United States Power Squadrons Ventura Sail and Power Squadron Volume 62 January 2018 Number 1 Now I need to tell you all that I will be gone until March 20. I have surgery scheduled shortly to remove a mass in my leg. Depending on that outcome I may have to start chemo and/or radiation. A side effect is a depressed immune system which requires having limited contact with others. Cdr Steve Johnston, P Commander s Corner Hello everyone Dan Coverdale has agreed to step in to the Commander s role and will make sure things are getting done. Thanks to the all the board for your continued efforts on behalf of our Squadron. Well another year is drawing to a quick close. I want to thank all the members of the executive committee for delivering an excellent program to our members. Our classes have generated many new members into our Squadron. Kim has tendered her resignation from the Office of Treasurer and Dan Cahn has accepted the request to take over for her. Classes are scheduled for 2018 and our ABC classes should be full as the new requirement of the new California Boater card are in effect on Jan 1.
cost is $50 for members and $75 for nonmembers. This course stresses the diagnosis of modern systems and the basics of engine layout and operation. Lt/C Debbie Braun-Lawson Squadron Education Officer Our Spring schedule of classes is now open for registration: ADVANCED PILOTING: Register NOW! The class starts Monday, January 29, 2018 and runs for twelve weeks. Rick Metheny is the Instructor. The class will meet at 7:00 p.m. at Ventura Yacht Club, 1755 Spinnaker Dr. Ventura, CA 93001. The cost is $70 for members and $100 for nonmembers. This class requires that you take Piloting as a prerequisite. SEAMANSHIP: This class starts on April 23, 2018 and runs for eight weeks. Jan Lawson is the Instructor. The class will meet at Ventura Yacht Club, 1755 Spinnaker Dr. Ventura, CA 93001. The cost is $60 for members and $90 for nonmembers. This class elaborates on the basics of safe boating. We hope you will take a class with us in 2018 to further your boating education! Holliiday Party Photos by Lt/C Lorna Londborg P ABC (America s Boating Course): This class start on Tuesday, February 13, 2018 and runs for nine weeks. John Bath is the Instructor. The class will meet at 7:00 p.m. at the Ventura Yacht Club, 1755 Spinnaker Dr. Ventura, CA 93001. The cost is $50. This class is designed to introduce the fundamentals of safe boating and qualify for certification in California for boating education before operating a watercraft. ENGINE MAINTENANCE: This class starts on Tuesday, February 20, 2018 and runs for nine weeks. Alan Gosselin will be the Instructor. The class will meet at 7:00 p.m. at Pierpont Bay Yacht Club, 1363 Spinnaker Dr. Ventura, CA 93001. The
Holliday Party Photos by Lt Sheri Green, JN
2018 NOMINATIONS Cdr Steve Johnston Lt/Cdr Executive Officer Dan Coverdale Lt/C Dan Coverdale Executive Officer Judy and I live on our sailboat with our dog in Ventura Harbor. Close quarters. For the past year or so, we ve been shopping up and down the West Coast for a motor yacht, without a lot of success. In fact, at times it s really been discouraging. For example, this last Summer Robyn Miller and I visited Channel Islands Yacht Club to make a dinner presentation about boat safety and while we were there I met a very nice guy who was selling his Hatteras 43. Judy and I wanted to buy the boat, but then the seller took it off the market. We had a number of experiences along these lines, but we didn t give up, and just this last week we may have found our new boat, a Kha Shing motor yacht in the Sacramento Delta. It s a clean boat, in very good shape, with a beautiful engine room, an aft stateroom and a sun deck. The seller is serious and so are we. It will probably be a month before we have the boat down here in Ventura, and the two of us can hardly wait. Make that the three of us. 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
Rules of the Road By Larry Golkin Reproduced with permission from Mr. Gorkin Many of us have experienced what I refer to as the Sunday Afternoon Scenario : 50 to 60 vessels converging upon and clogging the mouth of the harbor, traveling at various speeds and moving in all directions. Some operators know the rules designed to avoid collisions. Some have merely heard of them. And some have no idea there are rules governing the movement of watercraft. To say a collision is possible in this scenario grossly understates the conditions. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, collisions are the most dangerous and frequently occurring mishaps on our waters. Collisions not only result in potentially serious and expensive vessel damage, but they may also result in serious personal injury or death. Avoiding collisions on the water differs from avoiding collisions while driving your car. In a car, you can stay in your lane and slow down. On the ocean, there are no lanes and it s not that easy to stop. It s also difficult, if not impossible, to constantly monitor the movement of so many vessels. The Coast Guard publishes the Navigation Rules, a handbook designed to govern the movement of vessels and help prevent collisions. All mariners are required to know and responsibly apply the Navigation Rules when operating their vessels. You can obtain a copy from the Coast Guard or view the rules online. Consider the Navigation Rules to be a code of conduct, not a bill of rights. They don t bestow rights or privileges. They impose a duty to either give way or stand on, depending on the circumstances. The rules don t confer the rightof- way to any vessel. The rules govern the movements of vessels in sight of each other and require that all vessels keep out of each other s way. Studies and experience demonstrate that strict adherence to the rules may not always be prudent. In other words, if a particular rule gives your vessel priority but strict compliance would result in a collision, you have to avoid the collision even if it means breaking a rule. As a vessel operator, you can t assume that the other operator knows the rules and will comply with them. Larry Golkin JJanuary Biirthdays Glenda Davis 1-Jan Robert Davis 1-Jan Robyn Miller 1-Jan John J. Traverson 1-Jan Doug M. Montgomery 5-Jan Don Roy 7-Jan C. Gilbert Eigenhuis Jr. 10-Jan Daniel Coverdale 11-Jan John M. Bath 17-Jan Mary B. Beck 20-Jan Rudy P. Nodar 21-Jan Howard H. Wang 24-Jan Richard G. Heller 29-Jan Susan Lawrence 29-Jan Kristen Clark 31-Jan
Ventura Harbor Parade of Lights Kiss owned by PC Jan Lawson and Lt/C Debbie Braun-Lawson, AP won this year s award for a large power boat in the Non-Profit category. It was spectacular! There was a whole team consisting of Ventura Sail and Power Squadron and Ventura Yacht Club members who worked for many weeks doing the actual construction.
VENTURA SAIL AND POWER SQUADRON ANNUAL BUSINESS MEETING & APPETIZER CONTEST Saturday, 27 January 2018 1200 to 1400 Social Event: The VSPS "world class" APPETIZER contest is here...so pull out your cookbook and make a great appetizer to enter in the contest and share with attendees. Members will enjoy and vote on the entries and prizes will be awarded to winners. The winning recipe will be published in the February Helm. Soft drinks will be provided. There is a no-host bar. Business Event: 2018 Annual Business Meeting will give you, the members of VSPS, the opportunity to applaud the accomplishments of our squadron as led by the current officers and their committee members. You will also elect the 2018-2019 officers and have the chance to volunteer your support for the coming year. Place: Channel Islands Yacht Club, 1400 Harbor Blvd, Oxnard Cost: No cost. Altogether it s a great way to share an early 2018 squadron event with friends while taking care of required squadron business.
Hope you can join the Squadron to thank the outgoing and welcome the incoming 2018 Bridge! See the flyers for the details of these upcoming events. Lt/C Lorna Londborg, P Administrative Officer It s a busy time of year for the VSPS! December 10 we celebrated our Holiday party and 47 members attended to enjoy the festivities. Le Petit Café didn t let us down and served up a scrumptious dinner; also, the White Elephant game was as fast-paced and hilarious as always, thanks to Rick and Pat Metheney. January 8 January 27 Comiing Events Exe. Com. Meeting Ventura Yacht Club Annual Meeting Channel Islands Yacht Club December 16 and 17, came the Parade of Lights. The Squadron s entry, the Kiss, proved us proud and won First Place in the Non-Profit category! Many hours were invested in the building of such a beautiful display, themed Wish Upon a Star, thanks to all that contributed. February 3 Change of Watch Ventura Yacht Club Approaching fast, on January 27, is our annual meeting. We will once again have our Appetizer Contest and, more importantly, be electing the new Bridge for 2018. This will be followed by a short business meeting. This is an important meeting for our organization, please mark your calendar and join us! The following Saturday, on February 3, is our Change of Watch. Remember, reservations are required for this fun event; checks are due no later than January 27.
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 email to londborg@gmail.com. Send a check made out to VSPS for $40.00 per person to: Lorna Londborg 1198 Navigator Drive #172 Ventura, CA 93001 RSVP AND CHECKS MUST BE RECEIVED BY SATURDAY, JANUARY 27, 2018.
The start date for Engine Maintenance class is February 20, 2018. The classroom location is still in question, but one location has been located, and details are being negotiated. Advanced Piloting class starts January 29, 2018 Seamanship class starts April 23, 2018 Lt/C Chris Stine Secretary Ventura Sail and Power Squadron Executive Committee Meeting Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard, CA 04 December, 2017 Preliminary Minutes Called to order at 1908. Attendees: 1. Cdr Steve Johnston 2. SEO Lt/C Debbie Braun-Lawson 2. Admin Officer Lt/C Lorna Londborg 3. Secretary Lt/C Chris Stine 5. Treasurer Lt/C Kim Morris 6. Darrell O'Connell 7. Dan Cahn 8. Robyn Miller 9. Janet Shultz 10. Don Shultz A quorum was present. Reports of Officers: SEO Lt/C Debbie Braun-Lawson The start date for the ABC class will be February 13, 2018. Admin Officer Lt/C Lorna Londborg 47 people are planning to attend the Holiday Party at La Petite Cafe, Ventura Harbor, on Sunday, December 10. The date for the Annual Meeting is set for January 27, 2018, and preparations for the annual meeting were discussed. Ev Ashworth prepared the program and purchased the awards last year. The New Member Award choice is based on participation and number of classes taken as a new member. The Change of Watch ceremony is scheduled for the following week on February 3, 2018. A suggestion was made about having a raffle, and what the rules, regulations and/or laws concerning raffles might entail. An alternative idea was discussed about having some sort of white elephant exchange. No decision was made for either idea. The Change of Watch ceremony will be held at the Ventura Yacht Club and the $40 per plate price of the meal was based on an estimated 46 members attending. Treasurer Lt/C Kim Morris Kim provided the Budget Summary. See attached written Budget Summary report (3/1/2017 through 12/04/2017).
Secretary Lt/C Chris Stine Chris provided minutes for the meeting of 06 November 2017. A motion was made, and was seconded and approved to accept the November minutes. Executive Officer Lt/C Dan Coverdale Absent no report provided Commander Steve Johnston Steve started the discussion about the Boater s Card. Debbie elaborated on the subject and said eventually everyone will have to retake the ABC class at some point in the future. Steve showed the book called California Boating, which a person can study and take the test on their own, and then mail it in for grading. This could be another option to taking the class again instead of in the classroom setting. There will be more publicity and information after Jan 1, 2018. Steve will not be available to handle VSPS duties for a couple of months, and said Executive Officer Lt/C Dan Coverdale will be available to handle any issues that might arise. Steve delivered the latest badges that have been made for new members to Debbie Braun-Lawson. Debbie volunteered to be the person to get new member badges made during Steve s absence. Ongoing Business/Activities/Classes Several members of the squadron have provided feedback that their insurance premiums have been improved by providing evidence of boating classes they have taken to their insurance companies. The VSPS membership is urged to talk with their insurance agents about (a) possible rate discount(s) for boating classes taken through the Power Squadron. Completed Business/Activities/Classes Don Shultz further discussed the Merit Marks program and his observations as to how it works. He encouraged everyone to be cognizant of our members efforts and the number of hours individuals contribute to a successful conclusion of a project. He suggested this information needs to be submitted promptly to him throughout the year, in order to help alleviate a rush to complete the submission by the mid-november deadline each year. Future Business/Activities/Classes Robyn Miller, representing the Nominating Committee, talked about a replacement for our Treasurer Kim Morris, who is not available to be Treasurer for year 2018. Dan Cahn has indicated a willingness to run for the office of Treasurer for 2018. Adjourned at 2015. Steve thanked everyone for the merit marks work done recently to get ready for submission to the National office in mid- November.
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) 573-4429 Cheesehead1@gmail.com (323) 810-8887 Coverdale47@msn.com (661) 204-2357 londborg@gmail.com (805) 407-4777 debbiebraunlawson@gmail.com (805) 320-1441 kim@vhby.com (805) 498-4018 chrisstine@verizon.net (661) 414-6915 sheridan713@gmail.com Contacts for Local Mariners 24-Hour Emergency Telephone Numbers US Coast Guard Search & Rescue(805)985-9822 Channel Islands Harbor Patrol (805)382-3000 Ventura Harbor Patrol. (805)642-8618 Port Hueneme (805)982-4571 Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol (805)564-5530 Harbormasters Administrative Channel Islands (805)382-6864 Channel Islands Harbor Patrol (805)382-3007 Ventura Port District (805)642-8538 Port Hueneme Public Affairs (805)982-4493 Santa Barbara Harbor Patrol (805)564-5520 National Weather Service Oxnard... (805)988-6610 Web site: http://www.nwsla.noaa.gov
Ventura Sail & Power Squadron Lt. Sheridan Green, JN, Editor 1755 Spinnaker Drive Ventura, CA 93001 Address Correction Requested January 2018