The Rendezvous at Mile Marker Zero is fast approaching. It was unanimous that we continue sponsorship of the Blind Dinghy Race. All that wish to assist need to give me their Tee-shirt sizes. I’ll be putting in an order soon and I only plan to put the order in once! Sign up at the next meeting or email me at fintonic@verizon.net and let me know. Don’t forget to wear sunglasses when you pick them up or when you are in the vicinity of anybody wearing one!
I still have plenty of boating safety brochures for issue. Pick them up at the next meeting for distribution to your favorite hi-visibility location or to hand out during vessel safety checks.
All that have their inspector qualifications need to keep performing VSCs whenever you can. We are just a few boats ahead of where we were last year at this time. We want to beat our record. Don’t forget to invite the boat owner to our next meeting!
Rana & I will be the OD’s for the upcoming Big City Cruise to the Hampton Town Docks. I’m not going to give away the theme just yet because it’s a secret, but as a hint…don’t throw away your hula skirt, Hawaiian shirt or lei!
Have any of you ever experienced a feeling of disappointment, but had a good feeling inside at the same time? I would use the example of your 16 year old getting drunk, totaling your new car and walking away without a scratch. You are disappointed but happy. Recently I had this feeling. While Larry Rountree and I were assisting John Holland in getting his VSC qualification, I had the displeasure of failing a boat belonging to the City of Franklin Fire & Rescue. Of the boats that I have failed VSC this year, that was the most disappointing to me. On most occasions, I can tell if a boat is going to pass a VSC or not just by first glance. The look of a boat that has a distinct dark yellow waterline, dull & chalky hull, faded canvas, cracked seats, etc., is usually a good indicator that the owner probably hasn’t looked at the fire extinguisher gage or flares since he last applied wax. The navigation light bulbs most likely haven’t been replaced since they were first installed at the factory. In all probably, the life ring will look like the retrieval toy of the owner’s Black Lab and the horn hasn’t been blown since Moby Dick was a minnow. Of course, none of this was the case with this boat. It looked immaculate! Keep in mind that local, state and federal government owned vessels are basically immune to VSCs. A VSC inspection is their option. To make a long story short, the flares on this boat were over 2 years out of date. This came as a total shock to the accompanying fireman as well as me! Needless to say, by the time the afternoon was over, the fireman returned with a new set of flares and I sent him on his way with a new sticker and peace of mind. I learned 3 new things that day. 1) First impressions really mean nothing with respect to seaworthiness. 2) Just because a vessel is operated and maintained by a safety-related organization doesn’t mean that it’s safe. 3) What we do IS important…….but we already knew that!
See you at Fire Mountain on Tuesday, July 8th and don’t forget to save “Nansemond River Power Squadron” under “Favorites” on your computer and check it out regularly. There are lots of new pictures each month.
ALOHA,
Cdr Donnie Weaver, AP
Nansemond River is all about saving lives on the water. As we charge through our boating season, making trips, visiting different marinas, and meeting new people, please spread the word. We need to educate the boating community of how important our organization is and how important it is for them to help our cause.
In August, we will be participating in the customer appreciation festivities in Little Creek. Our squadron will be educating the public and providing vessel examinations. The District trailer will be on premises and manned by our squadron. We need your assistance. Instructors please check with Lilly Stone, Examiners please check with Larry Rountree, and everyone else please check with Donnie or myself for other needed jobs. We did an awesome job last year and we have been called back for more.
Everyone remembers Rendezvous Mile Marker Zero. Dick Pond’s blind dinghy race is the highlight of the whole weekend. Nansemond River will again be there to assist in this event. If you remember last year, past Commander Aikin stepped it up a notch with those crazy tee-shirts. Well Commander Weaver has his own concoction brewing. You have to be in on the fun. Sign up for the dinghy race and give Donnie your shirt size. You do not want to miss this.
I hope everyone has a happy and safe 4th of July! In closing, remember; Think safety, talk safety, save lives!
Lt/C Lin Hanbury, P
Thank you Ron Murphy for the Introduction to Cruise Planning - a fun course with some serious and helpful information for your next cruise. I need to collect the class fee now.
The Junior Navigator Class is taking a break and/or cramming for the exam - pending on who you ask.
Are there any classes you would like to see on the calendar? Remember to sign up early for classes, so we can order books, etc. Put education and fun on your calendar.
Here’s the 2008 CLASS SCHEDULE:
CLASSES START INSTRUCTORS LOCATION Cruise Planning 21 July Murphy Portsmouth Boat Club Safe Boating Class 9 Aug ? Bay Point Marina, Little Creek Seamanship TBD Aikin/? TBD Navigation TBD Chapman TBDHAPPY BOATING SEASON
Lt/C Lilly T. Stone, AP
We had a great turnout for the 13-15 June Scenic Cruise to River’s Rest on the Chickahominy River. We had a well-attended Safari Dock Party on Friday night. About 1000 Saturday, there was a brunch fit for kings. Entertainment included the Hunt for the Rare Brown Monkey and a scavenger hunt. Thanks to Butch Baxter for the local site seeing cruises. Saturday evening, we dined on fine food in the Blue Heron Restaurant. After a 2100 squall, we eventually retired for the evening to the sounds of a gentle rain that concluded about 0800 Sunday morning. A big THANK YOU goes to the ODs, Gail & Art Aikin and Mary & Norman Fisher for planning and executing a grand weekend for all.
We have our Big City Cruise to Hampton Public Piers coming up on 25-27 July. Donnie and Rana Weaver will be our ODs. There will be a Farmers Market in Carousel Park on Saturday morning and a Summer Splash party on Queens Way Saturday night with a beach music band. There are ten boats signed up and drive-ins expected, so it will be a HUGE weekend. The remaining overnight cruise schedule is as follows:
29 Aug – 1 Sep Mile Marker Zero, TYA, Portsmouth - Reserve now 10-12 October Country Cruise, Smithfield Station - Reserve by 9 August
Our last general meeting at Fire Mountain was also well-attended where we enjoyed the company of some prospective members. Thank you to Lin Hanbury for providing our program. It is important to remember that our organization provides the skills and knowledge to the public to prevent the loss of lives and property on the water. For this great purpose, every member counts!
I need one or more volunteers to coordinate the Daytrippers. This job simply needs someone to plan the dates, contact the Daytripper destinations to make arrangements, manage signup sheets at the meetings, and make reminder calls. I also need a volunteer to plan programs for our monthly general meetings. Topics can include boating safety, maintenance, boat buying and selling tips, boating vacation ideas, and so on. You will need to manage the program logistics. Call me at 488-6423 to volunteer your services, PLEASE.
We will be returning to the Fire Mountain Buffet for the General Meeting on 8 July. Lt/C Bob Eure, AP will be providing a short program on the Portsmouth Lightship. Dinner is planned for 1900 (7:00 PM). Please attend wearing your name tag and a smile.
Good Health and Happy Boating!
Lt/C Bob Eure, AP
Understanding marine batteries will help you avoid getting to your boat and finding that your day of boating has been terminated by a dead battery.
Basically, there are two types of batteries for boats. The starting battery which has thinner plates to allow for more surface area, which can provide a higher current for short periods. Starting batteries should not be deeply charged because their thin plates will twist and crumble causing for a shorter life.
The deep cycle battery comes with thicker plates that are less prone to twisting and crumbling from over charging. They are great as a house battery, running accessories for a long period of time, and also can be used as a starting battery.
Your batteries can be charged by an on board charger or by the alternator on your engine. Make sure your charger will automatically disengage when the engine starts or you manually turn off the charger while running your engine. The alternator will over power the charger causing damage to it.
All batteries have vents to bleed off the gases into the atmosphere, where the lighter than air hydrogen quickly dissipates. If your battery compartment is tight, these gases might not be able to dissipate. This can cause an explosive environment that can lead to trouble. If you charge your batteries in your garage or outside building you are probably all right. Never do any charging in the house.
Do not believe it when they say “maintenance free”. If you have wet cell batteries, they are going to use up their water in the charging and starting process. You need to check the water in them 2 or 3 times a year. Clean your terminals. In a salty environment, the terminals will become chalky and cause a bad connection. Bad connections cause poor power output and poor charging ability. That leads to battery failure.
Functional charging systems and clean connections make for happy batteries. Happy batteries keep you on the water in a safe and ready to go status.
For Safety’s Sake!
Lt/C Lin Hanbury, P
Squadron Safety Officer
The July Daytripper will be at 1300 (1:00 PM) on Sunday, 13 July at La Tolteca Mexican Restaurant at 1 High Street on the Portsmouth waterfront. Boat in or drive in. Please wear an item of clothing with the NRPS burgee showing. As you will have an introduction to Lightship Portsmouth at the general meeting, those who wish can go to the Naval Shipyard and Portsmouth Lightship Museums after lunch. Fee is $3 per adult. Be sure to sign up at the general meeting or call 488-6423 and leave a message with your name and seat count. We look forward to seeing you there.
Lt/C Bob Eure, AP
25-27 July BIG CITY CRUISE, Hampton City Piers, Hampton Fin & Tonic/Weaver (OD) Aquatic Antidote/Morrison Cherlin/Hanbury Claddagh/Wallace Georgia/Kielman Growler/Schulze My Brooks II/Fisher Our Way/Eure Reel Blonde/Aikin Doug Fisher 29 Aug – 1 Sep MILE MARKER ZERO, Tidewater Yacht Agency, Portsmouth Fin & Tonic/Weaver (OD) Cherlin/Hanbury Claddagh/Wallace Georgia/Kielman My Brooks II/Fisher Peanut Patch/Pond Reel Blonde/Aikin Doug Fisher 10-12 October COUNTRY CRUISE, Smithfield Station, Smithfield Claddagh/Wallace (OD) Cherlin/Hanbury Fin & Tonic/Weaver My Brooks II/Fisher Our Way/Eure Reel Blonde/Aikin Doug Fisher
'Fair Winds and Following Seas'