Tom Tietjen, SN, and Lt Birute Fleck, AP headed up Partner-in-Command.

7 The Barometer Page 07 September 2012 Crash Course P/Lt/C Michael LeButt, SN In August, Lt/C Tom Tietjen, SN, and P/Lt/C Michael LeButt, SN, embarked upon the waters of the North Channel to 1.) Sail Brain Waves home to Petoskey from Serpent, Ontario, and 2.) Conduct a crash course in advanced piloting and celestial navigation techniques for Megan and Cindy. The goal was to provide a modicum of knowledge beyond their Piloting Course experience to help prepare them for their September Atlantic crossing to Scotland. Everything from anchoring techniques to running fixes; sheet car placement to noon sights and twilight star sights. So much to learn; so little time! Name That Cdr Tom Rea, SN From our summer cruise in the North Channel and Georgian Bay, here are three photo challenges. Name that lighthouse; anchorage; and passenger: Taking a run of sights at Meridian Passage Keeping an eye on the telltales

8 The Barometer Page 08 September 2012 More Icebreaker Work Day More June Rendezvous The Barometer is the official publication of the Tip of the Mitt Sail and Power Squadron, and is published sort of monthly. Editor: P//Lt/C Michael LeButt, SN Webmaster: P/C James Ellis, AP Deadline for submittals is the 1 st day of the month of publication. to: captainmackinaw@charter.net

9 The Barometer Page 09 September 2012 New Response Boat P/Lt/C Michael LeButt, SN When Vicki and I took the granddaughters to Pictured Rocks National Lakeshore in June, the crew from Station Marquette was tied up in Munising with their new 45 RBM (Response Boat Medium). Chatting with the young Coasties, it was evident that they were very proud of their vessel. Still More June Rendezvous Partners in Command Lt/C Tom Tietjen, SN receives some sort of award D9 Cdr and Mr. LaLonde Saturday breakfast at the marina