Scuttlebutt THE HUNTSVILLE SAIL AND POWER SQUADRON. United States Power Squadrons is America s Boating Club

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1 THE HUNTSVILLE SAIL AND POWER SQUADRON Scuttlebutt United States Power Squadrons is America s Boating Club Volume LI No. 6 T H E B R I D G E C A L E N D A R O F E V E N T S 25 JUN General Membership Dinner TBD COMMANDER EXECUTIVE OFFICER EDUCATIONAL OFFICER Cdr Chris M. Whitacre, AP Res: (256) Lt/C Walt E. Whitacre, AP Cell: (256) Lt/C Thomas J. Hamilton, SN-CN Res: (256) JUL 4th of July BBQ Goose Pond Marina 24 JUL EXCOM Meeting Panera Bread Co., Bridgestreet 27 AUG EXCOM Meeting Panera Bread Co., Bridgestreet ADMINISTRATIVE Lt/C Richard W. Walter, AP OFFICER Res: (256) SECRETARY TREASURER Lt/C Vern Gehm, AP Res: (256) Lt/C Jimmie W. Pruett, AP Res: (256) P U B L I C A T I O N S S T A F F EDITOR WEBMASTER P/C Richard J. Raymont, SN Res : (256) P/C Tom J. Hamilton, SN-CN Res : (256) The latest Scuttlebutt can ALWAYS be found on our Squadron Website for your information. VISIT US ON THE WEB AT: View our Calendar of Events at: Volume LI, No. 6 PAGE 1 June 2015

2 COMMANDER S LOG Cdr Chris Whitacre, AP htsar2@att.net Last month we mentioned getting ready to get out on the water and having fun, so this month we will focus on being aware of other boaters and how their actions affect us. As USPS members we should know and follow the Rules of the Road, keeping in mind that while others are supposed to follow the same rules many of them don t know them. Be sure to look over your sound signals, so you can communicate with boats before you get close enough to yell at or use hand signals. With those two thoughts in mind don t forget the rules of goods seamanship that tell us to avoid collision at all cost even if it means bending the rules at bit. Keep in mind if you bent the rule you may not have been following all of the rules in the first place, as most of the time a good look out will keep us form standing into danger. If there is stuff you would like to do or courses that you would like to take, just let the EXCOM know and we will be glad to see what we can do to make it happen. Please be sure to check out the calendar to see the upcoming activities and courses that you may want to add to your calendar. Pease also be sure to look over the rest of the Scuttlebutt for interesting bits of information and reminders of upcoming activities. If you would like to see an article in the Scuttlebutt, please contact our editor and let him know. Yours in Safe Boating! Volume LI, No. 6 PAGE 2

3 Huntsville Sail and Power Squadron ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER Lt/C Rich Waltyer, AP There are several boating events planned in the upcoming months. Mark your calendars and find a couple dates to join us. And for those who may be without a boat at this time, please let me know via and I will try to coordinate a seat(s) for you to join us. Event: General Membership Dinner SQUADRON EVENTS Date / Time: 6/25/2018 (Monday). Beginning at 1800 (6 PM). Location: Will be announced by & punchbowl. Details: Come join squadron members for a social time. Event: 4 th of July BBQ and Fireworks Date / Time: 7/04/2018 (Wednesday). Beginning at 1400 (2 PM). Location: Goose Pond Marina Pavilion- Dock 6. Details: This is the HSPS annual $th of July BBQ potluck event. We will be set up at Dock 6 Pavillion. Prior to the fireworks display several boats will anchor out in North Sauty to enjoy the fireworks. Details: We would love for you to come raft up with us! Bring your favorite side or dessert to share. Coolers will be available to hold drinks and all paper products will be provided. Future events being planned: August raft up on Lake Guntersville: Mike Walley skippering September event at Joe Wheeler State Park Marina: Frank Scalfano and Eric Johnson skippering. October 20: Fall color cruise from Hales Bar, TN to Chattanooga. Rich Walter skippering. December 9: Christmas Brunch at the Pruitt s Residence, Decatur, AL Volume LI, No. 6 PAGE 3

4 SAFETY OFFICER Lt/C Chris Whitacre, AP In May we talked about checking out our electronics, so this month let s check our fluids. Be sure your vessels oil has been changed and that the fuel is not too old. It s a good idea to check the hydraulic fluids as well that allow us to steer the boat, raise and lower the out drive or out board as the case may be and on some vessels even allow us to shift gears. When checking the fluids, keep in mind that not only do you want to check the fluid level, but also the color and consistency to be sure it is not worn out or burnt. While we are checking the fluids, we should also check the hoses that the fluids pass through to be sure they are in good shape and do not have any leaks. Fixing a hydraulic line on shore is bad enough, but on the water it s really hard with the boats motion and getting to the store can be a real chore. Be sure the fittings are snug and not leaking and that the hoses do not have hard spots or soft spots in them. Be sure the hoses are routed correctly so that they are not being rubbed or overheated by laying on things that they should not be in contact with. Basically, just take a good close look that the engine area to be sure that things still look like they did when the boat was new. Please be safe on the wat SECRETARY P/C Vern Gehm, AP bvgehm@hiwaay.net No EXCOM Meeting in May Volume LI, No. 6 PAGE 4

5 Huntsville Sail and Power Squadron EDUCATIONAL OFFICER PC Tom Hamilton, SN-CN Please join me in congratulating the recent graduates of Seamanship! Our Commander, Chris Whitacre, was the Instructor. Seven of his eight students successfully completed the course. They are: Chuck Wills, Amy Wills, Desmond Harmon-Smith, Travis Stinnett, Malinda Martin, Dick Pendleton, and Randy Ormond. The eighth student was traveling during the course but will take the exam soon. So far this year, we conducted two America s Boating Courses. We also conducted the Seamanship course I mentioned above and an Instructor Development course. We are currently presenting the Piloting course to six outstanding member students. Thanks to everyone who participated in any of these courses and to those who taught them. way to a big year for education in the Huntsville Squadron. We are on our Public Boating Course America s Boating Course (ABC): We are working with the management at Goose Pond Colony to present an ABC class there this summer. Once we have a firm date and I have confirmed the Instructors, I will provide details so everyone can help get the word out. Meanwhile, if you would like to take the America s Boating Course or if you know someone who might be interested in taking it, please let me know so I can begin building a class roster. Ongoing US Power Squadrons Courses Piloting: We are currently providing the Piloting course at Latham United Methodist Church on Weatherly Road in Huntsville. The class is full, but if you d like to drop in and see what we re up to, please do. Just give me a call, , or text letting me know you ll be there so I can make sure there s a seat for you. Upcoming US Power Squadrons Courses Advanced Piloting (AP): AP is the second in the sequence of USPS courses on marine navigation. It continues to build coastal and inland navigation skill, allowing the student to take on more challenging conditions unfamiliar waters, limited visibility, and extended cruises. GPS is embraced as a primary navigation tool while adding radar, chartplotters, and other electronic navigation tools. As with Piloting, the course includes many inclass exercises, advancing the student s skills through hands-on practice and learning. Ten classes of two hours each normally are scheduled for presentation of this course. In addition the students have seven days to complete the open book exam. Topics covered include: Review of skills learned in Piloting Advanced positioning techniques such as advancing a line of position Other electronics: radar, depth sounders, autopilots, chartplotters, laptop computer software, etc. Hazard avoidance techniques using electronics (e.g., keep out zones in GPS) Collision avoidance using radar and GPS Working with tides: clearances, depth, effects of current Volume LI, No. 6 PAGE 5

6 As always, I will identify a location for the course and check with those who are qualified to take it so we can determine a good start date and timeframe. Anyone who has taken Piloting, regardless how long ago, will be qualified to take Advanced Piloting. I anticipate this course will be in the fall or winter. More details will be provided as we move forward. Upcoming Courses Cruising and Cruise Planning - Want to take a "road trip" on the water? Gain the confidence and practical skills needed to explore ports and coves for a weekend or for weeks at a time. Take Cruising and Cruise Planning and join your fellow boaters for raft-ups and rendezvous up the river, down the bay, and along the coast. This is a must-have for anyone planning to do the Great Loop. Member cost: $60 Non-Member cost: $120. Sail - Learn about basic sailboat designs and nomenclature, rigging, and safety from experienced USPS sailors. Then tackle the physical aspects of sailing forces and techniques, sail applications, marlinespike, helmsmanship, and handling of difficult sailing conditions. This course is designed to accommodate nonsailors and is of great benefit for novice and experienced sailors. Member cost: $50 Non-Member cost: $100. Summer Seminars We are still working with the Lake Guntersville Yacht Club to possibly offer some seminars there this summer. Here are two of the seminars we would like to provide: Partner in Command - This seminar is specifically focused on the ladies. It provides an introduction to boating for crew members who need basic information and who may or may not have taken a boating course. It is designed to provide essential information one may require to assist a skipper in the safe operation of a recreational boat. Included in the seminar are actions in response to emergencies. Boating on Rivers, Locks and Lakes - The United States has over 30,000 miles of improved waterways some of the finest boating to be found anywhere. Rivers, locks and lakes introduce challenges not found on other bodies of water. Discover these challenges, and learn the boating skills you need to safely boat inland waters with confidence. Volume LI, No. 6 PAGE 6

7 Huntsville Sail and Power Squadron TREASURER Lt/C Jimmie Pruett, AP Volume LI, No. 6 PAGE 7

8 CLASSIFIEDS: Volume LI, No. 6 PAGE 8

9 Huntsville-USPS Scuttlebutt Editor 1912 Colice Road, SE Huntsville, AL 35801