A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE

Inside this issue:

Handling Onboard 2

Emergencies

Education Officer 3

Next Meeting Speaker 4

Safety Report 5-6

Calendar 7

Next General Meeting 8

Cdr Donald Mortimer, P

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United States Power Squadrons® Port Huron Sail and Power Squadron

April, 2016

Here it is April already and getting close to the time to launch our boats. I am sure most of us have our necessary maintenance work underway or scheduled to be performed. Same for those needed repairs and the installation of the new equipment we received for Christmas or our birthdays since last fall. We have checked our re-quired safety gear over and are ready to go. Or are we? Has there been any changes since last year. The answer is yes. There is a change in the acceptable night time signaling device as relates to electric lights. How do you find out about this? Have one of your fel-low Squadron members qualified as a VE perform a VSC for you. Passing a VSC examination and having a current decal will make it less likely you will be stopped for a routine safety check by a Law En-forcement Agency. As a member of the best boating organization in the country, The United States Power Squadrons ,we should not have to be embarrassed and receive a citation because your boat was not legally equipped.

Enough about our boats. How about ourselves and the crew we have aboard, who may at sometime operate our boat. Can they le-gally do so? If persons were born on or after July, 1996 they can not legally operate a boat without having a “ Boating Certificate”. A Per-sonal Water Craft Operator (PWC operator) must have a “Boating Certificate” if they were born after December 31, 1978. These are just a couple of items we cover in our “ABC” class. If you or your friends need a “Certificate” or want a refresher there is still time. We are starting a “ABC” class on April 7th. See Dick Haas if interested in enhancing your skills or need the basics of safe boating operation.

Cdr Donald H. Mortimer, P

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Pollock Randall Funeral Home Inc.

910 Lapeer Avenue 1200 Michigan Avenue Port Huron, MI 48060 Marysville, MI 48040

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Learn how to handle emergencies on board With the cruising season about to begin, now's the time to prepare your boat and crew. To keep you safe this boating season, the Marine Environment Committee is presenting the Emergencies on Board webinar. Join us April 19, 2016 at 8:00 p.m. EDT/5:00 p.m. PDT. This updated webinar covers the tools and equipment you need to handle vessel emergencies as well as new emergency techniques. The webinar also includes information on handling trauma and medical emergencies, with the latest mate-rial on CPR and AEDs as well as fresh ideas about medical kits for cruising. We’ve also included a section on emergency communications for all types of emergencies. The webinar fee is $20.

Copyright © 2016 United States Power Squadrons, All rights reserved. You are receiving this email because you are a member or friend of USPS or signed up on our website(s). Our mailing address is: United States Power Squadrons P.O. Box 30423 Raleigh, NC 27622 Add us to your address book

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Lt/C Richard A. Haas, AP Educational Officer

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I have had a number of question regarding first aid kits so I have

decided to republish an article I had written previously.

Anatomy of a First Aid Kit

A well-stocked first aid kit is a handy thing to have. To be prepared for emergencies, keep a first aid kit in your home and in your car. Carry a first aid kit with you or know where you can find one. Find out the location of first aid kits where you work. First aid kits come in many shapes and sizes. You can purchase one from the Red Cross Store or your local American Red Cross chapter. Your local drug store may sell them.

You may also make your own. Some kits are designed for specific activities, such as hiking, camping or boat-ing. Whether you buy a first aid kit or put one together, make sure it has all the items you may need. Include any personal items such as medications and emergency phone numbers or other items your health-care pro-vider may suggest. Check the kit regularly. Make sure the flashlight batteries work. Check expiration dates and replace any used or out-of-date contents. The Red Cross recommends that all first aid kits for a family of four include the following:

2 absorbent compress dressings (5 x 9 inches)

25 adhesive bandages (assorted sizes)

1 adhesive cloth tape (10 yards x 1 inch)

5 antibiotic ointment packets (approximately 1 gram) and 5 antiseptic wipe packets

2 packets of aspirin (81 mg each)

1 blanket (space blanket)

1 breathing barrier (with one-way valve)

1 instant cold compress

2 pair of non-latex gloves (size: large)

2 hydrocortisone ointment packets (approximately 1 gram each)

Scissors

1 roller bandage (3 inches wide) and one roller bandage (4 inches wide)

Oral thermometer (non-mercury/non-glass)

2 triangular bandages

Tweezers

First aid instruction booklet

Lt/C Richard Haas, AP

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April General Membership Meeting

Crossing the Border Returning into the U.S.

Speaker: U.S. Customs and Border Protection Agent

Place: Great Lakes Maritime Center

51 Water Street, Port Huron

Date: April 26, 2016

Time: Social Hour: 7:00 pm (1900)

Program: 7:30 pm (1930)

Have you voyaged or are going to boat this summer to Canada and were not sure how to report to U.S. Customs. What is the current procedure? What about the BR (Boater Registration) number? Can you call in before your travel? What documents do you need such NEXUS, I-68 form, or others? Where do you re-port?

An agent from the “U.S. Customs and Border Protection” will give a presentation with answers to these and additional questions as well as review concerns about reporting issues. A new reporting procedure was go-ing to be in effect this month (April). It will now not go in effect in this area until October. There may be a fee based “cruising license” which will replace the user decal.

Be sure not to miss this informative and important Customs review. Also enjoy the Camaraderie with Fellow Boaters.

P/LT/C Peter R. Jones, SN-CN

Lt/C Jay C. Montgomery, AP

Administrative Officer

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Semi-annual Safety Checklist (From BoatSafe.com)

Personal Flotation Devices (PFDs)

· As part of your pre-departure inspection of PFDs check for wear or abrasion, weak or torn seams, secure straps and buckles. Some types of PFDs are equipped with inflation devices; check to be sure cartridges are secure and charged.

Fire Extinguishers

· Do you have all required quantities and types of fire extinguishers?

· Have they been checked within the past year?

· Are serviceable units tagged by a licensed facility?

· Are units accessible?

· Is at least one accessible from the helm or cockpit?

· Are you and your crew familiar with their operation?

Fuel System

· Is the system properly grounded at the filter, tank, deck, pump, etc.?

· Is the fuel tank free from rust or contamination?

· No leaks from tank, hose or fittings.

· Hoses U.S.C.G. approved and free of cracking or stiffness with adequate slack to account for vi-bration.

· Is tank secured?

· Fuel shut-off valve on tank and at engine.

· Engine compartment and engine clean and free of oily rags or flammable materials.

· Blower switch at remote location.

· Is your fuel system protected from siphoning?

Safety Equipment

· Lifelines or rails in good condition.

· Stanchions or pulpit securely mounted.

· Hardware tight and sealed at deck.

· Grab rails secure and free of corrosion or snags that may catch your hands.

· Non-skid surfaces free from accumulated dirt or excess wear.

Ground Tackle

· At least two anchors on board.

· Anchor and rode adequate for your boat and bottom conditions.

· Tackle properly secured.

Ground Tackle At least two anchors on board. Anchor and rode adequate for your boat and bottom conditions. Tackle properly secured. Length of chain at anchor. Thimble on rode and safety wired shackles. Chafing gear at chocks for extended stays or storm conditions. Anchor stowed for quick accessibility.

Stoves

Labeled and designated for marine use. Properly ventilated to remove carbon-monoxide from cabin. Retainers or rails for pots and pans while underway. If built-in, properly insulated and free from combustible materials, CNG and LPG (propane). Stored in separate compartment from boat's interior and engine room. Tightly secured shut-off valve at tank. Proper labeling and cautions in place at tank location. Hoses, lines and fittings of approved and inspected type. Compartment is ventilated overboard and below level of tank base.

Electrical System Wiring approved for marine applications. System is neatly bundled and secured. Protected against chafing and strain. Adequate flex between bulkhead and engine connections. Clear of exhaust system and bilge. System is protected by circuit breakers or fuses. Grounds to Zincs if required. Wire terminals and connections sealed to prevent corrosion.

Bilge Pumps Will pump(s) adequately remove water in emergency? Do you have a manual backup? Are bilges clean and free to circulate (clear limber holes)? Do you check bilges frequently and not rely on automatic pumps?

Corrosion Prevention Through-hulls, props, shafts, bearings, rudder fittings, and exposed fastenings free of non-destructive corrosion. Zincs are adequate to provide protection. Through-hulls are properly bonded. Inspect the steering cables, engine control linkage and cables, engine mounts and gear case for corrosion. These items are properly lubricated or painted to prevent undue corrosion. Batteries Stored in non-corrosive, liquid tight, ventilated containers. Non-conductive covers are fitted over posts. Batteries are well secured.

Respectfully Yours, P/C Mark S. Krainbrink, AP

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Page 9

Squadron Calendar

April 2016

08-10 April D/9 Spring Conference all days Dearborn Doubletree

Ford Rd & I-94

10 April Second Sunday get together 4:00pm PHSPS Squadron

12 April Executive Committee Mtg. 7:30pm PHSPS Headquarters

26 April General Member Mtg 7:30pm* Maritime Center

* Social (Half) Hour starting at 7:00pm precedes the General Membership Meeting.

All PHSPS General Membership Meetings are held at the Maritime Center—Vantage Point, Water St at the St Clair River, Port Huron, Michigan, 48060, unless otherwise designated.

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Your 2016 Flag Officers Commander CDR Donald Mortimer 810-984-2424 dmort4929@att.net Executive Officer Lt/C Wayne Hastings, AP 734-718-1113 lwhastings@yahoo.com SEO Lt/C Richard Haas, AP 810-320-6720 dhaasphps@comcast.net Administrative Officer Lt/C Jay C. Montgomery, AP 586-293-9311 skippership109@hotmail.com Secretary P/C Lucrecia Ferriby, AP 810-633-9256 bumpyrockroad@yahoo.com Treasurer P/C Robert Frohm, AP 810-385-5025 bob@fkbrpc.com Asst. Treasurer TBD Asst Secretary Lt/C Mary Twiss, S 810-650-0859 mary@pridetrucking.com

General Membership Meeting April 26, 2016 Maritime Center, Vantage Point Water St. at the St. Clair River Port Huron, MI 7:00pm Social Time 7:30pm Meeting

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United States Power Squadrons® Port Huron Sail and Power Squadron 619 River Street Port Huron, Michigan 48060

619 River St Port Huron, MI 48060