COMMITTEE REPORTS

It’s that time of the year.Time to turn the clocks back an hour. I could really use that extra hour and waking up to the sun. Today I also made an appointment to winterize and shrink wrap my boat. The debate will continue to go on whether to fill or not to fill your tank. I fill my tank and have for the past thirty years so why change.

This month our meeting will focus on the Fall Boating Class, the Fall Conference and our upcoming Holiday Party. Try to come on down so we can improve all three. I heard about the days of the Great Gatsby and Smithtown Bay having dinner dances and parties throughout the night. This year we are having a combined Holiday party with Neptune and Old Field. This joint venture gives us the opportunity to have our Holiday Party on a weekend and music so we can dance and party late into the night without having to go to work the next day. Yes we will continue with our white elephant exchange and bring back raffle prizes. The date is December 12^th, and I really need to know as soon as possible who will be attending so we can organize the tables and food.

The Fall conference will be held in Smithtown this year. The format has also changed to get everyone involved. Many of us are staying for lunch and the afternoon session. Please let me know if you can attend and will be staying for lunch. Al Hiltunen can answer any of your questions regarding the new format and courses we need coverage for.

Smithtown Bay has been very lucky. Most other squadrons offering courses have reported a significant drop in enrolment. Thanks to your efforts, reputation and our SEO Al Hiltunen we put together another full class.

Last month we settled some old business and moved forward. Jim Brennan and Robert Rupnick received awards for 25 years of service to USPS. Jim also will be our new committee chairman for membership. If you have any new and fresh ideas simply forward them to Jim.

Our Executive Committee Meeting on November 11^th, will start at 1915 and the General Meeting at 2000. Come on down and let your voice be heard.

Boating Course: The Fall Boating Class exam was conducted Tuesday, 13 October 2009. All twelve of the registered students took the exam and passed the exam. Eleven of the students continued on with the optional two Navigation classes, which concluded 27 October 2009.

This was one of the best classes we have had. They attended all classes, did the homework, and had a lot of enthusiasm. Thanks to the instructors and proctors: Bill Hoffman, Dan O’Brien, John Koch, John Rockensies, Dave Sumner, Joe Tipaldo, and Harry Walter.

Advanced Piloting: We will offer an Advanced Piloting Course in January 2010. Contact Al Hiltunen at 265-6561.

District 3 Fall Conference: The Fall Conference will be held Saturday, 14 November 2009, at the Sheraton Hotel, Motor Parkway, Hauppauge. This is an educational conference with an open meeting plus seminars. It is an opportunity to find out the latest status of all USPS courses and seminars. A flyer with the details is included in this month’s White Caps. Since the conference is in our backyard, it will be embarrassing if Smithtown Bay does not have a large turnout. Plan to stay for lunch.

Sail Class: Captree Power Squadron will be conducting a Sail Class in January 2010. Those interested can contact Anthony Pozun at (631) 667-4987.

The fall equinox has arrived and it is now time to think of boater safety and our public boating course. Our instructors have prepared an exciting, knowledgeable course schedule and could really use the help and insight from our membership. Come down and meet and greet the new class, share some of your boating knowledge and stories of ports visited this summer. As a squadron we need to make a conscious effort to utilize this opportunity to recruit new members.

The local boat shows are a great place to volunteer your time to meet people and earn a merit mark. Sign up for time at a local boat show, you will find it rewarding, and not only for the free admission. If you are in the market for a new or used boat, now is the time to strike. All of the small boat manufacturers are reeling from the current economic conditions. Many of the manufacturers are taking orders at sharp discounts for spring delivery.

The October meeting is time to begin discussion concerning our Christmas Party. I hope to see all of you for a night of fruitful discussion and planning.

It is time to begin thinking about hauling and winterization for your boat. Make early preparations with your hauler and marina to get things scheduled when you want to, not when they can.

Unfortunately, summer has gone, but boating can continue well into late October. Enjoy some cooler weather at some of your favorite ports of call. Enjoy the time with friends and family because fair weather days are always less frequent when you want them.

Our October monthly meeting took place at Stony Brook Yacht Club. The proceedings were well attended and the group was updated regarding Squadron activity including a report from Education Officer P/C Al Hiltunen, SN regarding the Fall America’s Boating Course results. The class had twelve students, who had 100% attendance and all successfully passed the course. Congratulations to the class members and thanks to all the squadron members for their participation and help.

The Fall Education Conference will be held this year at the Sheraton Hotel on November 14, 2009. It is a very informative day and now closer to home. This year’s conference will include a seminar on membership and a new program from the USPS entitled Sail Angle, describing new internet access and e-mail formats. Join other members who are attending by contacting Commander Marc Gottlieb, AP at 516-707-4078 or PC Al Hiltunen, SN at 631-265-6561.

New business included the appointment of P/C James Brennan, AP as Membership Chairman and Lt./ C David Sumner, P as Membership Retention Chairman. Please assist us in gaining and maintaining our members. Our numbers are declining and all help is needed to keep our organization strong and boating safe.

Thanks to Marc Gottlieb and Harry Walter for their presentation on Weather. They took a complicated subject and gave the group some clear understanding of what causes conditions and how to be safe. Thanks for a good job.

Mark your calendar for this year’s Holiday Party on Saturday December 12, 2009. This year we are joining forces with Neptune Sail & Power Squadron for what will be a very good party. The event will be held at Northport Yacht Club, starting at 1830 with a Cocktail Hour (cash bar) followed by Dinner & Dancing until 2330. See the attached flyer for more details and make plans for a fun evening. Please contact Dolores Reichle 15 Waterview, Drive Centerport, NY 11721(see flyer) for reservations as soon as possible to facilitate planning. You can also contact me at 631-905-5187 for assistance.

Our November meeting will be held on Wed.11/11/09 at the Stony Brook Yacht Club. Please join your fellow members and bring a friend. Happy Thanksgiving to you and your family.

Memorial Day Weekend Rendezvous West Hampton Beach Marina was May 23-25, 2009

Congratulations to the following members who were awarded a Merit Mark for 2009.

Anthony Bharat, James Brennan, Donald Chiovaro, Dr. Marc Gottlieb, Allan Hiltunen, William Hoffman, John Koch, Marcial L'Hommedieu, Daniel O'Brien, John Rockensies, Dr. Robert Rupnick, Richard Silva, Dennis Schug, Doug Schroeder, David Sumner, Patti Sumner, Joseph Tipaldo, Harry Walter.

Congratulations to CDR. Marc Gottlieb and Lt./C Rich Silva on earning their Senior Member Awards at the COW Ceremony.

Congratulations to P/C Marcial L'Hommedieu who received the National 50 Merit Mark Award Plaque at the Change of Watch Ceremony on April 12. 2006.

GOOD & WELFARE
We wish extend our condolences to Don Chiovaro on the passing of his mother recently. She was in good health up until a couple of weeks ago and her passing away came as a sudden shock to Don and his family.
We also wish to express our deep condolences to Lynn Rupnick, the wife of our extinguished Dr. Rupnick, on the passing of her father recently. We sincerely wish the family our deepest regrets and know the strength of God will pull the family thru these difficult times.

Joint Smithtown Bay & Neptune Power Squadrons Holiday Party Dec. 12th to be held at the Northport Yacht Club.

The next boat show on the horizon will be the New York Boat Show at the Jacob Javits Center. I do not presently have the schedule as of yet, but will keep you informed when I receive the information. It normally takes place around the Christmas holidays either the latter part of December or first week in January. Nothing has been officially announced yet.

A new law has been passed by Governor Paterson that affects all pleasure vessels under 21 ft. in length, whether motor powered or not. From November 1st thru May 1st, all persons whether child or adult, must wear an approved PFD when underway.
This new law will raise awareness and has the potential to save lives. Cold water immersion and hypothermia are twin dangers faced by a boater when a boat swamps or capsizes in water temperature less than 60 degrees F. During the late fall and early spring, waterways have less boat traffic and response by rescue and law enforcement may be slower than during the summer. (see below)

IMPORTANT NOTICE”

**This law goes into effect on November 1st 2009**

On July 11th, 2009 Governor Paterson signed into law a bill to require all persons, including adults, on any pleasure vessel under 21ft to wear a personal flotation device when underway from November 1st to May 1st.

This new law will raise awareness and has the potential to save lives. Cold water immersion and hypothermia are twin dangers faced by a boater when a boat swamps or capsizes in water temperatures less than 60 degrees F. During the late fall and early spring, waterways have less boat traffic and response by rescue and law enforcement may be slower than in summer months.

*Required on all vessels under 21 feet: This means motorboats, sailboats, kayaks, canoes, rowboats, & paddleboats.

*Must wear a life jacket from November 1st to May 1st. This law goes into effect on November 1st 2009.

*All owners or operators must insure that everyone on board is wearing a properly fastened, USCG approved wearable PFD of an appropriate size when the vessel in underway.

Also signed into law.. is an extension of the exemption for PWC operators over the age of 18 to hold a boating safety certificate in order to rent a personal watercraft. No certificate will be required until 2012.

For the past few months now, the “WhiteCaps” has been e-mailed to those members whose names we have an e-mail address on file. I hope everyone is receiving the publication in a readable format and quicker than by snail mail. We have reaped a substantial savings by not mailing almost 75 copies per month. If we don’t have your e-mail address on file, please contact our webmaster P/C Dan O’Brien or myself at hoffbrau@optonline.net

Any changes to planned events or additional events, such as the course schedules can be found on our website which is in operation 24/7.

Articles and contributions are always welcome. Also utilize the "For Sale" and "Wanted Section".

Meet your 2009-2010 Bridge Officers who were installed at the Annual Change of Watch Ceremony April 15, 2009

P/C Anthony Bharat, P ; P/C Marc Gottlieb, AP ; P/C Allan Hiltunen, SN ; Lt./C John Koch, N ; Lt./C John Rockensies, SN ; Lt./C Rich Silva, AP ; Lt/C Dave Sumner

P/C Joseph Tipaldo, AP, P/C Dennis Schug, P; Lt. Doug Schroeder,P, Lt. Harry Walter

District 3 Fall Education Conference was held Nov. 14th at the Smithtown Sheraton, Smithtown, NY.

District 3 Spring Conference and Change of Watch was held March 20-21 at the Smithtown Sheraton, Smithtown, NY.The District 3 Rendezvous East was held in Greenport August 1 - 3.

See the July - August 2005 Issue of the Ensign, it featured an article written by P/Lt/C Harry Walter

The 2009 Annual National Meeting was held February 17-22 in Anaheim, California.