Commanders Report – September 2003
We are about to start a new Boating Year. I always felt that the end of the summer boating season
heralded a beginning to the new year of boating education. Well, that's the way I feel anyway! Why not sign up
for a course in WEATHER this September. Lets try to get the required number of at least 5 students to start for
the instructor Check our SEO's Report for all the education courses scheduled.
I'm certain that you all have some interesting stories to relate about this summer, your cruise or vacation, and
we all would like to hear them. The best place to discuss them is at the monthly dinner/ membership meeting. If
you have something that we all would enjoy let our Admin Officer Hank Chmielewski know and he will schedule you
some time at the next Get-Together.
We are in trouble with the collation and printing of "The Bell". This is a call for HELP! This is our
prime method of communication with all our members and we must produce our newsletter once a month to provide the
information that keeps our squadron in operation. We have all the information for the monthly newsletter but require
some member to provide the PC work to organize and print the input data. He/She must then package the Bell and
mail it to each member (using the membership list that we provide). Right now we have no-one and sorely need to
fill that position. At present the Bell appears on our web-site with mostly all the same information as the newsletter.
If you have a PC please visit www.usps.org/localusps/milford and you will be able to key-in on "The Bell".
I would like to thank Gabe Cordova for doing an excellent job in coordinating the Cruise Last July 20. We had about
28 members and guests who put to sea in the sailing vessel "Phoenix". All had an excellent time participating
in the duties required on a sailboat plus some trawling for lost treasure. Thanks a million Gus, job very well
done! You can read more in this issue under "The Cruise of the Phoenix".
Since we are having quite a bit of trouble in organizing "The Bell" we may be missing publication as
we have in the past. We still do not have an Editor and the Bridge is examining various methods in publishing this
document. If any member chooses to assist ,we certainly can use his or her participation. In the meantime,if you
have a PC you can find the Bell on the Web by dialing us in. The address is given above.
Thank you all, and we wish you a safe and enjoyable fall boating season,
Bob Reeves, Cdr.
Please visit us on the web-our address is www.usps.org/localusps/milford
Cruise of the Schooner "Phoenix"
On Sunday July 20th, Milford Sail and Power Squadron sponsored a charter of the schooner "Phoenix" out
of New Haven by Schooner, Inc. The Phoenix is a floating classroom that teaches school age kids about marine biology,
basic seamanship and sailing. Members and guests got to pitch in sailing the vessel, raising and lowering sails
as well as jibing and tacking. The Captain conducted a trawl with the help of the guest crew using a scaled down
version of a commercial trawling net and collected sea life specimens from the bottom of New Haven Harbor. The
specimens included fish, crabs, and snails, all of which were factually discussed by an instructor on board and
were safely released back to the sea at the conclusion of the discussion.
All in all it was a perfect day to be on the water, although light winds limited our sailing range to the inner
New Haven Harbor. Photos of the days events can be viewed here.
A note of recognition and thanks to member Gabe Cordova for organizing the event, a great success that attracted
28 members and guests.
This cruise was such a success that the squadron is considering a Fall Cruise. Keep in touch with "The Bell"
for further developments and details.
Al Mongillo, Exec. Officer
A Few Facts About Boat Registrations
From US Coast Guard- Data for the year 2001:
1. The number of recreational boats registered in the U.S. in 2001 was12.9 million. This represented an increase
of 94.000 or 0.7 % from the previous year.
2. National Marine Manufacturers Association (NAMMA) indicates that 541,000 new boats were sold at retail in 2001,
and that there are nearly 17 million boats owned across the U.S.
3. There are many small, non-powered craft that are not required to be registered by the states or simply not registered
by the owners, which includes large categories such as canoes (121,000 in 2001) and utility boats (approximately
49,000 in 2001
4. The top 20 states for registered boats recorded almost 75% of the total amount in the entire country, accounting
for 9.6 million boats.
5. Michigan retains its title as the top boating state in the country with more than 1,000,000 recreational boats
in 2001.
6. New England reported an increase of 2.4% while the Mid-Atlantic registered a decrease of 3.2%.
Reprint from NASBLA Small Craft Advisory.
Education Report-September 2003
We're trying to get back on track with our Education Schedule.
The following is our present schedule of member courses you need in order to advance in your Boating
Education.
Seamanship101 and 102. This is a modular course given in two distinct sections. Seamanship 101 is entitled "Seamanship"
and presents the following subject material:
· Marlinspike
· Safety
· Skipper' Responsibilities
· Leaving the Dock
· Weather and Wave Forms
· Nautical Customs
Seamanship 102 is entitled "Boat Handling" and will present the following subject material:
· Hull Design and Care
· Docking and Undocking, Towing, Trailering
· Anchoring, Rafting Mooring and Dinghies
· Cruising Considerations
· Boating Emergencies
An exam is given to the students on completion of each module. We have been giving both module together as one
course without any difficulty. It will last about 6 weeks with a class of 2hours each week. Course instructor is
Hank Chmielewski. First Class is being held at the Egan Center, Room 136 on October 27 and every Monday thereafter
until completion.
Piloting is scheduled the be given directly after Seamanship to provide continuity in studying habits. It is suggested
that all Seamanship students continue on with the Piloting course. This class will start after Seamanship and after
the Christmas holidays in January at the Egan Center.
Weather will be given starting 10 September at 7:00PM at Schooner Inc. 60 Water St. in New Haven. The instructor
is Stew Petrie . This course is divided into modules also and we will offer the first module at this time. Due
to the instructors schedule the next module is not to be given until May, 2004. An exam will follow each module.
Engine Maintenance will be offered in January,2004 most likely at the Egan Center. George Buffinton is the instructor.
We have also planned to present two Public Courses: the 6 Lesson Boating Course which is being presented at Foran
High School starting September 10,2003 and instructed by Bob Post.
The Boat Smart Course will be given on the 4th and 11th of October at the Milford Public Library from 10:30AM to
2:30PM for 2 Saturdays.The instructor is Dick Boardman.
A flyer was sent out to membership informing everyone about these schedules. If there is a course you prefer, please
let me know so I can allow for it in our calendar. Thank you for your support and please try to take a course.
For more information on the content of courses please visit our website on www.usps.org/localusps/milford
Don't forget to take a course
Happy Sailing,
Bob Reeves, SEO
Calendar of Events September /October
7 August Bridge Meeting, Egan Center, 1900
10 August Milford Power Squadron Raft -up cancelled
4 September Bridge Meeting, Egan Center, 1900
10 September Weather Course, Schooner Inc. New Haven 1900
10 September 6 Lesson Boating Course, Foran H/S Milford, 1900
2 October Bridge Meeting, Egan Center, 1900
3 October Fall Council Meeting, TBA
4 &11 October Boat Smart Course, Milford Public Library, 1030-1430
16 October Membership Get together, Dinner meeting,1830, TBA
27 October Seamanship Course, Egan Center,190
