1

Visit Us On-Line : www.puntagorda-boating.org

Or on Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/ PeaceRiverSailAndPowerSquadron

“Tesoro Mio”

is a 2005 Catalina 387

owned by Peace River Members Joe Piccolo and Shelly Sears

PEACE RIVER PILOT

Monthly Newsletter • April 2020 •

Volume 48 Issue 2 Peace River

Peace River Sail & Power Squadron - A Unit of the United States Power Squadrons® - District 22

2 -2-

Editor’s Comments

Photos of PRSPS events are needed for your Pilot Newsletter. If you

attend an event and take photos, please send us some to print.

Pilot Cover Boat Photos

We are in need of high quality color

photos of our members’ boats for the Pilot

Newsletter. If you are a new member, or a

member who has recently purchased a boat,

or are selling your boat, we would love to

publish your boat on the front cover.

Your Editing Team:

P/D/C George Musco, AP &

P/D/Lt/C Carol Musco, AP

The deadline for May Pilot articles is the

15th of April.

The Pilot’s Deadline:

Members and Bridge are encouraged to sub-

mit material and photos, with captions, of squad-

ron events, to the Editors by the 15th of the month

or as requested, by the Editors. All Articles should

be written in Word, and sent as an attachment, not

in the body of an Email.

Sponsors See Page Anchored Stitches Embroidery………...17 Safe Cove……………………….................17 Crystal Cay Marine………………………17 Sea Tow……………………………………17 Ingman Marine…………………………...18

Support Our Advertisers tell them you saw their ad in the

PRSPS PILOT

The PEACE RIVER PILOT publishes issues month-

ly except for July and August, by the Peace River Sail &

Power Squadron, Inc. PRSPS is a unit of District 22 of the

United States Power Squadrons, Inc. Opinions expressed

by individual authors do not necessarily reflect USPS or

Peace River Sail & Power Squadron policy or endorse-

ment. The Editors reserve the right to modify materials

submitted for publication. We appreciate your articles

and input. Please make sure the information submitted to

the PILOT is correct. All articles will be edited to assure

conformity with USPS* regulations and guidelines.

“Bill Bayer Memorial Education Fund”

Donations in Bill’s name will benefit the

Squadron’s Education Program.

Donations will be used for classroom equipment

and supplies, Outreach Programs to the community,

and other education oriented projects or needs.

Donations may be sent to Treasurer

Lt/C Harold W. Anderson, AP, made out to PRSPS, with

a memo reading “Bill Bayer Memorial Education Fund”.

Your donation is tax deductible.

Ships Store Items

for Sale

Our Burgee $23.00

Front License Plate $3.00

Official Squadron Polo

Shirts are available with the new “America’s

Boating Club” logo -$29.00.

Your name on the front would be extra.

New “America’s Boating Club” white Name

Tags are now available

with magnet backing -

$11.00.

If you would like to purchase a squadron item

Contact Squadron Ships Store Officer

Lt Larry Mack SN, at ships_store@

peaceriversailandpowersquadron.org

3

Commander Ronald C. Jones, AP

2020-2021 BRIDGE

Cdr. Ronald C. Jones, AP

Commander 24025 Redfish Cove Dr. Punta Gorda, FL 33955

commander@peaceriversail andpowersquadron.org

Lt/C Harold W. Anderson, AP

Executive Officer 3191 Matecumbe Key Rd,

Unit 407 Punta Gorda, FL 33955

xo@peaceriver sailandpowersquadron.org

Lt/C Gregory R. Wise, SN

Educational Officer 3321 Sunset Key Cr. #402 Punta Gorda, FL 339555 education@peaceriver

sailandpowersquadron.org

Lt/C Marge Babkiewicz, AP Administrative Officer 5601 Duncan Rd. #18

Punta Gorda, FL 33982 ao@peaceriversailand Powersquadron.org

Lt/C Marcia J. Ling, AP

Treasurer 1890 Deborah Dr. #8

Punta Gorda, FL 33950 treasurer@peaceriver

sailandpowersquadron.org

Lt/C Carolyn J. Perkins, S Secretary

18857 McGrath Cir. Port Charlotte, FL 33948

secretary@peaceriver sailandpowersquadron.org

Published Monthly

(except July and August) by Peace River Sail and Power

Squadron

P/D/C George J. Musco, AP Editor

114 Big Pine Lane Punta Gorda, FL 33955

pilot@peaceriversail andpowersquadron.org

P/D/Lt/C Carol L. Musco, AP

Assistant Editor

P/C Paul L Cartwright, AP P/Lt/C Barbara K. Cartwright,

AP Circulation

Lt/C Harold Anderson, AP

Lt/C Ron Jones, AP Pragati Patrick, AP

Photographers

Lt/C Cynthia E. Sanders, S P/Stf/C Robert Stein, AP

P/C Terry Green, JN Proofreaders

-3-

As I start into my second year as Commander I

am honored by this privilege. Our recent Change of

Watch was held in Punta Gorda at Carmelo’s Restau-

rant with perfect “Chamber of Commerce” weather.

On behalf of the incoming Bridge Officers and elected

Committee members, thank you for allowing us to

serve you during this Watch Year.

One can’t turn on the tv, go to the store, or even have a conversa-

tion without the topic of COVID-19, (novel coronavirus 2019) being

brought up. Many public activities and events, including the District 22

Spring Conference, have been cancelled out of an abundance of concern

for the health and safety of our members. With so many of our mem-

bers in elevated risk groups, it is prudent to limit the potential for expo-

sure to the virus as much as possible. Locally, Excom will be meeting to

review squadron activities and making decisions of cancelling or post-

poning those events, watch your emails for updates on the status of

planned events and activities.

Peace River Sail and Power Squadron had an outstanding year in

2019 with many Vessel Safety Checks, Coop charting reports sub-

mitted, Life Jacket stands maintained, and students attending classes

and seminars. Our efforts were recognized with the BoatUS Civic Ser-

vice Award, one of 3 nationally. Looking forward to 2020, our goal

should, as an organization, must be to do better than last year. If we’re

not improving, we’ve becoming stagnant. One of the biggest challeng-

es to our organization is a lack of visibility, how many times have you

had to explain to people what the “Power Squadron” is? I challenge

each member to reach out to friends and neighbors and invite them to

squadron seminars, activities, or functions. By increasing squadron vis-

ibility in the community, people will better understand the contribu-

tions made to the community. An awareness of educational opportuni-

ties will lead to more boaters attending seminars and courses, resulting

in better boaters. Awareness of the Seatow Life Jacket loaner program

will lead to more people taking advantage of it, reducing the risks of

drownings in our local waters.

Finally, with the approach of Easter, a number of our seasonal

residents begin packing to return north. If you are in this category,

please travel safely and have a great summer. And remember, look up

your northern squadron and stay involved in all the activities that are

offered by local squadrons.

4

COVID-19

Update from the Commander:

As we cope with numerous cancelations of squadron and other activi-

ties, it’s important that we keep in contact with each other, checking on the

well-being of members, offering moral support, and offering to pick up

items if we’re out. To do this we need to ensure we have good contact in-

formation for all of our members. Please, verify your email address, mail-

ing address, and phone numbers in the new 2020 Membership Directory or

log on to the USPS member sign on page at https://www.usps.org/

index.php/member-s-log-in. (Your USPS Certificate number is published in

the directory, if you don’t remember your password you can request an

update using the “Forgot your password” link on the web page).

Verifying your mailing address, email address, and phone numbers

will ensure that you receive timely updates and info5rmation from the

squadron. If corrections are needed, please contact either Larry Mack, Bob

Maxson, or myself and we’ll ensure your info is updated.

At this time all squadron meetings and new classes and seminars are

canceled. On-line/conference call meetings will still take place. The Merit

Mark Reception and New Members Party postponed. At the direction of

National and in coordination with USCG-Aux, all Vessel Safety Checks are

suspended until further notice. As the situation changes, we will send

email notifications to the squadron membership by email blasts. It’s critical

that we have your current contact information.

Please heed the advice of Federal, state, and local authorities on ways

to minimize your risks from COVID-19. You are all an important part of

the Peace River Sail and Power Squadron family.

5

Executive Officer

Lt/C Harold W. Anderson, AP

Secretary’s Report Lt/C Carolyn J. Perkins, S

Thank you to all of you who

helped staff the recent Boat Show

booth. Show booths are a valuable

tool to keep us in touch with the

boating public. Besides introduc-

ing the Squadron to the public by

offering all of our courses, we do

sometimes even get transfers and

reinstatements from people who

have moved to the area.

Our Vessel Safety Examiners under P/C Ga-

len Price, have been working hard. For this year

from 1 Jan, nine examiners have already conducted

117 exams. Keep up the good work.

Since social activities are changing rapidly,

watch your emails closely for updates and cancela-

tions. Keep yourselves safe and healthy.

The minutes of the 25 Feb-

ruary 2020 Change of Watch

will be posted on our website

and will be distributed for re-

view prior to the next Business

Meeting.

You should have now re-

ceived your hard copy of the

2020 Membership Directory. Please notify Car-

olyn Perkins, Squadron Secretary, if you have

any corrections or updates to your address, tele-

phone number, email address or Boat status.

IMPORTANT MESSAGE

FROM COMMANDER RON JONES

To Peace River Sail and Power Squadron Members;

After careful consideration, and based on latest recommendations from the Centers for Dis-

ease Control, all squadron activities scheduled for the period 18 March through 30 April are can-

celed.

All new classes and seminars are canceled through April. Committee meetings will be con-

ducted via conference call/video conferencing during this period as well.

The Merit Mark reception, scheduled for 28 March, will be postponed until Fall of 2020.

Excom will be meeting via conference call in April to consider any schedule changes needed

in May and beyond. Members will be notified as soon as a decision is made.

The decision to cancel activities was not made lightly, many of our members are in higher risk

categories and the primary consideration was to ensure their health and safety. While taking neces-

sary precautions to reduce the spread of COVID-19, do not let it become your only concern – get

out on your boat and enjoy the water (and continue to submit Coop reports), get out of the house

and walk around the marina (and while there, check the Seatow life jacket stands), and most im-

portantly – check up on other squadron members – they will appreciate a phone call, an offer to

pick up a few items if you’re out, and just letting them know that they aren’t forgotten.

We have to take care of ourselves and each other – it’s what we do as Power Squadron mem-

bers.

6 -6-

Educational Officer Lt/C Gregory R. Wise SN

American’s Boating Club

Peace River

2020

Education Course Schedule

The following courses and seminars are

offered in April, May 2020

2 April Thurs. 1330 Seamanship CANCELED

11 April Sat. 1300 Using GPS CANCELED

2 May Sat. 0830 ABC Punta Gorda BC

9 May Sat. 0830 ABC Punta Gorda BC

16 May Sat. 0830 ABC Punta Gorda BC

30 May Sat. 1300 Using GPS Bayfront Center

Unless noted all dates above are class start dates.

If you are interested in any of the above

courses :

Contact

SEO Lt/C Gregory R. Wise, SN

at education

@peaceriversailandpowersquadron.org

At our recent Change of

Watch, D/C Ted Reiss, SN awarded

the squadron’s Teacher of the Year

Award to P/C Ron Ludvig, SN.

Ron has been our Public Boating

Chair and has been the force be-

hind out successful ABC3 courses.

These courses have been the princi-

pal way we interface with the pub-

lic regarding boating education. They have also

been the major gateway for recruiting new squad-

ron members. He has been successful in recruiting

many instructors and proctors to help out in these

courses and their contributions are deeply appreci-

ated. Ron is always willing to help out in any edu-

cational activities and did organize our last GPS

Seminar with 12 students, completely filling our

classroom space. His recognition was well de-

served.

So far this year we have had students en-

rolled in Weather, Seamanship, Cruise Planning,

Marine Electrical, Engine Maintenance, Seamanship,

Electrical Navigation and Piloting. We have one

student who is progressing nicely through his Sen-

ior Navigator track. Two students have taken their

Sail course exam and are awaiting grading. Con-

gratulations to Lt Charles Wooley who achieved his

SN this year. My appreciation to all the instructors

and proctors who have made these courses possible.

One of upcoming challenges will be to tran-

sition from the traditional Seamanship course to

Boat Handling, which is done as 6 seminars. Stu-

dents who complete the 2019 Boat Handling course

and pass the exam will receive credit for the Boat

Handling course and earn the Seaman grade. They

will also receive seminar credit for each of the class

sessions attended.

The Educational Committee is working on an imple-

mentation plan.

Please review the upcoming educational

offerings and consider referring your friends and

neighbors to participate.

In this era of COVID-19, be safe!

PRSPS Member Jim Ayers joins our

Life Jacket Stand Team

Photo taken at the Burnt Store Marina

Boat Ramp

7 -7-

Administrative Officer Lt/C Marge Babkiewicz, AP

Sunshine Committee Report

Get Well Card Sent to

George-Ann Howell

If you know of a member in need of a card to brighten up their day, contact Lt Mar Spaulding, S at

sunshine@peaceriversailandpowersquadron.org

Calling All Past Commanders!

Silver Trident Association

Silver Trident Association Membership is

open to all Past Commanders of USPS. The next

Silver Trident Association Luncheon will be held at

the Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club, Wednesday, 20

May, at 1130, Lunch at 1200.

Contact Silver Trident Treasurer P/D/C

George Musco, AP for your reservation:

call 941-391-2512, or email:

GJMCLM@COMCAST.NET

Last month I attended sever-

al shifts at our Show Booth during

the 4 days of the Punta Gorda Boat

Show. I had the pleasure of meeting

and working with several of our

newer members. If you have not yet

volunteered to work at our Show

Booth, I encourage you to join us at

future events. We always have plenty of printed

information on hand to answer any question. It’s a

great way to meet other members who are there to

help you.

Our April Business Meeting will be held on

Sunday, 26 April, starting at 1200, during our annu-

al Spring Picnic at Harbor Heights Park. This is a

casual and fun event and you are welcome to invite

your family and friends. They do not need to be a

member to attend. This BYOB event will be catered

and you can sign up by mailing in the form or regis-

ter electronically. (Sorry Canceled)

There is a new interest group I went to tell

everyone about. I recently met with our member

Mike Smitha. Mike is a fishing enthusiast and inter-

ested in Co-Chairing a fishing group. This group

would plan fishing trips to a variety of local places.

Trips could include a pier, jetty, or perhaps from an

occasional commercial chartered boat. Mike is a sea-

sonal resident and therefore is looking for a Co-

Chairman to assist with this group. If you are inter-

ested, please email Mike at

mike.smitha@rpmmetrodetroit.com. As always if

you have any questions you can contact me directly

at ao@PeaceRiverSailAndPowerSquadron.org.

Broadway Palm Dinner Theater in Ft. Myers, FL

Wednesday, 13 May 2020

Lunch matinee—1115

To see

Something Rotten

$59.00 for lunch and the musical

Guests welcome

Call to reserve your seats 941-575-9776 or 941-661-1831

Make checks to PRSPS and mail to Jeane Anderson at 3191 Matecumbe Key Rd, Unit

407, Punta Gorda, FL 33955

8

April Birthdays

01 David M. Wilson 03 Pamela A. Gallant 04 Phyllis M. Ehrhardt 05 Beverlee Winslow 09 Richard F. Worley 11 Paul L. Cartwright 16 Kimberly Bulinski 16 Barbara K. Cartwright 18 Alfred Churchill 23 Harry Rippenbaum 25 Catherine M. Ireland 26 Debra Dunker 27 Susan E. Maxwell 28 Joyce N. Weiser 29 Joseph T. Piccolo 29 Elias R. Quintos 29 Gloriajean R. Veitch

2020 Calendar of Events

April

3-4 D22 Spring Conference CANCELED 7 Lunch Cruise Leverocks, CANCELED 15 Education Dept. Meet. ONLINE 1000 17-19 Home & Garden Show CANCELED 20-22 Cruise to Tween Waters CANCELED 21 Excom Meeting ON LINE 1600 26 Picnic/Bus. Meeting CANCELED

May 4-7 Cruise to Marco Island TBA 7 Lunch Cruise -Alligator Creek Grille, PG1200 12 Excom Meeting - Bayfront 1600 13 Broadway Palms Dinner Theater 1115 16 Boating Safety/Demo Day PGBC 19 Dinner/ Business Meeting CHYC 1730 20 Education Dept. Meet. CHYC 1000 20 Silver Tridents Meet. CHYC 1130

June

10 Lunch Cruise - Waterside Grill, Placida 16 Excom Meeting Bayfront 1600 17 Education Dept. Meet. CHYC 1000 23 Lunch/Business Meeting TBA 1130

July

7 Farlow’s on the Water, Englewood 16 Ice House Dinner & Darts 21 Excom Meeting Bayfront 1600 25 Pot Luck & Games PGBC

August 11 Muscle Car City Museum & Lunch 18 Excom Meeting Bayfront 1600 19 Education Dept Meeting CHYC 1000

For More Information see Page 9 & the Monthly

Calendar on page 19.

From Your Peace River Power Squadron Family

9 -9-

Boating Activities

Lt Rick Sluzewski, AP

Lunch Cruise

Tuesday 7 April

to Leverock’s

7092 Placida Rd., Cape Haze

Come by boat or by car and join

us for lunch at a fa- vorite dining spot

for Floridians at 12:00. Reservations by

1 April to Louise Rea 941-505-0183

or email louis-

erea@comcast.net

Marco Island Cruise and Rendezvous

5 May Arrive by 1600 (before dock master departs), Marco

Island Marina 239-642-2531.

Dockage $2.16/ft./day plus electrical charge.

Pool, grill, lounge, on site restaurant available.

Passenger van available for group ventures.

Suggest you make your slip reservation

ASAP which is cancelable day before arrival. Men-

tion PRSPS and Greg Wise when booking.

We have sail and power boats going so it

would be possible to caravan if anyone would de-

sire; sailors can decide it they want to do an over-

night passage, anchor or stop at a marina and arrive

on Tuesday. The trip back will be yours to plan,

Naples, Ft. Myers Beach and Sanibel/Captiva all

have marina facilities if you desire to make port

along the way home.

Contact: Liz and Greg Wise, cruise leaders, greg-

wisemd@gmail.com

Tween Waters Resort C & R

20, 21, 22 April

Our Tween Waters C&R is 20, 21, 22

April. We have several boaters signed

up and we are invit- ing our landover

friends to join us for dinner..On Monday

night, we will be going to the Bubble Room.

Always a treat. If you haven’t been,

you need to go. On Tuesday night, we

will go to the Green Flash, another nice res-

taurant with a beautiful view. If you can

join us either night (or both) please contact

Cindi at 765-721-1818

or cesanders343@aol.com. We will share details and

Lunch Cruise

Thursday 7 May

To

Alligator Creek Bar & Grille

5500 Deltona Drive

Punta Gorda, FL 33950

Directions: off US41 to Rio Villa Dr. , 1 Mile left on

Deltona Drive.

Beautiful waterfront dining along Alligator Creek

Come by land or sea (4 boat slots available).

We will greet your there at 1200

Please send your reservations by 1 May to Heidi

Rowe: 941-875-5566 or Email: youcan@earthlink.net

The Ride-Share program is available but must be

requested at the time of your reservation.

Thursdays Special: All you can eat shrimp $14.00

with purchase of a beverage.

10

America’s Boating Club - Peace River visits

“Solomon’s Castle “ & the “Boat in the Moat” Restaurant

Ona, FL.

10 March 2020

Visiting Knights & their Maidens

L to R: Julie & Bill Perry; Harold & Jeane

Anderson; Carol & George Musco

The world famous “Boat in the Moat”

Restaurant

Solomon’s Castle is one man’s dream of para-

dise. The home, art & sculpture, and workshop of

internationally renowned artist Howard Soloman

are decorated with more than 80 interpretive

stained glass windows and countless metal sculp-

tures.

11

P/C Hal Riley AP, member Governing Board Emeritus, member of US

Power Squadrons for 67 years, earned 57 Merit Marks. Past Commander Riley

served as the Commander of Peace River Sail and Power Squadron. This was a

difficult time for the squadron as it was deeply split over the decision to sell the

Bermont Road property. He was a leader in bringing the squadron to a consen-

sus in resolving the disposition of the property, working with realtors and

eventually the sale of the property, which formed the Building Endowment

Fund which the squadron contuses to benefit from today. P/C Riley was a passionate man, about

his family, about boating, and yes – about his bright yellow Corvette, it was always a highlight to

have him in the parades in his Corvette. He was passionate about USPS as well; in a conversation in

December he was discussing ways to make squadron meetings more accessible to all members.

P/C Robert Campanella SN, Life Member, member of US Power

Squadrons for 37 years, earned 28 Merit Marks. Past Commander Campanella

served as Commander of Painesville Power Squadron, District 11 from 1995

to 1996. As a member of Peace River Sail and Power Squadron he was unas-

suming yet generous with his talents. He was instrumental in helping to es-

tablish the Meritorious Service Award and served as President of the Silver

Tridents group. He also served as a Vessel Examiner, as well as a member of

the Nominating Committee. Past Commander Campanella also looked for ways to recognize

squadron achievements, presenting three large commemorative plaques hanging on the back wall

of our Bayfront classroom/ meeting room as his personal gift to the squadron. P/C Campanella’s

greatest contributions were in his service on the Finance and Audit Committees, working to ensure

the squadron enjoyed a stable financial footing. His advice and expertise in commercial real estate

was especially helpful as the squadron considered potential sites for relocating educational facilities

and consolidating storage spaces.

In Memoriam

Recently the squadron lost four members who made significant contributions to making

Peace River Sail and Power Squadron the success that it is today.

Their many years of dedicated service to the US Power Squadrons

and Peace River are an inspiration.

12

P/Lt/C Dick Treadway SN, Life Member, member of the US Power

Squadrons for 35 years, earned 31 Merit Marks. P/Lt/C Treadway served on the

Peace River Sail and Power Squadron’s Nominating Committee (2001-2002,

2010-2011, 2015-2016), Rules Committee (2012-2019), and Executive Committee

(2003-2005). His greatest contributions were in the Educational Department

where he served as, Chair of the Piloting program (1992-1995) Senior Educa-

tional Officer (1994-1997), Chair of the Advanced Piloting program (1996-2011),

Assistant District Educational Officer (1998-1999, and District Chair of the Advanced Piloting pro-

gram (2000-2003). Dick was awarded the squadron’s Meritorious Service Award in 2012. As a

teacher, Dick was satisfied only with each students’ best efforts. His dedication to teaching Piloting

and Advanced Piloting resulted in students being well prepared to take on Junior Navigator and

Navigator courses. More recently he enjoyed traveling around the country with his wife Barbara in

their RV.

P/C Paul L. Cartwright AP, Life Member, member of the US Power

Squadrons for 33 years, and earned 30 Merit Marks. P/C Cartwright served as

the Commander of the Four Rivers – Cedar Rapids Iowa area Power Squad-

ron 2005 to 2006. Paul transferred to Peace River Sail an Power Squadron with

his wife Barb in 2007. Paul was active with the Hospitality Committee, grilling

many burgers and hot dogs. He served on Newsletter Committee and Roster

Committee, ensuring issues were ready for mailing. P/C Cartwright could al-

ways be counted on to participate in every Coastal Clean-up. He also worked with the Boat Opera-

tor Certification program.

In Memoriam

Recently the squadron lost four members who made significant contributions to making

Peace River Sail and Power Squadron the success that it is today.

Their many years of dedicated service to the US Power Squadrons

and Peace River are an inspiration.

13

REVISED PAGE 14 OF 2020 MEMBERSHIP DIRECTORY

14

PRSPS

2019 - 2020 Boosters Club

We need you as a financial BOOSTER to help off-set the costs of producing and distributing the monthly newsletter. To add your name and support to this list, please send your name and a check made out

to PRSPS for $10.00 to: Peace River Sail and Power Squadron, P.O. Box

511042 , Punta Gorda, FL 33951-1042

PRSPS Vessel Examiners

2020

P/Lt/C Dennis Barkow, JN 262-664-5400 djbarkow@earthlink.net Lt George Bingley, S 815-937-4456 747bing@gmail.com P/C Betty Campanella, SN 941 833-3399 bmcampy@gmail.com P/R/C Richard Daybell, SN 714-801-7319 daybellatdistrict13@gmail.com Holles Dick, AP 717-552-3845 h25188d@hotmail.com Daniel Hartwig, P 608-575-3554 dan@4safetyandhealth.com Diane Hartwig, P 941 575-1122 diane@4safetyandhealth Lt Urbain LeClerc, S 941-916-2958 vscrfree.getrdone@gmail.com Joseph Nicoletti 941-416-5506 escapade4200@yahoo.com David Nielsen, AP 732-616-9016 David.nielsen09@gmail.com P/C Galen Price, SN 941-575-6071 gpisces@yahoo.com P/C Greg Robins 423-833-8066 sailbad31@comcast.net Lt/C Gregory Wise, SN 937-510-4018 wisedoc@yahoo.com Charles Wolley, JN-IN 713-517-0754 cwolley@gmail.com

-14-

April – 2020

Heidi M. Rowe & N. Thomas Rowe, AP

May – 2019

P/D/C George J. Musco, AP

P/D/Lt/C Carol L. Musco, AP

June - 2019 - July- 2019 - August – 2019

September – 2019

P/C Terry Green, JN P/R/C Louise Rea, SN P/D/C W. Lyle Rea, SN

P/Stf/C Robert Stein, Jr, AP

October – 2019

P/D/Lt/C Harold Howard, SN Annette Howard

November – 2019

P/C Betty Campanella, SN

P/C Robert Campanella, SN P/C John Kniat, AP

P/Lt/C Margherita Kniat, P Lt Cynthia E. Sanders, S

Bill Sanders

December – 2019

Lt/C Harold W. Anderson, AP P/C Jeane P. Anderson, AP

Lt/C Marge A. Babkiewicz, AP P/C Elliott M. Hartman, JN

Pamela Hartman, AP F/Lt Urbain A. LeClerc Jr., S

David S. Martin, AP Florence Martin, S

P/C Galen Price, SN

January– 2020

Joan M. Dafoe, AP & Ronald E. Dafoe, SN P/C Julie Perry, SN

P/C William N. Perry, SN P/R/C Charles G. Troike, SN

Barbara Troike, N

February – 2020 Helmut Ehrhardt, JN

F/Lt Phyllis M. Ehrhardt, P

March – 2020

15

The Demise Of Traditional Paper Charts

Soon you won't be able to buy the colorful NOAA paper charts. But technology means you can print your

own up to date backup paper charts at a fraction of the price.

As long as there have been electronic charts, mariners have been advised to keep a set of

backup paper charts just in case the electronics fail. Back in the day, a trip to a store that sold genu-

ine NOAA charts was how you got them — browsing through hundreds of colorful charts and then

paying (as much as $20 or more) for each chart you needed.

Those days are gone, or will be soon. NOAA recently announced it will no longer be printing

nautical charts, phasing out the service over the next five years. NOAA says it currently makes two

kinds of charts that serve the same purpose, and it makes sense to discontinue paper charts and

move ahead with only the electronic version.

For years, NOAA has maintained more than 1,000 paper nautical charts in raster form. Raster

charts are simply pixelated images, or copies of charts, which could be printed through NOAA's

certified print-on-demand (POD) chart agents. It's these raster charts — including the Booklet

Charts that many recreational boaters use — that are going to be discontinued by January 2025.

NOAA also produces about 1,200 electronic navigation charts (ENCs) in various scales to plan

a voyage or pinpoint an anchorage. ENC charts are vector charts, meaning they're made of digital

data, which stores much more detailed information and can be more easily scaled. If you've ever

zoomed into an electronic vector chart, you've seen more detail as you focused in on one area — ras-

ter charts can't do that. NOAA says ENCs will be remade into a standardized, rectangular gridded

layout, increasing the number of charts to about 9,000. Many of the older charts will now be at a

larger scale, meaning they'll contain much more detail for mariners.

Starting a couple of years ago, users could use a prototype of the online NOAA Custom

Chart application (NCC) that let them make their own charts from the latest NOAA ENC data. That

system is being improved as the end of paper charts nears. One of the biggest advantages of ENCs

is that they are up to date when you make them. In the past, when you bought paper charts that

were even a few weeks old, they needed to be updated by hand with current Local Notice to Mari-

ners, which could be a lot of work, depending on how old the charts were.

While the NCC is operational now, NOAA says improvements are needed to make it a viable

replacement for traditional paper nautical charts — hence the five-year plan to sunset traditional

raster and paper charts. NOAA says that while there is no timeline for the demise of individual pa-

per/raster charts, new ENC charts will be in their place as they are deleted.

So what does this mean for you? If you're a fan of getting new traditional paper charts for your

navigating, you're soon going to be out of luck. However, you'll be able to use NOAA's NCC to

print your own small charts, with the ability to customize area and details to suit your needs, at a

fraction of the cost of traditional charts. You'll also be able to buy printed ENC charts from vendors

if you don't want to print your own. Now when you want to supplement your chartplotter, it's easi-

er and cheaper than ever. Visit https://devgis.charttools.noaa.gov/pod to try your hand at making your own paper charts. Or visit

https://nauticalcharts.noaa.gov/customer-service/assist/ to make comments to NOAA on what you'd like in

its NCC application.

Author : Charles Fort - Contributing Editor, BoatUS Magazine

16 -16-

At America’s Boating Club (formerly US Power Squadrons) Annual Meeting held recently in Jackson-

ville, Florida, three Squadrons from Florida, North Carolina and New York honored with Distinguished Civ-

ic Service Awards. Sponsored by Boat Owners Association of The United States (BoatUS), the awards are giv-

en annually to club Squadrons in recognition of exceptional service and public boating safety education and

service to the boating community.

The three award recipients were Peace River Sail and Power Squadron, Cape Fear Sail and Power

Squadron, and Patchogue Bay Power Squadron.

Florida’s Peace River squadron was singled out for its work with the Punta Gorda Boaters Alliance,

Charlotte County Chamber of Commerce, Charlotte County Marine Advisory Commission, and Englewood

Chamber of Commerce. As part of the Weather Ready Nation, the squadron participated in child drowning

prevention and awareness programs, supported Hook Kids on Fishing, got their hands dirty when partici-

pating in the Charlotte Harbor Coastal Clean-up, and created fishing and boating events focused on children

with special needs.

BoatUS Foundation Assistant Director of Boating Safety Ted Sensenbrenner, who presented the

awards said, “Power Squadron members have a wealth of knowledge and experience to share, and these

awards show they are having a positive impact on their local boating community.”

(L to R) America’s Boating Club Rear Commander Myles Gee; BoatUS Foundation Ted Sensenbrenner; Cape

Fear Commander Otis White; Patchogue Commander John Yeamans; Peace River Commander Ron Jones;

and America’s Boating Club Chief Commander Gary Cheney.

United States Power Squadrons Annual Meeting in Jacksonville, FL

11 March 2020

17 -17-

Our Loyal Advertisers!

When you visit one of these establishments and use their services, please tell

them you are a member of the Peace River Sail & Power Squadron and saw their ad-

vertisement here. We want them to know how much we appreciate their support for

our publication and organization.

The Pilot is current looking for new advertis-

ers. New Ads should be boating related: such as

Marinas, Boat Brokers and Restaurants which cater

to boaters. The next time you visit your favorite

business, ask if they would like to take out an Ad in

our Pilot Newsletter.

29 yrs. in Ch. Co.

18 -18-

19

April 2020 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

3 4

5 6 7

8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 Education

Dept. Meeting ONLINE

1000

16 17

18

19

20

21 Excom

Meeting Bayfront ON LINE

1600

22

23 24 25

26

27 28 29 30 Education Green

Lunches Tan

Dinners Purple

Meetings Black

Events/Shows Red

Cruises Blue

Parades - Maroon

20

PEACE RIVER SAIL AND POWER SQUADRON

P.O. BOX 511042

PUNTA GORDA, FL 33951-1042

Return Requested :

“Distinctive Communicator” is an award for publica-

tions that meet or exceed a defined criteria.

The Peace River Pilot has been recognized many

times for this award.

Photos from the “Boat in the Moat” Restaurant

Solomon’s Castle

Ona, Fl