May 2016 Rev A - Houston Sail and Power Squadron

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF
OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF
UNITED STATES POWER SQUADRONS®
HOUSTON
SAILAND
AND
POWER
SQUADRON
HOUSTON SAIL
POWER
SQUADRON
‘Wherethe
theCowboys
CowboysRide
Ridethe
theSea’
Sea’
‘Where
Vol. LXIX
May 2016
VSC Event at April Plaza Marina
By P/C Bill Haddock, AP
HSPS Vessel Safety Check Chair
The VSC Event on Saturday, April 23, at the April Plaza Marina on Lake Conroe
went well. Seth Charna, P and Ed Roland, SN each checked three vessels. I
checked two. Only one of the eight vessels did not pass the checks. We were
busy from about 10:15 to noon. We could have kept going, but it was too physical.
Ed was checking Seth's boat when I arrived around 9:20. The VSC banner was
displayed from Seth's boat at the entrance. A single USCG-Auxiliarist showed-up
for a while. We welcomed him to join us, but he left without telling us if he made
any checks. Fishermen earlier had left their empty trailers. The fishing must have
been good because none returned before we left.
We have not been here since 2014. Ed and I did not go there on November 7,
2015, due to the chilly and rainy day. When I called ahead, I learned that the
marina had a new manager. I also left my contact number when I telephoned that
we would not come due to the weather but did not receive any follow-on calls.
The April Plaza Marina has improved. I did not recognize it at first because of the
new iron fence. The entrance actually is gated. The parking lot is asphalt paved
with parking spaces clearly marked. The marina has always occupied half of the
building. The other half was a restaurant for a while. However, that space now is
a Marine Max facility. The front sidewalk now is completely covered. Picnic tables
fill the now-paved space between the sidewalk and building.
I introduced myself at the marina desk and reminded them of what we were doing.
I then went into the Marine Max dealership to do the same and met for the very first
time Amanda Boston, who immediately aligned us with P/C Pete Hames, AP,
since she worked previously at Texas Marine. Ed and Seth by this time joined us.
We let Amanda take care of business but had a great experience while waiting for
the boats to start arriving.
The marina has expanded with covered slips on the north of the parking lot. There
is no longer an open view of the lake. The two-story motel on the east has been
razed with that space now being a part of the expanded parking. That was a
surprise to me because the motel was refurbished completely after Hurricane Ike,
September, 2008. The party barges are no longer available here.
If anyone would like to join our team of twelve Vessel Examiners, please call me so
that I can talk you through the process.
Bill Haddock
(R) 713-461-5114
(C) 713-865-6992
No. 5
Poop Sheet May 2016
May 4
Board of Directors Meeting – Home Port
May 11
HSPS General Meeting – Home Port –
Speaker: Denny Fegan on Man Overboard
May 21
ABC3 – Home Port
May 28
CPR/First Aid Class – Home Port
VSC – Alexander Deussen Park (Lake
Houston)
Practical On-the-Water Training – Lakewood
Yacht Club
June 1
Board of Directors Meeting – Home Port
June 8
HSPS General Meeting – TBD – Speaker:
Galveston Bay Foundation
June 11
Women on the Water – Cathy Leavitt
VSC – Endeavour Marina
June 18
ABC3 – Home Port
June 25
Practical On-the-Water Training – Lakewood
Yacht Club
COMMANDER'S CORNER
Bay Neigh
Official Monthly Publication of
United States Power Squadrons
Houston Sail and Power Squadron
District 21
Editor
Lt Jana Wesson, AP
May 2016 Bay Neigh
..
Assistant Editor
---
Home Port
6910 Bellaire Blvd #15
Houston, Texas 77074
www.uspshouston.org
Bridge
Commander ........................................... Cdr Chris Leavitt, JN
Executive Officer ........................... Lt/C Scott. McDonald, SN
Educational Officer ................. Lt/C Robert W. Stevenson, JN
Administrative Officer ...................... Lt/C Regina L. Novak, P
Secretary ................................................... Lt/C Kyli Doucette
Treasurer ......................................Lt/C Phyllis Stendebach, P
Immediate Past Cdr ...............................P/C Chris Leavitt, JN
Cdr Chris Leavitt, JN
I was working on another project and asked Richard Lipham to provide me a copy of
the pictures he took at a Sea Scout event down in Galveston. (I know this is a Squadron
Newsletter, but hang in a few more lines.) It shows lots of kids who were interested in
boats, boating, and being on the water. The event pulled in kids from South Oklahoma,
North Texas, and west beyond Austin and San Antonio, for a week of skills development,
excellent training by knowledgeable instructors, and a lot of fun on and off the water.
Most everyone slept in tents (does that make it an intense event?), ate well, and sailed
every day.
Squadron’s 1st Lieutenants
Asst. Educational Officer. ............ 1st/Lt James Pavlovsky, AP
Asst. Secretary ............................. 1st/Lt Claire McDonald, SN
Asst. Treasurer .................................... 1st/Lt Kathy Fussell, P
Executive Committee
All Bridge Officers…
William E. Blan, S
Terri Carpentier
Kathy Fussell, P
Rolf Hogfeldt, S
Robert Leatherwood, S
Cathy Leavitt, P
Claire McDonald, SN
Scott McDonald, SN
Carl Stendebach, JN
Jana Wesson, AP
Opinions expressed in this newsletter are those of the writers and
publication herein does not imply endorsement by USPS or HSPS.
PRAYER
O God, whose way is in the sea and
whose paths are in the great waters,
bless, we pray Thee, all who teach and
all who practice the art of navigation, that
those who sail the sea may reach the
haven where they would be, and so, with
grateful hearts praise Thy Holy Name,
through Jesus Christ Our Lord
Amen
So here’s the deal – Lt George Crowl, AP and Richard Lipham were the key leaders
for the event, P/Lt/C Larry Behrmann, SN, Steven Behrmann, AP, Alan Cross, and
Mike Mankins, AP were the leading instructors and provided supervision for the dock
and on the water, and I ran the galley and spent most of the money. All of these guys
are USPS members, all of these guys made something great happen on the water.
As the commercial says, “But wait, there’s more!” Our Squadron is blessed with other
folks of the same caliber making equally great things happen. Lt/C Bob Stevenson,
JN and his Clan of Instructors teach about as many students and classes as the rest
of District 21 – put together. Heck, Bob has more instructors then some Squadrons
have active members. The same can be said for the Vessel Safety Examiners under
P/C Bill Haddock, AP. Bill’s team is active and effective.
Speaking of active and effective (and often overlooked) are the Standing committees
that simply go about getting it done – Auditing, Rules & By-Laws, Budget & Finance.
At the time of the year for them to wander into action, they do, and stuff happens.
New activities are coming down the pike for us all to have fun with. Lt/C Luanne
Novak, P is organizing a big Conservation Project for us to execute in August (details
at the June Dinner Meeting), Cathy Leavitt, P will be organizing another “women on
the water” event too, and Lt George Crowl, AP has plans to keep our Squadron at the
top of the Co-op Charting hill.
Spring and Summer should be fun and event-full. Let us all have fun and be safe on
the water.
Nautical perspective:
Calm – Sea condition characterized by the simultaneous disappearance of wind and
the last cold beverage
Cross Bearings – Unusually difficult or trying conditions at sea.
Scuppers – Customary disembarkation point for prudent rodents.
Page 2
May
2016
Focus on Boating Education
Lt/C Bob Stevenson, JN
832-570-3663
seobobstev@gmail.com
April was a disappointment in some ways, successful in others.
We had ABC3 classes at both Texas Marine in Conroe and Home Port. Total attendance was only 9 students. Our scheduled
class at the Corps of Engineers Project Office in the Wallisville area was cancelled because we had no one sign up.
Lt Kathy Benkenstein and I attended the first annual Katy Safety Fest in the parking lot of the multiplex theater at the
intersection of I-10 and 99 (the Grand Parkway). We had a booth set up with life jackets to demo and handouts about our
boating safety classes and other courses. No one was interested in what we were offering.
However, it was not a total waste. It actually turned out to be valuable. We shared the tent with All About Safety (a company
offering safety training) and the Emergency Management District 48 folks (those folks coordinated the entire event). JP Pean
was manning their “booth”. He is a very experienced trainer in safety, who has taught firefighters and emergency medical
response personnel in this country and overseas. He agreed to present a
FREE CPR and First Aid class
on May 28 at Home Port, from noon until no later than 1700. Those who wish to be certified may obtain that at a cost of $45,
cash or check made out to All About Safety.
Our May 21 ABC3 class will include participation in Ready Set Wear It! This is an annual event to increase awareness of the
importance of wearing life jackets when on the water. We use students plus interested Squadron members in our photo(s) that
go to the national headquarters of this event and count toward what they hope will be a new world record for people wearing life
jackets. Each year of this event the number of participants has increased, and hopefully this year will continue that trend.
Our spring courses are either through with their exams or are about to hold them. So far, everyone whose exam results we have
back has passed with an outstanding grade. That means your fellow member volunteer instructors are performing their roles
very well.
If you aren’t yet aware, Members may now take
Practical On-The-Water Training for FREE!
Contact Scott McDonald to take advantage of this offer.
Contact me to join the fun!
Page 3
May
2016
Randolph’s Rumors
By Lt/C Kyli Doucette
HSPS Secretary
What’s Going On in Our Squadron!?

Social Media Updates
The HSPS Facebook page is gradually building an interest around the country. HSPS has become friends with a Squadron
in Washington State. There will now be announcements of field trips for the Houston Sail and Power Squadron on the
Facebook page. Please be sure to like and follow the page for easy access to new information like this!

Field Trip
The final field trip for the year is scheduled for October 1st. There were 3 boats and 9 participants for the March trip.
Everyone had a blast. Please come out and have fun with us!

Classes
The re-exam has been administered for the 2015 fall Piloting course for Sea Scouts and leaders who did not pass the first
time!!!

Awards!!!
We are excited to announce that HSPS has earned several awards this year. The awards include the following:


District 21 Education Award – We had better education than anyone else in the District.

National Recognition for over 100 students passing our ABC3 class.

Prince Henry the Navigator – A District award for the most folks finishing Navigation.

District 21 Four Star Squadron Status – Only Houston and Lake Charles were 4 Star Squadrons

District 21 Squadron of the Year – most points on the Annual Report

Distinctive Communicator for the Bay Neigh

One member who performed over 100 Vessel Safety Checks

One member who was on the National Honor Roll for Co-op charting – 2015

National Recognition – #3 Squadron in Nation for Co-op-Charting - 2015

Four members on the National Honor Roll for Co-op charting – 2016
Practical On-the-Water Training
POTW will be free for all members as of April 1, 2016!

Other Information
Thank you so very much to P/C Robert Leatherwood, S and Lt Rolf Hogfeldt, S for their generous donation to the
Houston Sail and Power Squadron.
Page 4
May
2016
The Kayak Corner
By Lt Rolf Hogfeldt, S
aka “Rip-Tide Rolf”
“Up the Creek without a Paddle”
I'm taking a little departure from this month’s “Kayak Corner”. I had another subject I was going to speak of, but this seemed a
little more important because this was recently in the news. We've all been looking forward to the weather getting better and to
get out on the water and enjoy what’s in our own backyard so to speak – all this glorious water we have here in Texas. With the
weather getting nicer, more and more people will be hitting the water in droves, which is a good thing, assuming you take some
precautions to keep yourself safe.
Here's a thumbnail of what seemingly should have been a fun day on the water in a kayak turned into for this lucky young girl...
Over the weekend, U.S. Coast Guard Southeast crews worked together to rescue a missing 17-year-old girl after a four hour
search in the Gulf of Mexico.
The girl, who had not returned to the designated meeting place at the end of a family kayak trip, stated her kayak had been
waked by a boat and she lost her paddle and then drifted for several hours into the dark.
WELL... The good news is that she's safe… and I hope she and her whole family and everyone reading will take away a
valuable lesson. When you're out on the water, any body of water, you are OUT OF YOUR ELEMENT! I don't know all the
particulars, but what I read tells me she didn't have a paddle leash or a tether on her paddle. Something as simple as that, and
this wouldn't have been the end result of her day. Tethers are cheap and they WORK. I myself have actually used a dollar store
dog leash attached to my paddle as a tether. Another relatively inexpensive piece of safety equipment is a “back-up” paddle.
They can be bought for as little as fifteen dollars from most sporting goods stores and are worth every penny. They’re
telescoping collapsible paddles with one blade and a “T” handle and take up no space at all. Think of them as “spare tires” for
your kayak.
SO... What’s the "takeaway" here? Use the equipment that’s on the market for kayaking. There are reasons for the equipment.
What the story doesn't mention is whether or not the family owned their kayaks or whether they were rented for the day.
If you rent kayaks, be sure to ask about SAFETY equipment! Most people go for the obvious, like a life vest, but there’s more to
it than that and this proves me right.
Remember, when you're on the water and something goes wrong it, it can go wrong FAST! You can't just “pull over” and fix a
problem, and one problem surely will turn into another.
Losing a paddle, not a real big deal. Losing a paddle in the open ocean, now THAT'S a big deal!
Free CPR Class!
Members of Houston Sail and Power Squadron
On Saturday May 28 HSPS will offer training in CPR and First Aid at our Home Port business condo. Class will begin at noon
and end by 1700.
Training is free for all. Anyone desiring CPR certification by the American Heart Association may obtain that at a cost of $45.
First come, first served is the rule. We can host a maximum of 20 students in the largest classroom at our building, and we
already have 5 people signed-up.
Please contact me at seobobstev@gmail.com or by calling 281-993-4288 to let me know that you will be coming and whether or
not you will buy the certification card. We need to know how many cards to have available. When you tell me you want
certification, I will tell you the payment method.
Bob Stevenson
Squadron Educational Officer
Houston Sail and Power Squadron
Page 5
May
2016
Women on the Water
Photos by Lt/C Kyli Doucette
Page 6
March
2016
Women on the Water
Photos by Lt Kathy Benkenstein
Escape Captiva Sailboat and Dolly for Sale – $900
Popular user friendly Escape sailboat 11.5 ft length and 5 ft beam. Polyethylene hull, SmartRig and furling North mainsail. Mint
condition and used very little on Lake Conroe. Includes Seitech dolly to carry and launch boat. See photos.
Contact: Don
936-856-2648
dmliutx@gmail.com
Page 7
May
2016
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May
2016
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May
2016
Houston Sail and Power Squadron
6910 Bellaire Blvd #15
Houston, Texas 77074
Bay Neigh Articles
If you have a story or
experience that would be of
interest to our members,
please E-Mail pictures and
stories to Jana Wesson at
beakboatgirl@me.com
May Birthdays
Linda S. Blan
Jason D. Boudreau
Evin Pavlovsky
Walter P. Nass Jr.
Thomas M. Derden
Steven C. Gallington
Fiona B. McDonald
Savannah X.W.A. Cushman
John L. Glaeser
Edward Garza
Samuel Munroe
Rolf W. Hogfeldt
Gabriel Ireton
Randolph H. Pike
Tod J. Darcey
Here’s how to get your own copy of the current roster at any time:
5/2
5/4
5/5
5/6
5/8
5/10
5/10
5/19
5/21
5/22
5/22
5/26
5/26
5/26
5/28
1.
Go the Squadron’s website Home page at http://uspshouston.org and
scroll down to:
Members – HERE is the link to SailAngle.
2.
Click on HERE
3.
If you need to log in, a dialog box will come up so you can enter your
Certificate number (E number) and your PIN/password.
a.
Active Member PIN and Certificate numbers come to you by mail
with your annual membership card. If you’ve lost your PIN you can
use the Forgot your password? link when trying to log into the
USPS website as a Member.
b.
Trial Members get their Certificate number by e-mail from the
Squadron and they must contact Lynnda Stevens at USPS
Headquarters to obtain their PIN. Her number is 1-888-367-8777
ext. 219.
4.
If you did not log out the last time you were on SailAngle, when you
click on HERE you will be taken directly to your personal SailAngle
Home Page. If you did log out you will be taken there after you log in.
5.
Across the top of My Home is a list of options, one of which is Groups.
Hover over the word “Groups”. On the drop down menu that appears,
click on My Group.
6.
Click on Houston Sail & Power Squadron
7.
Find the Group Menu. One of the options is File Cabinet. Click that.
(Be patient, it can be slow to load.)
8.
A tree of folders will appear on the selected page. Click on the + by the
General folder.
9.
A sub-tree of files in the General folder will appear.
10. One of the files in that folder is named with a month and the word
Roster. Click on that file.
11. The roster is a PDF format file. Depending on your settings that file will
either open on your computer in whatever application you have that
can open PDF files or you will be offered an opportunity to save it to
your computer somewhere. If you open it, you can then save the file to
your computer and/or print it.
12. Before leaving SailAngle you might benefit from looking around at the
types of information that are available on the site
13. To leave SailAngle, just close the browser tab containing the SailAngle
website.