Commanders Report - January 2005
Well, it's a New Year and with the incoming year of 2005 we try to make all sorts of resolutions to achieve something
better than we did last year. As the Squadron Commander, I've have a few wishes for all the members of the Milford
Squadron for the New Year which I'll let you in on!
· First - is that we continue to retain all the existing squadron members and add on many more new members
for the coming year. We currently can account for 70 members total but need perhaps 15 more interested and active
members to make our squadron more productive.
· Second - is that the existing squadron members become more active in squadron activities both social and
educational. We so desperately need instructors for all the courses now that we have GPS electronics to present
in all our courses along with revised texts.
· Third - Our dinner meetings have been attended by only a few members. Attendance at the last dinner was
only about 10 members which must be improved. This is the time for all members to catch up on the "progress"
of the squadron and compare notes with each other volunteer information and present suggestions for improving
our direction.The Raft up and the Picnic which we hold in the summer both had to be cancelled due to lack of attendance.
· Last - is to have the Bridge staffed with members with new ideas and suggestions who will be active participants
in making the squadron grow further. The current Bridge is doing an exceptional job with the squadron but each
and every member is doing more than his fair share in order to take up the slack.
I guess I'm dreaming of an impossibility but, you never know, there must be a way to accomplish these goals. Why
not come out and try to help us improve.
I wish all of our members and their families the very best of New Years and may health and good fortune be your
constant guide throughout the year.
Happy Sailing,
Bob Reeves, Cdr.
Boating Accident Statistics for the year 2003
The 2003 boating accident statistics have been released. There were 5,438 boating accidents reported
for the year. Boating fatalities numbered 703 and decreased from750 in 2002. -a difference of 47 lives. Nearly
80% of these fatalities occurred on boats where the operator had not received boating safety instruction, a figure
that has been consistent in previous years. Of the 703 boating deaths that occurred in 2003, 27 were children aged
12 and under. Approximately 70% of t he adult deaths and 60% of the child deaths were a result of drowning in 2003.
It is reported that 86% of the drowning victims were not wearing their personal floatation devices (PFD'S) or lifejackets.
Alcohol was involved in 31% of all boating fatalities.
The non-fatal accidents resulted in 3,888 injuries and accounted for $40, 422, 374 in property damage. The most
reported type of accident was a collision with another vessel. The most common types of boats involved in reported
accidents were open motorboats (42%), personal watercraft (PWC) 27%, and cabin motor boats (14%). Less frequent
were accidents involving canoes/kayaks, pontoon boats and rowboats.
The 5 major types of boating accidents were collision with a vessel, collision with a fixed object, cap sizing,
falls overboard, and skier mishap. Overall, the major
causes of boating accidents, in order of prevalence were:
Operator inattention
Careless/reckless operation
Operator inexperience
Excessive Speed
Hazardous waters
Passenger/Skier behavior
No proper lookout
Alcohol use
Machinery system failure
Rules of the road infraction.
Would You Like to Present a Private "Boat Smart" course??--- or---- Would you like to present
a "Chart Smart" Course
Milford Power and Sail Squadron would be pleased to support you in presenting either of these courses as a refresher
or to get you state license.---
For the Girl or Boy Scouts,
For your YMCA or Church Group
For your Sports group
For your Business Group
For your Seniors Club
For your Bowling Club or Card group
· To become more acquainted with Boating- to update yourself on the rules of the "Sea Road"
· To familiarize yourself with Position Location and Plotting courses using Charts
Milford Squadron will present the "Boat Smart" or "Chart Smart" course on 3 days or 3 evenings
of 2 hours each at the place of your choice (suitable for a classroom). There must be 5 or more participants at
a cost of $45 each. We will supply the instructor and all the training aids and course materials. If a State License
is desired, we will give the exam and supply the application for the license.
Are you interested ? Then call Bob Reeves, Milford Power and Sail Squadron Education Officer on 876-8261 to discuss
details.
Education Report, January 2005
Another year has started and with it another Boating Season. I hope you all received your wishes
on Christmas from Santa as the selection on the market was pretty vast. Many new electronics were exhibited which
made it very confusing for the average boater to select the correct instrument to assist him in navigation. If
there are any questions on equipment give me a call and I'll try to point you in the right direction. There are
many members who are versed in the operation of navigational instruments and I can direct you to one or more of
these experts.
Our Boating Courses have been dormant. After the Fall course at Foran taught by Bob Post we haven't presented
any additional boating courses. The reason is due to past experience since the public has passed the "Licensing"
peak the only ones left are those teenagers who; want their SBC or new boat operators who want more education.
This has lowered class registration by over 50% . So we thought we would by-pass the Fall and resume courses in
February. (See Education Course Schedules)
However the squadron courses continued with Piloting and Junior Navigation (JN, or Basic Celestial Navigation)
Piloting started on November 30 in the Egan Center with George Sender as the instructor. A new text was introduced
and we will find out more of how it was received from George after a few classes. We also have acquired a laptop
computer and a CD projector which, although expensive, will illustrate and emphasize the course material for better
understanding. The course started with 7 students registered and is continuing after the New Year.
JN or Basic Celestial Navigation started on 29th of November and meets every Monday at the Egan Center. The instructor
is me-Bob Reeves-trying to wipe out the cobwebs and enlighten some of our more promising students. We have 3 very
interested members registered and are presently moving ahead with classroom training and hope to start to obtain
some sextant sights come some clear winter nights.
Education Report (cont'd), January 2005
Engine Maintanence 102 finished up and the class completed the final examination. I am pleased to report that
the following students received their completion certificate in EM:
Don Jacobsen
Don Pillo
Gabe Cordova
The rest of the students that passed EM 101 will have to take EM102 at another time.
Once these courses have been completed we would like to offer the Marine Electronics (ME) course. We have member
Bruce Ross who has the education and background to act as the instructor and present a very interesting and up-to-date
course for all of our interested members.
Until next time here's wishing you a very happy and successful New Year.
Happy Sailing
Bob Reeves, SEO
Education
Calendar - January 2005
| Tuesday's |
Piloting Continues,
Egan Center Rm 136, 7:00PM
|
George Sender |
|
|
Junior Navigation Continues,
(Basic Celestial Navigation)
Egan Center, 07:00PM
|
Bob Reeves |
|
|
Boat Smart Course,
Foran High School, 7-9PM
|
Bob Post |
| 19,26 Feb, Saturday |
Boat Smart Course,
Milford Library Public course |
Tony Barbieri
Dick Boardman |
| 1 March, Tuesday |
Boat Smart Course,
Sound School
Public Course |
Bill Carotenuto |
|
|
Boat Smart Course,
Milford Library
Public Course |
Dick Boardman
Tony Barbieri |
| 5 April, Tuesday |
Chart Smart Course,
Sound School
Public course |
Bill Carotenuto |
If you care to sign up for any of these courses please call Bob Reeves, 876-8261 or E-Mail to Bobr876@aol.com
