This is my first article as Manhasset Bay’s new commander, and I want to thank the Nominating Committee and MBPS members for this honor.

I have attended numerous Changes of Watch, getting acquainted with the new bridges of other squadrons. How are the other squadrons doing? Some of them have growing memberships with large numbers of active members, and their ceremonies were impressive. Some of them manage with a core of devoted members. Most of them have growing enrollment in their boating classes. This is comforting since we are first a boating education organization.

We all share an interest in all the other things related to boating and to boaters’ concerns. We have to convert first time students to active members, and then turn them into participating members. To achieve that goal, my bridge and I intend to work in several directions.

First, we will explain the squadron better to boating students and encourage them to join. Second, we will expand our social activities program, whether it is conferences, dinners or outdoor activities. It might be necessary in certain cases to join with other squadrons to reach a critical mass. Last, we will complement Cardinal Points’ reach through e-mail and telephone follow up. Obviously, this extra effort will mean additional time, henceforth additional hands. We have a limited number of members who keep the squadron going. This message brings a call for help from everyone.

Frank Welby, P is back in good health and has offered to serve as Editor of Cardinal Points once Joan and Michael head north. Al Seeley, N has agreed to continue as treasurer until we find a replacement for him. Thank you, Frank and Al. We can always count on you. We are still looking for someone to fill the position of Administrative Officer. Step forward and volunteer to help. We need you.

You probably have ideas on how we can improve and expand the squadron. Call me to discuss your ideas or see me at the dinner dance on 29 April, the meeting on 10 May or the luncheon on 21 May.

Maybe it’s the economy or perhaps it’s a renewed interest in boating. Maybe it’s the instructors at MBPS. Whatever, the reason, Manhasset Bay had one of the busiest spring seasons on record. With one class still in progress (under the direction of Lt. Joe Ruggiero, AP), our Education Department has administered the Boat Smart course to over sixty of our friends and neighbors. Thanks and congratulations to our Boat Smart boating instructors and proctors, Richard Jarmain N, P/C Al Mooney, N, Lt. Joe Ruggiero, AP and P/C Joan Pappas, AP.

The spring Piloting class has begun. Manhasset Bay’s newest soon-to-be pilots are busy attending classes every week and doing homework. They will be ready to find their way around local waters this summer, whether it is for fishing, gunkholing or traveling to squadron water activities. The class is led by P/C Mike Pappas, AP and proctored by Joan. With ten eager students in tow, the Pappases enrich the students’ learning with their own on-the-water experiences.

PFDs - Life jackets probably are funky and even mildewed from being stored in damp lockers all season. A mild solution of Dawn and a soft car washing brush should get off all the grunge. Rinse them well and hang out to air in the sunshine for a day. Check all straps and buckles. If there’s any doubt about their condition, trash ‘em and get new ones. You might want to consider some of the new inflatables ("new" meaning like the WWII Mae Wests) which are very comfortable and more likely to be worn. This is no place to pinch pennies. A whistle and a strobe light on each PFD also are worthwhile, especially if you do any night boating. The same basic cleaning and airing works on your foul weather gear.

FIRST AID KIT - Check and replenish your First Aid Kit, especially the ordinary band-aids which have a habit of turning into gobs of goop during a season in a hot cabin. There are several new types made of stretchy foam that are great. Another good addition is one of the new waterless hand sanitizers. They remove the grease and bergall slime before you patch up the damage.

DOCK LINES AND/OR MOORING PENANTS - These lines are all that keep your vessel from going on an unguided solo cruise, so they demand a good deal of care, especially from those who launch early and haul late in the season. We got careless two seasons ago, and the Thanksgiving Nor’easter handed VANGUARD a smashed bow pulpit to the tune of $1100. Check carefully for chafe, renew whippings and chafing gear and touch up any galvanized thimbles or shackles with spray galvanizing.

The goop marketed as "liquid electrical tape" makes a great all-purpose coating for splices, especially in nylon lines. A few coats will seal and lock in the splice, making whipping unnecessary. If you use a swivel in your pennant, make sure it’s well lubricated. With shackles, you can prevent screw pins freezing up by wrapping the entire pin with Teflon plumbers’ tape before screwing them in place.

As your new Member Involvement Chairman, I can’t think of any better single activity to bring both new and used (old) members together than meeting on the water, boating together and then rafting up for a few hours of food, drink and conversation. Why, after a few such events, you may get interested and possibly come to a squadron meeting (or supper) or two.

Thanks to the generosity of a few members, once again MBPS has had a mooring buoy installed in Manhasset Bay. This buoy – a 600-pounder – is for the use of our members and their guests. The buoy has the letters "MBPS" on it, and our burgee will fly from the tall-boy.

• The buoy is there for all MBPS members. In other words, it’s not first come – first served, but share and raft up with others.
• The buoy does not replace your own permanent mooring or dock. However, on a transient basis, overnighting by squadron members is encouraged.
• The buoy is primarily for the use of MBPS members. If someone is already on it when you come near,

• Check your roster for the boat’s name
• Ask if he* is an MBPS member
• Inform him of the buoy’s ownership and intended use (all politely, of course). If you can get along with him (via raft up), he may stay so long as he is not denying use to any MBPS members who may show up. In that case, he must leave, if necessary with the help of the Harbor Police. (All politely, of course.)
• Remember that a raft up overnight is subject to minor dangers and inconveniences; a raft up in bad weather and high winds is subject to major dangers.

United States Power Squadronsâ Chief Commander Arthur H. Farr signed a Memorandum of Agreement in January with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. USPS will participate with the Auxiliary in the VESSEL SAFETY CHECK PROGRAM (VSCP), formerly known as the Courtesy Marine Exam (CME).

More information on the VSC Program will appear in future issues of this newsletter. Members interested in becoming part of this cooperative program can contact Cdr. Mahe.

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Manhasset Bay Power Squadron

General Membership Meeting

in conjunction with

Little Neck Bay Squadron

Wednesday, 17 May 2000

2000 (8 p.m.)

U.S. Merchant Marine Academy

The MUSEUM

Kings Point, NY

DAN TRACHTENBERG

Assistant Curator of the Museum

"CRUISE LINERS Floating Palaces"

with emphasis on U.S. Line Ships

Dress – casual

Officers – Uniform A

After crossing Roslyn Viaduct, turn left at Exxon gas station, left again onto Old Northern Blvd. Follow to end. Turn left at traffic light onto West Shore Road. Entrance one mile on right.

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SUNDAY, 21 JUNE – TO PARADISE BAR & GRILL FOR LUNCH

Once inside breakwater, follow channel buoys. Turn to port after nun "10" and follow WEST branch of river. Paradise Bar & Grill is on west bank. Dockmaster at Stamford Landing is expecting MBPS. Her name is Valerie. She answers VHF channel 09.