The National Co-op Charting Committee is pleased to announce a Co-op Charting Workshop at the USPS Annual Meeting in Orlando. The date, time and location for this event are Friday, 5 February 2010 from 1400 to 1700 at Coronado Q-R.
This is a chance for everyone who participates or wishes to become involved in Co-op Charting to sit down with committee members to learn the various areas within the Co-op Charting program.
Representatives from NOAA and the Army Corps of Engineers will also be on hand to answer questions. Individual problem areas can also be addressed at the workshop. Various workstations are planned to cover different areas of the program.
Internet access is available, bring your laptop and work with real data supplied at the workshop.
Horst Boettge
Chairman, N/CoCh/Com
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Tuesday, January 12, 2010
USPS Vessel Safety Check Program Update
USPS Vessel examiners recorded their sixth straight year with over 33,000 VSCs. Our 2300 Vessel Examiners continue to be our great outreach program, making direct one on one contact with America’s recreational boaters.
We will induct seven new members into the Millennium Club this year, each with over 1000 VSCs to their credit. This will bring the number of these high achievers to twenty-one. Forty-four VEs logged over 100 VSCs this year enrolling them in the Century Club. The Coast Guard supplied our VEs and Educators with Inflatable Life jackets to be worn when in the public eye to promote life jacket wear. These were shipped to all squadrons in September.
A new challenge faces the program for 2010 with the late production of the new decals. We hope to be able to ship them to squadrons sometime in February.
We are looking forward to 2010 as our first full year as the new Safety Committee, merging the prior Recreational Boating Safety and Vessel safety Check Committees.
R/C Bob Miller
We will induct seven new members into the Millennium Club this year, each with over 1000 VSCs to their credit. This will bring the number of these high achievers to twenty-one. Forty-four VEs logged over 100 VSCs this year enrolling them in the Century Club. The Coast Guard supplied our VEs and Educators with Inflatable Life jackets to be worn when in the public eye to promote life jacket wear. These were shipped to all squadrons in September.
A new challenge faces the program for 2010 with the late production of the new decals. We hope to be able to ship them to squadrons sometime in February.
We are looking forward to 2010 as our first full year as the new Safety Committee, merging the prior Recreational Boating Safety and Vessel safety Check Committees.
R/C Bob Miller
Wednesday, November 4, 2009
Looking for Ideas to Promote Your Squadron?
National Public Relations "Ship's Bell" award recipient, Lt Robert Scully, P Vero Beach Power Squadron created several videos promoting his squadron’s activities which can be viewed on YouTube.
Most recently, District 8 reaped the benefits of Scully's talent. During the D/8 Fall Conference held 3-4 October 2009 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL at the Marriott Hotel, photos were taken, then downloaded to Picasa, combined into a video and then uploaded to YouTube where music was added. The video can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL2YoDqx62k .
Most recently, District 8 reaped the benefits of Scully's talent. During the D/8 Fall Conference held 3-4 October 2009 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL at the Marriott Hotel, photos were taken, then downloaded to Picasa, combined into a video and then uploaded to YouTube where music was added. The video can be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GL2YoDqx62k .
Saturday, August 29, 2009
Update from National Cooperative Charting Committee
Udpated Squadron and District Cooperative Charting Guidelines and general reporting checklists are now available in CCWeb.
There is quite a lot of requests for CCWeb access from various squadrons. This is good news because it shows the renewed interest in nautical reporting.
At our Friday open meeting during the Kansas City GB, Jim Strothers is planning to give a PPT presentation on how to do a well-planned co-op charting cruise. Since the meeting is in the middle of the country, I plan to give a presentation about "What's an inland squadron to do?", concentrating on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Waterways and Lakes reporting.
The latest e-mail newsletter from the Cooperative Charting Committee can be found from the Co-op Charting website at www.usps.org/national/coch.
R/C Horst Boetge, SN
Chairman, Cooperative Charting Committee
There is quite a lot of requests for CCWeb access from various squadrons. This is good news because it shows the renewed interest in nautical reporting.
At our Friday open meeting during the Kansas City GB, Jim Strothers is planning to give a PPT presentation on how to do a well-planned co-op charting cruise. Since the meeting is in the middle of the country, I plan to give a presentation about "What's an inland squadron to do?", concentrating on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Waterways and Lakes reporting.
The latest e-mail newsletter from the Cooperative Charting Committee can be found from the Co-op Charting website at www.usps.org/national/coch.
R/C Horst Boetge, SN
Chairman, Cooperative Charting Committee
Wednesday, August 26, 2009
USPS Setting Important Example in Life Jacket Wear
This season has seen USPS members demonstrating that life jackets can be comfortable and easy to wear. Our Vessel Examiners, Public Educators, Boat Show and Safety Fair representatives have been wearing their red inflatable life jackets whenever they have been in the public eye. These inflatable life jackets were purchased by the US Coast Guard and loaned to us so we could help with this very important life saving program. You are making a difference out there. Thanks to all of you have been participating.
R/C Bob Miller, JN
Chairman, Vessel Safety Check Committee
R/C Bob Miller, JN
Chairman, Vessel Safety Check Committee
Squadron Safety Reports Due Mid-September
This is the time of year when all Squadron Safety Officers should be looking back since their last report and noting what their squadron has done for their community and their members to promote safety. The members of the Safety Committee have been working with their respective districts.
Safety and Education go hand in hand. When we teach our courses we are teaching safety. When we do Vessel Safety Checks we are showing other boaters what safety equipment they need to be safe on the water and what is needed to comply with the local, state, and federal laws which themselves are based on safety. Safety is an important key to PR for USPS®.
When we work at boat shows or sea fests we should be advertising our safe boating courses and demonstrating our community involvement.
In short, most of what we do is about safety. All Squadron Safety Officers should be filling out their Safety Reports to submit to their District Safety Officers which comes under the District Executive Officer. They in turn will be sending in the reports to the Recreational Boating Safety Committee representative that will be contacting them or already has been in contact with them.
The submission of these reports helps us review ideas that can be disseminated to all squadrons and also helps us look for squadrons that went that extra mile and need to be recognized or published in our “The Ensign”.
Certificates are awarded to Districts with 100% participation at the USPS Annual Meeting.
The report is due to the RBSC by 1 October 2009. That means it should be to the District Safety Officer by mid SEPTEMBER. The forms can be found on the Recreational Boating Safety web site on the right side under forms/downloads or use this link : http://www.usps.org/national/safety/RBSafetyOfficerReport08.pdf. Remember to keep a copy of the report for yourself to hand down to whoever may follow in your office.
R/C Richard L. Frenz, SN
Chairman, Recreational Safe Boating Committee
Safety and Education go hand in hand. When we teach our courses we are teaching safety. When we do Vessel Safety Checks we are showing other boaters what safety equipment they need to be safe on the water and what is needed to comply with the local, state, and federal laws which themselves are based on safety. Safety is an important key to PR for USPS®.
When we work at boat shows or sea fests we should be advertising our safe boating courses and demonstrating our community involvement.
In short, most of what we do is about safety. All Squadron Safety Officers should be filling out their Safety Reports to submit to their District Safety Officers which comes under the District Executive Officer. They in turn will be sending in the reports to the Recreational Boating Safety Committee representative that will be contacting them or already has been in contact with them.
The submission of these reports helps us review ideas that can be disseminated to all squadrons and also helps us look for squadrons that went that extra mile and need to be recognized or published in our “The Ensign”.
Certificates are awarded to Districts with 100% participation at the USPS Annual Meeting.
The report is due to the RBSC by 1 October 2009. That means it should be to the District Safety Officer by mid SEPTEMBER. The forms can be found on the Recreational Boating Safety web site on the right side under forms/downloads or use this link : http://www.usps.org/national/safety/RBSafetyOfficerReport08.pdf. Remember to keep a copy of the report for yourself to hand down to whoever may follow in your office.
R/C Richard L. Frenz, SN
Chairman, Recreational Safe Boating Committee
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Around USPS - National Executive Department Newsletter On-Line
The latest issue of "Around USPS", the National Executive Department newsletter is available for viewing/downloading at http://www.usps.org/national/executive/aroundusps/AroundUSPSFeb2009.pdf
Thursday, January 8, 2009
Cooperative Charting Updates
NOAA's National Ocean Service is Proposing Removal of Tide Tables and Tables of Small Craft Facilites from Charts
The following notice was posted at http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/staff/headline-important.html.
If you have any comments about this proposal, send them through the link included in the last paragraph below. As you can see, time is of essence.
NOAA's National Ocean Service is evaluating specific features on nautical charts for their importance to marine navigation. The goal is to improve clarity and ease of use. To achieve this, NOAA's National Ocean Service is proposing the removal of Tide Tables and Tables of Small Caft Facilities. Both of these tables will be removed from the following charts:
11302 11303 11306 11308 11314 11315 11319 11322 11326 11331
11347 11348 11350 11354 11355 11365 11367 11370 11372 11374
11378 11385 11390 11393 11402 11404 11411 11425 11427 11428
11430 11432 11433 11446 11449 11451 11453 11464 11465 11467
11472 11485 11489 11491 11507 11514 11515 11518 11534 11541
11553 12205 12206 12237 12285 12316 12324 12352 12364 12372
13229 13274 18423 18445 18447 18545 18546 18547 18548 18652
18661 18662 18687
Up-to-date tide information will continue to be available via NOAA's Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov.
NOAA's National Ocean Service is also proposing the removal of State Plane grid intersection tick marks from all nautical charts. The State Plane coordinate system was established by the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey in 1933 to provide a common reference system for surveyors and cartographers. State plane ticks marks are not necessary for marine navigation.
NOAA's Office of Coast Survey (OCS) is requesting all comments about these changes be sent via OCS' inquiry page
http://ocsdata.ncd.noaa.gov/idrs/inquiry.aspx before February 20, 2009.
Any other questions may be directed to the inquiry page or by calling NOAA's navigation inquiry hotline: 1-888-990-NOAA (6622).
For the Latest Cooperative Charting "News You Can Use"
Go to http://www.usps.org/national/coch and check out the 22 December 2008 newsletter
Stf/C Horst Boettge, SN
N/CoCh/Com
The following notice was posted at http://www.nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/staff/headline-important.html.
If you have any comments about this proposal, send them through the link included in the last paragraph below. As you can see, time is of essence.
NOAA's National Ocean Service is evaluating specific features on nautical charts for their importance to marine navigation. The goal is to improve clarity and ease of use. To achieve this, NOAA's National Ocean Service is proposing the removal of Tide Tables and Tables of Small Caft Facilities. Both of these tables will be removed from the following charts:
11302 11303 11306 11308 11314 11315 11319 11322 11326 11331
11347 11348 11350 11354 11355 11365 11367 11370 11372 11374
11378 11385 11390 11393 11402 11404 11411 11425 11427 11428
11430 11432 11433 11446 11449 11451 11453 11464 11465 11467
11472 11485 11489 11491 11507 11514 11515 11518 11534 11541
11553 12205 12206 12237 12285 12316 12324 12352 12364 12372
13229 13274 18423 18445 18447 18545 18546 18547 18548 18652
18661 18662 18687
Up-to-date tide information will continue to be available via NOAA's Center for Operational Oceanographic Products and Services (CO-OPS) http://tidesandcurrents.noaa.gov.
NOAA's National Ocean Service is also proposing the removal of State Plane grid intersection tick marks from all nautical charts. The State Plane coordinate system was established by the U.S. Coast and Geodetic Survey in 1933 to provide a common reference system for surveyors and cartographers. State plane ticks marks are not necessary for marine navigation.
NOAA's Office of Coast Survey (OCS) is requesting all comments about these changes be sent via OCS' inquiry page
http://ocsdata.ncd.noaa.gov/idrs/inquiry.aspx before February 20, 2009.
Any other questions may be directed to the inquiry page or by calling NOAA's navigation inquiry hotline: 1-888-990-NOAA (6622).
For the Latest Cooperative Charting "News You Can Use"
Go to http://www.usps.org/national/coch and check out the 22 December 2008 newsletter
Stf/C Horst Boettge, SN
N/CoCh/Com
Monday, September 29, 2008
Memo from the Chief Commander
An article that will be published in the upcoming USNI Proceedings magazine and was provided by USCG Commandant Allen regarding the possible use of a small vessel as a threat against the U.S. maritime transportation system can be found at http://www.usps.org/national/natsec/USNI%20Article.pdf
By copy of this memo, I am requesting our Bridge Officers to forward copies of the article to their respective committee and Departmental Chairman, asking each to distribute same to our squadrons and membership in general.
Education of the public and our membership about boating and boating safety is our principal function and we will serve in such ways as we may assist.
Creighton Maynard, SN
Chief Commander
United States Power Squadrons
By copy of this memo, I am requesting our Bridge Officers to forward copies of the article to their respective committee and Departmental Chairman, asking each to distribute same to our squadrons and membership in general.
Education of the public and our membership about boating and boating safety is our principal function and we will serve in such ways as we may assist.
Creighton Maynard, SN
Chief Commander
United States Power Squadrons
Tuesday, August 19, 2008
Bowsprit Final Report Available for Viewing/Downloading
Bowsprit Final Report, year ending 30 June 2008 includes membership retention as of 1 August. The report is posted on the Bowsprit web site for viewing/downloading.
Congratulations to Districts 3, 15, 23, 26, 28 and 33 for achieving Bowsprit status. This is the third year in a row for D/28. Four districts achieved Bowsprit status in 2006-2007; six districts in 2005-2006; eleven in 2004-2005; ten in 2002-2003 and two in 2001-2002.
Compared with last year, more points were awarded in Retention and VSC.
If you have any questions about the Bowsprit, please contact me at bats_wings@sbcglobal.net (underscore between bats and wings).
P/D/C Brian Logan, SN
Bowsprit Administrator
Congratulations to Districts 3, 15, 23, 26, 28 and 33 for achieving Bowsprit status. This is the third year in a row for D/28. Four districts achieved Bowsprit status in 2006-2007; six districts in 2005-2006; eleven in 2004-2005; ten in 2002-2003 and two in 2001-2002.
Compared with last year, more points were awarded in Retention and VSC.
If you have any questions about the Bowsprit, please contact me at bats_wings@sbcglobal.net (underscore between bats and wings).
P/D/C Brian Logan, SN
Bowsprit Administrator
Government & Partner Relations Committee Update
■ USPS joined forces with dozens of other major recreation boating organizations in support of the Clean Boating Act of 2008 which was approved by Congress and signed into law by President George Bush. Had the legislation not passed, all boaters would have faced unprecedented federal and state environmental impact fees.
■ Scheduled for signing at the Detroit Governing Board are Memorandums of Understanding with the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC), the nation’s standard-setter for safer boating, and OceanGrafix, provider of NOAA’s most up-to-date charts.
■ Anticipated MOU signings scheduled for the Anaheim Annual Meeting in February 2009 include the National Youth Marine Alliance, sponsor of a number of water safety programs for America’s youth, and Citizen Corps, the nation’s largest volunteer force created to protect America in the wake of 9/11.
■ Chair Bill Husted and D/Lt Howard Manly, of GPRCom’s Homeland Security team, recently attended Citizen Corps’ annual Leadership Meeting in Oklahoma City.
R/C William E. Husted, SN, Chairman
■ Scheduled for signing at the Detroit Governing Board are Memorandums of Understanding with the American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC), the nation’s standard-setter for safer boating, and OceanGrafix, provider of NOAA’s most up-to-date charts.
■ Anticipated MOU signings scheduled for the Anaheim Annual Meeting in February 2009 include the National Youth Marine Alliance, sponsor of a number of water safety programs for America’s youth, and Citizen Corps, the nation’s largest volunteer force created to protect America in the wake of 9/11.
■ Chair Bill Husted and D/Lt Howard Manly, of GPRCom’s Homeland Security team, recently attended Citizen Corps’ annual Leadership Meeting in Oklahoma City.
R/C William E. Husted, SN, Chairman
Friday, August 8, 2008
Cooperative Charting Committee Update
NOAAReports submitted to NOAA through this committee are some what less than they were this time last year. I’ve asked around and it seems the price of fuel and gasoline has taken its toll on the submissions. There is some frustration with the tightening of security concerning the passwords and having to renew passwords every 90 days. NOAA has confirmed their full support and appreciation of the effort of this committee and that of USPS.
US ARMY CORPS OF ENGiNEERS:
As you may recall, we are working on a reporting program some what like the one we have with NOS whereby we “USPS” submit reports to the C of E to update their electronic charts of the inland waterways. This effort consisted of developing the software and procedures of the reporting process. The Corps, along with the rest of the Government's departments, are confronted with funding shortfall, so the funding for this program has been diverted to other programs. We anticipate the funding will be renewed soon.
MAPTECH AND THE BOATING GUIDE TO AMERICA
(as reported by R/C Robert Sweet, SN)
The paper chart segment has been sold to Richardson’s Charts in New Bedford, MA. It was not verified if Boating Guide to America goes with the charts, but it seems reasonable since their original intent was to build data for the Embassy Guides. Currently, all of the Maptech web is still operational and the plan is to keep it running until Aug 31st. However, Richardson’s will be pulling the paper chart material off during the month of August. After that is done, the residual Maptech material will be reviewed as to when it will be shut down.
R/C Richard White, AP
Chairman, Cooperative Charting Committee
R/C Richard White, AP
Chairman, Cooperative Charting Committee
USPS® Vessel Safety Check Program Status
The USPS VSC program is very healthy with 2224 VEs and 21,082 VSCs through July. We are well on our way to achieving the goals we set at the beginning of the year to have 2350 VEs and 32,000 VSCs by year end.
The US Coast Guard Office of Auxiliary & Boating Safety has fulfilled their promise to provide us with 2900 inflatable life jackets. These jackets are intended to be worn by Public Boating Instructors, Vessel Examiners and people who work the Boat Show or Safety Displays. The cost of the packaging and shipping process will be covered by a grant award from the USPS Education Fund. We are expecting to begin to package and ship the inflatable life jackets to each squadron by early September.
The U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary recently reached an agreement with Orion Signals to cooperate in an Orion Safety Awareness Program wherein Auxiliary VEs will receive a kit from Orion after watching an online Orion Demo Training Video and successfully completing the online exam. They will also be able to earn points both for completing the exam and for each VSC they perform. These points can then be used to purchase Orion safety products. Though USPS was not party to the original agreement, we have engaged Orion to pursue a comparable Memorandum of Agreement for a program for USPS VEs. Any such agreement will likely begin for VSC year 2009.
R/C Bob Miller, JN
VSCCOM
The US Coast Guard Office of Auxiliary & Boating Safety has fulfilled their promise to provide us with 2900 inflatable life jackets. These jackets are intended to be worn by Public Boating Instructors, Vessel Examiners and people who work the Boat Show or Safety Displays. The cost of the packaging and shipping process will be covered by a grant award from the USPS Education Fund. We are expecting to begin to package and ship the inflatable life jackets to each squadron by early September.
The U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary recently reached an agreement with Orion Signals to cooperate in an Orion Safety Awareness Program wherein Auxiliary VEs will receive a kit from Orion after watching an online Orion Demo Training Video and successfully completing the online exam. They will also be able to earn points both for completing the exam and for each VSC they perform. These points can then be used to purchase Orion safety products. Though USPS was not party to the original agreement, we have engaged Orion to pursue a comparable Memorandum of Agreement for a program for USPS VEs. Any such agreement will likely begin for VSC year 2009.
R/C Bob Miller, JN
VSCCOM
Thursday, August 7, 2008
Squadron Development Committee Update
At the Dallas Annual Meeting, Stf/C Hank Willis, SN assumed the chair of the Squadron Development Committee from R/C Frank Clayton, SN.
Recently proposed changes to the Operations Manual intended to strengthen the identity of the committee were approved and published on 1 May 2008.
Stf/C Gerry Caprario, JN has been finalizing our strategic plan. The objective is to strengthen the committee over the next several years, increase committee membership and provide improved assistance to struggling squadrons.
District Activities:
District 13 - (Central Ca, NV, HI and Japan)
San Fernando Valley Provisional is in the process of being formed.
District 28 - (Southern California and AZ)
South Bay Provisional located south and east of San Diego is requesting Provisional Squadron Status.
New Mexico Provisional - Activity is currently underway to form a provisional squadron.
District 31 - (Western Arkansas)
There is activity in Mountain Home, Arkansas to consider forming a provisional squadron. The area has numerous lakes and the nearest squadron is two hours travel.
On the down-side,
San Francisco S & PS, District 25 (North California) members have voted to turn in their charter at the next USPS meeting.
Willamette River S & PS, District 32 (Oregon, Southwest Washington) members would like to disolve as a squadron and be absorbed into near-by squadrons.
R/C Hank Willis, SN
Chairman, Squadron Development Committee
Recently proposed changes to the Operations Manual intended to strengthen the identity of the committee were approved and published on 1 May 2008.
Stf/C Gerry Caprario, JN has been finalizing our strategic plan. The objective is to strengthen the committee over the next several years, increase committee membership and provide improved assistance to struggling squadrons.
District Activities:
District 13 - (Central Ca, NV, HI and Japan)
San Fernando Valley Provisional is in the process of being formed.
District 28 - (Southern California and AZ)
South Bay Provisional located south and east of San Diego is requesting Provisional Squadron Status.
New Mexico Provisional - Activity is currently underway to form a provisional squadron.
District 31 - (Western Arkansas)
There is activity in Mountain Home, Arkansas to consider forming a provisional squadron. The area has numerous lakes and the nearest squadron is two hours travel.
On the down-side,
San Francisco S & PS, District 25 (North California) members have voted to turn in their charter at the next USPS meeting.
Willamette River S & PS, District 32 (Oregon, Southwest Washington) members would like to disolve as a squadron and be absorbed into near-by squadrons.
R/C Hank Willis, SN
Chairman, Squadron Development Committee
Wednesday, August 6, 2008
Detroit Hotel Reservation Deadline
In less than one week, the Detroit hotel and activities reservation cutoff for USPS discounted rates will take place. Our cutoff date is 12 August and for those members that have not already made reservations and are still thinking about attending our USPS 2008 Governing Board, you need to wait no longer. Don't be disappointed when they tell you that our room block is no longer available at the USPS discounted rate.
Robert Keller, Chairman
USPS Meetings Committee
Robert Keller, Chairman
USPS Meetings Committee
Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Recreational Boating Safety Committee Update
It is time again for all squadrons to submit their Safety Officer reports for this year's squadron safety activities to their respective district Safety Officers who will submit their District report to the area monitor on the National Recreational Boating Safety Committee. All you have to do is download the Report from RBSC web site at http://www.usps.org/national/safety/RBSafetyOfficerReport.pdf.
The new report is a fillable form located on the right side of our home page of Recreational Boating Safety Committee. This is found under the National Executive Department using the site index. Click on the link and you will get the PDF form. Fill it in with what you have done this past year and then print it. Along with the report is a check list to use as a reminder of what your squadron may have done. There must be something on that list that would pertain to your squadron activities. After filling out the report, keep a copy for yourself and submit your report to your District Safety Officer before the end of September. We have had 100% participation for Honor Roll status for the last 4 years.
If this is your first time as Safety Officer, please contact the person who did it before or your District Safety Officer for some guidance. The important thing to remember is that to be considered for the Honor Roll, the form must be submitted even if your squadron has not performed any safety activities. Just state that and submit it. Please include anything you did for National Safe Boating Week in May. This could be visiting marinas or manning booths to hand out safety information, parades, safety demonstrations, picnics/gatherings for poster contests just to name a few. Don’t forget to count guest speakers, safety articles in newsletters, VSC, and Boating Classes.
The U.S. Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety had a monthly newsletter called ‘Waypoints’ which was discontinued this past April 2008. The following web site for Safety Information is still available; http://www.uscgboating.org It is loaded with safety information and a great tool for safety reports and newsletters articles for your squadron. You can also find information on recalls, safety defects, regulations, and boating statistics all in one place. Since the dialup “INFOLINE” has also been discontinued, you should present this information in our Public Boating Courses to educate the public about ways to find safety information about the boats and safety products they use.
R/C Richard L. Frenz, SN
Recreational Boating Safety Committee
The new report is a fillable form located on the right side of our home page of Recreational Boating Safety Committee. This is found under the National Executive Department using the site index. Click on the link and you will get the PDF form. Fill it in with what you have done this past year and then print it. Along with the report is a check list to use as a reminder of what your squadron may have done. There must be something on that list that would pertain to your squadron activities. After filling out the report, keep a copy for yourself and submit your report to your District Safety Officer before the end of September. We have had 100% participation for Honor Roll status for the last 4 years.
If this is your first time as Safety Officer, please contact the person who did it before or your District Safety Officer for some guidance. The important thing to remember is that to be considered for the Honor Roll, the form must be submitted even if your squadron has not performed any safety activities. Just state that and submit it. Please include anything you did for National Safe Boating Week in May. This could be visiting marinas or manning booths to hand out safety information, parades, safety demonstrations, picnics/gatherings for poster contests just to name a few. Don’t forget to count guest speakers, safety articles in newsletters, VSC, and Boating Classes.
The U.S. Coast Guard Office of Boating Safety had a monthly newsletter called ‘Waypoints’ which was discontinued this past April 2008. The following web site for Safety Information is still available; http://www.uscgboating.org It is loaded with safety information and a great tool for safety reports and newsletters articles for your squadron. You can also find information on recalls, safety defects, regulations, and boating statistics all in one place. Since the dialup “INFOLINE” has also been discontinued, you should present this information in our Public Boating Courses to educate the public about ways to find safety information about the boats and safety products they use.
R/C Richard L. Frenz, SN
Recreational Boating Safety Committee
Tuesday, July 8, 2008
Bowsprit Program Update
The Bowsprit Program 12 Month Report, ending 30 June 2008 is available for viewing/downloading from the Bowsprit Program web page.
The final Bowsprit report is determined August 1, when Member Retention is calculated.
No District has yet achieved Bowsprit status for 2007-8 (25 "points").
Member retention of 85% is worth 5 points, and there are three Districts that are within 5 points of Bowsprit recognition. It is possible one or more of these Districts would qualify.
Member retention of 90% is worth 6 points, and there is one additional District is within 6 points of Bowsprit.
It is also possible that achievements in other categories have been completed by the deadline, but have not been officially processed yet. These will be counted in the final August 1 tally.
Districts qualifying for Bowsprit will be recognized at the Fall Governing Board in Detroit.
If you have any questions about the Bowsprit Program, please don't hesitate to contact me. The best way to contact me is by e-mail, at bats_wings@sbcglobal.net (underscore between bats and wings).
P/D/C Brian Logan, SN
Bowsprit Program Administrator
USPS - America’s Boating Club
The final Bowsprit report is determined August 1, when Member Retention is calculated.
No District has yet achieved Bowsprit status for 2007-8 (25 "points").
Member retention of 85% is worth 5 points, and there are three Districts that are within 5 points of Bowsprit recognition. It is possible one or more of these Districts would qualify.
Member retention of 90% is worth 6 points, and there is one additional District is within 6 points of Bowsprit.
It is also possible that achievements in other categories have been completed by the deadline, but have not been officially processed yet. These will be counted in the final August 1 tally.
Districts qualifying for Bowsprit will be recognized at the Fall Governing Board in Detroit.
If you have any questions about the Bowsprit Program, please don't hesitate to contact me. The best way to contact me is by e-mail, at bats_wings@sbcglobal.net (underscore between bats and wings).
P/D/C Brian Logan, SN
Bowsprit Program Administrator
USPS - America’s Boating Club
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Department Newsletters On-line
The latest issue of Around USPS, the National Executive Department Newsletter is available for viewing/downloading:
http://www.usps.org/national/executive/aroundusps/AroundUSPSFeb2008.pdf
The latest issue of the Secretary's Department Newsletter is available for viewing downloading:
http://www.usps.org/national/secnews/News200802.pdf
http://www.usps.org/national/executive/aroundusps/AroundUSPSFeb2008.pdf
The latest issue of the Secretary's Department Newsletter is available for viewing downloading:
http://www.usps.org/national/secnews/News200802.pdf
Saturday, February 9, 2008
2007 KIDS SAFE BOATING PROGRAM - Miles River Squadron
The Miles River Sail and Power Squadron (MRSPS), District 5, conducted a safe boating workshop for all Seventh Graders (348) of the Talbot County Public Schools during May, 2007 at:St Michaels Middle School: at the Chesapeake Bay Maritime Museum (1 full day workshop),
Easton Middle School: at the Easton Middle School and the Talbot County YMCA (four half day workshops).
The workshops included safe boating practices such as proper stabilization in small craft; boating laws and regulations; use of nautical charts and relate
d aids to navigation; proper use of the radio to report accidents and other hazardous situations; responses to boating emergencies such as fire, crew over board, care of common boating injuries; hypothermia; and, environmental issues. Students practiced skills of throwing rescues, use of the radio, and entering and leaving small boats. They were also engaged in simulated experiments that demonstrate environmental clean up, effects of cold water, sun, and alcohol on one’s ability to function safely, use of common navigation aids that can be found on local rivers, and selecting first aid equipment/supplies in readiness for potential/common injuries in, on and around the water.Sixty plus members of the MRSPS and its auxiliary, the Half Miles, organized in six teams to conduct seven sessions for each of the five workshops. Each team was led by a team leader who was responsible for planning, collecting needed equipment and materials and organizing instructors to deliver the specific topics assigned to the team. Many of the members have completed multiple boating safety courses provided by USPS that range from basic boating safety through celestial navigation. The combination of study and years of practical experience in operating their own boats makes this a rich experience for Talbot County students who have easy access to navigable waters.
Go to www.mrsps.org to find more details about this program.
R/C Richard L. Frentz, SN
Chairman, Recreational Boating Safety Committee
(Editors Note: Program Overview, Lesson Plans, Schedule, Handouts & Publicity information are available from the above referenced website)
USPS® Environmental Brochures Available
The USPS Environmental Best Practices for Boaters tri-fold brochure is now available from USPS headquarters. You may order an unlimited number of copies at no cost except shipping and handling charges ($4 handling fee/order + actual shipping costs). Contact Customer Service at 888-367-8777, or Fax your request to: 888-304-0813. You can also download a digital version from the USPS EnvCom web page, customize it for your squadron or district, and print it locally, resources permitting!The brochure has space for individual squadron contact information on the back and is intended for hand out at boat shows, boating classes, VSC’s, or wherever your members come in contact with the boating community. The brochure includes 49 best practices addressing trash, sewage, fueling and spills, vessel maintenance, aquatic environmental awareness, and marine environment stewardship.
If you haven’t yet seen this terrific teaching and PR tool, 100 copies of the new brochure were shipped to each squadron in August, 2007. Find them!
R/C Jean Hamilton, SN
Chairman, USPS Environmental Committee
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