united states power squadrons® - usps.org may.pdf · lt/c dan coverdale executive officer judy and...
TRANSCRIPT
United States Power Squadrons®
Ventura Sail and Power Squadron
Volume 61 May 2017 Number 5
Cdr Steve Johnston, P
Commander’s Corner
Hello everyone.
Our busy season is almost upon us.
Check this issue for information on our
picnic and upcoming sail to Santa Barba-
ra.
We were successful in recruiting new
members from the latest ABC class.
Please welcome them when you and they
meet at an upcoming event.
Our next event, Safe Boating Expo, will
require some volunteers, so when Dan
asks, please respond. At a minimum
please attend the event as there is a lot
of information to be had and you can ex-
change old and damaged PFDs for brand
new ones, courtesy of the state. Last
year they also handed out new auto in-
flatable PFDs for FREE!
You all should have received the email
about our cruise to Santa Barbara. This
is a great fellowship event for getting to
know our squadron as well as meeting
the fine folks from the Santa Barbara
Squadron. If you can’t make it there by
water drive up for the day and dinner.
And as always, contact me if you have
any questions, concerns or praise!
Coming Events
May 1
Executive Committee
Meeting
Old Coast Guard
Training Station
May 13 Safe Boating Expo
Channel Islands Harbor
May 20 Cruise to Peninsula Y.C.
Channel Islands Harbor
June
16 - 18
Cruise to
Santa Barbara
VSPS CRUISE TO SANTA BARBARA
June 16-18, 2017
Cruise, by land or by sea, to beautiful Santa Barbara Harbor and join the VSPS for a
fun-filled weekend, consisting of:
• Friday 1800 – Cocktail hour. Please bring your favorite wine and hors d’oeuvres.
Gather dockside at Mariposa for an hour or two with friends old and new. Please
bring folding chairs for you and your guests. Dinner on your own.
• Saturday 0800 – Jan and Deb will prepare a fabulous breakfast served on the
dock alongside Kiss.
• Saturday 1000 -1200 – Guided tour of the Maritime Museum with a movie show-
ing Santa Barbara’s nautical history. Cost: (pay at the door) $8.00 per person,
$5.00 seniors.
• Saturday 1800 – Catered dinner on the magnificent Mariposa. A series of tasty
treats: BBQ Tri tip, chicken picatta, orzo salad with grilled veggies, red mashed
potatoes, Caesar salad, garlic bread and cookies for dessert! Wine, water, and
soft drinks included.
• Sunday 0800 - 1000 – Depart for home. VYC members may want to sign-up for
the Father’s Day bar-b-que that afternoon at the club.
Questions: Contact Gary Bright (805) 689-7247 or [email protected]
Slip reservations: Email [email protected] or call Lorna Londborg at 661-204-
2357 and let her know you are planning on bringing a boat and need a slip. Give her your
name and address and she will mail you the official blue SB Harbor card to fill out, sign
and mail back. These are required for group reservations even if you have a previous
form on file. Slip fees are $1.00 per foot per day.
Dinner reservations: Please send a check, made out to VSPS. Cost is $25.00 per per-
son. The deadline for slip and dinner reservations is June 1, 2017.
RRRuuullleeesss ooofff ttthhheee RRRoooaaaddd
By Cdr Steve Johnson
We all remember and practice the rules of
the road as they apply to our boating on the
water. Passing an oncoming vessel is usually
performed portside to portside. There are
sound signals to signify your intentions when
passing or overtaking a slower vessel.
On our recent cruise on the Rhine River, I no-
ticed a signal, not used in the USA, to indi-
cate passing vessels doing a starboard to
starboard pass. Why would a boater want to
do that? Well, down-river traffic gets the
benefit of the current, 3-5 knots, which is al-
ways on the outside of any bend or curve on
the river.
The upriver vessel, pushing against the cur-
rent, gets to use the slower water found on
the inside of the curve or the bend.
When using this system, the vessels show a
blue square board, around a meter on
each side with a blinking white light in the
center.
The Rhine River is narrow and is heavily trav-
elled by barges, passenger vessels and small
tankers. This signal allows both to utilize the
river current to their advantage.
LLLooocccaaalll LLLiiivvveee---FFFeeeeeeddd CCCaaammmeeerrraaasss
ooofff iiinnnttteeerrreeesssttt tttooo bbboooaaattteeerrrsss.
Bald Eagles on the Channel Islands:
https://www.nps.gov/chis/learn/photosmultim
edia/bald-eagle-webcam.htm
From the Harbor Patrol dock:-
http://52b39e4528a6f.click2stream.com
From Anacapa Landing Cove stairs:-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9veCzK3
lp8&feature=player_embedded
From Diablo Peak on Santa Cruz:-
http://diablo.voneicken.com/imageview.cgi
Lt/C Dan Coverdale
Executive Officer
Judy and I are still looking for a live-
aboard powerboat or motor yacht. There
doesn’t seem to be agreement on the
correct distinction between a boat and a
yacht, except that the word “yacht” can
carry class or wealth implications and
has done so for a long time. In the 17th
century the Netherlands was a major
trading power and had a serious problem
with smuggling, which the Dutch authori-
ties addressed by designing Jachtboten
(hunt boats) - light and fast – and fun, it
turned out.
Charles II used a Jachtboot when he
sailed from the Netherlands to Britain in
1660 to be crowned king. The following
year British aristocrats, in the mood for
a little fun after putting up with Crom-
well, started buying them for racing on
the Thames. The 18th
century saw the
creation of the first recreational yacht
clubs, the 19th
century large ocean-going
sailing yachts and then steam-powered
motor yachts.
It was only after WWII that the unprece-
dented wealth of working people in the
United States together with the develop-
ment of fiberglass boats ended the con-
nection between a boat large enough to
cruise in with reasonable comfort and
substantial wealth. So when is a boat a
yacht? I still don’t know.
Let me add, please, a reminder that we
need help on Saturday, May 13 for the
VSPS table at the Channel Islands Safe
Boating Expo. You’re invited to sign up
for two hours, or more if you have the
time. Four Two-hour watches of 0830 –
1030, 1030 – 1230, 1230 – 1430 and 1430
– 1630 are available. To sign up please
contact me:
[email protected] 323-810-8887
or Chris Stine:
[email protected] 805-498-4018
NNNeeewwwsss fffrrrooommm NNNaaatttiiiooonnnaaalll
National Safe Boating Week
20-26 May 2017.
The National Boater Safety Committee
would like to request that squadron gen-
eral members assist their Vessel Exam-
iners during National Boater Safety
Week. This would be a great opportunity
for members to see the VEs at work and
have a better understanding of their val-
ue. This would also be an opportunity for
members to meet and greet the boaters
with America’s Boating Club infor-
mation.•
Stf/C Bob Bales, AP
Assistant Chair Boating Safety Commit-
tee
Lt/C Lorna Londborg, P
Administrative Officer
What’s worse than planning and
preparing for a fun-filled trip to the Is-
lands then having to cancel that trip the
morning you were to leave? Well, I guess,
the answer to that would be finding your-
self with wind and seas that are more
than challenging and wishing you were
safely at home in your slip. With a few of
those trips fresh on our minds and after
checking all the weather sites, we decided
at the last minute not to join the
VYC/VSPS joint cruise to Scorpion sched-
uled for April 21-23. Our decision was lat-
er validated when our neighbor, who was
at the islands, called and said, “It’s rough-
er than a cob!” Therefore, I cannot report
on the cruise, but I do know some boats
did brave the seas and I’m sure there will
be stories to follow.
We did miss the Scorpion cruise, but VSPS
has other fun events for us and all mem-
bers to look forward to:
May 20
is our Peninsula Park picnic! Join
VSPS members at Channel Islands Harbor
for a fun day in the sun. If you prefer to
travel by water, rather than by car, there
will be dock space at the guest docks so
you can bring your boat. Boats will begin
to arrive at 0930, with vessel inspections
to follow for those wishing to participate.
For those who enjoy a friendly competi-
tion, the Commander’s Cup judging will
begin at 1100. At noon we will enjoy a de-
licious BBQ lunch, with a general meeting
to follow. Finally, at 1330, the blessing of
the fleet will round-out our fun-filled day
full of socializing with friends.
The Power Squadron will provide BBQ, po-
tato salad, baked beans, dessert and
drinks. Additional side dishes would be
welcomed. Lunch will cost $10.00 for
adults and $5.00 for 12 years and young-
er. Be sure to bring a chair!
Please RSVP by May 17
since I will need to
know how many will be joining us for lunch
so I can purchase food. I also need a
count of participating vessels in the boat
judging to secure space assignments.
Text or call me at (661) 204-2357 or email
The fun continues June 16-18
with our Fa-
ther’s Day cruise to Santa Barbara. Gary
Bright has once again stepped up to or-
ganize this year’s trip. Dock parties, dock-
side breakfast, tour and dinner Saturday
night on the beautiful Mariposa are just
some of the highlights. See the flyer in
this month’s Helm for details.
Be sure to save the dates!
We Won
The Duncan Gleason Award
We are very humbled (but extremely proud) that we won the Duncan
Gleason Award for producing the best newsletter in District 13! District 13
consists of eleven squadrons which represent Southern California, Nevada,
Hawaii and Japan.
The newsletter represents an even greater compilation of talent. As the
editor I cannot do much without the great articles that are written by each of
our Bridge Members. The photos of events that are submitted are extraordi-
nary. Our members send in tales of their boating experiences. I can usually find
– or write - enough filler articles. GO TEAM!
Lt/C Chris Stine
Secretary
Ventura Sail and Power Squadron
Executive Committee Meeting
Channel Islands Harbor, Oxnard, CA
April 3, 2017
Preliminary Minutes
Called to order at 1915.
Attendees:
1. Executive Officer Lt/C Dan Coverdale
2. Secretary Lt/C Chris Stine, S
3. Admin Officer Lt/C Lorna Londborg
4. Don Shultz
5. Janet Shultz
A quorum was not present. An informal
meeting ensued, and is recorded as fol-
lows:
Reports of Officers:
SEO Lt/C Debbie Braun-Lawson
Absent -- no report.
Admin Officer Lt/C Lorna Londborg
Lorna presented the proposed VSPS activi-
ties for 2017.
Since Gary Bright has volunteered to head
up the June Cruise to Santa Barbara, the
dates have been changed to 16-18 June,
versus the previously proposed/approved
dates.
The picnic/boat inspection at Channel Is-
lands Harbor will be on May 20 starting at
0930. VSPS will provide BBQ, potato salad,
baked beans, dessert and drinks. Squad-
ron members are welcome to bring side
dishes. Don Shultz volunteered to post the
Picnic details on the VSPS website page
when Lorna gets more details.
Treasurer Lt/C Kim Morris
Absent -- no report.
Secretary Lt/C Chris Stine provided
minutes for last meeting and the minutes
were not accepted, since a quorum was
not reached.
Executive Officer Lt/C Dan Coverdale
The Boating Expo planning is coming
along. VSPS needs several volunteers
(about 12-14) to cover two-hour shifts
throughout the day. Perhaps we can des-
ignate a person or two to make calls to
the membership about volunteering to
help at the VSPS booth. Dan and Lorna
may go to the storage unit to see what
supplies the organization has on hand for
the Expo. Our booth is for Vessel Safety.
The Expo starts at 9:00 am on May 13.
Dan will maintain the volunteer list. He
will also put a flyer together to send to the
membership asking for volunteers, and
Chris will email the flyers to the member-
ship. If necessary, Dan will follow-up with
phone calls to the membership to recruit
enough volunteers to staff the VSPS Boat-
ing Safety booth at the Boating Expo.
Members can earn merit marks for their
volunteer efforts during the Boating Expo.
Robyn Miller and Dan Coverdale attended
and gave a presentation to the Channel
Islands Yacht Club (CIYC) about safe boat-
ing on March 15.
Commander Steve Johnston
Absent -- no report.
Ongoing Business/Activities/Classes
None reported.
Completed Business/Activities/Classes
None reported.
Future Business/Activities/Classes
Since this meeting did not reach a quor-
um, informal comments and observations
were discussed and recorded below:
A review of the bylaws revealed that
they do not need to be updated at
this time as there are no significant
deviations from the latest model by-
laws. (comment from Don Shultz)
Steve Johnston took Don and Janet
Shultz to the garage/storage unit to
get old photographs and also dis-
covered old VSPS financial records.
Janet did some online research and
found some suggestion(s) that the-
se types of information should be
kept for 50 years. Don and Janet
took possession of said photos and
documents for the purpose of re-
view and consolidation. (comments
from Don & Janet Shultz).
The group agreed that these old fi-
nancial records need to be looked
into further, perhaps by checking
with member Jan Lawson (attorney),
who might know how long these
records need to be kept.
The VSPS calendar needs to be up-
dated (comment from Don Shultz).
Chris Stine agreed to take the AC-
TION ITEM to update the calendar.
VSPS event information needs to
get to Don Shultz as soon as possi-
ble so he can add the information to
the VSPS webpage. (comment from
Don Shultz)
Is the VSPS phone number valid?
(question from Don Shultz). Chris
said she thought so, since new calls
and contact information are regis-
tered on the VSPS website email
page that she has access to, even
though the voice message is routed
to SEO Debbie Braun-Lawson's
phone.
The email address for the Treasurer
(Kim Morris) is wrong in the contact
list found in the HELM (from Don
Shultz). Chris Stine agreed to take
the ACTION ITEM to have this cor-
rected.
Don asked that anything that needs
to go to him, such as flyers, PLEASE
DON'T USE PDF format. He needs to
have the document in Word or a
format that allows changes. Don
can't undo the PDF format easily
(comment from Don Shultz).
Members should submit merit mark
information to Don Shultz by the
deadline of November 15, but it is
very helpful if the information is
given to him as it occurs throughout
the year (comment from Don
Shultz).
Who did the Blessing of the Fleet
last year (question from Lorna
Londborg)? Corporate memory at
the meeting seemed to think it was
Bill York.
Who did the Judging for the Com-
mander's Fleet (question from Lorna
Londborg)? Corporate memory at
the meeting seemed to think it was
Robyn Miller and Mary and Jim
Baldwin.
Information for National Headquar-
ters:
a. Hal Wilder should be removed
our contact list for VSPS
(comment from Don Shultz)
b. Gil Eichenhuis passed away in
February, as per the email
Chris Stine received request-
ing Gil be removed from the
VSPS roster.
c. The Yeagers are no longer
members. (from Don Shultz)
Chris Stine agreed to take the ACTION
ITEM to notify National HQ of these
changes.
Meeting ended at 1945.
.
Lt/C Debbie Braun-Lawson
Squadron Education Officer
The Education Department is proud to
have graduated 22 members of the
Spring ABC class. Many thanks go to
Richard Cudworth for organizing and
running that class. We also had David
Williams, John Bath, and Erin Quinn
proctoring and interacting with the
students. The class would not happen
without your help. Many of those grad-
uates (13) chose to join the Ventura Sail
and Power Squadron at the beginning
of the Seamanship class.
Speaking of the Seamanship class… we
have enrolled 48 students. The room at
the Ventura Yacht Club is quite full but
Jan keeps the class lively with all her ta-
les of personal mishaps. Again, John
Bath is helping Jan with the class and
his help is much appreciated.
Stay tuned for upcoming information
about the fall line-up of classes.
The Graduating ABC Class
2017 Bridge
Commander
Cdr Steven Johnston, P
(805) 573-4429
Executive Officer
Lt/C Daniel Coverdale
(323) 810-8887
Administrative Officer
Lt/C Lorna Londbord, P
(661) 204-2357
SEO
Lt/C Deborah Braun-Lawson, AP
(805) 407-4777
Treasurer
Lt/C Kimberly Morris, S
(805) 320-1441
Secretary
Lt/C Christine Stine, S
(805) 498-4018
The Helm Editor
Lt. Sheridan Green, JN
(661) 414-6915
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
May 2017