Commanders Report – December 2003
This will be the last report for the current year. I can't say that it
was a particularly prosperous one for us if you measure prosperity by the number of members. Our membership varies
between 60 to 65 people. New members joining are just about offset with non-renewals around dues time. As Don
Jacobsen our Membership Chair said, we have quite a few people requesting membership but when it come to signing
that check, they seem to disappear. However, we keep hoping to enlarge our organization and our Bridge tries to
come up with new thoughts about meetings, dinners, boating socials etc. If you our members have any suggestions
we would be pleased to hear from you. Also understand that you the members can join us anytime at our Bridge of
Officers meeting where we discuss general business. Just check the calendar in the Bell for the meeting place or
contact our Admin Officer, Hank Chmielewski, for any details.
I guess by now we are over the great Turkey Dinner we all enjoyed and offered our prayers for those not so fortunate.
I must say we are thankful for the friends we made in the Squadron and for the good times enjoyed in the company
of members who enjoy boating and the sea. In particular I would ask that you say an extra prayer for those members
who have recently departed, namely
P/C Franklyn Robinson and P/C William Cochran.
In an effort to widen our scope of education, we are joining up with the Sound School at City Point in New Haven.
We have been asked to provide several public courses in "Boat Smart & PWC" plus the "Chart Smart"
courses. This will be an opportune time to try to enlarge our membership roles. The courses will be given as part
of the Adult Education Program. The course schedules are presented in the Education Calendar. Since we are also
continuing our Milford Adult Education program we are going to require help in instructing these courses. So if
you have a desire to try your hand at teaching one of these classes we would be very eager to assist you in making
that effort. Give me a call any time if you have an interest.
Lets get ready for the Christmas Holidays now only weeks away. We wish you and your families a very happy and enjoyable
Christmas. If you get one of those new fangled electronic gadgets from Santa, please bring it in and show us how
it works or maybe we can help you. Drive safe.
Bob Reeves, Cdr.
Administration Officer's
Report - December 2003
I attended the District 1 Conference on 15 November, 2003. This year the venue and procedures were dramatically
changed. The host squadron (I believe it was New London) managed to work out an arrangement with the Mohegan Sun
Hotel and Casino which would allow us to have our conference in their convention center. The uniform of the day
was team-casual which allowed us to blend into the surrounding crowd more easily. The rooms where we had our
meeting and break-out sessions were quite spectacular as was noted by our Chief Commander's representative. The
sit-down dinner,a choice of Chicken Forester, Baked Stuffed Cod, or White Penne Lasagna, was excellent.
The after-dinner entertainment was provided by "Sparky Diesel" (aka Sandy Pierog ,SN) our very own D1
Executive Officer. She lip-synced several rock-and-roll favorites with lyrics pertaining to all aspects of the
USPS and boating in general. Even our D1 Commander got carried away when she rocked the house with a rendition
of YMCA, henceforth to be known as USPS.
The breakout sessions were also enjoyable. There is a lot going on in the area of education where great care is
being taken to modernize all of our member and non-member courses. There is a focus on utilizing computer technology
as an aid to these courses. I recently had direct exposure to this when our Commander asked me to review and print
the slide presentation material provided by HQ for a new course called Chart-Smart which will now be available
to the public. I looks like a great course. For those of you, members included, that might be interested in learning
about charting (or even taking a refresher course), this course looks like a winner.
Hank Chmielewski, AP
The naval or nautical watch system, existent since the earliest days of seagoing craft-whose journeys lasted longer
than a crewmember could remain awake-ensures the smooth and safe operation of ships at sea. The modern system,
which comprises six four-hour watches, theoretically allows the watch-keepers to rest for as long as the work.
On a two watch vessel, the system is often called watch on, watch off, and the groups are referred to as port and
starboard watches.
The only drawback to this system is the repetition it produces for the serving crew each member standing the same
watch over and over again. In order to upset this monotony, it is necessary to Dog the watch by injecting two two
hour watches in place of the 1600 to2000 watch. Thus there are 5 four hour watches and two two hour watches. The
time and designations for these watches are:
2400to0400--------midwatch
0400 to 0800------morning watch
0800 to 1200------forenoon watch
1200 to 1600------afternoon watch
1600 to 1800------first dog watch
1800 to 2000------last dog watch
2000 to 2400------first watch
Accompanying these watches were the customary bells: eight for1200, one for 1230. two for 0100 and so on every
30 minutes until eight bells were struck at the end of the watch. At 1830 which marks the end of the first half
hour of the last dog watch one bell is struck rather that the customary five bells, then 2 bells at 1900 etc. However
the normal eight bells are struck at 2000 rather than four, marking the return to the ordinary watch and bell system
as well as the completion of the last dog watch.
Printed In part from Ocean Navigator, "Chartroom Chatter"
Education Report - December 2003
Enclosed is a flyer for the Engine Maintenance Course. We managed to get
2 members who were interested but need a few more if we are to give the course. No prerequisites are required for
this course and it offers a sound understanding of marine engines. The instructor is George Buffinton who is an
experienced mechanic who works on engines daily. Please call me to register 876-8261. (See the enclosed Flyer)
We have had positive discussions with the Adult Education department in the Sound School in New Haven. We will
be using their classrooms in offering the Boat Smart &PWC Course followed by the Chart Smart Course. These
two courses seem to be more in line with what the public desires. They are quicker and not too technical. The Boat
Smart Course does not instruct the student in the principals of navigation (piloting and dead reckoning). Therefore
if the student so desires he may take the Chart Smart Course that introduces this training which is a follow on
course to the Boat Smart course.
The Education Calendar will give you the dates we are planning on for all these courses. If you wish further information
on these offerings call me at any
time.
Bob Reeves, SEO
