63rd ANNIVERSARY
1950-2013
COMMITTEE REPORTS
COMMANDER'S MARCH
MESSAGE
Greetings to all and I hope everything is well. It seems the
weather just doesn’t want to give us a break with the snow, wind and heavy rain,
but then again it is still winter. Spring, according to the calendar, is just
around the corner and with the upcoming District 3 Spring Conference and Change
of Watch, I know spring is near. I am looking forward to the change in command
for District 3 and enjoyed serving under D/C Larry Postel as he is a great
leader and dedicated USPS promoter and individual.
The America’s Boating Course will begin on 05 March and
expect a fairly large turnout. I am looking forward to this year’s District 3
Rendezvous which is 26-28 July, 2013. Attendance has been down the past few
years for this event, but I believe after the past year we have had, attendance
will be up this year.
Our annual Change of Watch ceremony will take place on 10
April 2013 at the Stony Brook Yacht Club. A nice menu has been planned and I
expect a large turnout ofmembers from our squadron, neighboring squadrons and
District personnel. This year will be a special occasion as it marks the 100
th
year anniversary of USPS and will
be a memorable event. Hope to see everybody at our next General Meeting on 13
March to vote for our new Bridge Officers.
CDR
Doug Schroeder,
AP
Commander
SEO's MARCH MESSAGE
SEO P/C Allan
Hiltunen, SN (631) 265 6561, achilt@optonline.net
Asst. SEO P/C
Robert Rupnick, AP (631) 543 4644,
rlrupnickdc@aol.com
Boating Course: The Spring 2013
America’s Boating Class will start Tuesday, 5 March 2013, at Hauppauge High
School, Room 212, at 7:30 pm. The course is four nights plus the exam.
The school is closed on 26 April 2013, therefore the exam will be given on 9
April 2013. The optional Navigation lessons will be held 16 and 23 April 2013.A
detailed schedule is on Smithtown Bay’s webite (www.usps.org/smithtown). Note
that the cost of material is $60 which is consistent with the other Squadrons in
D3. We always have a need for proctors and homework graders.
Advanced Piloting: This is a
continuation of the Piloting Course. Tides and currents are added material.
Electronic navigation is expanded to cover GPS, RADAR, and Depth Recorders. We
started a course on 24 January 2013. We have 2 students from SBPS and 2 students
from Jones Beach PS. The students will be given a take home exam on 21 March
2013 and will return the exam on 28 March 2013.
Sail Course: Neptune PS is
starting a Sail Course on 22 May 2013 at the Britannia Yachting Center,
Northport, NY. Classes are 7 to 9 pm each Tues for 10 weeks. Cost is $70 for USPS
members. Contact Allan Hiltunen for registration procedure.
An Educated Boater is a Safer Boater
P/C Allan Hiltunen, S
Squadron Education Officer
EXECUTIVE OFFICER'S MARCH
MESSAGE
Greetings to you all and I hope you and your family remain
safe during the current rain and wind storms. Maybe it’s a good thing our boats
are dry docked and hopefully spring will be here shortly As noted in last
month’s message, we mourn the loss of P/SEO John Koch a dedicated member who
devoted long hours to promote boater education and safety in the region. A
Memorial service is being planned for this spring. I am still waiting for the
tentative date from his cousin, who plans on holding it here on Long Island.
Congratulations to P/C Al Hiltunen for his efforts and dedication in enabling
Smithtown Bay Power Squadron to receive the Excellence in Recreational Boating
Education Aware at the recent District 3 Conference We all know how hard Al
works to teach and promote Boating Safety. Lt/C Kathleen Severino, P and Jeff
Schwartz, P who successfully passed the Piloting course are now continuing their
education by taking the Advanced Piloting course.
Mark March 5, 2013 on you calendar and plan on joining fellow
Squadron members in presenting the spring America Boating Course. With the
recent Suffolk legislation it is anticipated our class size may be large and
additional help is needed.
Our plans for the upcoming C.O.W. have been completed and we
are all set to have it held at the Stony Brook Yacht Club on 10 April 2013.
Please mark this on your calendar and plan on attending to welcome in our bridge
members for the coming year. Our Commander is planning on attending the C.O.W.’s
of many of the other squadrons in District 3 and would like to have
some bridge members or other members accompany him. Please let him know so car
pooling can be arranged.
Our squadron By-Laws have been amended and approved and have
been sent to National by P/C Dan O’Brien. Thank you Dan for keeping everything
up to date and in accordance with the governing rules and regulations. A copy of
the By-Laws will be e-mailed under separate cover to the members of our
squadron.
Lt./C David A Sumner,
P
Executive Officer
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICERS' MESSAGE FOR MARCH
Our squadron is in full swing with upcoming
activities and hopefully the weather will not curtail any of them, as it
has done over the past couple of months. Our America’s Boating Course
began this past Tuesday with a nice turnout of 18 students, so far, with
a few more projected for the next class on 12 March 2013. We have 17
adults and one teenager at present and the initial feedback is that many
are intent on forwarding their boating education. Most of the students
were aware of the new regulation being imposed by Suffolk County on
having boating safety certificates by the fall of this year, in order to
operate their vessels in our county.
The upcoming Spring Conference and Change of Watch
for District 3 will be well attended by Smithtown Bay Power Squadron
members. It is very nice to see this kind of turnout as attendance in
years past, has been very light and we want to let other squadrons know
that we are alive and well doing our part in promoting boating safety
and the ideals of USPS.
Our C.O.W. is all set for 10 April 2013 to be held at
the Stony Brook Yacht Club. The menu and program for the evening has
been all set and we are ready to induct our Bridge Officers for a year
of fun and numerous activities. I urge all our members to attend the
General Meeting on 13 March 2013 to overwhelming approve the candidates
as noted in the Nominating Committee Report.
Plans for our June barbeque and newly added September
clambake are in progress and should be finalized within the next few
weeks. Further information will be forthcoming in the next issues of the
White Caps.
The amendments to our squadron By-Laws have been
approved and submitted to National. These amendments and full copy of
our By-Laws are presented under separate cover as they are two large to
incorporate within this publication.
I look forward to see you at our General Meeting next week.
Lt./C
Tom Rondi,
AP
Administrative Officer
TREASURER
The 2012-2013 Annual Budget was approved by the Executive
Committee 1/02/13.
Lt/C Anne Marie Rondi,
AP
Squadron Treasurer
RULES COMMITTEE
National has approved our Revised By-Laws effective March14, 2013 and can
be downloaded by clicking on the By-Laws link on the home page.
P/C Daniel J. O'Brien, SN
Rules Chairman
NOTICE FROM NOMINATING COMMITTEE
The slate of candidates for Bridge Officers of the Smithtown
Bay Power Squadron for the year 2013 – 2014 has been submitted and is presented
herein for approval by the membership at our General Meeting on 13 March 2013.
The slate was approved at the March 13th General meetibg.
COMMANDER ----------------------------- Douglas Schroeder, AP
EXECUTIVE OFFICER ------------------ David Sumner, P
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER --------- Tom Rondi, AP
EDUCATIONAL OFFICER ------------- Alan Hiltunen,
SN
SECRETARY
------------------------------- William Hoffman, P
TREASURER
------------------------------- AnnMarie Rondi, AP
ASST. SECRETARY
--------------------- Kathleen Severino, P
Executive Committee
Douglas Schroeder, AP P/C Alan Hiltunen, SN
Dave Sumner, P Kathleen Severino, P Tom Rondi, AP
P/C William Hoffman, P AnnMarie Rondi, AP
Elected Members
P/C Dan O’Brien, SN Harry Walter, S
P/C Marc Gottlieb, AP, P/C Robert Rupnick, AP
Nominating Committee
P/C William Hoffman, P P/C Marcial L’Hommedieu, P
P/C Joseph Tipaldo, AP
Respectfully Submitted,
P/C William Hoffman, P
Nominating Committee Chairman
RENDEZVOUS
The Annual SBPS Block Island Rendezvous was held on
July 21, 2012.
SBPS Memorial Day Weekend Rendezvous, West Hampton Beach Marina was held May 26-28,
2012.
See previous Rendezvous photos in the Photo Album Link.
P/C Rich Silva, AP
MERIT MARKS
Congratulations to the following members who were awarded a
Merit Mark for 2012.
Ray Driscoll, Marc Gottlieb, Allan Hiltunen,
William Hoffman, Marcial
L'Hommedieu, Daniel O'Brien, Tom Rondi, Ann Marie Rondi. Dr. Robert Rupnick, Doug Schroeder,
Jeff Schwarz, Rich Silva, Kathleen Severino, David Sumner, Patti Sumner, Joseph Tipaldo, Harry Walter,
Make sure you get one in 2013
GOOD & WELFARE
Well we knew from my previous reports that this day was going
to come. It is with sympathy and caring that I must report that John Koch lost
his battle with throat cancer. His niece was taking care of him in Connecticut
and is planning on having a memorial service for John in the Spring. Please
check your email and the White Caps for additional information. If you have any
information you would like placed in my report simply call my cell$(631)
988I5087.
P/C Marc Gottlieb,
AP
Good & Welfare Chairman
PROGRAMS
Next General Meeting: SBPS 63rd Annual Change of Watch Meeting will be held
Wednesday April 10, 2013 7:30 pm, Stony Brook Yacht Club, Stony Brook, NY.
2012 Annual Holiday Xmas Party was held Wednesday Dec.
12th at the Old Field Club, with 43 members and guests. (Go to Photo Album 25
for photos).
June Meeting was held Sunday June 3rd, Barbeque at Little
Africa (Schubert's Beach). Go to Photo Album 24.
May General Meeting. May 9th was a joint meeting with Old Field Power
Squadron. Guest speaker: Smithtown Bay Constable.
62nd Annual Change of Watch, was held
Thursday April 26th, at the Stony Brook Yacht Club. Go to Photo Album 23.
Contact the Chairman below
with your request or ideas for future programs.
Lt./C
Tom Rondi,AP
Program Chairman
BOAT SHOW/SAFETY
"WATCH YOUR STEP" - USPS COMPASS December 2012
The online USPS Newsletter COMPASS featured a timely
article about injuries due to slips and falls. Very soon
boat maintenance/repair and of course, household chores
will appear on our to-do lists.
Since accidental falls result in 12,000 deaths and
300,000 debilitating injuries each year in the U.S.,
take heed of these words of warning.
1. Watch where you walk. Pat attention to misplaced
tools or lines on the deck. At night be sure to have
adequate illumination. Strap on L.E.D. head lights
always point the way.
2.Be mindful of pitch and roll especially from boat
traffic. An unannounced wake can create havoc in an
instant. Keep an eye out.
3. Wear proper footwear. If your TopSiders are now
LopSiders, it may be time to ask for an early Mom or
Dad's Day gift.
4. use ladders correctly. Never use a broken or
defective ladder. Set the ladder's angle to the proper
4-to-1 ratio (height-to-width angle) and place it on
solid footing. Never stand on the top two steps of a
step ladder or the red zone of an extension ladder.
Ladder Do' and Don'ts.
Do....
Wear solid, supportive-arched shoes.
Use caution, maintain a firm grip.
Clear away objects in your "Landing Zone" in case you
"hit the Deck" unexpectedly.
Anticipate surprises which may startle you. Nesting
birds, wasps. jolts of volts, tool slippage, etc.
Consider asking someone to "foot the ladder".
Create a "Ditch Plan" in case the ladder shifts or
fails. What is available to grab onto?
Don't....
Ever reach beyond you ladder's stability limit.
Reposition it as you progress.
Don't climb with something in your hand. Have someone
hand it up to you.
Don't jump from a ladder. It could kick-out, twist or
perhaps a cull or shoe lace could be snagged.
When we teach our On the Water Safety Program to school
children, we tell them not to fear the water but to
respect it. With proper respect and education, ladder
use need not create fear.
It can be a tool that takes your projects to a higher
level.
Boat Safely or Stay Home
Get
a free Radio Check. Go to seatow.com/boating_safety/ARC.asp
IMPORTANT NOTICE”
**This law went 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 went 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.
Be advised that all of Long Island Sound is now designated a no
discharge area.
Learn CPR/AED Heart Rescue (Go
to Nautical Links)
P/C Dr. Robert Rupnick,
AP
Boat Show/Safety Chairman
WHITE CAPS
Recipient of 2012 National Distinctive Communicator
Publication Award
Copies of the White Caps since May 2009 have been archived
(Click here to view)
The March "White Caps" has been published.
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.
Please visit our new and improved website:
www.usps.org.smithtown
NOTE FROM THE NEWSLETTER
EDITOR
As your newsletter editor, I
would like to remind all members that they are welcome to submit ant articles of
interest and or comments that can be published in the newsletter.. As a member,
your voice can be listened to at our General Meeting and viewpoints can be
expressed in our newsletter., but we need to hear from you.
Many of us may have exciting
events or trips that have been taken and can be shared with other members both
within and outside our squadron. Please feel free to submit them to me for
future publication in the newsletter. I am always looking for additional
articles of interest to enhance our newsletter, so please feel free to submit
them to me.
Articles and contributions are always welcome. Also utilize
the "For Sale" and "Wanted Section".
P/C
William Hoffman,
AP
"White Caps" Editor
MEET THE 2012-2013 BRIDGE
OFFICERS
Meet your 2012-2013 Bridge Officers who were installed at the
62nd Annual Change
of Watch Ceremony April 26, 2012.
BRIDGE OFFICERS
COMMANDER------------------------------Douglas Schroeder,
AP
EXECUTIVE OFFICER--------------------David Sumner, P
ADMINISTRATIVE OFFICER------------Thomas Rondi, AP
EDUCATION OFFICER--------------------Allan Hiltunen,
SN
SECRETARY---------------------------------William Hoffman,
P
TREASURER---------------------------------Ann Marie Rondi, AP
ASST. EDUCATION OFFICER------------Robert Rupnick, AP
ASST. SECRETARY-------------------------Kathleen Severino,
P
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
CDR. Douglas Schroeder, P/C Richard Silva AP, P/C Allan Hiltunen, SN ,
Lt./C Dave Sumner, P, Lt./C Thomas Rondi, AP, P/C William Hoffman, P, Lt.C Anne
Marie Rondi, AP, P/C Robert Rupnick, AP, 1st. Lt. Kathleen Severino, P.
EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE ELECTED MEMBERS
P/C Daniel O'Brien, SN, P/C Marc Gottlieb, AP,
Lt. Harry Walter, S,
DISTRICT 3
District 3 Spring Conference and Change of Watch was held March 15-16, 2013 at the Huntington Marriott, Melville, NY.
SBPS was awarded the Haedrich Memorial Trophy, George W.
Popella Award (Co-OP Charting) 3rd place, DIR Award, and Distinctive
Communicator Awards for the White Caps and Website.
District 3 Memorial Service was
held Sunday March 3,
2013.
District 3 2012 Fall Education Conference
was held
Saturday January 26, 2013 at the Melville Marriot, Congratulations
to P/C Robert Rupnick who received his Life Membership Award. SBPS received the
2012 NBF/USPS Excellence in Recreational Boating Education Award.
D-3 Rendezvous
East Greenport, NY was held August 3-5, 2012
ENSIGN
See the July -August
2005 Issue of the Ensign, it featured an article written by P/Lt/C Harry Walter,
S
" The Story Behind The
Smithtown Bay Power Squadron Burgee"
The story
is also featured on our History page.
NATIONAL NEWS
The 2013 Annual National Meeting was held 1/13-20/13 in
Jacksonville, FL.
National Governing Board Meeting, was held as held in
Detroit, Michigan, Sept 2-9, 2012
Smithtown Bay Web has
been awarded 2012 Distinctive Communicator Awards for our Website
and White Caps Publication.
Latest National News (Click
here)
Click
Logo
COMMUNITY NEWS
County Executive Steve
Bellone signed the Suffolk County Boating Safety Certificate Law Oct. 11, 2012.
(Click here for the law).
On March 31, 2011, New York State Legislature established a
no-fee recreational marine fishing registry to take place of the
recreational marine fishing license that was previously
implemented in October 2009. The new no-fee registry legislation
was signed with a "sunset clause," which is set to expire on
December 31, 2013. This means that if the New York State
Legislature does not take further action to continue the
registry after the expiration date, the recreational marine
license will be implemented again. Go to www.dec.ny.gov/permits
FOR SALE
Place your ad here.
Contact the White Caps Editor.
WANTED
Place your ad here.
Contact the White Caps Editor.
Want to join a Committee and
earn a Merit Mark? 
Last updated 3/17/13
