Commanders Report - November 2004
As we continue along teaching Boating Safety measures trying to make recreational boating safer for the public,
I wonder about some of these new electronic devices we have introduced into our boating inventory. We must be cautious
as it may be the old "two bladed sword" at work. We are so entranced with navigating using our new electronics
that we neglect to perform our usual minute by minute navigational responsibilities. Let me give you an example;
During a Boating Class I asked several students the easiest way to get from Black Rock Harbor to Milford Harbor.
They replied that they would use their GPS and enter waypoints for the port of departure and the port of arrival
to get their course. Theoretically they were correct but neglected to check their charts for the course and as
a result found themselves aground on the Charles Island sandbar. For shame!
We must remember that the electronics are an AID TO NAVIGATION and that we must perform all the disciplines of
safe navigation that we were taught in seamanship, piloting and advanced piloting. Don't cut corners because you
have electronics!
Our courses today are introducing electronics as the prime navigational device but we are cautioning everyone to
be aware of these and many more problems that may be introduced. For instance, a lightning strike could knock out
your entire electrical system and possibly screw up any magnetic type instrument you have aboard-like a compass.
In another case, if the GPS is part of your navigational system a corroded fuse holder is all that it would take
to lead you astray. Or, just one wrong digit in setting a waypoint may be all that is needed to cause that accident
that wasn't supposed to happen.
No, I don't want to scare you away from electronics, it's the best thing since sliced bread, but I want you to
be cautious in using them. They are a blessing to the professional navigator and make sailing and boating more
enjoyable. But please get the instruction necessary so that you can use your equipment properly. If you have taken
the USPS Piloting course you may want to retake the course since now we are introducing basic navigation using
GPS equipment. I think a review may be in order.
Think about it!
Happy haul-out and see you at our annual Christmas Dinner.
Bob Reeves, Cdr.
To P/CdrTony Barbieri,JN----who has achieved Life Membership in the U.S. Power Squadrons by being
awarded his 25th Merit Mark. Tony has been "through the chairs" in the local squadron is currently instructing
in the Boating Course. He has also been extremely active in District 1 functions. As our Commander he has devoted
many hours of hard work to forward the purpose of the Milford Squadron to its members and to the public.
Congrats Tony from all the members of Milford Power Squadron, we appreciate your devotion and continued assistance.
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 - November 2004
The Boating Courses at present seem to be experiencing a drop in attendance.
Weather this is just due to personal lack of interest or a decrease in the need for a Boating License can only
be conjecture. However when comparing the totals for the calendar year since 2000 we have the following result:
Year 2000 2001 2002 2003 2004
Total Students 135 106 109 59 59
We should try to advertise the courses much better than they are today. Today we rely on a newspaper announcement
that is printed generally once in the main papers from Clinton to Fairfield-a total of about 20 different papers.
We are also competing with the USCG Aux in West Haven, Milford and Stratford who are offering the same course,
The DEP for the State of CT also gives courses in this area.
If any members have any ideas to improve our method of advertising, please give us a call so that we can try to
increase the Boating course attendance.
Our Seamanship and Engine Maintenance courses continue toward the final exam stage. Also if you check the Education
Calendar you will notice that I am trying to start a JN course on the 20th of this month. I have had several requests
for Celestial Navigation course, which prompted me to schedule a class at this time. This is the best season to
study the start and planets and to take sights with your sextant. Try to make this class if you are interested.
It will last about 10 weeks so review your schedule and let me know. The prerequisites are all courses thru AP.
I'll be bringing you up to date after the exams so keep a steady course and mind the sails.
Bob Reeves, SEO
Education
Calendar - November 2004
20 Sept Monday Seamanship-Egan Center
( In Progress) Room 115, 6 classes Hank Chmielewski Member course
9 Sept. Thursday Engine Maint-Fowler Bldg.
(In Progress) 2nd module-6 classes George Buffinton Member Course
13 Oct. Wednesday Chart Smart-Foran
(Cancelled) 3 classes 7-9 PM Bob Post Public course
12 Oct Tuesday Boat Smart-Sound School
(Cancelled) 3 classes+ exam 7-9 PM Bill Carotenuto Public course
23,30 Oct, Saturday Boat Smart, Mfd. Library Bill Carotenuto Public course
(Cancelled) 2 classes + exam, 10:30AM to Tony Barbieri
2:30PM
9 Nov Tuesday Chart Smart-Sound School
3 classes, 7-9 PM Bill Carotenuto Public course
30 Nov Tuesday Piloting-Egan Center
6 classes, 7-9 PM George Sender Member course
30 Nov, Tuesday JN- Egan Center, tentative, Bob Reeves Member course
10 Classes, 7-9 PM
March '05 Advanced Piloting-Egan Center Bob Reeves Member course
8 classes, 7-9 PM
2005
19,26 Feb,Saturday Boat Smart, Milford Library Public Course
1 March, Tuesday Boat Smart, Sound School Bill Carotenuto Public Course
19-26 March,Saturday Boat Smart, Milford Library Public Course
5 April, Tuesday Chart Smart, Sound School Bill Carotenuto Public Course
If you care to sign up for any of these courses please call Bob Reeves, 876-8261 or E-Mail to Bobr876@aol.com
9 Sept Bridge Meeting - 7:00PM Parsons Center
7 Oct Bridge Meeting -7:00PM Parsons Center
21 Oct Membership Dinner Get-together, Olive Grove, Orange CT - 6:30PM
31 Oct DST ends, EST begins ( Fall Back )
4 Nov Bridge Meeting, - 7:00PM Parsons Center Conf. Room "C"
5 Nov USPS 90th Anniversary Celebration, US Coast Guard Academy, New London
6 Nov D/1 Fall Conference
18 Nov Bridge Meeting - 7:00PM Parsons Center
9 Dec Membership Christmas Dinner, Jacob Marleys, Orange - 6:30PM
