SPLASH! 619 River St Port Huron, MI 48060 February 2012 A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE I would like to thank Teena Lashbrook for her outstanding performance as our Commander, Executive Committee, and Membership for a job well done, which has contributed to a sound foundation for 2012. right, and where changes are necessary they should be executed in such a manner so they will not interfere with our current successes. 2012 should be a great year as we continue to focus on member involvement in power squadron activities, including meeting attendance. We will continue with the Headquarters Summer BBQs, dinghy rendezvous, and one day rendezvous for day boaters, and also in the support of our community. Why not share some of our fun events with friends outside the PHPS. What if we also invited other Power Squadrons and boating organizations to join us in the fun? We need to re-establish the calling committee starting with a new chairman and co-chairman. Interested PHPS members please email: Mike Bachler at bachlermphps@yahoo.com. We had the opportunity to attend the Dearborn Change of the Watch and it was a very nice well attended ceremony, in attendance were myself, Teena & Dale Lashbrook, Ivan & Lucrecia Ferriby and Mike & Barb Nall, and a good time was had by all. I also represented our Squadron at the Grosse Pointe Commanders Ball on Saturday Jan 21 st the same day as our Toronto Boat Show Bus Excursion. It was a very nice party with great company, food an entertainment, What a place. A reminder that the 2012 D/9 Spring Conference is on March 23-25, 2012 in Bay City too late to register by the March 17, 2012 deadline. Come join us in the fun at our It was an honor to represent the Port Huron Power Squadron at the USPS 2012 Annual Meeting January 22-30 in Jacksonville, Florida. This was an excellent opportunity to bring back some great information for our Squadron which I will share in future meetings. I am excited about serving as your new Commander in 2012 and I thank tinued support that makes it all work and besides that, what a great bunch to work with! CDR Mike Bachler CDR Mike Bachler, P Inside this issue Executive Officer 2 Education Officer 3 Administrative Officer 4 Safety Report 5-6 Annual Meeting 7-8 Calendar 9 General Meeting 10 Your 2012 Bridge Commander CDR Michael L. Bachler, P 810-698-8742 bachlermphps@yahoo.com Executive Officer Lt/C Dale Lashbrook, P 810-300-5023 d2lash@hotmail.com SEO Lt/C Richard Haas, P 810-320-6720 dhaasphps@comcast.net Administrative Officer Lt/C Michael W. Nall, AP 810-329-3675 boatluckytwo@aol.com Secretary Lt/C Colette Witherspoon, JN 810-984-0216 cwitherspoon@workingdiver.com Treasurer P/C James McDonald, P 810-984-8084 mcduck245@hotmail.com
Page 22 Splash SPLASH!! Lt/C Dale Lashbrook, P Executive Officer Even though the boats are still out of the water, this is an exciting time of year. By the time you read this, the Squadron Annual Meeting will have been held, hopefully you were there. The 2012 Bridge will have been elected and will be busy organizing and planning for 2012. I am excited to be your 2012 Executive Officer. My responsibilities, aside from being chief assis- local community, our involvement with other local boating organizations and coordinate activities with USPS at the National, District and Squadron levels. Our Squadron has always been very active in our community. Our Vessel Safety Check program is second to none. The Woodland School Cruise is one of the most rewarding activities we sponsor. From our float in The past vice and the Blessing of the Fleet in which we participate. All of these activities give our Squadron the In 2012 I would like to see our Squadron continue all these activities, plus place more emphasis on Boat Safety Week activities. After all Boating Safety is our core mission. With regard to our fellow USPS Organizations this year we have the opportunity to assist with (through D/9) and attend the National Governing Board meeting this fall in Detroit. Last time it was in Detroit I was Squadron. When they think boating, they should think safety and Port Huron Power Squadron. Lt/C Dale Lashbrook
v February 2012 Page 9 Education Department Lt/C Dick Haas, SEO Food for Thought On 13 Jan the Carnival cruise ship "Concordia" ran aground off the island of Giglio with some 4,200 passengers. There are still some 16 passengers remain unaccounted for and are presumed dead. Rumors and allegations of negligence, stupidity, dereliction of duty, and incompetence run wild. These will all be sorted out by the courts. What we do know is that passengers had not yet received training on life jackets, their life boat locations, and that they were misinformed of the true nature of the emergency. That is the subject of this article. When we take our boats out there are dangers and emergencies that can occur. We could run into weather issues, there could be a fire, a medical emergency, collision, or mechanical failure to name a few. How we deal with any of these problems is dependent on the circumstances and who is on board and knowing where all our equipment is located and how to use it. Since we all seem to have the same companions on board when we go out whether for a short cruise or a longer excursion this generally isn't a problem. Our spouses or regular boating companions know where everything is located, how it works and how to use it. But what if we have a guest on board? Do they know where everything is located on board and how to use it. When we bring someone on board who has never been on our boat, maybe not so familiar with our equipment, but maybe the unthinkable happens and they are required to use it. Your guest knowing this information could very well be a life saver - yours. We will use a medical emergency as an example. Do they know where the first aid kits are? Do they know how to use the radio? Do they know how to drive your boat? Remember you may be the one requiring the help and they may be the one that has to respond to it. One good way to ensure that your quests don't end up like the passengers on the "Concordia", not knowing about life jackets or what to do in an emergency. There is a simple way of solving this. Develop a one page "Safety Sheet" to brief your guests. On it you could discuss a number of issues: where the life jackets are located, how to use them, fire extinguisher location and how to fight a fire, how to run your boat and use the radio. It doesn't have to be an indepth briefing, but a short overview. Lt/C Richard A. Haas, AP
Page 4 Splash! Lt/C Michael Nall, AP Administrative Officer I would like to thank Dale Lashbrook and the nominating committee for the opportunity to serve as your Administrative Officer and the membership for their vote of confidence. I know that I will need lots of help but I also know that with the help of the membership and the bridge we can do it. Second Sunday potluck on 3/11/12 at 4 P.M. bring a dish to pass and enjoy. I am looking forward to seeing you there My email is boatluckytwo@aol.com and my home phone is 810-329-3675. Lt/C Mike Nall, AP Pollock Randall Funeral Home Inc. 910 Lapeer Avenue 1200 Michigan Avenue Port Huron, MI 48060 Marysville, MI 48040 (810) 982-0179 (810) 364-7100 Fax (810) 982-1118 Fax (810) 364-3797 Pollockrandallfuneralhome.com marysvillefuneralhome.com John W. Kendrick Ann Randall-Kendrick Barbara J. Randall Jeannie Hall Rob Hall Insurance 2246 N. Lapeer Road P.O. Box 910 Lapeer, MI 48446-0910 (810)664-1814 (810) 664-7222 Fax (800) 875-4255 Long Distance jhall3@farmersagent.com
February 2012 Page 5 Safety Report -
Page 6 Splash! - - Safety Report Continued - - -
February 2012 Page 7 2012 Annual Meeting Bridge Officers elected for the 2012 year are: Colette Witherspoon, Secretary; Jim McDonald, Treasurer; Dale Lashbrook, Executive Officer; Michael Bachler, Commander; Michael Nall, Administrative Officer and Richard Haas, Educational Officer. Not shown are Robert Frohm, Assistant Treasurer, Virginia McLellan and Kay Carlisle, Assistants to the Secretary, and Robert Mattson, Assistant Educational officer. P/C John Kendrick was the recipient of the Frederick J. Alexander Award for Seamanship as the best all-round boatmen considering safety, seamanship and boat handling. Lt/C Richard has was awarded the Keith E. Brooks Award for excellence in educational Leadership.
Page 8 Splash! Annual Meeting Continued Lt Donald bacon was awarded the propeller Award for his activities in propelling members to become more active in USPS activities. P/Lt/C Robert Mattson was the recipient of the Reed E. Maes Distinguished Service Award for his invaluable service to the squadron. Newly elected Administrative Officer, Michael Nall was the recipient of the E. Jack Harland Award for his active participation in the squadron.
February 2012 Page Page 9 9 Squadron Calendar February 2012 11-19 February Detroit Boat Show all days Cobo Hall 11 February Second Sunday Potluck 4:00pm PHPS HQ 14 February Executive Committee Mtg. 7:30pm PHPS HQ 28 February Change of Watch 7:30pm Quay St. Brewery 6:30pm Quay St Brewery * Social Hour precedes the General Membership meetings starting at 6:30pm Port Huron Power Squadron Requests the pleasure of your company at the 68th Change of Watch In honor of Commander-Elect Michael L. Bachler, AP On Tuesday, February 28, 2012 Quay Street Brewery 330 Quay Street Port Huron, MI 48060 Cocktail Party 6:30-7:30 PM General Membership Meeting Dinner & Change of Watch 7:30PM (Cash Bar & Order from Special Menu) Uniform A with long tie or Appropriate Attire ***Guests Cordially Invited*** RSVP by February 20, 2012 P/C Judy LaPorte, P 810.984.2012 or <oranda222@comcast.net>
Port Huron Power Squadron A unit of the United States Power Squadrons 2012 Change of Watch Tuesday, February 28, 2012 Quay St. Brewery 330 Quay St., Port Huron 6:30pm Cocktail Party 7:30pm Dinner/ COW SPLASH! 619 River St Port Huron, MI 48060