Commanders Report
I'm sure everyone is taken up by the forthcoming holidays right now, but just some information so you can leave
a note to Santa. If you are taking any of our advanced member courses like Piloting or Advanced Piloting it would
be wise to put a "GPS" on your list. This is an instrument that will help you thruout your advanced courses
and also be of great value to you on board your boat.
I suggest you click on to the USPS web site and view all the discounts offered by Map-tech and C-Map. It may be
wise to check and save a few pennies.
Our courses are progressing nicely but we could use some additional students in class.
I would like to share with you my Christmas list to Santa since it is definitely up to you, our members, to urge
Santa to fulfill our needs:
1. A Membership Chairman for the Bridge so that we can properly administrate recruited members for our squadron.
2. More members willing to work on the Squadron Bridge so that all the required chores can be shared evenly.
3. An instructor or Assistant Instructor for the Piloting Course and the Advanced Piloting Course
4. .A Public Relations Officer to assist in the interface necessary between the USPS and the Public.
Here's wishing you and your family a very happy holiday and hope to see you all soon at the next dinner-meeting.
Bob Reeves, Cdr.
The USPS Boat Insurance Program offers savings to members based on courses you have taken. For each
course taken the USPS Boat Insurance Program through St. Paul Travelers will discount your insurance 2.5%. The
discount looks something like this:
Course Credit
Seamanship 2.5%
Piloting 2.5%
Advanced Piloting 2.5% (Maximum of 7.5%)
Elective Courses
Marine Electronics 2.5%
Engine Maintenance 2.5%
Weather 2.5%
Sail 2.5%
Full Certificate Maximum of 20% for full cert.
VSC Certification $3.00
You can get a maximum credit of 23% each year. To get your credit call 1-800-763-8777 option #2 and be prepared
with your policy number and USPS certification Number. For VSC credit tell the representative you will fax your
current VSC form to 1-205-581-9447. The discount is applied to the hull premium and standard coverages. Additional
coverages are not discounted.
With thanks to Hartford Power Squadron
Education Report
With the holidays over its now time to think about our boating education. I'm advising all members
to be alert to the changing methods of Navigation .We are now changing over to electronics (GPS) as our prime means
of getting from point A to point B. Not to say that the "old" method of plotting a course is gone but
to say that the prime means of navigation is the GPS and the chart. It is very important to know how GPS works,
how to use the instrument, and how to plot its data on a chart. Members who have taken the Piloting and Advanced
Piloting courses may want to review the new courses and the new techniques employed today for safety reasons. Think
about it ---- try to take a course starting with Piloting where you will get the basics of electronic navigation
and learn how to use the data properly. You will be given a CD to use on your desktop or laptop to go along with
the course. It is very interesting and very necessary for the recreational sailor.
JN has completed its final exam with only 1 out of 3 students participating. We are waiting for final marks.
Module 1 of Marine Electronics has been completed. The exam is to be given and then Module 2 started.
We are trying to get in a Kayak course in April. Those interested please call.
Check our calendar for the latest dates and hope to see you in class.
Bob Reeves, SEO (Squadron Education Officer)
Start Date
7 Sept Wednesday Boat Smart at Foran High School 7:00PM-Registration $20, Text Book and material $30.
5,6,7,8,Oct Basic Kayaking at Egan Center Rm 136 and
Milford Academy Pool.Hands on and classroom education-$50-7:00 PM
2006
14,21 Jan Saturday Boat Smart at Milford Library. 10:30 to 2:30PM
2 Sat's, 4 hrs. each class--$50
13 Feb Wednesday Boat Smart at Foran High School-7:00PM
18,25 Mar Saturday Boat Smart at Milford Library. 10:30 to 2:30PM
2 Sat's, 4 hrs. each class--$50
15,22 April Saturday Boat Smart at Milford Library. 10:30 to 2:30PM
2 Sat's, 4 hrs. each class--$50
13,20 May Saturday Boat Smart at Milford Yacht Club 10:30 to 2:30PM -Tentative
Member Advanced Courses
12 Sept Monday JN-Basic Celestial Navigation-7:00PM at the Egan Egan Center (In Progress)
3 Oct Monday Seamanship-2 Modules-7:00PM Egan Center
8 Nov Tuesday Marine Electronics- 2 Modules-7:00PM Egan
Center (Module 3 in the Spring)
If you care to sign up for any of these courses please call Bob Reeves, 876-8261 or E-Mail to Bobr876@aol.com
