April 2004 Edition of the Milford Power Squadron Charles Island Bell Newsletter Commanders Report Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection Boating Educators Forum Education Report Events Calendar

Commanders Report - April 2004

Now that the Change of Watch is upon us, the formality of "Changing responsibilities on the Bridge" is about to begin. But we in Milford Power Squadron don't have that luxury so we must continue with what we have. We can thank God that we have some very devoted members that are willing to give up their valuable personal time to give the squadron that extra assist and point us in the right direction. So as a result we land on our two feet and continue to perform our primary duty in providing the public with Boating Safety Education.

This year our membership has increased to 78 members. About 10% of them are active and the balance is generally inactive. Our members are also participating in our advanced courses however we need more instructors to teach these courses.

Such as:

Cruise Planning
Marine Electronics
Advanced Sail
GPS/Loran/Radar

We also need instructors for the Public Boating Courses-Boating/Boat Smart/Chart Smart. We must be able to relieve those educators who are working so hard in this effort. To tell you the truth, they are getting tired!

Yes, we have won our rewards at District for which we are grateful. But we have to continue to win these awards and to do that we need help. So please contact me and try to spare a little time to your squadron.

If you are going to the change of Watch Dinner at Marley's on April 15th I would be very interested in hearing from you on those improvements we should be considering. I'll be there so let me hear from you. Until then:

Have a Happy Easter everyone and Happy Sailing,

Bob Reeves, Cdr.

Connecticut Department of Environmental Protection

Boating Educators Forum, 31 March 2004

The annual Boating Educators Forum was held at the DEP Marine Headquarters in Old Lyme, CT, on 31 March 2004. Those responsible for teaching a state approved public safe boating course were in attendance. Attendees represented state course instructors, United States Power Squadrons, US Coast Guard Auxiliary and private providers.

CT Boating Law Administrator, Eleanor Mariani, presented some interesting boating statistics and changes to boating regulations and legislation that will be in effect this coming summer.

Statistics:

• 112,082 boats are expected to be registered in 2004. This is only slightly more than last year.
• 88% of registered boats are 26 ft or under.
• Registration of power boats is increasing while registration of sail boats is decreasing.
• 8400 PWCs are registered. This has stayed relatively constant.
• Trending shows that registration of large boats (above 40 ft) is increasing at a rate faster than predicted and registration of smaller boats is increasing at a rate equal to or less than predicted.
• Over the last five years, the accident rate has been between 70 and 80 per year. 70% were on Long Island Sound and major rivers. There were two fatalities last year.

Regulation changes in effect on 9 March 2004:

• PWC Operation
  • Operators of a PWC must be 16 years old to operate alone if they received their Certificate of Personal Watercraft Operation (CPWO) on or after 9 March 2004. Otherwise they must have on-board supervision by someone 18 years or older with a CPWO.
  • Those between 12 and 16 years old who received their CPWO before 9 March 2004 may operate alone.
  • Out-of-state operators must be 16 to operate a PWC alone.
  • Certificates issued to a youth (under 16) after 9 March 2004 will have a large Y printed on the card for easy identification. It is not necessary to get a new certificate when the youth reaches 16.
  • Operation at "Slow-no-wake" speed within 200 yards of shore, dock, pier, float, anchored or moored vessel expanded to include all CT waters not just lakes and ponds.
• Education/Certification
  • No charge for replacement certificates due to marriage or divorce
  • DEP boating course reduced from 10 to 8 hours
  • Any approved safe boating course must be a "classroom course with a closed book proctored exam"
  • The term "kill switch" replaced by "shut-off lanyard"
• Speed
  • "Steerage Speed" and "Six Miles per Hour" have been replaced by "Slow-No-Wake" except in swim areas and off boat launches.
  • "Slow-No-Wake" is defined.
  • New speed limits for some lakes and river areas
• Illegal activities at CT boat launches
  • Consume alcoholic beverages
  • Fish, if it interferes with boat launching
  • Leave a boat unattended
  • Swim, bathe, snorkel or SCUBA dive
• Wing-in-Ground Effect Vessels
  • Recreational use requires DEP Commissioner approval
  • Commercial use requires USCG Captain of the Port approval

Statutory changes in effect on 1 October 2003:

• Boating under the influence of alcohol or drugs
  • Blood alcohol content (BAC)
    • 0.08% (decreased from 0.10%)
    • 0.02%, if under 21 years of age
  • Added implied consent (if you take the wheel, you consent to a chemical test for BAC)
  • Increased penalties
    • Suspension of certificate
    • Increased fines and jail time
  • Suspension of certificate
    • DEP 60-90 days, 6 months, if refuse to take test
    • Judicial 1 year - life, Allows for pre-trial education for first offense
• Invasive plants - illegal to transport a vessel or trailer used in fresh water without inspecting for presence of aquatic vegetation and removing/disposing of the vegetation.

More information:

• On regulations www.dep.state.ct.us/rec/boating
• BUI laws www.cga.state.ct.us

John Annino, DEP supervisor, reviewed the latest NASBLA standards for public safe boating courses and indicated where emphasis should be placed this year.

• Naval vessel protection zone
  • Within 100 yards STAY OUT
  • Within 500 yards operate at minimum speed
• Homeland security
  • Watch for suspicious activities at bridges, ports, fuel docks, etc.
  • Report unusual activities to Coast Guard or police.
• Inflatable PFDs
  • Do not use, if under 16 years old, on a PWC, when water skiing
  • Manual inflation - check actuation handle, green actuation tab and no puncture of CO2 cartridge.
  • Automatic inflation - also check green auto inflation tab
• Hypothermia (cold water boating)
  • Death can come in 15 minutes in spring when water is cold
  • No chance without a PFD
  • Cold shock - gasp can result in instant drowning
  • Vertigo - one ear drum colder than the other, use ear plugs
  • 120 degree rule - if air plus water temperature is less than 120 degrees a wet suit or dry suit is recommended.
  • Treatment of severe hypothermia to prevent heart attack
    • Do not warm or exercise extremities
    • Do not administer hot drinks or alcohol
    • Do not administer CPR
• Carbon monoxide poisoning
  • Station wagon effect
  • Keep air flowing through cabin when under way
  • Do not teak surf (hang on to swim platform when under way)
  • Do not swim when generator is running
• Zebra mussels and nuisance species
  • Drain all water from boat
  • Inspect boat and trailer, remove all vegetation and animals
  • Leave all bait behind
  • Rinse boat and trailer with tap water

The 2004 CT Boater's Guide should be available in early April. It was late this year due to regulation changes that were put into effect in March.

There is a new CT supplement and exams to be given in boating classes. They include the latest regulation changes.

Clarifications on issuance of safe boating certificates

• If after completing a safe boating course, you just want the permanent certificate (6-8 week delay), send the application to Hartford as stated on the application.
• If you want a limited duration certificate to use while waiting for your permanent certificate, walk into a DEP office (main office in Old Lyme). They will give you a limited duration certificate and begin processing your application for the permanent certificate.
• If you purchase a boat and have not taken a safe boating course, you can walk into a DEP office and request a temporary certificate good for 6 months. After that time you must have taken a safe boating course, applied for and received a limited duration or permanent certificate in order to operate your boat legally.

Education Report - April 2004

Where did Spring Go? If I remember correctly, the Nautical almanac said March 20th but with all this rain and cold weather I guess I have to blame it on "New England Weather" I just spoke to a buddy of mine in England (the country) and he said the flowers were blooming. We've got to get that Gulf Stream to edge a little closer to our shores so we can enjoy a longer boating season.

Well the Education routine should be slowing down but we have a few more courses to complete. I am pleased to announce that we started the Chart Smart Course at the Sound School on April 1st. Bill Carotenuto is the instructor. This course is a public boating course that expands on the compass, charts, plotting and general navigation. It replaces that information left out of the Boat Smart Course and presents it in greater detail. We have 6 students attending which is scheduled for 4 - 2 hour lessons.

The Boat Smart Course will be given on the 17th and the 24th of April at the Milford Yacht Club. Dick Boardman is the instructor which will run for two Saturdays from 10:30 AM to 2:30PM.

The Seamanship Course is still ongoing at Poontatuck Yacht Club with Hank Chmielewski at the helm. Exams for the two modules are expected to start shortly.

Engine Maintenance has completed one module of training. George Buffinton the instructor said that the second module will be presented next September.

I am considering offering the JN course next Sept and would like all those members who have AP grades to review their priorities and let me know if they would like to join us. I currently have about 4 interested in the course. It is a long course and also requires a lot of homework but its well worth every minute you put in. Give a call 876-8261

NOW HEAR THIS!!

The new CT State Boaters Guide should be issued soon. I urge you to pick up a copy since there are some very important changes being made to the state regulations. John Nason our D/1 Education Officer attended the CT State Boaters Forum last week and his excellent summary is included in this issue of the Bell. Please read it and take heed!

Here's to better weather and happy sailing

Bob Reeves

Events Calendar

Bridge Meetings

27 March District 1 Spring Conference, Saybrook Point Inn, Old Saybrook, 0900

6 May Bridge Meeting, Parsons Complex, conf. Room "B"1900

4 June Council Meeting, Northeast Utilities, Newington Ct. Friday 1900

25-27 June Essex Island Rondezvous and Rain Gutter Regatta

23-25 July District 1 Mystery Mini-Cruise-Location TBA

13-15 Aug District 1 Mini-Cruise to Mystic Seaport

25 Sept 2nd Annual Poker Run and Raft-Up, Hamburg Cove.

Membership Dinner Meetings

Thursday, April 15th, Jacob Marley's in Orange, Change of Watch Dinner, 6:30PM