Vessel Safety Check - P/D/C W. Lee Blackburn, SN, District Chairman
The District 14 Vessel Safety Check Program had a very active year in 2013. There were 33 Vessel Examiners who checked a total of 471 boats of which 440 passed and were awarded a 2013 VSC decal. That is good news and we all should be proud of the efforts put forth by our D14 Vessel Examiners.
Thirteen of these Vessel Examiners will receive a Certificate of Appreciation, at the Spring Conference, for matching or exceeding the national average for the number of VSCs done by a Vessel Examiner. The national average was 14.09 VSCs done by a VE. In District 14 the average was 14.27 VSCs done by a VE. Our small but steady crew of volunteer Vessel Examiners exceeded last years efforts in every way. Six of our 7 squadrons are represented by these 13 VEs. Additionally there are awards for the top 3 Vessel Examiners.
The Certificate of Appreciation represents an outstanding accomplishment by 40% of our Vessel Examiners, a dedicated group. As always, there are those who needed only a few more VSCs to get the certificate. I realize that not all members have the same amount of spare time to devote to these activities thus it is with heart felt appreciation that I thank all those VEs who were able to do any VSCs . . . every single Vessel Safety Check counts toward the goal of more safe boaters out there. Additionally, 19 VEs were able to receive a Merit Mark as a result of their efforts in this program alone.
With the passing of P/D/C Art Kimber, SN, we lost a good friend and a very active Vessel Examiner. He was, and still is the only Vessel Examiner in this district to do 100 VSCs in a single year. The First Place Award will continue to be awarded honoring Art Kimber.
| The top individual Vessel Examiners are: |
| First Place (The Arthur F. Kimber Award) David W. Carter Greenwich Bay 75 VSCs |
| Second Place David R. Van Wye Cape Cod 44 VSCs |
| Third Place Raymond E. Horbert Greenwich Bay 28 VSCs |
| Honorable Mention |
| 24 VSCs William G. Brosseau Buzzards Bay | 27 VSCs John A. Rossi, Jr. Buzzards Bay |
| 15 VSCs - John Scavotto Buzzards Bay | 19 VSCs - David A. Atwood Cape Cod |
| 14 VSCs - Paul Brown Cape Cod | 16 VSCs - Leroy DeCesare Greenwich Bay |
| 15 VSCs - William J. Gedraitis - Mattapoisett | 15 VSCs - William H. Loeseke - Newport |
| 19 VSCs - W. Lee Blackburn Taunton River | 25 VSCs - Phillip G. Spenard Taunton River |
The Greenwich Bay Squadron has taken possession of the District Commanders Bowl. For 10 years they had the highest percentage of certified Vessel Examiners to the total squadron membership in District 14. No other squadron came close to taking this bowl away from them thus after 10 years it was theirs to keep. They continue to dominate. Greenwich Bays involvement in the VSC program is still to be commended.
As far as volume of VSCs is concerned, we have 2 squadrons whos VEs combined did over 100 VSCs; Greenwich Bay 148 and Cape Cod 137. This is an increase in activity for both squadrons over last year.
District 14 is planning to host a Vessel Examiners Class, Refresher and Workshop on Saturday 26 April 2014 at the Rhode Island Yacht Club in Cranston, Rhode Island. Please watch the D14 web site for further details. Each squadron is urged to send members who might like being a Vessel Examiner. They should contact the District Chairman for more information. Also, this is a good review and update for qualified Vessel Examiners, who will benefit by attending this annual training.
This year, all VEs are subject to VE recertification and must attend a 2014 VE Workshop regardless of their time in the program. It must be completed by 30 June 2014 in order to maintain their current status. Otherwise, they may not conduct VSCs after 30 June 2014. No individuals taking it at home and submitting completion paperwork. Our 2014 Vessel Examiners Workshop will be a part of the program on Saturday 26 April at RIYC.
P/D/C W. Lee Blackburn, SN, VE
Chairman, District 14 Vessel Safety Check Program
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