Skipper OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF

Transcription

1 Conch Skipper OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF KEY WEST SAIL & POWER SQUADRON A member of District 8, United States Power Squadrons Vol. 55 No. 2 America's Boating Club February 2011 FLEA MARKET& BAKE SALE Our Huge Annual Fund Raiser Will Be Held on Saturday 29January 8:00 12:00 Bring Your Treasures NOW! We need clothing, collectibles, linens, glassware, costume jewelry, cooking utensils, pots & pans, SMALL items of furniture, yard essentials, and most anything you can think of! Your donations MUST be in saleable condition! We need baked goods. If you can bake something or need suggestions, please contact Sonia If you have anything large you cannot bring in on Thursday 27 January or Friday 28 January, please contact Bill We need people to sort, price, set-up, and man booths. If you can volunteer ANY time on Thursday, Friday, or Saturday, please call Bill We are a tax exempt group, so if you have something you would like to take off your taxes, we can provide a letter for your records.

2 SQUADRON OFFICERS ACTING COMMANDER Sf/C Willaim R. Gillette, AP 1415 Flagler Ave. Key West, FL EXECUTIVE OFFICER Lt/C Marvin Halldorson, SN 163 Blackbeard Rd. Little Torch Key, FL EDUCATION OFFICER Lt/C Joseph J. Fadlovich, AP 3705 Poinciana St. Big Pine Key, FL ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER Lt/C Joan Wallin, AP 3705 Poinciana St. Big Pine Key, FL SECRETARY Lt/C Abra Carenuto 3606 Gulfstream St Big Pine Key, FL TREASURER D/Lt/C John Belkengren, AP 1415 Truman Ave Key West, FL EDITOR P/C Jan Rohde, AP PO Box Summerland Key, FL The Conch Skipper is published eleven times annually (with the exception of July) by the Key West Sail & Power Squadron, PO Box 5, Key West FL, All articles appearing in this paper are assumed to represent the opinion of the author and are not to be considered as reflecting the policy of the USPS or the SQUADRON unless so designated. Squadron web page: "We definitely check quite a bit of people," Plastic said. View From The Bridge Stf/C William Gillette, AP I received the following article from the Palm Beach Post and would like to pass it on to everyone. BUI has not been a problem for us in the Lower Keys and Key West, but I think we need to be aware of the consequences. If you witness any of this behavior, be sure to report it. Authorities always on alert, but arrests for BUI are rare By Alexandra Seltzer, The Palm Beach Post, January 13, 2011 Mandy Romeu, 42, of Deerfield Beach, was charged with boating under the influence-manslaughter in May. His Boynton Beach friend was thrown from a boat after a night of drinking and later died at a hospital. Romeu's blood-alcohol level was well above the legal limit. Cheryl Griffin, a Palm Beach County Sheriff's Office deputy, lost her right arm after driving her boat while drunk in June and crashing into two wood pilings. Her blood-alcohol level was.177 percent, more than twice the.08 legal limit. Despite such events, Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission Lt. Annie Plastic says there aren't many drunk drivers in the waters. In 2009, FWC arrested four people for boating under the influence. In 2010, FWC arrested 11. The Palm Beach Sheriff's Office could not provide BUI arrest information Thursday, but officials said the number is small. "People are being smarter about designating a driver to drive the boat," Plastic said. On typical weekends, there are seven FWC boats patrolling the waters in Palm Beach County. If an officer suspects BUI, he or she will look for indicators such as slurred speech, dropping a registration, or having trouble locating a life jacket. Then they will do a sobriety test on the boat. If there is reason to believe that the person is drunk, the boater is put through field sobriety tests the same type given to drunk car drivers on land. On July 4, 400 vessels were inspected and about 1,000 people were interviewed, but not one was arrested for BUI. "Are there just a bunch of drunk boaters around there not getting caught?" Plastic said. "I don't think that's the case." She said behavior that would seem to be a sign of drunk boating is sometimes due to boating inexperience. A boater convicted of BUI for the first time faces a fine of $500 to $1,000 and up to six months in jail. Seriously injuring someone while boating under the influence is a third-degree felony with a sentence of up to five years in prison. BUI manslaughter is a second-degree felony punishable by up to 15 years in prison. Encourage any boaters you know to enroll in one our Boating Classes. You may just save someone s life. 2

3 Our Calendar of Activities February 2011 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat ABC3 ABC Founder s Day Chili-Chowder Sunset ABC3 ABC3 See Page Lincoln s B day Valentine s Day Work Party 1730 Executive Meeting 1900 Full Moon Raft-Up See Page Cruise Planning President s Day Washington s B day Cruise Planning Photo Scavenger Hunt See Page 9 Cruise Planning March 2011 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Cruise Planning Sunset Cruise Planning Ash Wednesday Cruise Planning Work Party 1730 Riding Key Executive Meeting Rendezvous Cruise Planning Full Moon Raft-Up Daylight savings Begins 1900 Cruise Planning See Page 11 St. Patrick s Day See Page Annual Meeting & St. Patrick s Pot Luck See Page Change of Watch See Page 10

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5 Lt/C Joe Fadlovich, AP I am excited to announce that we have scheduled a Cruise Planning elective course beginning Monday February 21 st. Registration will be held at 6:30PM and class will start at 7PM. There are 9 sessions on Mondays and Thursdays through March 21 st. Nonmembers as well as members are invited to take part. Contact Dick for more information and/or to pre-register for the course. The Cruise Planning course focuses on the planning and preparation necessary for safe enjoyable extended and day cruises on both inland and coastal waters. There is something very special about the thrill of cruising in new waters and the sense of accomplishment upon completing an extended cruise. The course covers the following topics: Chartering Cruising Outside the United States Crew and Provisioning Voyage Management Communications Navigation Weather Emergencies We also have some interest in presenting the Marine Electronics and Engine Maintenance course. You can contact Dick Odgers if you would like to have them made available this season. Thank you to D/Lt/C John Belkengren and Stf/C Bill Gillette for their contribution of a Data Scope and two inflatable personal floatation jackets. These items will be put to good use. Safe boating, Cruise preparation and planning - General Boat and Equipment Anchors and Anchoring Security 5

6 Safety Sam Running Aground Despite all efforts to stay off shoals, beaches, or rocks, groundings do happen. It is said that there are only three kinds of skippers, those who have run aground, those who will run aground, and those that have but won't admit it. It is important that every boater be prepared for such an event with knowledge of what to do and the equipment with which to do it. Immediate Actions First, here is what you should not do when you run aground. Unless you are absolutely sure that it is a small shoal with deeper water ahead, do not apply power and try to push your way across, you will only put yourself harder aground. Do not immediately shift into reverse and increase engine power in an attempt to back off, you might suck up mud and/or bottom vegetation into the engine intake (watch for any signs of engine overheating), and you might further damage the propellers. Instead, take time to assess the situation. Is any water coming into the hull? Where exactly are you? How did you get there? Where might deeper water lie? What is the state of the tide? If you have a dinghy in the water, or can launch one, use it to take soundings all around your boat. If you are in a rocky area, it is especially important not to attempt to refloat the craft immediately. First, check for any hull damage. The rocks you are on might be the only thing keeping your boat afloat! If the damage is considerable, set out an anchor or two to keep you in place for the time being. Even if you don't need any immediate assistance, you should radio the Coast Guard or other local authority. Advise them of your situation and your intended actions. Let's assume that you are lucky and that the tide is rising and that the increased depths will be enough to float you free. Although you might get off sooner if another vessel pulled, letting the tide float you off is less stressful on your hull and your crew. It may be necessary to set out an anchor in the direction of the wind and waves to prevent the rising tide from carrying you further up on the shoal. If you are less lucky, and the tide is falling, quickly assess the situation and the possibility of refloating the boat before the tide goes down further. If this is not possible, determine how far it will go down. Will the hull need cushioning and supports as it lays over on its side? While you wait for the tide or assistance, you might want to use the opportunity to inspect and clean your hull's bottom. (If you are quick on your feet you might even be able to convince others that that is why you went aground!) Getting Off If you are only lightly stranded, you may be able to get off without assistance. First, determine where deeper water lies, this may or may not be the direction from which you came. Then, try to reduce draft. In any type of craft, sail or power, you can empty water tanks if the supply isn't critical. You might also place some heavy gear in a dinghy. On a sailboat, you can try reducing draft by taking a halyard out to one side, attaching it to an anchor or another boat, and pulling. Yet another maneuver is to put out an anchor in the direction in which you wish to move. If you have an anchor windlass or a sheet winch, use that to take in the line. This is called "kedging off." The anchor can be carried out by dinghy (with the line in the dinghy being paid out as it moves away from the vessel). If this isn't possible, the anchor can be supported on PFDs or buoyant cushions and floated out to where it is to be set, the longer the scope, the better. (cont. page 9) 6

7 Part of Coast Guard Auxilliary & Bob McEachern Wins 50/50 presented by Tim Bergin Kim Krajcik, Sandy Bergin, Erma Ford, & Abra Carotenuto S J U A N N S U E A T R Y Abra Carotenuto, Judy Maslowski, & Roxanne Fleszar Sonia Gotthardt & Sandy Bergin Walt Maslowski & Dan Probert Erma Ford & Libby McDonald Bill Gillette, John Belkengren, & Randy McDonald Michel Appellis Kiss Me! It s My Birthday! 7

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9 THE KWPS PHOTOGRAPHIC SCAVENGER HUNT Partial list of your photo objectives: ITEM POINTS Bird on a RED day mark 1 Bird on a GREEN day mark 1 2 birds on a RED day mark 1 2 birds on a GREEN day mark 1 A trap buoy that is mostly RED GREEN or BLUE A trap buoy that is mostly YELLOW BLACK or OR- ANGE 1 each 1 each A trap buoy that is mostly PINK 2 A boat with an OH MC WS MN IL NC SC GA FL NY registration A boat with RI CT MS MI DL registration A boat with a registration different from the above 1 each 1 each 2 each A COAST GUARD boat 1 A FWC boat 1 A BORDER PATROL boat 1 A CUBAN GUNBOAT 7 A SAILBOAT 1 A WOODEN boat 1 A SINKING or SUNK boat 2 A group of people FISHING 1 A group of people PARTYING 1 A group of people ESCAPING from CUBA 3 A TURTLE 1 A DOLPHIN 1 A HERON 1 A BLUE RED GREEN BLACK or YELLOW boat 1 each A PINK boat 2 A HOUSEBOAT 1 A FLOATING piece of WOOD 1 A WATER SKIER 1 A group of people diving 1 SOMALI PIRATES 9 A boat with 2 outboards 1 A boat with 3 outboards 2 A boat with 4 outboards 2 A rowboat 1 A YELLOW BUOY 1 A NO WAKE marker 1 A person POURING WINE 1 A woman in a THONG 1 A man in a THONG minus 2 A person in a GREEN HAT 1 A person wearing a LIFE JACKET & DRINKING BEER 1 A SUNBATHER 1 A NUDE SUNBATHER 2 A CORMORANT 1 A FRIGATE BIRD 1 A SHARK 2 A FAT HAIRY MAN in a THONG minus 5 A JETSKI 1 (cont. from Page 6) SAFETY SAM If another boat is available to help you, run a line to that boat if it can pull in the desired direction. Be very careful that the other boat does not become stranded in the same shallow water. It may be necessary for the other boat to put out an anchor to keep her clear. Be sure that both boats have deck fittings that can withstand the strain of the pull. Typical recreational boats may not have such hardware. If a pull is made, keep all persons away from the line and beyond the ends of the line in both directions. Various types of lines stretch to different degrees, but all stretch enough to act as slingshots if they break or if fittings pull out. Serious injury, or even death, is possible results of such failures. Even if the other boat cannot pull to get you off, she may help by running back and forth and making as large a wake as possible. The waves formed in this wake may lift your boat enough to get her off. You should use this technique only where the bottom is soft enough to cushion your underbody. A sandy bottom would probably be okay, but you don't want to be heaving up and down on rock. I would encourage any boater to join one of the commercial towing organizations. However, you should check with other boaters in your area for recommendations as to which one to join. Ask what kind of service they have received from the company. Trust me; they are not all created equal. 9

10 KEY WEST SAIL AND POWER SQUADRON CHANGE OF WATCH 26 MARCH 2011 Cocktails Cash Bar 1800 (6:00 PM) Dinner 1915 (7:15 PM) Key West Yacht Club Dinner Choice of Caesar or House Salad Buffet: Carved Prime Rib of Beef, Side of King Salmon, Chicken Marsala Accompanied by Mixed Grilled Vegetables: Asparagus, Zucchini, Baby Squash Choice of Crème Brulee, Chocolate Pot Au Crème, Cookie Spread, Mini Key Lime Pies Music by Michael Jay Please reserve places for persons for the Key West Sail and Power Squadron s Change of $47.50 each. Names Make checks payable to the Key West Sail and Power Squadron. Your check must accompany your reservation and be received by 20 March Mail checks to Bud Halldorson, 163 Blackbeard Road, Little Torch Key, FL

11 February & March Land & Water Activities FLEA MARKET Saturday 29 January If you have any questions, please call Bill or Sonia Gotthardt at about the Bake Sale. FOUNDER S DAY CHILI/CHOWDER SUNSET Friday 11 February 1800 (6:00pm) AO Joan Wallin AP We celebrate our Founding at this fun and special Sunset. Join us with your favorite recipe for chili or chowder or anything to accompany them. If you have questions, please call Joan at or joanwallin@bellsouth.net. PHOTO ON-THE-WATER SCAVENGET HUNT Saturday 26 February It s too late for an Oscar or Golden Globe award, but you can still get an award at the KWPS PHOTOGRAPHIC SCAVENGER HUNT on February 26. Contact Rick Lavoie at RICKLAV@BELLSOUTH.NET for more information. See page 9 for a partial list of targets. ST. PATRICK S POT LUCK AND ANNUAL MEETING Sunday, 20 March 1800 (6:00 PM) Come bring your favorite prepared recipe for corned beef, cabbage, potatoes, scones, or other Irish goodies to share meat, vegetable, salad, dessert or whatever else with an Irish twist! We will have a short meeting to elect officers and approve the budget for next year, after which we will all share in the Pot Luck. If you have any questions, please call Joan or to joanwallin@bellsouth.net CHANGE OF WATCH Saturday 26 March See page 10 for information & sign-up sheet. 11 FULL MOON RAFT-UP Friday 18 February Saturday 19 March This informal party on the water is your chance to watch the sun set in the West and howl at the full moon rising in the East. XO Bud Halldorson, SN The original raft-up will continue in Coupon Bight for those near Big Pine, the Torches, Ramrod and Summerland. We will try another venue at the same time in Cudjoe Bay (near N W ) for those near Sugarloaf, Cudjoe, and the West side of Summerland. Bring your own drink and hors d oeuvres to share. If you don t have a boat, don t worry. There is always a space on one of the boats going out. For times, more information, and a ride if needed, call (for Coupon Bight) Walt For Cudjoe Bay call Randy or Rick Due to our uncertain weather, please call first to make sure we will be going out. SNIPE POINT RENDEZVOUS Wednesday, March 16, (11:00 AM) Come join us on Wednesday, 16 March 2011, at Snipe Point. Bring your beach chairs and beach umbrellas, and pack your lunch and bring plenty to drink, so that you can play all afternoon. Remember to fly your KWSPS burgee, so that we can all find each other. We ll plan to meet at L N, Lo W. Low tide is 1656 (4:56 PM) and high tide is at 1049 (10:49 AM), so please plan your approach and anchoring accordingly. Chart may help. If you plan to meet there, please call Bud Halldorson at or seasntrees@msn.com, so that you can be notified if plans change. If you have a boat and can take others or if would like to go and need a boat ride, please let Bud know, and we will work to get everyone there.

12 Sandy Bergin, Sonia Gotthardt, & Randy McDonald Virginia Probert, Phil Arcuni, Jill Wagner, & Mike Johnson Joan Brill, Lois Arcuni, & Dan Probert Harry Fiala, Bill Gillette, & John Belkengren P A S T C O M M A N D E R S Nancy Romain, Randy Pekarik, Judy Maslowski, Robert Dodd, & Roxanne Fleszer Sonia Gotthardt & Virginia Probert New Members Diane & Robert Dodd 12 P B A R N E C A A K K F E A S T

13 More Sunset Judy Maslowski, Bill Gillette, Libby McDonald, & Vince Melendy GOT YOURS? Joe Carotenuto, Roxanne Fleszar, & Virginia Probert We are eligible to order software from Microsoft this month. To see what s available click on home.techsoup.org/stock/pages/ category.aspx? category=microsoftcategory. You don t need to log in to browse the different titles. If you see something you d like to order make a note of it and me with the name and quantity you d like. We are only eligible to place orders once a year from Microsoft, so get your order to me by 15 February. KWSPS will add a small service fee to the prices listed to pay the cost of producing DVDs. My address is bigille@earthlink.net. 13 If not, call Bill today to schedule your free safety inspection!

14 NOMINATING COMMITTEE SLATE OF CANDIDATES Commander Executive Officer Administrative Officer Education Officer Secretary Treasurer Asst Administrative Officer Asst Education Officer Asst Secretary Asst Treasurer Marvin Bud Halldorson, SN Joseph Fadlovich, AP Judith Maslowski, P Timothy Bergin, AP Abra Carotenuto John Belkengren, AP Sonia Gotthardt Richard Odgers, JN Jill Wagner Kenneth Mike Johnson, S EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE P/C Lois Arcuni, JN P/R/C Phillip Arcuni, SN 1 st Lt Sandy Bergin, P Stf/C William Gillette, AP 1st Lt Sonia Gotthardt 1st Lt Kenneth Johnson, S P/C Walter Maslowski, AP John McCaffrey, AP P/C Randal McDonald, JN 1st/Lt Richard Odgers JN P/C Janice Rohde, AP P/C William Scheidell, AP Jill Wagner Vince Melendy, AP NOMINATING COMMITTEE P/C Randal McDonald, JN, Chm Stf/C William Gillette, AP ASEO Richard Odgers, JN John McCaffrey, AP Rick Jent, S 2 years 3 years 3 years 2 years 2 years AUDIT COMMITTEE RULES COMMITTEE William Rohde, A/P, Chm 1 year P/R/C Phillip Arcuni, SN, Chm 2 years Rick Harty, S 2 years P/C Randall Stempsey, AP 2 years Michel Appellis 3 years If you will serve on a boating, land activity, education department, advertising, Conch Skipper, telephone, or member involvement committee, please contact Bill Gillette at or at bifille@earthlink.net or Bud Halldorson at or at seasntrees@msn.com 14

15 Conch Skipper Key West Sail & Power Squadron P.O. Box 5 Key West, FL Phone: (305) USPS Web Pg: Key West Web Pg: SUNSETS Friday (6:00pm) Friday (6:00pm) This use of our Squadron Building is probably the most successful event for our membership as we get to socialize in a nice "cool" building, and also enjoy a beautiful Key West sunset. For those new to the Squadron, we each bring an hors d'oeuvre to share. The dress is always Key West casual, so dress comfortably and relax. Come help us celebrate, meet our new members, and see old friends. February Sonia Gotthardt & Erma Ford will set up & Karen & Jon Moebs will host. In March Carole & Dick Odgers will set up and Dodee & Steve Black will host. BUILDING CLEAN-UP Monday (5:30pm) Monday (5:30pm) Come help us keep our walls & floor clean & shining and the outside weeded and mowed on our squadron building. The building is our biggest asset, and we are totally responsible for its care. The time to be here is 1730 (5:30 PM). We will order in pizza for when we are done. Not on the Executive Committee but curious about how things are done? You are invited to stay, see, hear, and contribute to the workings of your Squadron. The meeting usually lasts an hour. See you there! Don t forget our Founder s Day Chili/Chowder Sunset in February! See page 11 for information.