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 17, Number 1 February 2013 Claire Blackburn, P, Editor All District 14 squadron members are invited to attend, participate and enjoy the fellowship When: 9 March 2013 Where: White s of Westport See insert for details and registration Chief Commander s Rep R/C Artemas M. Pickard, SN Chairman, USPS Committee on Rules, R/C Artemas M. Pickard of Scarborough, ME joined the Rowayton (CT) Power Squadron in Art received his AB in mathematics from Brown University in At graduation he was commissioned an Ensign in the U.S. Navy and assigned to a research facility in suburban Washington, DC. After serving four years with the Navy, Art joined IBM as a computer programmer and spent the next 40 years with IBM in a number of technical and management positions. He was the designer and development manager of IBM s first ever program product. In late 1971 an IBM transfer took Art and his wife, Mary, to suburban NYC for an assignment with the World Trade Corporation. Although Art had been boating since he was eight, he did not own a boat until he lived near Long Island Sound. When Art joined USPS, he already held a Coast Guard Captain s license and was teaching a Coast Guard Captain s license examination prep course he had written. While a member of Rowayton, Art taught all advanced grades as well as Boating, Sail and Weather. He served in all squadron positions except treasurer, becoming commander in The following year he was elected a member of the District Rules Committee and then elected to the district bridge in Art rose through District 2 bridge positions and was elected District Commander in In 2001 Art and Mary retired and moved to their present home in Maine, just as the local squadron, Casco Bay, dissolved. Two years later Art and a P/D/C of D/19 formed a new squadron, the Portland Head Sail & Power Squadron, which was chartered in 2004 with Art as the Chartering Commander. Art was later elected Executive Officer of D/19 in 2007 and District Commander in Prior to being elected to the Committee on Rules in 2006, Art was Assistant Chairman to the National Seamanship Committee (1998), later moving on to the Legislative, Liaison, Flag & Etiquette and Membership committees. He was elected ComRules Assistant Chairman in 2009 and elected ComRules Chairman in 2012.

2 From the Commander Denis E. Moonan, Jr., AP Having served nearly one year as Commander with immeasurable, indispensable help from Past Commanders, especially Ray Farrow (always productive), and the Bridge, I am overjoyed that the second year will bring zest to the organization. The Nominating Committee has recommended Squadron Cdr. Mary Lou Walsh, AP to take the Executive Officer position, and P/C Charles J. Burke, AP to take the Administrative Officer position. We will entertain nominations from the floor for Treasurer, Secretary, and assistant positions should you be interested. Many thanks to the Nominating Committee, led by P/D/C Ray Farrow, JN. The 3-District Fall Conference was a fraternal success and financial success as well. Not only did we enjoy fellowship, and learn more about the history of Whaling in New Bedford, we made a small profit, due to the remarkable raffle, ship s store and nearly-new gift shop for boaters. At the September National Meeting in Detroit MI, I enjoyed the fellowship and hospitality at the Riverfront Marriott Hotel. That was a success for USPS. It coincided with Navy Day. On the river we saw a restored War of 1812 Ship, a US Coast Guard Cutter, and the Coast Guard Auxiliary Ship. We could see all the way to Canada from the Hotel, over the Detroit River. Detroit was down, but she is coming back. The US Power Squadron is coming UP. We are one of very few corporations which have survived one hundred years. Several leading members of District 14 attended the Annual Meeting of the national organization in Jacksonville FL, namely, Carl and Judy Johnson, Mary Lou Walsh, John and Edwina Marsden and David Atwood. John Marsden was awarded his 25th Merit Mark. Our hundredth year begins with Founder s Day 9 February We now are waving the new 100 Year USPS Ensign, which will be displayed and passed from Squadron to Squadron during the year. Squadrons may add a streamer to the peak of the flag staff. On Founder s Day in 2014 we will transport the flag to the National Meeting in Jacksonville, FL. US Power Squadrons will be teaching on line, like it or not. This is in conformation to the change in the way our next generation likes to learn. For example, in medical school, the students come to the learning center having read the didactic materials. They are ready to meet the patient, interview them and examine them, with supervision by the professor. Then they will make a tentative diagnosis and plan and consult the faculty. Now we must put this in our pipes and smoke it. We can give the students the benefit of our practical experience. As team teachers, we can prove that the practical and the on-the-water experience are essential to the mastery of seamanship, navigation and boat management. Elke and I enjoyed the good fellowship, food, hotel, and the 60 s Sock Hop. Elke enjoyed the 50`s music, dining and clothing fashion display at the Ladies Luncheon. We ve come a long way, baby. See you on the water. 2

3 Vessel Safety Check P/D/C W. Lee Blackburn, SN, Chairman The District 14 Vessel Safety Check Program had an active year in There were 31 Vessel Examiners who checked a total of 423 boats of which 389 passed and were awarded a 2012 VSC decal. That is good news and we all should be proud of the efforts put forth by our D14 Vessel Examiners. Thirteen of these Vessel Examiners will receive a Certificate of Appreciation, at the Spring Conference, for matching or exceeding the national average for the number of VSCs done by a Vessel Examiner. The national average was 14 VSCs. In District 14 the average was 12 VSCs done by a VE. I m sure the weather and shorter season have something to do with that. Five squadrons are represented by these thirteen VEs. Additionally there are awards for the top 3 VEs. However, because of a tie these awards involve four individuals. The Certificate of Appreciation represents an outstanding accomplishment by over 40% of our Vessel Examiners, a dedicated group. As always, there are those who needed only a few more VSCs to get the certificate. I realize that not all members have the same amount of spare time to devote to these activities thus it is with heart felt appreciation that I thank all those VEs who were able to do any VSCs... every single Vessel Safety Check counts toward the goal of more safe boaters out there. With the passing of P/D/C Art Kimber we lost a good friend and a very active Vessel Examiner. He was, and still is the only Vessel Examiner in this district to do 100 VSCs in a single year. The First Place Award will continue to be awarded honoring Art Kimber. The top individual Vessel Examiners are: First Place (The Arthur F. Kimber Award) David W. Carter Greenwich Bay 48 VSCs Second Place David R. Van Wye Cape Cod 41 VSCs Third Place Leroy DeCesare Greenwich Bay 28 VSCs W. Lee Blackburn Taunton River 28 VSCs Honorable Mention 14 VSCs William G. Brosseau Buzzards Bay 17 VSCs John A. Rossi, Jr. Buzzards Bay 27 - David A. Atwood Cape Cod 16 - James R. Arpin Greenwich Bay 16 - Raymond E. Horbert Greenwich Bay 14 - Mark A. Shammas Greenwich Bay 19 - Forest Golden Newport 19 - William Loeseke - Newport 27 - Phillip G. Spenard Taunton River The Greenwich Bay Squadron has taken possession of the District Commanders Bowl. For ten years they have had the highest percentage of certified Vessel Examiners to the total squadron membership in District 14. No other squadron has come close to taking this bowl away from them thus after 10 years it is theirs to keep. Greenwich Bay s involvement in the VSC program is to be commended. As far as volume of VSCs is concerned, we have 2 squadrons who s VEs combined did over 100 VSCs; Greenwich Bay 138 and Cape Cod 120. District 14 is planning to host a Vessel Examiner s Class and Refresher on Saturday 27 April 2013 at the Rhode Island Yacht Club in Cranston, Rhode Island. Please watch the D14 web site for further details. Each squadron is urged to send members who might like being a Vessel Examiner. They should contact the District Chairman for more information. Also, this is a good review and update for qualified Vessel Examiners, who will benefit by attending this annual training. 3

4 Report of USPS 2013 Annual Meeting January 2013 Jacksonville, FL WWIIR 3 This was the theme at the District Educational Officers meeting. It was on pins, stickers, and reports. When Will I Increase Recruitment, Retention, Revenue. The message was pretty clear: we need member dues and educational sales to survive. The NEO announced an alliance between USPS and BoatUS to offer every USPS course on-line. The first to be released is Partner In Command, with others to follow over the next few years. BoatUS is supplying the technology and USPS is supplying the course content. BoatUS will market the courses to their 525,000 members. USPS will publish MSRP pricing for all our courses. Squadrons may continue to determine their own pricing. Catalog price increases for several courses will go into effect 1 April Assistant Educational Officer D/1st/Lt David Atwood, AP AP The partnership between squadrons and Brunswick dealers to offer classes at Brunswick locations has grown to a point where Brunswick will be promoting it to all their dealers. Offering Practical On the Water training was seen as the key focus for the future. "People want to learn boating skills." Squadrons must find a way to offer P-O-T-W. PDC George Cambra, AP receiving his 50 Merit Mark reward from CC John T. Alter, SN at our 2012 Fall Conference with DC Denis Moonan, AP looking on. 4

5 White s of Westport 66 State Road, Westport, MA Saturday, 9 March 2013 Friday 8 March evening hospitality hosted by Narragansett Bay Power Squadron at the Hampton Inn for R/C Art Pickard and his wife, Mary Room DISTRICT 14 SPRING CONFERENCE Saturday Agenda 0800 Coffee + Pastries Colonial Room White s Restaurant 0900 Opening Ceremonies Invocation Pledge of Allegiance 0905 District Commander s Welcome Introduction of Guests Introduction of P/D/C s, P/DEO s, National Officers 0915 Presentation of Awards 1000 Break 1015 Conference Meeting 1200 Refreshments and Buffet Lunch 1315 Chief Commander s Message 1345 Change of Watch Conclusion of Conference 1430 Instructor Re-Certification D/1st/Lt David A. Atwood, AP Dress is USPS blazer or appropriate business attire Room rates at the Hampton Inn are: $89 plus tax Call Ask for the USPS lower rate Luncheon Deli Buffet - $19/person and includes: Soup, assortment of seasonal fruit, Caesar salad, potato salad, Mediterranean pasta salad, imported & domestic cheeses, assorted cold cuts, assorted breads and accompaniments fresh baked cookies & beverages Complete the reservation form below and send with a check payable to District 14 Mail to D/Lt/C Denis E. Moonan, 1139 Plainfield St., Johnston, RI Tel: No later than Friday 1 March 2013 Name: Squadron: Address: Phone: Number of meals X $19.00 = 5

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7 REPORT OF NOMINATING COMMITTEE For the Watch Year DISTRICT BRIDGE *DISTRICT COMMANDER, D/C Denis Moonan Jr., AP *DISTRICT XO Cdr. Mary Lou Walsh, AP *DEO D/Lt/C John Marsden, Jr., AP *DISTRICT ADMIN P/C Charles Burke, AP *DISTRICT TREASURER (nomination from the floor) *DISTRICT SECRETARY D/Lt/C Claire Blackburn, P *ASST TREASURER D/Lt/C John Murphy, SN *ASST SECRETARY -? ELECTED COMMITTEES AUDITING COMMITTEE P/D/C William Taylor, AP 2016* (P/D/C Lee Blackburn, SN 2014) (Cdr. Ellen Cardoza, AP 2015) RULES COMMITTEE D/Lt/C John Murphy, SN 2016* (P/D/C David Rugg, JN ) (P/C Elie Cohen, SN 2015) NOMINATING COMMITTEE P/D/C David True, JN 2016* P/R/C Ray Farrow, JN 2016* (P/C Gerald Daly, AP 2014) (P/D/C William Curren, SN ) (P/D/C DAVE RUGG, JN ) (Elke Moonan, P ) * = Positions to be elected Respectively submitted, District Nominating Committee P/R/C Ray Farrow, JN Buzzards Bay, Chair P/C Judy Johnson, AP Cape Cod P/C Forest Golden, SN Newport P/C Gerald Daly, AP Buzzards Bay P/R/C William Curren, SN Taunton River P/D/C David Rugg, JN Buzzards Bay P/Lt/C Elke Moonan, P Narragansett Bay 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