Commanders Report - May 2005
I hope you all got a copy of the flyer advertising the Public Kayak Course that we started on May 3rd.. I must
apologize for the late issue but sometimes all the well- timed logistics don't seem to jell. However I do hope
the message got to you and you are aware that we will offer a Kayak Safety course to the public in the future.
This was put together very quickly but seemed to be a desirable offering based on the number of kayakers we have
in the area. All the credit goes to Bruce Ross who put the classroom presentation together as well as the poolside
instruction. We used the DEP material for the classroom (since we didn't want to reinvent the wheel) and Bruce's
talents for the poolside instruction and demonstration.
At the present time we have about 15 students participating in this new venture. We'll get an idea how it was received
after the last class this Saturday.
I believe all courses have come to a conclusion for the summer and must say all our instructors did a commendable
job. Our Boating Staff has presented the class schedules unselfishly and have instructed using the new course material
with professionalism.
In the meantime during the summer we'll be catching up on our paperwork and trying to organize the classes for
next fall. If you have any suggestions we would be happy to hear from you. We would like everyone of our members
to benefit from all that the Education Dept. has to offer. Our instructors have a world of experience and are willing
and anxious to share it with you all.
Have a safe commissioning and an enjoyable boating/sailing season.
Bob Reeves, Cdr
Would You Like to Present a Private "Boat Smart" course??--- or---- Would you like to present
a "Chart Smart" Course
Milford Power and Sail Squadron would be pleased to support you in presenting either of these courses as a refresher
or to get you state license.---
For the Girl or Boy Scouts,
For your YMCA or Church Group
For your Sports group
For your Business Group
For your Seniors Club
For your Bowling Club or Card group
· To become more acquainted with Boating- to update yourself on the rules of the "Sea Road"
· To familiarize yourself with Position Location and Plotting courses using Charts
Milford Squadron will present the "Boat Smart" or "Chart Smart" course on 3 days or 3 evenings
of 2 hours each at the place of your choice (suitable for a classroom). There must be 5 or more participants at
a cost of $45 each. We will supply the instructor and all the training aids and course materials. If a State License
is desired, we will give the exam and supply the application for the license.
Are you interested ? Then call Bob Reeves, Milford Power and Sail Squadron Education Officer on 876-8261 to discuss
details.
Education Report, May 2005
Things are slowing down almost to a stop now as the weather becomes much milder and boat yard
activity increases. Many of our courses are just about the same, winding down, with the students anxious to get
out on the water. Boating seems to be obsessive in a way - I guess much the same way as a good golf game.
Our Boat Smart Courses have been very well attended this year. Here is a summary of the attendance
Feb. 16th Foran High School 6 in attendance
Feb 19th Milford Library 17 in attendance
March 19th Milford Library 20 in attendance
April 9th Milford Yacht Club 16 in attendance
May 3rd Egan Center/Pool 15 in attendance Kayak Course
That's not too bad. Many thanks to our instructors Bob Post, Tony Barbieri, Bill Carotenuto, Bruce Ross and Dick
Boardman. No further Boating courses are scheduled for this spring/summer period.
We have inserted a Public Kayak Course into the schedule to bring some of the elements of boating safety to the
paddlers in our area. It is scheduled for May 3rd. to start at the Egan Center at 7:00PM. Bruce Ross is putting
all the elements of the course together and it will be taught for two class sessions on May 3rd and 4th while the
last two sessions will be at the Milford Town Pool on Gulf St. on the old Milford Academy property. Bruce will
give the students a good hands-on example on all the safe paddling techniques.
In the meantime George Senders Class marks in Piloting have been returned. We wish to congratulate the following
student who have passed the exam and achieved the Grade of Pilot.
Claude Blouin, P
Chris Christman, P
Vincent Calarco, P
Bruce Ross, P
Great job guys, keep up the great work. Now on to Advanced Piloting!
The JN course is just about completed however the requirement for obtaining sights of the sun, moon. star, and
a planet require much more time. We'll complete the classroom work this month and then take a break for the summer
and the students can get their sights organized at this time. (sky permitting)
The weather this spring has not been conducive to sight taking with all the poor sky conditions so I trust the
summer will bring better viewing. We'll re-start our classroom work in Sept with a review and then the final examinations.
Once next year's Education schedule is finalized we'll be sending it to you in "The Bell".
Have a safe Boating summer folks and use your education wisely.
Bob Reeves, SEO
