February 2014 Annapolis, Maryland Volume 73, Number 2

Transcription

1 1 February 2014 Annapolis, Maryland Volume 73, Number 2 Commander s Message Marianne Ponzio, P We are now entering the middle of winter or as our Midshipmen refer to it the Dark Ages we are also only a few months away from getting our boats unwrapped and provisioned for another boating season. In addition to scheduling your VSC inspection it is also time to make reservations for our Founders Day Brunch and our Change of Watch. Please remember that we will not have a dinner meeting in February or April as these events will occur in those months. The nominating committee has worked very hard to fill vacancies in our Squadron Committees. Please review the list of nominations in this publication. A vote will occur at our March 6, 2014 monthly dinner meeting. Please attend the meeting if you can to show support for all those that have come forward to support and continue planning the social events, education offerings, and the ensuring stability for the future of the Annapolis Sail & Power Squadron. We are fast approaching our District Spring Conference held in Ocean City and it is time to plan for our Hospitality Suite. We need your help in planning our theme for the event and a unique educational presentation. Keep in mind that this meant to be a social event so some type of interaction activity would be welcomed. Look for information on a committee meeting soon. This is the perfect opportunity for our new members to get know other squadron members and to attend our District Spring Conference and the District Change of Watch. Al and I send you best wishes from Sunny Florida! Look forward to seeing all of you at the Change of Watch! Table of Contents Commander s Message 1 Executive Officer s Report 2 UPCOMING EVENTS TO CONSIDER D5 Winter Training Session February 2014 Baltimore...check out for more information D5 Annual Meeting & Spring Conference March 2014 Ocean City, Maryland Founder s Day 3 Administrative Officer s Report 4 Educational Officer s Report 5-6 Safety Officer 7-8 Nominations 9 Change of Watch 10 Spring Conference, Ocean City Captain Chess A Peake 13 Deadline 14 Calendar of Events 14 Bridge Officers Contact Info 15

2 Executive Officer Lt/C Kathy Nash, AP Well winter sure is here! Snow, polar vortex, and more snow expected. Sure is a good time to get some work done for summer! Try taking a course or one of our seminars. You always learn something and it s fun to get out with other boaters. If not a course or seminar, why not take part in the Spring Conference in Ocean City on March See the flyer in this newsletter. For those of you who have never been, let me tell you about it...it is held at the Princess Royal Hotel which has an indoor pool. The indoor pool may not seem that unusual, but the hotel surrounds it and on the ground level there are suites which open up to the large pool deck. On Friday night each squadron in our district hosts one of these suites, called a Hospitality Suite. The squadron decorates the room and serves some food and drink. Themes of the rooms in the past have included: pirates, lighthouses, safe boating, recycling on the water, etc. It is an incredibly fun night where you can meet folks from many different squadrons. During the day on Saturday there are some seminars, raffle tables and much more. Saturday night there is a formal dinner and awards ceremony. Most of the time Annapolis has come away with a few awards...we shall see this year. We will be looking for folks to help with a hospitality suite so watch for Lunch Hooks, or contact me directly if you are interested. Of course I cannot forget to mention our Vessel Safety Program. We are looking for contacts at local marinas to hold Vessel Safety Check Days. These may be in coordination with a spring opening day or some other event. If you have a contact at your marina that you think may be interested, or call that information to Homer Sandridge, N at or at sherrysand@hotmail.com. Homer will work with the marinas directly, so you do not have to do anything but pass on the contact to us. Also if you have an interest in joining the Vessel Safety Check team, call or Homer as well. It is fun, it is not hard, and you will find it very rewarding. Hope to see you out there! January Dinner Meeting ANNAPOLIS SAIL AND POWER SQUADRON 2

3 ANNAPOLIS SAIL AND POWER SQUADRON 3

4 Administrative Officer Lt/C Carl Wick, S These are the times that try boater s souls! Some know this time of year as the Dark Ages all I know is that it is indeed dark and plying the Chesapeake in any form of water craft is just not in my personal deck of cards. I m sure that there are those of probably more rugged Viking descent that scoff at crummy cold and damp weather jumping at the chance to reboot your heart at the Polar Plunge but as for me, the closest I ll get to boating will be an odd boat show or two over the next couple of months! Fear not, warm weather boaters! For those who think like me in the matter of winter boat activities, we have a nice indoor boating program planned for February our Founder s Day celebration. Instead of our more usual monthly dinner meeting, please plan to join us at the Sheraton Hotel on Sunday, February 9 th at 11:00 AM for our Founder s Day brunch. After our meal we will hear from John Harris of Chesapeake Light Craft. This is the outfit that produces elegant light wooden boats in the form of plans and kits and finished works. If you have ever toyed with the idea of making a small boat yourself, you will certainly leave this Founder s Day better informed. Founder s Day 2014: When: Sunday, 9 February, 1100 at the Annapolis Sheraton Hotel What: Our annual celebration of the founding of ASPS. Join us for brunch and a talk about the building of small wooden boats by John Harris of Chesapeake Light Craft Cost: $35/ per person, payable by cash or check at the door. RSVP: Pease RSVP by noon, Thursday, 6 February through our web site at or by calling ASPS Voic at (410) Choose option 4. The eagle-eyed reader will note an increase in the price of this event over our normal monthly dinner. The brunch menu is, of course, not the same as our regular dinner meal. To bring you the best quality/variety/price combination we will need to charge a little more for this event to break somewhat even. An unfortunate and almost certain eventuality is that prices rise. More unfortunate for me is that even the increase leaves nothing skim-able for a trip to the Bahamas. So go vacuum the sofa and look in the dryer for a few more quarters and come enjoy Founder s Day! While you are at the Founder s Day event or one of our next dinner events, please take some time to meet some new members to ASPS: Jean and Don Williams, Robert and Wendy Olexy, Reid Ellis and Ramona Trovato. Help them get answers to their questions and understand the opportunities ASPS has to offer. ANNAPOLIS SAIL AND POWER SQUADRON 4

5 Educational Officer Lt/C Michael Maszczenski, Jr., JN The cold months of winter and spring are the best time to remove the rust and polish your boating knowledge before working on the boat takes over. Sign up now for a seminar or course. Send or bring a friend! Upcoming Courses: ABC3 This class covers the basic requirements for the Maryland Boating Safety certificate for all those born after July The class is 12 hours of instruction with a test. You must pass with an 80% to receive the Boating Safety Card needed by Maryland law. The course will be six - 2 hour sessions, the last session being a review and the test. All participants who pass will receive their Boating Safety card that day. Dates: Tuesday evenings, 4 February through 18 March 2014 Time: 7:00 to 9:00 pm Cost: $50.00 Location: Bacon Sail & Marine Supplies Instructor: Mike Maszczenski Marine Electrical Systems Marine Electrical Systems (MES) covers the practice of wiring your boat, including boat electrical wiring practices and diagrams, direct and alternating current power, galvanic and stray current corrosion, and lightning protection. Troubleshooting is emphasized throughout, so students should feel comfortable performing even tricky wiring tasks after passing this course. Dates: Wednesday evenings, 2 April through 4 June 2014 Time: 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Cost: $50.00 Location: Bacon Sails and Marine Supplies Instructor: Carl Wick Piloting Piloting is the first of the navigational classes focusing on techniques for piloting a boat in coastal and inland conditions. The course emphasizes planning and checking along with the use of GPS for determining position, and introduces digital charting along with traditional charting, compass and dead reckoning skills. Plotting, labeling, use of the compass, aids to navigation and a host of related topics are included in this all-new approach to coastal and inland piloting. This course uses the 4x15 plotter and dividers, which must be ordered separately. The Student Kit includes the Student Manual, the RosePoint Coastal Explorer DVD, and the Plotting and Labeling Guide. Dates: Tuesday evenings, 1 April to 3 June 2014 Time: 7:00 to 9:00 pm. Course Cost $75.00 Optional extras Plotting tool $7.00, 4 Protractor $5.00, Dividers $12.00 Location: Bacon Sails and Marine Supplies Instructor: Grant Woodside (Continued on Page 6) ANNAPOLIS SAIL AND POWER SQUADRON 5

6 (Continued from Page 5) The following seminars will be taught at West Marine, Hillsmere Dr., Annapolis MD as part of the Saturday Seminar Series. They are free to the public. Books and materials will be available for sale. Trailering Your Boat - Trailering Your Boat explains how to select tow vehicles, hitches, and trailers. It also explains how to safely and securely trailer your boat, launch and retrieve it, and how to operate and maintain your trailering equipment. The McGraw-Hill published USPS book Trailering your Boat by Bruce Smith, will be for sale at the seminar. Saturday, 15 February 2014, 9:00 to 11:00 am Using GPS This seminar explains the principles of waypoint navigation and shows you how to relate the GPS to your charts. The seminar also shows you how to operate your GPS - what the buttons do, what the screens show, and how to access the functions you need. You'll also get some tips for choosing a GPS if you don't currently own one. The waterproof McGraw-Hill Captain's Quick Guide Using GPS is included to take aboard to remind you of the steps, or to show another of your crew how to use your GPS will be available for sale. Saturday, 8 March 2014, 9:00 to 11:00 am Anchoring The new Anchoring Seminar has been prepared to assist boaters in understanding the issues and problems involving the theories of anchor weight, the methods used to anchor, and the choices of anchor types for the area of boating. The slides and notations on anchoring are intended to raise awareness of the need for correct anchor choices and the mechanics of proper anchoring techniques. The knowledge gained from completing this seminar will increase the student s understanding of the conditions and situations involved in anchoring a boat and the need for a proper anchor choice. Saturday, 12 April :00 to 11:00 am Locations: Bacon Sails and Marine Supplies, 116 Legion Ave., Annapolis MD West Marine, 113 Hilsmere Dr., Annapolis MD 21403, It s easy to register for a class or seminar: Call the Hotline at You will need Option 2 to register for member courses. Register online. Click on this link: Send an to aspsmd.class@gmail.com. Please include your full name, the class you want to sign up for, and a phone number in case further information is needed. If there is a registration problem, please contact me at SUMMARY OF COURSES & SEMINARS DAY DATES COST LOCATION ABC Tuesday 4 Feb-18 March $50 Bacons MARINE ELECTRONICAL Wednesday 2 April-4 June $50 Bacons PILOTING Tuesday 1 April-3 June $75* Bacons TRAILERING YOUR BOAT Saturday 15 February $0** West Marine USING GPS Saturday 8 March $0** West Marine ANCHORING Saturday 12 April $0** West Marine * See note under Piloting about extra supplies available. ** Seminar is free, some materials may be available for purchase. ANNAPOLIS SAIL AND POWER SQUADRON 6

7 Safety Officer Capt. Al Ponzio, AP Yea, Right This year I trailered a small boat to Florida and decided to rack store undercover. Easy enough here are the keys; here is the fee for storage not quite. The Marina representative then says great just sign these 3 contracts and you are good to go. OK easy enough! As I look over the contract I read the fine print at the bottom that says the marina is not responsible for any damage no matter who s fault it is. I would think to myself Yea, Right, who are they kidding. So what if the new kid operating the sling for the first time drops my boat or the lift mechanic just starting out with only OJT pulls my cleat out when he is in the process of repairing my lift. Well, was I surprised when I read this information from BoatUS..Who really is liable?? If you assume that the marina will pay for the damages, you may be in for a shock. Consider these scenarios The mechanic who works at your marina test drives your boat following engine repairs. Something goes wrong, he loses control, and the boat causes and sustains considerable damage when it bounces off another vessel and hits a dock. Partygoers on another boat wreak havoc at your marina, vandalizing several vessels, including yours. The marina's security guard failed to stop the mayhem. The dockhand your marina hired for the summer fills your boat's gas tank with water and vice versa. More and more, marina contracts include phrases such as, "The boat owner fully agrees and releases the marina from any liability for loss or damage to the boat, under any circumstance, including any negligent acts or omissions by the marina or its personnel." Besides shielding marinas and their insurers from having to dig deep to pay settlements for losses and damages, marinas can save considerable dollars by having customers sign "hold-harmless" clauses in rental agreements. These policies often have large deductibles and the premiums are going up every year. The sluggish economy has put a sharper focus on the bottom line and businesses are understandably trying to keep costs down, but it's often at the expense of consumers, their customers. Consumers who agree to hold-harmless clauses can find themselves between a rock and a hard place: a marina absolved of responsibility on one hand and their own insurance company that refuses to pay out claims on the other, because these clauses are often in conflict with the boat owner's insurance policy. With less protection from the marinas, can boat owners expect slip fees to go down? No. Marina customers find themselves in basically the same position as airline customers: The peanut packets are smaller and there's a lot less leg room, but ticket prices and baggage-handling costs are higher. In addition, "marinas are increasingly asking to be added to the individual boat owner's policy as an additional insured," explains Carroll Robertson, senior vice president of BoatUS Marine Insurance Claims. Besides reducing the cost of the marina's insurance, claims paid due to the marina's negligence become part of the boat owner's claims history, not the marina's, and can potentially drive up the consumer's insurance premiums. "Some of the 'additional insured' requirements are pretty broad," Robertson said. "Just last week, we spoke with two BoatUS insured members, one in California and the other in Florida, whose marinas had an incredible list of requirements and waivers in their slip agreements." (Continued on Page 8) ANNAPOLIS SAIL AND POWER SQUADRON 7

8 (Continued from Page 7) "Some of the 'additional insured' requirements are pretty broad," Robertson said. "Just last week, we spoke with two BoatUS insured members, one in California and the other in Florida, whose marinas had an incredible list of requirements and waivers in their slip agreements." In addition to hold-harmless clauses, some marinas also try to get their customers to agree to waive the right for their insurance companies to subrogate or recover for damages caused by the marina. Insurance companies generally have the right to step into the shoes of the party whom they compensate (in other words, the insured boat owner) and seek recovery from any party legally responsible for the damage, and whom the boat owner could have recovered from directly. If the boat owner does anything to interfere with the insurance company's right to recover, such actions could void his insurance coverage, or he could end up having to return the amount paid by his insurer.a few years ago, a Maryland marina tried to require its customers to sign an addendum to their regular slip agreements, waiving their right to subrogate while the marina was being renovated. Needless to say, few customers were willing to do so, even though the marina reduced slip fees by 10 percent, or about $500, a reduction that wouldn't come close to covering significant damage. "The cases where we see requests for waivers of subrogation are typically from marinas that are owned by municipalities or marinas owned by the National Park Service that subcontract the management of the facility," explains Pellerin. "We have had requests from municipalities that were unreasonable in their demands." Again, Pellerin advises boat owners to review slip contracts with their insurers. Individual contracts can be renegotiated, but success by one slip holder doesn't mean the changes are shared by everyone else unless the consumers join together. "If the marina does not accept our standard language, we create an endorsement that will work for all of our insureds at that marina," Pellerin said. "Case in point, we recently had a waterfront neighborhood in New York where we had to create specific language and make sure it was attached to all of our policies for insureds that kept their boats at the slips." All BoatUS Marine insurance policies have coverage for liability assumed under a written boat storage or slip rental contract. This covers the indemnification problem. The Take-Home Message Read and understand all slip and boat storage agreements thoroughly before signing. Ignorance of the contract is not a defense against unfair practices. Review contract terms with the marine insurance company that covers your boat. It may be possible to renegotiate terms that are more in your favor. BoatUS policyholders who are asked to sign such a contract should call the BoatUS Underwriting Department, , to review this material. REMEMBER, SAFETY IS A LEARNED HABIT! Annapolis Sail & Power Squadron Logo Clothing Each Annapolis Sail & Power Squadron member may purchase Squadron logo clothing directly from the website of the Queensboro Shirt Company. Check it out at: Hats with our Squadron's logo are now available on the website. There are several different styles of baseball caps as well as other types of hats available. For several of the hats there are 2 choices which appear to be identical. The difference is that the word "Annapolis" appears on the front with the burgee logo but the words "Sail & Power Squadron" are optional and appear on the back of the hat if that is what you choose. The hats without the writing on the back are $5.00 cheaper than the hats which have the writing on the back. Please pay attention to what you order so you will be sure to receive what you want. Any questions, please call Sherry Sandridge at OR me at sherrysand@hotmail.com. ANNAPOLIS SAIL AND POWER SQUADRON 8

9 ANNAPOLIS SAIL AND POWER SQUADRON 9

10 Commander Marianne Ponzio, P Cordially invites you to the Change of Watch Dinner For The Annapolis Sail and Power Squadron Date: Saturday, 12 April 2014 Annapolis Yacht Club 2 Compromise Street, Annapolis, MD Time: 1800 Cocktails, 1900 Dinner Cost: $ per person Menu AYC House Salad Blackened Pork Loin Tropical Fruit Salsa and Pineapple Beurre Blance Sesame Crusted Salmon Squadron Cake Coffee or Tea ************************************************************************* RSVP by Wednesday, Feb 23, 2013, 1000 Please fill in and mail this form with your check made out to ASPS to: Lt/C Kathy Nash, AP 2805 White House Road Riva, MD mariannelacey@verizon.net Name Number of people Meal Choice: Pork Salmon Vegetarian Total at $ each ANNAPOLIS SAIL AND POWER SQUADRON 10

11 ANNAPOLIS SAIL AND POWER SQUADRON 11

12 Hotel Reservations Please reserve your room directly with the Princess Royale Hotel. Reservations Hotel address is 9100 Coastal Highway, Ocean City, MD Handicapped rooms are available upon request. Entire facility is non- smoking. Room Reservations must be made by 24 February 2014 to obtain discounted rates. Reservation ID code: USPS D5 Oceanview/Poolview Suite $105.00/night plus tax Oceanfront Suite $139.00/night plus tax Oceanfront Condo 2BR/2BA $229.00/night plus tax ANNAPOLIS SAIL AND POWER SQUADRON 12

13 Captain Chess A. Peake This section of our newsletter is the Captain Chess A. Peake column. Mostly serving as an educational and review column in keeping with the goals of the United States Power Squadron, Safe Boating through Education. Captain Chess A. Peake wants you to sharpen your nautical knowledge. Nautical Knowledge: 1) Your vessel is NOT making way, but is not in any way disabled. Another vessel is approaching you on your starboard beam. Which statement is TRUE? A. The other vessel must give way since your vessel is stopped. B. Your vessel is the give-way vessel in a crossing situation. C. You should be showing the lights or shapes for a vessel not under command. D. You should be showing the lights or shapes for a vessel restricted in her ability to maneuver. 2) Every vessel that is to keep out of the way of another vessel must take positive early action to comply with this obligation and must. A. avoid crossing ahead of the other vessel B. avoid passing astern of the other vessel C. sound one prolonged blast to indicate compliance D. alter course to port for a vessel on her port side 3) When shall the stand-on vessel change course and speed? A. The stand-on vessel may change course and speed at any time as it has the right-of-way. B. After the give-way vessel sounds one blast in a crossing situation. C. When action by the give-way vessel alone cannot prevent collision. D. When the two vessels become less than half a mile apart 4) You are underway and hear a vessel continuously sounding her fog whistle. This indicates the other vessel. A. desires to communicate by radio B. desires a pilot C. is in distress D. is aground Trivia: Tundra Swan This time of year you may see Tundra Swans wintering in the Chesapeake Bay and its tributaries. Tundra and Trumpeter Swans are the only two swan species native to North America; the Tundra Swan is the smaller and more numerous of the two. The plumage of adult Tundra Swans is completely white, though their heads and necks are often stained a rusty color from ferrous minerals encountered in marsh soils during feeding. The bill is black and often has a yellow spot at the base. The legs and feet are black and the iris is dark brown. Both sexes are identical in appearance, but males typically are larger. In this area, Calfpasture Cove at Eastern Neck National Wildlife Refuge near Rock Hall and the waste water treatment ponds near Hurlock are favorite wintering sites. 1. How long do wild Tundra Swans live? 2. How big are Tundra Swans? 3. What is the average wingspan of a Tundra Swan? 4. Are Tundra Swans monogamous? 5. What do you call a baby Swan? 6. How did Tundra Swans get their name? Answers: Nautical Knowledge: 1B, 2A, 3C, 4.C Trivia: 1. Up to 20years, 2. Males average 52 in length and 16 lbs, Females 51 and 14 lbs, inches, 4. Yes. At two or three years of age, Tundra Swans form life-long, monogamous pairs, often after short-term alliances with other partners. 5. Young swans are known as swanlings or as cygnets. 6. Their name reflects the species' breeding habitat in the tundra regions of Alaska and Canada ANNAPOLIS SAIL AND POWER SQUADRON 13

14 Calendar of Coming Events Member Events 9 February 2014 Founder s Day 6 March 2014 Dinner Meeting 12 April 2014 Change of Watch Executive Committee Meeting 28 February 2014 NSHOF District Events February 2014 Winter Training Session March 2014 Spring Conference-Ocean City National Events AS&PS Web site District 5 National USPS For updates to your telephone number, address, , etc., please call the ASPS Hot Line and select option number 7, or P/C Gary Budesheim, SN at gbudesheim@verizon.net or Deadline When: 15 February 2014 Direct all material to: Lt/C Kathy Nash, AP kmnash1@verizon.net Home: Cell: ANNAPOLIS SAIL AND POWER SQUADRON 14

15 Great Benefits available to USPS members include: Up to a 38% discount on boat insurance Boat U.S. Membership and Towing discounts Map and Navigation software discounts Hotel discounts Rental Car discounts Members Save Money Bridge Officers Commander: Cdr. Marianne L. Ponzio, P mariannelacey@verizon.net Executive Officer: Lt/C Kathy Nash, AP kmnash1@verizon.net Administrative Officer: Lt/C Carl Wick, S cewick70@gmail.com Educational Officer: Lt/C Michael Maszczenski, Jr., JN michaelm_aacps@hotmail.com Secretary: Georgianna Maszczenski, S gmaszczenski@hotmail.com Treasurer: Lt/C Gary Antonides, AP garyanto@verizon.net Assistant Educational Officer: Assistant Administrative Officer: Linda Sweeting linda_sweeting@yahoo.com Assistant Secretary: Gretchen Cupples, S gretchenlucia@aol.com Immediate Past Commander P/C Richard Hughes, JN fantastc@comcast.net Members-at-Large of the Executive Committee: Peggy Slattery, S Capt. John Wesley Nash, JN P/C Robert Lubbert, AP Jeff Short Lars Lindenhall Tom Campbell Ron Nicodemus, P Chris Ruemke, S Audit Committee: Maria Museler Dennis Johnson Art Howard Rules Committee: Jan Rapkin Carol Rechner, JN P/C Stu Myers, AP Nominating Committee: P/C Sam Lyness, N Sharon Sandridge, AP P/C Richard Hughes, JN P/C Lee Meyers, AP P/C Bill Museler, AP ANNAPOLIS SAIL AND POWER SQUADRON 15

16 Annapolis Sail and Power Squadron 1253 Still Woods Way Annapolis, MD RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED SUNSHINE LADY IF YOU KNOW OF ANYONE SICK OR IN THE HOSPITAL, PLEASE CONTACT OUR SUNSHINE LADY, Leslie Kain, S leslie.kain@verizon.net