The MA-RI-NER. District 14 United States Power Squadrons.

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1 The MA-RI-NER District 14 United States Power Squadrons Volume 16, Number 2 October 2012 All District 14 squadron members are invited to attend, participate and enjoy the fellowship When: 2-4 November 2012 Fall Conference in New Bedford Where: Waypoint Event Center adjoining the New Bedford Fairfield Inn & Suites See insert for details and registration Chief Commander John T. Alter, SN Chief Commander for 2012, John and his wife Judy live in Whispering Pines, NC and are members of the Raleigh Sail and Power Squadron in District 27. Both are natives of Toledo, OH. He joined the Toledo Power Squadron (D/29) in 1970 and in 1977 he was transferred to Cleveland, OH where he became a member of the Rocky River Power Squadron (D/7). He served on the squadron bridge, and was Commander in 1985 and again in In 1990 he was transferred back to Toledo and served on the D/29 Bridge, including District Commander in Throughout his squadron career, he has taught the Public Boating, Seamanship, and Piloting courses. At the national level, he has been an Aide to two Chief Commanders and has served on the Governing Board and the Strategic Planning Task Force. He has served as a member of the Budget Committee, as National Treasurer from 2003 to 2006, as National Administrative Officer, and recently as National Executive Officer. He was a member of the Committee on Nominations and the Restructuring Committee, was an Aide to the National Treasurer and squadron Radio Technical Officer. He is a Life Member with 31 Merit Marks. John is a graduate of Xavier University in Cincinnati, OH. He has both Bachelors and Masters Degrees in Business Administration. He spent 27 years with the Ohio Bell Telephone Co. holding various marketing, human resources, and customer service positions in Toledo, Columbus, and Cleveland. Judy is a graduate of the St. Vincent School of Nursing in Toledo and a Registered Nurse. She is a member of the National First Aide Support Team (FAST) team and has 17 Merit Marks. John and Judy have four adult children and eleven grandchildren. He has been messing around with boats since the age of six when his parents purchased a summer home on the shores of Lake Erie. The shallow water and treacherous storms, for which Lake Erie is known, taught him the values of safe boating and seamanship at an early age. Most of his experience has been with powerboats, although they did have a sailboat when living in Columbus. Their children also shared the love of boating and summer weekends on the water were family affairs. Their current boat is a 20-foot pontoon boat they use on Thaggard Lake.

2 From the Commander Denis E. Moonan, Jr., AP On behalf of the Commanders of District 12, 14 and 16 I invite members of District 14 to participate in the Council Meeting at White's of Westport at 1900 on the 4th of October, to plan for the next year, and to prepare ourselves for the fun of the Three District Conference on the first weekend on 2, 3 and 4 November The Conference will be held at the Waypoint Conference Center/Fairfield Inn and Suites in New Bedford, Massachusetts. A copy of the Conference notice is included in this newsletter. New Bedford is a major destination as you well know. We will have cocktails on Friday evening, followed by dinner with the National Commander John Alter and his wife Judy. On Saturday you will have the opportunity to experience putting on a survival suit and climbing into an emergency raft. This could prevent you from suffering the fate of Captain Ahab. You may hear from Jack Mason of Massachusetts and learn how unsafe it is to obsessively pursue some object on the water without keeping a look out for what is going on around you; e.g., putting your foot in a bight of anchor line as you drop anchor. On Saturday evening we will have an award ceremony for Herb Shulman for 50 Merit Marks. At dinner we will hear from Fred Dodge with "Bert and I'. The last time I participated in reading aloud, P/D/LtC Harvey Knight Peet s writing about Millinocket, we had to stop because three Masonic Lodge brothers split themselves laughing. Having three men split themselves laughing we then had three extra mouths to feed at Squantum. Harvey has passed on since, and I am still laughing. It took a long time for me to catch on to the jokes. One was about the American Native Indian Chief Many Hands. He was an early innovative electrician who put electric lights in an outhouse. He was called Many Hands because many hands make light work. The Chief won an award for being the first man to wire a head for a reservation. Come to the meeting and Conference so we can have a good time, learn something and celebrate the good that we have done for boating. Think about what we can do as we prepare for the Second Century of the United States Power Squadrons which begins February We will be working to continue to promote and teach safety, enhance the public perception of the United States Power Squadrons, and enhance revenue by means to be presented during the conference. I look forward to seeing you. An updated marked copy of the D14 Bylaws will be available on the district website for review. These updated bylaws will be voted on at the Fall Conference. For those who do not have computer access and would like a copy, contact Claire Blackburn. 2

3 USPS WEBSITE SECURITY Starting 1 November 2012, every member that needs to access the national website will need to login with their Certificate Number and a PIN. The use of your Certificate Number and Zip Code will no longer be an option. Every member was assigned a PIN years ago. New members are automatically assigned a PIN at the same time they receive a certificate number. You may follow the steps below to retrieve and login with your PIN, or you may watch a video at USPS PIN Videos which walks you through the steps. Retrieving Your PIN: 1. Before beginning, verify that the address in the national database is up-to-date. a. Login to - Click Here for Login b. Access your record and verify the information - Click Here to See My Profile/Record i. If your is incorrect, enter the new address, verify there are no typos and click on Update. ii. If your is correct, continue to next step. 2. Click on the Home link at the very top of the page. 3. Click on the Member Stuff menu (top center of page, above Member Benefits grey button). 4. Click on Get My PIN from the drop down list. 5. Follow the steps shown. a. Step 1 - Select your security question and enter the answer. RECORD THIS SOMEWHERE IF YOU CAN T REMEMBER. b. Step 2 - Logoff the site. c. Step 3 - Have PIN ed to you select the security question and enter the answer. Click on Continue. d. You will receive an with your PIN in it. WRITE THIS DOWN SOMEWHERE. i. If you do not receive it, please check your JUNK box. ii. If you have a Spam Filter on your , add nobody@usps.org to the Never Block Sender list. Repeat steps 5.c. above. 6. Go to Login Page, enter your certificate number, PIN and mark the box Remember These Values?. Click on the Continue button. We suggest that everyone change their password/pin to something they can remember. Change Your PIN: 1. Login to with your PIN. Login Page 2. Go to the Manage My Security Information in the Information Center - Security Question Setup/Change PIN 3. Choose the second option of the first question I want to Change My PIN. 4. Enter your current PIN and click on Continue. 5. Enter your NEW PIN, and the same NEW PIN again in the Confirm PIN, box. A Few Items to Remember: 1. A PIN must be from 6 to 8 characters in length; no embedded blanks are allowed; PINs are case insensitive, all lower case letters are converted to capitals. They must contain at least 1 character and 1 number. They may also contain any of the characters "." "," "#" "$" "*" and "_". 2. The National website uses Cookies to remember who you are and to allow you access to each page, without having you login every time you change pages. You need to have your Internet Browser set to accept cookies. If you have any issues, you may contact help@usps.org to assist you. LOST/FORGOTTEN PINs If you have setup your security question with an answer, you may retrieve your PIN. (This is assuming you are Logged off.) 1. Go to 2. Click on the menu option Member Stuff (top center of page, above Member Benefit button.) 3. Choose Get PIN from the dropdown list. 4. Choose Get Question or PIN. 5. Enter your Certificate Number. 6. Select the option that fits your situation. 7. Click on Continue. 8. Enter the security Question Answer. 9. Click on Continue. 10. An will be sent to the address on your profile. 11. Return to step 6 if you retrieved your Security Question. Your PIN is also sent in the mail to you on the same card paper as your membership card. If you would like more information regarding PINS, you may find all the details by going to the National website and typing Pins & Security in the search block. 3

4 Vessel Safety Check P/D/C W. Lee Blackburn, SN, District Chairman The D14 Vessel Safety Check Program is moving along as we are in the tenth month of this annual program. We now offer both the traditional 7012 form for a VSC and a new form, ANSC 7012A, specifically for paddle craft. Both of these forms have been distributed to all D14 Vessel Examiners along with a ready supply of 2012 attractive red decals. The Paddle Craft VSC form is designed to enable the examiner to cover more specifics for that type of craft than found on the standard VSC form although either form is acceptable. As of this date, 1 October 2012, 21 Vessel Examiners have submitted 320 Vessel Safety Check forms for entry into the system at headquarters. Over 30 of those vessels failed to pass the Safety Check. Also, more than 45 of those VSCs have come to me during the past month. As the season winds down, I m sure that many more will follow as there are a total of 32 Vessel Examiner in this district. Thus, 11 are in need of sending at least 5 VSCs to remain qualified for It is not too late to get a VSC for this year. You may learn of something that needs your attention before you take your last ride of the season and before you winterize the boat. You make get a tip about something that should go on your Christmas list. You know that you are hard to buy for. If you don t know who to call for a VSC, call me at At the 2013 Spring Conference all the details of the 2012 VSC year will be reported. Certificates will be awarded to those Vessel Examiners who have earned them. Our 13 annual Vessel Examiner training and renewal class will be held in April at the Rhode Island Yacht Club. A new year will begin for the D14 VSC Program. We can only hope for a short and easy winter. Please call early for a new VSC in the new year, Cooperative Charting - P/D/C Ed Lewis, JN, District Chairman The CoCh year is half over! Planning a report get it done! The CoCh website has a new address: There is an underline between ccweb and new!! (ccweb_new/) There are a few differences, the first I notice is that the small craft facility work sheet has a place in shore services for Internet Connection, and it asks if it is High Speed, Business Center or None. They are also quite picky about the labels for the support items, and need the report number, chart number, edition and date. Business cards are still required. Reports are still needed, I would appreciate some soon, and the usual help is available. Don t forget the D-14 website with instructional lists. 4

5 Educational Officer D/Lt/C John S. Marsden, Jr., AP As summer ends, and our boating season starts to slow down, our educational year begins to speed up. Our SEO s have arranged for a variety of classes to expand your personal knowledge. I am sure you will find pleasure in attending these classes with your fellow squadron members. Only you can make your squadron s educational program a success. So please consider taking a course and expanding your boating knowledge. Your Commander, SEO and class teachers will appreciate your attending and know that their work is valued. If your squadron is not running the class you are looking for, the HQ 800 system is the place to look. All squadrons are now required to list all classes and seminars in HQ 800. You can get starting dates, locations and contacts, not only for our district, but all districts you might be interested in. These classes automatically go to the BOAT US bulletin board. If you re going to Florida this winter, there is no reason you can t take an advanced course down there. Will you accept the challenge to pursue at least an Educational Proficiency Award (AP plus 3 electives)? America s Boating Course 3rd edition (ABC3), the 2012 reprinting was prompted by revisions to meet NASBLA standards and approval. Additions added are Section 12 -Appendix E BDM- Introduction of Boating Decision Making. Here students are introduced to a thought process which deals with the dangers of going to sea and the consequences of faulty decisions. Chapter 5 Charting and Piloting now includes a Rose Point digital charting DVD. Adding Chapter 5 extends the course from 8 hrs. to 13 hrs. ON-THE-WATER- TRAINING (OWT) is available that provides practical applications of safe boating practices and skills introduced in the classrooms. This is a reason to expand our partnership with Brunswick Corp. This past year ( ), in our ABC classes- Cape Cod passed 122 students- Taunton River passed 104- Buzzards Bay passed 30 and Greenwich Bay passed 1 for a total of 257 students. For other squadron classes, Cape Cod graduated- 32 students, Buzzards Bay- 22 students, Taunton River - 19 students and Greenwich Bay 4 students for a total of 77 students. I would like to thank all the SEOs and their core of hard working teachers. I know it takes time and hard work and I thank each and every one of you for a job WELL DONE. Where is this? 5

6 Fall Conference in New Bedford United States Power Squadrons 2012 Fall Conference 2-4 November 2012 Waypoint Conference Center, 185 MacArthur Drive, New Bedford, MA District 12 along with Districts 14 and 18 has planned an exciting weekend of fun, education and information. Saturday will include workshops, seminars, films, demonstrations and walking tours on topics like: choosing the right bait and tackle, emergency drills for your boat, New Bedford as a working seaport, the history of whaling and new marine products. We have participation from: New Directions, Bayside Marine, Raymarine and the National Park Service. C/C John Alter will attend to present awards and host an open Town Meeting on Sunday morning. The weekend concludes with an optional visit to the New Bedford Whaling Museum. Conference web site: Conference Highlights o C/C John Alter o Jack Mason, MA Environmental Police - Boat and RV Safety o Ed Dennehy, New Directions-South Coast, Hands on Safety and Survival o Raymarine - new product line o SOLAS Flare Demonstration o Jack Kent III, Bayside Marine, Fishing Clinic o National Park Service - Film: The City that Lit the World, Walking Tour of Historic New Bedford Meals and Activities Friday Night Welcome Cocktail reception: Dress: Resort Casual Location: in the Lounge of the Fairfield Inn and Suites, New Bedford Cost: No Charge for conference attendees and spouses Saturday Daytime: Dress: USPS blazer or appropriate business attire Luncheon Cost: $20 ($25 after 10/21/12) per person Saturday Night: Following a cocktail hour, we have a sit down dinner with live entertainment by Fred Dodge telling his "Bert and I" stories of Downeast Maine. Dress: USPS Blazer or appropriate business attire Cost: $39 ($43 after 10/21/12) Including after dinner entertainment. Menu choices: Prime Rib or Baked Stuffed Shrimp. Sunday Morning: Breakfast with the Chief your chance to go one-on-one! Cost: Included in room rate for those staying at the conference hotel. $10 for non-hotel guests Sunday Afternoon: Optional visit to the Whaling Museum Hotel Reservations The Conference Hotel is the Fairfield Inn and Suites and we have rooms reserved from $109 including breakfast. The hotel has a pool, fire pits, and an exercise room. For the $109 room rate call the hotel directly at and ask for the USPS Conference rate. 6

7 Registration Register on-line at the District 12 conference website ( or fill out and mail the registration form below. Directions: From the South: I-95 North to I-195 East. Take exit 15 to merge onto MA 18 South. Turn left at Union Street. Turn right onto MacArthur Drive. From the North: I-95 South to I-93 South toward Boston. Take exit 4 onto Route 24 South toward Brockton. Take exit 12 onto Route 140 South towards New Bedford. Take exit 2A to I-195 East toward Cape Cod. Take exit 15 onto Route 18 South. Turn left at Union Street. Turn right onto MacArthur Drive Fall Conference Registration To register - please fill out the following and mail along with your check to: D/Lt/C Joe Kelliher Attn: Fall Conference 3 Alma Rd Walpole, MA Name Sqdn/District Phone / / or Address Town Zip Event Cost # Attending Total Friday Welcome Reception No Charge $0 Saturday Luncheon $20* Saturday Dinner $39* Sunday Breakfast ($10 for non-hotel guests only) $10 Check Amount: *Early-bird price. For registration after 21 October 2012 price for Saturday Luncheon is $25 and Saturday Dinner is $43. If attending the dinner Saturday, please indicate menu choice for each attendee: Attendee 1: Prime Rib Baked Stuffed Shrimp Attendee 2: Prime Rib Baked Stuffed Shrimp 7

8 District 14 Bridge Officers District Commander District Executive Officer District Educational Officer D/C Denis E. Moonan, Jr., AP D/Lt/C John S. Marsden, Jr., AP 1139 Plainfield Street 144 Huckins Neck Road Johnston, RI Centerville, MA District Administrative Officer District Secretary District Treasurer D/Lt/C Claire E. Blackburn, P D/Lt/C John A. Murphy, SN 23 Loon Pond Road 30 Buffington Street Lakeville, MA Taunton, MA The MA-RI-NER Claire Blackburn, P, Editor lcloonpond@aol.com