Cardinal Points
On the beautiful North Shore of Long Island, New York
January 2001Commander’s Message … Yves Mahé, AP
Party Time – Our squadron Holiday Party at Harper’s Restaurant was very successful. We had more than 50 participants, including Joe Ruggieri’s charming, very young granddaughter, and some new members. As usual, the food was excellent. Frank O’Brien provided beautiful background music, and everyone had a blast. Thanks to Lt/C Rose Closter, our Entertainment Chair, for organizing this great event.
Foxwoods, Here We Come – Reservations for the trip to Foxwoods Casino on 5 May 2001 are pouring in. There’s plenty of room on the high speed ferry, so we have invited neighboring squadrons to participate in this fun day. You still have time to make your reservation, but please don’t wait too long to get your $59 to P/C Al Seeley. Remember, you will receive $42 worth of free food and casino coupons, so the trip will cost only about $17.
Operations Training Classes – An Operations Training class is underway at St. Mary’s High School, thanks to instructors P/C Stan Bellis, SN and P/C Dick Scallon, SN. This course is recommended especially for new members and for anyone who is considering a position on the bridge or on a committee. The information presented familiarizes students with the organizational structure and history of this squadron, District 3 and of the USPS organization. Another Operations Training class can be scheduled for Spring if there are members interested in attending. Let the SEO know. Call Stan at 516-327-2731.
Merit Marks – Our Merit Mark recommendations for the year 2000 have been accepted by the Chief Commander, and the list of recipients appears in this issue of Cardinal Points. Sincere thanks to everyone who has contributed to the well-being of the squadron. At the end of the day, if something has to be done, and there is no volunteer to do it, you know where the buck stops. So, my thanks to everyone who helped stop the buck.
2001-2002 Bridge and Committee Chairmen – You might have thought that election fever was over, but it’s not. Time is getting closer for our own Change of Watch and the Nominations Committee is working to fill up the slots. If you are called, please answer affirmatively. If you are not called but want to participate, get in touch with Mike at 516-628-3022.
As a last word, Happy Holidays and good health in the New Year. May your resolution be to become more involved in MBPS. See you next Year!
Manhasset Bay Power Squadron-Cardinal Points-January 2001
Executive Officer's Report…Ilene Morris,AP
A business trip found me in Prague this Holiday Season; I missed my friends at the Holiday Party in Harpers. I do understand that a wonderful time was had by all. I wish all happiness and good health in 2001.
Evey Welby and I hope that this year will be another wonderful one to share our experiences with our newer members in the Boating Activities program we are setting up. Thanks to everyone for responding to our Questionnaire.
It should be noted that on October 23, 2000 President Clinton signed into law HR 4475 which will keep Loran-C in operation for at least the next several years. This is gratifying news as GPS is a satellite system that could fail at certain times.
Volunteers are needed to assist in manning the District 3 booths at both Boat Shows:
So you think you know about right-of-way, see the interesting article at the end of this document.
Education News … P/C Stan W. Bellis, SN
Advanced and Elective Courses
Operations Training – Manhasset Bay’s Fall classes are well underway. My congratulations to the members of the Operations Training class: Cdr. Yves Mahe AP, Cardinal Points Editor, Frank Welby,S and Evelyn Welby,S. My thanks to our newest OT instructor, P/C Dick Scallon SN. We might be in the dead of winter; it might be cold outside, but there is a lot of hot air at St. Mary’s High School on Thursday nights.
Sail 101 – The old Sail course we knew so well has been revised and divided into two parts. In past semesters, the Sail Course has attracted power boaters who needed the credit to fill up their certificates, but such is not the case this year. Sail 101 was launched early in December by P/C Joan Pappas AP who reports all her students are well-weathered sailors who want to pick up some extra pointers on why sailboats do what they do when they do.
Advanced Piloting – P/C Mike Pappas AP reports his class is on track and proceeding as expected with a group of interested and enthusiastic students.
Seamanship – This class is being treated to two seasoned instructors: P/C Al Mooney SN and Lt. Joe Ruggieri, AP. Students are from a group of new members whom we expect will go on to Piloting next Spring.
Can Spring Be Far Off?
The public boating classes are scheduled to begin the first week in March. This coming Spring we will offer the latest version of Boat Smart at Manhasset, Great Neck South and Roslyn High Schools. Spread the word to your family, friends, and especially your crew. As previously reported, Boat Smart has been updated to meet the requirements of the National Association of State Boating Law Administrators (NASBLA). Special attention will be paid to the jet-driven vessels which have become so much a part of our boating experiences.
UNITED STATES POWER SQUADRONS
2000 MERIT MARK AWARDS
OUR CHIEF COMMANDER HAS PRESENTED THE FOLLOWING MEMBERS OF OUR SQUADRON WITH MERIT MARKS, FOR CONTRIBUTING SUBSTANTIAL EFFORT IN PERSONALLY FURTHERING THE INTERESTS, PROGRAMS AND OBJECTIVES OF USPS, ITS DISTRICTS AND SQUADRONS.
The squadron thanks these dedicated members who work tirelessly for MBPS and are the heart and soul of the squadron.
Entertainment News…Rose Closter,S
On December the 8th we held our annual Holiday Party at Harper's. We had an excellent turnout and the food and entertainment was fabulous. Those members, who missed this wonderful evening, keep this affair in mind for next year and join in on our annual boating family holiday party.
March 24, 2001 our District 3 Annual Dinner Dance will be held at the Sheraton Smithtown Inn. Those who will be attending please see flyer in this issue and get your checks in early.
Mark your calendar for Sunday, 22 April 2001. This will be our annual brunch, celebrating the 2001-2002 Bridge. It will be held at Steamboat Landing at Jude Thaddeus Marina in Glen Cove. We held this function there two years ago and it was a beautiful affair. Seating is limited so again plan ahead and make your reservations as soon as possible.
The month of May might seem a long way off but from the tremendous response so far to our upcoming trip to Foxwoods it shows that many of our members are looking forward to a great day. The high-speed ferry is one of the most modern in the world. The accommodations are luxurious and the approximate one hour and fifteen minute trip will take us past sights seen by many of us and some sights some have never seen before. After the ferry trip we will board the Motor Coach to Foxwoods. The bus trip is short, approximately 15 minutes through Connecticut's lovely countryside. We will spend about 6 hours at the beautiful resort, with many things to do besides gambling, before our return trip. More information will be in next months Cardinal Points. Secure you reservation today and mail in a check to our Treasurer, Al Seeley, 202 Roosevelt Avenue, Mineola, NY 11501
From the Desk of your Secretary…Rose Closter,S
I am overwhelmed and truly grateful for the outpouring concern for my "Mom Ethel" while she was ill.The generous gifts, telephone calls and cards always put a smile on Mom's face. Although she was in excruciating pain, your warm wishes made her last days a little bit better. It was extremely comforting to know how kind the members of Manhasset Bay Sail and Power Squadron were. Your kind wishes will always be remembered.
Wishing you all the best in the year 2001
A VISIT TO WEBB
Frank Palatnick
On a recent visit to the only four-year educational institution in the United States devoted to Naval Architecture, one is in awe at the sheer immensity of the main building. Looking like a Gatsbian estate, it surpasses in size its surroundings. The other buildings on campus house the students, labs, classrooms and auditoriums. The current President, Ronald Kiss, allowed me limited use of the library and relative facilities.
As you enter this school of higher learning, you are faced with various artifacts of a bygone era. Paintings, scrimshaws as well as logs and models of various historic boats of the pre industrial era are on display. Further in and to your left is a periodical reading salon. Through another set of doors and to your left is the schools library filled with over fifty thousand books as well as indices, atlases, computers, microfilm, pamphlets and maritime, navigational and shipbuilding documents.
One of the models on display is the Ram Dunderberg. The Dunderberg was one of twenty special vessels built during the Civil war to "ram" enemy boats. Along with this model are logs, rollbooks and receipt books. There are also replicas of the Monitor, SS Central America and other vessels as well as actual parts of sunken vessels of the time are on display. Marine Race Awards, plaques, trophies, paintings of Mr. Webb and other naval heroes are there for your perusal.
William H. Webb, the founder, was a major shipbuilder from 1840 to 1869, who was accredited with the construction of 135 vessel of all types.
The school teaches Naval Architecture and Marine Engineering to a total of about 80 students. Webb Institute is the only school dedicated to naval architecture that pays for all four years of a student's tuition. There are no library, laboratory or other course fees. The students only pay for their room and board. There is a 100% employment upon graduation and many continue to the doctoral level.
The campus is located on the former estate of Herbert L. Pratt, the son of Charles Pratt who was one of the founders of Standard Oil. The institute, on 26 acres, fronts Long Island Sound on the northern tip of Glen Cove.
RIGHT OF WAY
With one exception, right-of way is no longer an appropriate term to use and has been eliminate from the Navigational rules. The USCG is trying to expunge right-of way from our nautical vocabulary. Their position is that no one should feel he/she has the right of way over another boat. Skippers have a shared obligation to avoid accidents when in the vicinity of other boats. There is a pecking order of precedence, but skippers should be prepared. The other boater may not know the Rules.
The Rules say 1) the give-way vessel shall take early and substantial action to keep well clear. 2) The stand-on vessel shall maintain course and speed, but may take action to avoid collision, as soon as it becomes apparent the vessel required to keep out of the way is not taking appropriate action in compliance with the Rules, but shall not alter course to port for a vessel on her own port side.
The one exception to the use of right-of-way: "a power-driven vessel operating in narrow channels or fairways on the Great Lakes, Western Rivers, or waters specified by the Secretary, and proceeding downbound with a following current shall have the right-of way over an upbound vessel…"
(Reprinted from National’s Educational Department Newsletter-Currents- September 2000)Real Rules of the Road
(Credited to the USCG circa 1946)
Sunday, 4 March
The United Methodist Church
1515 Middle Neck Road
Port Washington
The squadrons will assemble at 1530.
This District 3 Memorial Service celebrates the lives of members
The Merchant Mariners’ Hymn
who have taken their final voyages during the past year.
Lord stand beside the ones who sail,
Our merchant ships in storm and gale
In peace and war their watch they keep
On every sea, on Thy vast deep
Be with them Lord by night and day
For Merchant Mariners we pray.
Refreshments will follow the service.