United States Power Squadrons Ventura Sail and Power Squadron

Transcription

1 United States Power Squadrons Ventura Sail and Power Squadron Volume 62 February 2018 Number 2 members of the Executive Board for all the work they do on behalf of our group. Cdr Steve Johnston, P Commander s Corner Hello everybody, Lastly, I am sure most of you have by now received your annual renewal notice from the national headquarters. Please reply promptly, and check out all the opportunities that come with membership. Those and having a national voice for safe boating and legislation are unavailable elsewhere. I miss you all and the ocean; we are really fortunate to live where we do and have the access to marine recreation. I am writing you from Colorado where I am finishing up treatment and recovering from surgery. It s been unusually warm here - in the 40s during the day. The squadron has many great events planned for the coming year and I encourage all of you to participate as much as you can and embrace the social aspects of joining with other like-minded folks. Education classes keep you safe and prepared for on-water experiences and provide the ability to share your knowledge and enthusiasm with others. Be sure to thank the

2 stresses the diagnosis of modern systems and the basics of engine layout and operation. Lt/C Debbie Braun-Lawson Squadron Education Officer The latest on our Education Front We have had to cancel our Advanced Piloting course due to lack of students. Bummer! I know Rick Metheny is disappointed too. The one student who did sign up is gung-ho to take the class. He is going to proceed with the self-study course with Rick s assistance as needed. The ABC course is still set to begin on February 13 at 7:00 at the Ventura Yacht Club, 1755 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura Harbor, running for nine weeks for a cost of $50 with John Bath at the helm. (How s that for a run-on sentence.) This course is designed to introduce the fundamentals of safe boating and to qualify for certification in California where it is required for operating a watercraft. The week following that, on February 20, the Engine Maintenance course will begin at 7:00 at the Pierpont Bay Yacht Club, 1363 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura Harbor, running for nine weeks at a cost of $50 for members and $75 for nonmembers with Instructor Alan Gosselin. This course The last class for the spring will be Seamanship. This class covers basic dock seamanship, slow speed maneuvering, handling your boat at sea in different conditions, specific information about cruising in the Channel Islands, rules of the road in detail, anchoring, mooring, rafting, emergencies at sea and much more. It begins on Monday, April 23 at 7:00 p.m. at the Ventura Yacht Club with Jan Lawson as the Instructor and runs for eight weeks. The cost is $60 for members and $90 for nonmembers. Hope to see you at one of these classes. News from Natiionall Stf/C Bob Bales National Safety Committee. National Safety Committee is promoting America s Boating Club. The Decal Awareness Program received a grant from the United States Power Squadron s Board of Governors to purchase 35,000 Vessel Examiner (VE) business cards and ship them to all VEs. This card serves as a segue for promoting America s Boating Club which also benefits the Vessel Safety Check program. Please expect your cards to arrive later this month, and thank you for your support.

3 boat that didn t work out, I found myself doing 20 knots in Santa Monica Bay atop 45,000 lbs. of fiberglass and a couple of new Cummins diesel engines. That was pretty cool, I ve got to admit Briidge Lt/C Dan Coverdale Executive Officer Since the last issue of the Helm, I ve taken further steps towards getting us a liveaboard motor yacht. I m not sure that I ve made any progress however. The boat we thought was IT turned out to have a number of problems that we may not be able to resolve. Undaunted, we re continuing our search. I ve owned only sailboats. The ways of power boats have been mysterious to me and only now am I beginning to appreciate the beauty of a Jack Hargrave or Ed Monk design, just starting out understanding the issues: like twin versus single screw, displacement versus planning hull, pilot house versus fly bridge. One friend, hearing of our dilemma, said boats are like trains: just wait and one will come along. My broker, and old friend, reminds me that boats are a lot easier to buy than to sell, so being cautious when buying is a good thing. These are good observations and I should take them to heart. Along with the patience and the caution, however, there s also some excitement. A few months ago, pursuing another old Cdr Steve Johnston Lt/Cdr Executive Officer Dan Coverdale Lt/Cdr Squadron Education Officer Debbie Braun-Lawson Lt/Cdr Administrative Officer Lorna Londborg Lt/Cdr Secretary Chris Stine Lt/Cdr Treasurer Dan Cahn Nomination Committee P/C Gary Wolfe P/C Robyn Miller Darrell O Connell Rules Committee P/C Jan Lawson P/D/C Don Shultz Auditing Committee P/C Gary Wolfe P/C Robyn Miller Members at Large Fred DeLamarter Vince Gerretz

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5 Annuall Meetiing (And Appetizer Contest)

6 Anacapa Island has breathtaking beauty to be enjoyed whether you see it while hiking or taking a leisurely cruise around it! If you have any questions, please me at londborg@gmail.com. See you on the water! Lt/C Lorna Londborg, P Administrative Officer February 3 welcomes our 2018 Board at the Change of Watch ceremony. Although the writing of this article precedes the event, I have no doubt those who attend will have an enjoyable time with good food and great company. February 3 February 5 Comiing Events Change of Watch Ventura Yacht Club Exe. Com. Meeting Old Coast Guard Training Station The Board remains the same as last year s, with the exception of our Treasurer. Kim Morris has stepped down this year, after many years of service. Join me in thanking Kim for all her time and dedication to the job, you are greatly appreciated Kim! With the 2018 Board we welcome Dan Cahn as the new Treasurer. It s time to fire up those engines and hoist those sails to get your boat ready for the 2018 cruising season! On, Saturday, March 10 VSPS has been invited to join the Ventura Yacht Club for a shake-down cruise to Anacapa Island. Depending on the availability of a docent, the trip may also offer a guided hike of the island. February 13 February 20 ABC Class Begins Ventura Yacht Club Engine Maintenance Pierpont Bay Yacht Club

7 VSPS CHANGE OF WATCH Saturday, February 3, 2018 Ventura Yacht Club 1755 Spinnaker Drive, Ventura (Elevator to the dining room is available.) COCKTAIL HOUR BEGINS AT 17:30 (5:30 p.m.) DINNER SERVICE BEGINS AT 18:30 (6:30 p.m.) $40.00 Per Person (Tax and Tip Included) Cash Bar THE MENU: Rosemary baguettes, homemade vegetable barley soup, salad bar, roast beef carving station, chicken Florentine, twice-baked potatoes, green bean almandine, cherry cheesecake and/or chocolate cake. Coffee station. RESERVATIONS REQUIRED: Please RSVP by to Send a check made out to VSPS for $40.00 per person to: Lorna Londborg 1198 Navigator Drive #172 Ventura, CA There are a few seats left. Call Lorna at: to reserve a place.

8 Lt/C Chris Stine, S Secretary Ventura Sail and Power Squadron Executive Committee Meeting Ventura, CA January 15, 2018 Preliminary Minutes Called to order at Attendees: 1. Exe. Officer Lt/C Dan Coverdale 2. SEO Lt/C Debbie Braun-Lawson 3. Admin Officer Lt/C Lorna Londborg 4. Secretary Lt/C Chris Stine 5. Don Shultz 6. Janet Shultz 7. Darrell O'Connell 8. Dan Cahn Pledge of Allegiance was led by Dan Coverdale A quorum was present. Reports of Officers: SEO Lt/C Debbie Braun-Lawson The Advanced Piloting Class has been cancelled due to lack to sign-ups. Pierpont Bay Yacht Club (PBYC) is willing to let VSPS use its facility for the Engine Maintenance Class, with the understanding that PBYC members could attend using the VSPS member enrollment rate. The class starts Feb 20, 7:00 p.m. at PBYC, 1363 Spinnaker Dr., Ventura, CA PBYC also said they would welcome a presentation by VSPS to the yacht club about what our organization does. Dan Coverdale will be doing the presentation. Preparations for the ABC Class are in progress and flyers will be posted soon. Admin Officer Lt/C Lorna Londborg Lorna said The Change of Watch RSVPs and checks have been slow in coming, believed due to the recent flooding and associated delays in mail service. The deadline for the Change of Watch Ceremony and Dinner is January 27. Lorna discussed the proposed dates and activities for Treasurer Lt/C Kim Morris Absent no report. The Treasurer s Report will be presented at the Annual Meeting. Secretary Lt/C Chris Stine A motion was made, seconded and approved to accept the December 2017 minutes. Executive Officer Lt/C Dan Coverdale Dan mentioned that the Boating Safety Expo is coming up. The event chairman is Henry Goldman. Commander Steve Johnston Absent no report

9 Ongoing Business/Activities/Classes: Don Shultz reported that the review of the VSPS old records is nearly complete. Don also mentioned that Headquarters (HQ) has had a problem capturing Merit Mark data. Other squadrons have encountered this also, not just VSPS. HQ is working on getting this corrected. The calendar on the VSPS website doesn t have much information. Completed Business/Activities/Classes None reported. Future Business/Activities/Classes None reported. Adjourned at February Biirthdays Nickolas T. Gast Brent Kerr Karl Torfi Esrason John H. Davis IV Jacob Mazon Robert J. Stine Patrick R. Worth Hector A. Marrache Susan Reed Matthews Christine A. Stine Janet A. Lawson 1-Feb 2-Feb 3-Feb 4-Feb 7-Feb 8-Feb 11-Feb 13-Feb 13-Feb 14-Feb 15-Feb The Appetiizer Wiinners Jan Lawson: Third place BBQ Chicken Wings Janet Shultz: First place Glazed Meatballs Carolyn & Dan Cahn: Second Place Pepperoni Garlic Rolls Attentiion There are a few seats left for the Change of Watch Feb. 3. Call Lorna: to reserve a place. New Member of the Year Kevin Mallon Congratulations.

10 Offiiciiall-Lookiing Vessell Documentatiion Renewall Notiices Can Lead to Confusiion and Hiigher Costs BoatUS is informing boaters to be alert when renewing US Coast Guard documentation this year (credit: BDOutdoors.com) Download hi-res photo. ALEXANDRIA, VA, April 6, 2017 Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS) Consumer Protection Department is advising boaters with vessels having a US Coast Guard Certificate of Documentation to be wary of any letter arriving by US mail offering renewal. An increasing number of BoatUS members have complained that these letters direct them to websites that may be mistaken for the actual US Coast Guard Vessel Documentation Center located in Falling Waters, West Virginia, and appear to show a significant increase in the annual fee to renew US Coast Guard (USCG) documentation. BoatUS advises that while the USCG does send official annual renewal notices by US mail, other notices being received by members are not from the USCG but rather third-party companies whose name or return addresses may appear similar to that of the official USCG Vessel Documentation Center. Members of the half-million boat owners group report the letters look like real USCG communications. Some examples members have forwarded to BoatUS do not have any disclaimers noting that they are not official USCG correspondence. While third-party companies may legitimately provide services to assist with vessel documentation renewals, the USCG s own renewal process is simple for most vessels and the price, $26, is often much lower than what third-party services may charge. To renew, go to the USCG National Documentation Center website at and click on instructions and forms.

11 2017 Bridge Commander Cdr Steven Johnston, P Executive Officer Lt/C Daniel Coverdale Administrative Officer Lt/C Lorna Londborg, P SEO Lt/C Deborah Braun-Lawson, AP Treasurer Lt/C Kimberly Morris, S Secretary Lt/C Christine Stine, S The Helm Editor Lt. Sheridan Green, JN (805) Cheesehead1@gmail.com (323) Coverdale47@msn.com (661) londborg@gmail.com (805) debbiebraunlawson@gmail.com (805) kim@vhby.com (805) chrisstine@verizon.net (661) sheridan713@gmail.com Contacts for Local Mariners 24-Hour Emergency Telephone Numbers US Coast Guard Search & Rescue(805) Channel Islands Harbor Patrol (805) Ventura Harbor Patrol. (805) Port Hueneme (805) Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol (805) Harbormasters Administrative Channel Islands (805) Channel Islands Harbor Patrol (805) Ventura Port District (805) Port Hueneme Public Affairs (805) Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol (805) National Weather Service Oxnard... (805) Web site:

12 Ventura Sail & Power Squadron Lt. Sheridan Green, JN, Editor 1755 Spinnaker Drive Ventura, CA Address Correction Requested February 2018