Commanders Report
It's been a good summer with fair winds and no rain and I hope most of you took advantage of it. The arrival of
the fall season will be a delight to all you fishing enthusiasts and by the looks of it, the fish are running pretty
well. School opened a little early ( a week before Labor Day) which I'm certain the kids enjoyed!! Now Mom and
Dad should think about continuing their Boating/Navigation training.
Looking thru all the new texts pleased me greatly. The cut and dry plotting with DR's and Fixes, have been modified
to a great extent. Electronic navigation has taken over. Most of the Piloting Texts both Basic and Advanced now
offer electronic navigation along with the usual methods of Dead Reckoning. With the accuracy these new instruments
provide they are now accepted as the Prime Method of Navigation. So if you have taken the P or AP course in the
past you should reconsider taking it again to update yourselves on the latest equipment and its use. New Texts,
Power Point presentations, new and up to date training aids supplement the instructors presentation and make it
a pleasant instructional night for your boating education.
I would like to thank our Treasurer Roger Johns on behalf of the entire squadron who setup the Milford Power and
Sail Squadron exhibit at the Milford Oyster Festival. Roger and his wife Dottie "manned" the exhibit
along with Al Mongillo, Hank Chmielewski and Gabe Cordova. Our thanks to you all for bringing the Milford Power
and Sail Squadron colors to the public's attention.
Our Squadron is slowly getting smaller and smaller which puts the strain on those who try to get the job done.
The bridge of officers is also dwindling and many of the officers are now handling more than two or three responsibilities.
This causes inefficiencies and the squadron cannot act as a solidified working unit. We need more new members,
and we need much more participation by each of the squadron members if we are to continue as a District 1 Squadron.
We have positions open on the Bridge and would be extremely pleased to have you volunteer to help. Give me a call
if you care to discuss the positions open and how you can help to improve our squadron. Bob Reeves 876-8261 or
bobr876@aol.com
The Education season is now underway so why not take a course. Check the Education Officers Message in this issue
and schedule a course to update your Boating knowledge. Venture into the world of Electronic Navigation-- its here
to stay.
Happy Sailing
Bob Reeves, Cdr.
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
We are about to enter the fall season where education comes to the front. As stated in the Cdr.
Message it's time now to review your expertise and reconsider taking an update course perhaps in Piloting and or
Advanced Piloting. Much additional updated data has come into being and electronic navigation has become the prime
method of navigation. We all realize that we are not up to date in our learning so this is the time to get aboard.
We have all new texts and instruct in electronic instruments and methods with every chapter.
7 Sept. Boat Smart course is underway at the Foran High School in Milford. Bob Post is the instructor for about
20 students. We present this course in 4 - 2 hour classes at a fee of $30 to the squadron. Milford Adult Education
picks up $20 (an increase over last year) for registration. I think this is quite unfair and we will have to reconsider
continuing our use of the high school.
15, 22 Oct. Boat Smart course is scheduled for the Milford Public Library. This course will be given on two Saturdays
for 4 hours each from 10:30 AM to 2:30 PM.
5/6/7/8/ October-This is a Basic Kayaking Course presented by Bruce Ross at the Egan Center. 2 Classes at 2 hours
each plus 1 class in the pool at Milford Academy.
October 3, Seamanship starts-This is the introductory course for new members as well as new students to our boating
course series. After Seamanship, we offer Piloting then Advanced Piloting. Instructor is Hank Chmielewski. It is
planned to offer Piloting directly after the Seamanship course.
Basic Celestial Navigation -This course is a continuation of the course started last spring and will conclude before
the Christmas Holidays. It is currently planned to offer Advanced Piloting at the conclusion of this course..
HELP!
If you have had prior experience in instruction or in presenting information to an audience please contact me as
we need help as instructors in the Boating Courses.
We also need knowledgeable instructors for Piloting and Advanced Piloting.
Hope to see you all in classes
Happy Fall Sailing
Bob Reeves, SEO
Public Boating Courses For Boating License
7 Sept. -Wed- Boat Smart - Foran High School, 2 hrs, 4 classes, 7:00PM, Reg $20 Books $30
5,6,7,8 Oct -Wed,Th Basic Kayaking - Egan Ctr. - Mfd. Acad. Pool
Fri,Sat 2 classes,2 hrs. each, plus 1 class in pool - Starting 7:00PM, $50
15,22 Oct -Sat Boat Smart - Milford Library, 2 Sats.,4 hrs each class - 10:30-2:30PM $50
If you care to sign up for any of these courses please call Bob Reeves, 876-8261 or E-Mail to Bobr876@aol.com
24-26 June District 1 Rendezvous at Essex Island Marina. Contact
Essex Is. Marina directly for reservations. Mention you are part of the Dist. 1 Squadron Rondezvous. Call Hank
Chmielewski for tickets.
19 July Bridge Meeting
22-24 July District 1 Rendezvous at American Wharf in Norwich
Contact Marina directly at 860-886-6363.State that you are a Dist. 1 Member and dockage will be $2.85 a foot.
19-21 August District 1 Rendezvous to Mystic Seaport
Reservations are to be made directly with the Seaport at 860-572-0711. Ask for USPS dockage rates
