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United States Power Squadrons® Come for the Boating Education...Stay for the Friends℠

A division of:

Brought to you by your Bridge

Left to right:

Treasurer:…………………………………..P/C Susan Kennedy, AP

Executive Officer: ……………………….P/D/C Paul J. Norquist, AP

Commander: ……………………………..P/C David Francis Danehy, P

Secretary: ………………………………...P/D/C James E. Mello, AP

Officiating District 12 Commander: D/C Barbara Herrmann, N

Presents the May 2016 edition Volume 62 Number 9 of

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Table of Contents

Page

Commander’s Message ————————————————————————————————- 3

Nobscot Coming Events ————————————————————————————————-3

The Log of the late Carol Eakman in the British Virgin Islands ——–———————————- 4

Executive Committee Minutes —————————————————————————–———— 9 Commander’s Report ——————————————————————————————–——— 11 Day Trip to the Beavertail Lighthouse ———————————————–—————————— 12

Who Got the Merit Marks? ———————————————————————————————- 13

Annual Picnic Party ——————————————————————————————————— 14

Pictures From Mystic CT. Outing

Mayflower Blue skies and a fair breeze in the Charles W Morgan sails.

Cdr Steve Mullen, JN; Lt/C Jill Winski, AP; and P/D/C Warren Hawkins, JN at the Charles W Morgan

Photos by P/D/Lt/C Dick Winski, AP

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Commander’s Message

Spring has sprung! If you sit quietly you can hear it…the hum of sanders, the slap sound of bottom paint as it is applied to vessels of all sizes ,and the roar of ma-rine engines coughing and choking as they wake up from their long winter’s naps. In the Squadron, other signs of spring are here: the installation of a new Bridge, the end of our spring boating course, and plans for our annual picnic.

We just had our first combined membership meeting with Worcester County at Welly’s Res-taurant in Marlborough on April 20th. Check out the article inside this edition of the Rhumb Line to learn more. Plans have been made for a land based rendezvous at Mystic Seaport by Steve Mullen and Dick Winski of Worcester County on April 30th. Our annual picnic is in the planning stages for the middle of June. Stay tuned for more information on that event in an email blast to come later this month.

At our next Executive Meeting this month, we will be creating an Activities Committee to bring more events both nautical and land based for all to enjoy. Another land based event is being planned this summer down in New Bedford. A movie night, dinner, bowling or mini golf could be up for grabs. Maybe in the Fall a leaf peeping trip, or how about in the first weekend in December vis-iting a seacoast town where Santa will arrive by boat! The list of events we could have are only lim-ited by our imaginations and drive to make them happen.

On the docket for our road show events this year we are targeting the Natick Scoopapalooza, the Marlborough Heritage Festival, and perhaps the Classic Wooden Boat Show at Lake Quinsiga-mond. If you can think of a community event within the geography we cover as a Squadron, please let us know. Maybe we can bring our show to your town!

Remember those sounds we heard a few minutes ago? I hear them again. So get off your duff, get out there and finish prepping your boat for the water. But don’t forget your Squadron! Take part in some of these upcoming events and help out where you can!

Happy cruising!

Commander Dave Danehy

Nobscot Calendar 2016

June 15th – Nobscot Picnic

June 18th - Beaver Tail Lighthouse Day Trip Picnic

June 25th - Scoopapalooza in Natick

Summer Break

September 10th -Classic Wooden Boat Show Lake Quinsigamond

September 21st – Exec Com

October 2nd – Marlborough Heritage Festival

October 19th – Membership Meeting – Welly’s

November 16th – Exec Com

December TBD – Christmas Holiday Party

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British Virgin Islands Foreword---Stephen Eakman April 30, 2016 If you ever thought you might want to sail the Virgin Islands---GO. It is a lifetime experience you will never forget. In springtime—go with friends Joe and Carol MacPhee from Wellesley, and Ann and Hank Slagter, from Oregon. Charter a large boat with crew from THE MOORINGS. The crew provides the sailing, deli-cious meals, snorkeling gear, daily trips and harbor anchorages. You will get your chance to handle the steering, maximum 10 knots, and the evening cocktails---pina colada. Our crew was a young couple from New Zealand, John and Fiss Malta. They sold their boat and house and started a round the world trip---Africa, London then joined the Moorings to cruise the Virgin Islands. They provisioned the boat with your favorite food and drink and let you shirk all responsibility so you can relax and enjoy the experience—the island lounges, the dolphins, the div-ing pelicans, the native jewelry, snorkeling, the shore trips on each island, and the exhilarating power of the wind and sail. The following is a copy of the original log that was made by my loving deceased wife P/C Carol B. Eakman, JN.

WINTER VACATION IN THE SUN-THE BRITISH VIRGIN ISLANDS March 3-15, 1993

Day 1-March 3, 1993.

The Eakmans and MacPhees left their homes in Shrewsbury and Wellesley, respectively, and head-ed for Logan Airport to catch an early flight on American Airlines to San Juan.

After meeting at the gate, we boarded the plane and took off for our sunny, snowless vacation in the sun. Breakfast was soon served, and we continued our four hour flight to San Juan where it was 81 degrees and clear. After landing at Luis Munoz Airport at 1215, we made our way to Ameri-can Eagle' s gate for our flight to Tortola, B.V.I. and arrived there at 1445. After clearing customs and immigration, we boarded our open-sided bus for a wild thirty minute ride to the Treasure Isle Hotel in Road Town. We checked in and decided to get a bite of lunch, as our only meal had been breakfast hours before. It was served at a very leisurely pace. Meanwhile, Ann and Hank Slagter, who had arrived from Oregon the day before, joined us. We finally finished and headed for our rooms-72 steps up from the terrace! We did have a beautiful view of the harbor from our deck. A tall ship was anchored nearby and later that night it was aglow with lights. Later we met for cock-tails and dinner on the terrace while enjoying the warm breezes.

Day 2-March 4

Our first full day in the British Virgin Islands dawned partly cloudy, but soon cleared with tempera-tures in the 80’s. We had breakfast at the Treasure Isle and then packed up to be ready for our 1130 briefing from a representative from The Moorings. After that, we left for our new home for the next week, just a short walk away. "Bright Star" is a 1982 Morgan schooner , and our crew was John and Felicity (Fiss) Matla, a young couple from New Zealand. We went aboard after introductions, were shown around , then got settled in. After a delicious lunch of salmon quiche, hot bread and salad , we departed from The Moorings for Norman Island. Joe took the helm as we sailed around the island and then anchored in "The Bight." Norman Island is said to be the setting for Robert Louis Stephenson's "Treasure Island.

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Day 3-March 5

Another beautiful day in The B.V.I.-clear and in the 80's. John moved the boat before breakfast to a mooring in front of the caves (no anchoring allowed because of the coral reefs). Ann Hank, and Fiss went snorkeling while Carol E. had a swim. John took Steve, Joe, Carol M. and Carol E. in the dinghy into the caves where several crabs were seen crawling over the rocks and a strange moaning sound was heard. After leaving for Dead Man's Bay on Peter Island, Steve took the helm. We anchored, went ashore and walked over to the Atlantic side of the island. Lunch, a chicken and pineapple salad served in pineapple shells, was served buffet style on Bright Star when we returned. Then we sailed to Trellis Bay on Beef Island. John pointed out a turtle to us as we were sailing along. Carol E. was at the helm part of the way and reached 9.5 knots, Steve the rest of the way. Just as we were anchoring, the "jewelry lady" dingied up so we all bought some pins, etc. John took us ashore where we visited several shops. Pina cola-das were the night's specialty for cocktails, then dinner. There was a short evening shower and thanks to Ann, John found the sides to the bimini which we put up.

Day 4-March 6

An other beautiful day with the temperature in the 80's. After breakfast John took Steve and Carol E. and Carol M. over to The Last Resort to look at metalwork by Aragon. He was sup-posed to stop by the boat about 0800, but never showed up. We were greeted by a "watch goat", several dogs of indeterminate lineage and a curious donkey who poked his head in a back door. Steve left a note for Aragon. After returning to the boat we left for Virgin Gorda, the fat virgin. Steve took the helm with the wind from the east at 20 knots-great sailing. He broke the record with 9.6 knots! John took us ashore to take the trail from Devil's Bay to The Baths-very rocky and steep. Finally we reached the end and bought T-shirts at a shop on the beach. John met us and took us back to the boat where we went for a swim. Then after lunch we sailed to the Bitter End with Steve and Joe alternating at the helm. We anchored and went ashore for a quick look around the resort before having drinks-more of John's pina coladas for some of us, and another delicious dinner.

Day 5-March 7

After breakfast we sailed to Anegada Island with winds from the east at 15-19 knots on a 10 degree M course with the usual sunny weather in the 80's. Carol E. and Steve were at the helm. Anegada is a very low lying island about 15 miles from Virgin Gorda, surrounded by reefs where over 300 wrecks have occurred over the years. The first sighting of land is the tops of the palm trees. Only crewed boats are allowed to visit here because of the reefs and shallow wa-ter. Fiss saw a whale on the way over. After anchoring all went ashore at the Anegada Reef Re-sort, checked out the gift shop, then took the "bus" (a van) to The Big Bamboo at Loblolly Bay for lunch-grilled lobster for 5 and chicken for 3. The ride at 40 mph on sandy wash-board type roads was people shaking to say the least. Our driver pointed out across a pond the flamingos which were reintroduced to the island in 1992. The Big Bamboo has two long picnic tables on the porch, and one was ready for us when we arrived as was our lunch. (Call ahead for lunch or dinner choices.) After lunch some swam or snorkeled, Ann and Carol E. took a long walk on the beach, others relaxed and read. Hank saw a sting ray and Fiss saw a barracuda while snor-keling. It started to sprinkle, so we tried to get an earlier ride back, but there were others ahead

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(or dolphin ) being cut up for dinners-the lobsters are kept in a cage in the water , 1/2 a 4# lob-ster for lunch, or 1/2 a 5# one for dinner grilled with the chef's secret sauce. John got an early ride back as he had locked the keys inside the boat. He met us back at the resort and took us back to the boat. Whitey , an Australian, and his wife Maxine on a sister Moorings 60, "Flying Ginny V" had arrived while we were gone and all were coming over for cocktails. We put up the sides on the bimini as it was again sprinkling and welcomed the visitors aboard. It turned out the guests were from Mansfield, Ohio and four were USPS members. Needless to say, we had a light supper after the guests left and we all went to bed early. Anegada is noted as a great wind-surfing area. We readily believed it as it turned out to be a rough night swinging on the anchor.

Ann was feeling a bit queasy in the morning ,so she had a bite to eat on deck and took a Drama-mine that helped. We left Anegada with Steve then Joe at the helm. Joe reached the record for the week of 9.7 knots. John caught a tuna that flipped overboard while John was holding it for pictures. It was okay as it was too small to keep. Soon humpback whales were sighted , sails were dropped, and we spent 20 to 30 minutes whale watching. We raised sails again and con-tinued on to White Bay on Guana Island. Much time was spent watching the pelicans diving for fish. We ate lunch, went swimming or snorkeling, then sailed on to Cane Garden Bay , Tortola, a quiet anchorage with beautiful scenery and a view of St. Thomas which sparkled with lights after dark. During cocktails Ann saw a dolphin. We had another delicious dinner of sweet potato soup, bread sticks, shrimp fettuccini, salad, merlot, chocolate cake. We hoped to go ashore to hear some steel bands in the evening. However, nothing was happening, so we went out on deck to watch the stars and the full moon rise over the hills. Day 7-March 9 After breakfast we sailed to Sandy Cay, an islet purchased by Lawrence Rockefeller and left in trust so that no building can ever be done there. We went ashore on a beautiful sandy beach and took the trail to the top, 66 feet above sea level with a view of the surrounding islands. Steve was stuck in the leg by a cactus spine, the only mishap on the trip. Ann and Hank swam back to the boat while Carol E. had a swim off the beach-the water gets deep very quickly. John took us back to the boat for lunch, then we sailed to Great Harbor on Jost Van Dyke. Along the way we saw dolphins and Fiss dove overboard (much to John's consternation ) hoping to swim along with them. However, they disappeared until she got back into the dinghy. We spent quite a while watching them swim in front of the boat and cavort in the water. After anchoring we went ashore for a short while, saw Foxy' s, and planned to come back in the evening. The windjam-mer, Harvey Gamage, was in the harbor. After drinks and dinner of steaks cooked by John on the stern grill, everyone was too tired or relaxed to go to Foxy's as nothing seemed to be going on. Day 8-March 10 Having finished breakfast John motored around to White Bay, passing the Club Med cruise ship, Med II, which had anchored outside Great Harbor during the night. The morning was spent with a leisurely swim by some and relaxing by the rest. After lunch we sailed to Soper's Hole. John took all the cameras aboard the dinghy and took pictures for everyone of Bright Star under sail while Fiss handled the helm. We picked up a mooring in Soper's Hole, a pretty harbor , and went ashore for some shopping. Reservations for dinner were made at Pusser's, and after cocktails

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aboard the boat, we all went ashore for a final dinner together. Day 9-March 11 Fiss served a champagne breakfast for all starting with mimosas, eggs with caviar, fruit, muffins and coffee. We finished packing and motored back to Road Town. After a wonderful week we said good-by to John and Fiss. We left our bags at the Mariner Inn and toured the shops there. Steve, Carol E. and Carol M. walked back up to the Treasure Isle for T-shirts, then back to the Mariner Inn where we all had lunch. Our bus left at 1530 for the half hour bus ride back to the airport. Our plane left at 1700 for the 40 minute flight to San Juan and after clearing immigration and customs, we got a van to the hotel. Lots of traffic after our peaceful week in the B.V.I. We checked into our rooms at the Radisson Normandie Hotel and, after quick showers, met for dinner in the Normandie Room. San Juan was warm and humid-in the 80's. Day 10-March 12 We met in the Atrium Cafe for breakfast, then took a walk outside to the pool area and beach. It was still hot and humid. The MacPhees and Eakmans decided to take the afternoon tour of the Bacardi Rum Distillery (free drinks) and the Old City of San Juan. We said good-by to Ann and Hank who were flying back to Portland, Oregon. Our tour was very informative and we had a chance to visit one of the forts as well as the capitol building. That evening we had a very expensive seafood buffet at the Caribe Hilton. Day 11-March 13 Again we had breakfast in the Atrium Cafe, then sat in the sun by the pool for a while. As we had missed the early morning tour to the El Yunque Rain Forest, Steve decided to rent a car for the 35 mile drive. The traffic was heavy and the road signs in Spanish were not exactly helpful. The trip through the forest was very interesting. There were impatiens blooming along the roadside and the trails, plus bamboo, palms and other plants unknown to us. After the ride back we were ready for a round of pina coladas in the lounge. Later we had dinner in the Normandie Room. Meanwhile, we were trying to keep up with the news of the storm heading up the east coast-something hard to im-agine sitting in sunny, hot Puerto Rico. Day 12-March 14 Breakfast again with the MacPhees in the Atrium Cafe, then sat around the pool to enjoy our last chance to sit in the sun for a while. After lunch Steve called Greg to see what the snow situation was in Boston-lots of it. We said good­ by to the MacPhees as their flight was still scheduled to leave. They returned to Wellesley to a driveway full of snow. We sat around the pool for a while-it was quite windy now-and later after packing had dinner in the Normandie Room for the last time. Day13-March 15 After an early breakfast , we checked out and headed for the airport. The plane was on time and was full on the trip to Boston where the temperature was 27 degrees. Steve retrieved the car from Park and Fly, and we headed for home­ lots of traffic and an overturned truck on the Mass. Pike de-layed everyone for a while. We found three feet of snow at the end of the driveway with 18-24

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inches over the rest of it. Back to reality after a dream vacation in the sun­ perfect weather , deli-cious food , and best of all good friends. What more could one want!

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Nobscot Sail and Power Squadron Executive Committee Minutes

May 18, 2016 Attendees: Cdr. Danehy, P; P/C Kennedy AP; P/C Capobianco, JN; P/C Marobella, AP; P/D/C/ Nordquist,AP; P/D/C Mello, AP, D/L/C Ai Lean Lim, JN and Dorothy Mello, Assistant Secretary Secretary’s Report: Accepted. Treasurer’s Report: Accepted pending audit. Extensive financial discussion followed the report from the treasurer. Rhumb Line Editor Bob Capobianco reported an expense of $52 for printing 30 copies of the Rhumb Line to mail. A motion was made and approved to post the Rhumb Line on the Nobscot website. Anyone wishing a printed copy should contact the publisher. Most public libraries have computers available to patrons to use. In Memorial: $50 will be donated to Perkins School in Watertown, in memory of Bea Eaton. National will likely be mailing dues notices around June 1, or upon your anniversary of enrollment. Frank Marobella reported a $66,752 balance in the Horka Educational Trust Fund, with an available cash balance of $444. Auditor Michael Sullivan is awaiting Worcester County records after June 1. He will also renew the nonprofit status of Nobscot Sail & Power Squadron Inc. and Past Commander’s Club, Inc. Susan Kennedy will contact him so that our federal and state nonprofit status can be reinstated if neces-sary. XO Report by Paul Nordquist Graduates of the Boating Course will be invited to the June 15 picnic. Cdr. Dave will send a printed invitation by mail. SEO Report: By P/C Frank Marobella, P We recently completed our Spring ABC basic boating course. Attached is the XL Spread sheet listing the fifteen student attendees. Five students took the course as a direct result of the mailed Keefe Tech Adult Education Course Brochure. The remaining students found us through the Inter-net, referrals from friends, and Power Squadron members. Attendance was good at each of the lectures< Students were on time for the 7: 00 pm start time. All but two students took the final exam. This year there were two exams given. The first was the fifty question exam that was based on the student manual and the classroom lectures. The scores for the test were excellent and all achieved scores in the ninety percent range. The second exam was a ten question test that was specific to the Massachusetts regulations. All passed but since there were only ten questions the scores were either eighty or ninety percent. Unfortunately we were not able generate any interest in joining our Squadron. There were

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salt water boaters and one individual who had just purchased a significant cruiser. I wish to express my appreciation and I attribute the success of the course to: Jim Mello, Rod Kid-der, Sue Kennedy, Jack Savalonis, Glenn Connell, Paul Norquist, Dave Danehy and Tom Toomey (Tom created dedicated homework questions and corrected the passed in homework at each class). Old Business: None New Business: Boating Course Evaluation and Future Fifteen students participated in the course offered at Keefe Tech in Framingham, but none have ex-pressed interest in joining the Squadron. Issues concerning the course and material were discussed.

More appropriate classroom space would be desirable for small group work and charting. Cdr. Dave will negotiate with Keefe Tech for room 226.

Teach and practice charting back-to- back. Update slides and course material to more recent standards. Paul will compare and contrast Joe Kelliher’s four week ABC class and Boat Smart’s content with Nobscot’s eight week ABC class. Next class will begin Monday, September 19, 2016.

Google Search Ads and Communication: Ai Lean Lim reported on steps needed to get Nobscot Boating Course up higher on the list present-ed by Google. Weekly updates on our site are necessary to keep the site fresh and get more hits on boating topics. Jim Mello will train to post on the Nobscot website. We can join Google for a month-ly fee.

Nobscot events should appear on District 12 website to drive people to our events. Keefe Tech should have a link to our course on its Night School webpage course listing.

Name Badges New name badges with national logo will be created for instructors and Bridge via Warren Hawkins and JayCee website at $7 each. Ms. Mello will contact SEO Fred Costanza for a list of those who teach and forward to Warren. Activity Chair Dick Winski was nominated for Membership Activity Chair. Nobscot Road Show Several opportunities to interact with the public and spread the good news about Nobscot are avail-able. Volunteers should contact Cdr. Dave. The virtual trainer will appear at some of these events. June 25- Scoopapalooza in Natick Center September 10- Classic Wooden Boat Show at Lake Quinsigamond in Worcester October 2- Marlborough Heritage Festival Calendar Updates June 18- Beavertail Light Land trip December 7- Holiday Party at Wayside Inn The meeting adjourned at 9:20P.M. Submitted by Dorothy Mello, Assistant Secretary

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NOBSCOT SAIL AND POWER SQUADRON – EXECOM

May 18th, 2016

PM 6 – Kennedy’s Pub & Restaurant

247 A Maple Street

Marlborough, MA 01752

508-485-5800

Commander’s Report

1. The COW was a success with 25 attendees. Two ended up not coming, the Connells, who were sick. People enjoyed our speaker, Doug Welch with his presentation on the Maine Island Trail Asso-ciation. We presented him with a $175.00 honorarium.

2. ABC Class ended at Keefe Tech. We had 15 students. After the exam I had an informal group feedback discussion. Overall the students enjoyed the class and would take others if they were of-fered. They liked the school venue. They felt they learned a lot from the course. They said the com-puter issues we were having were distracting and felt we should fix or update it. One night the computer kept trying to load updates and in many cases the videos did not work. They would like to see the charting exercise presented shortly after the course line plotting class is offered. They’d like to see more hands on activities and not just Power Point slides. They all complained that there was no marlin spiking that they would have like to have practiced. They mentioned that some of the slides did not match the lecture material.

3. D12 had their district meeting which I unfortunately missed due to my mother being rushed to

the hospital. No one has reported back to me as to what the results of the meeting were. It ap-peared that it was just reports on happenings in each Squadron.

4. Cdr. Steve Mullen, stated that his treasurer is now ready for the audit.

5. Warren Hawkins researched pricing on new name tags. I provided him the link for National’s

vendor and they appeared to be less expensive and they knew the new requirements for Branding.

6. We had our meeting at Welly’s on April 20th. We had 18 people attend the meeting including 2

from WC and a new member who wanted to re-enlist. We had Bert Rogers Exec. Dir. of Tall Ships America speak to us about his organization. I wrote an article for the May Rhumb Line about the membership meeting. We should do more of this. Articles, even short ones should be written for the Rhumb Line along with pictures. These same articles can be posted on our website and Face-book page.

7. The PC Club meeting took place on April 27th at the Welly’s Restaurant in Marlborough. Steve

Mullen and Warren Hawkins joined us.

8. Steve Mullen and Dick Winski set up a trip via land to Mystic Seaport on April 30th. Dick also put

together a daytrip to the Beaver Tail Light House for June 18th.

9. I submitted an ad for the upcoming Scoopapalooza scheduled for June 25th. Sue was asked to submit our fee for having a booth at the event. I have also scheduled us to have the BSVT for the event.

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I spoke with Ai Lean Lim about investigating Google ads and paying for better positioning so Nob-scot shows up in the top ten websites when people search for boating courses on line. Ai Lean plans to research and report to us on her findings. She also mentioned to me that our current web-site is 5 years behind in current technology. For example, our site is not phone app friendly. She also mentioned that we need to do a better job driving people to our site. We should be updating our website with information on a regular basis. Calendar updates, articles, videos, etc. will drive people to our site because the increased activity of our site will cause the search engine to recog-nize our site over someone else’s. Having a Facebook page with links to our site with pictures and posts on our Facebook page will also generate more traffic.

Respectfully yours,

P/C Dave Danehy, P

Day Trip to the Beavertail Lighthouse

On 18 June members of Nobscot, Worcester County, and all other D/12 squadrons plan to meet at the Beavertail Lighthouse before 1:00 P.M. where we will enjoy a bring your own picnic lunch on the rocks. At 1:00 those of us wishing to ascend the tower will get in line at the tower base. Others can enjoy the other features inside the lighthouse muse-um and the views outside as well.

Some considerations for climbing the tower: Climbers must be at least 4 ft tall. Climbers are strongly urged to consider footwear other than flip flops. Neither small children nor pets may be carried. Both hands must be free for climbing. Climbers must be in line by 3:30 pm to climb tower before closing. A five dollar ($5) donation is suggested for each adult climber. Here is some info from beavertaillight.org

Photo by P/D/Lt/C Dick Winski, AP Discover Jamestown's most visited landmark with its panoramic views of Narragansett Bay. Located on the southernmost tip of Jamestown, Rhode Island, the Beavertail Lighthouse museum features a collection of information, artifacts, and conversation about the history and site of the third-oldest lighthouse in North America. Come and enjoy New England hospitality as you engage with lighthouse history and with interesting elements of Narragansett Bay’s maritime science, tech-nology, art, and culture. Visit our gift shop, and spend some time in the spectacular Beavertail State Park adjoining the lighthouse site. Some notes on our historic buildings: The dwelling that houses the Beavertail Lighthouse Mu-seum was built in 1898 to house an assistant keeper, who helped maintain both the beacon and foghorn systems. The keeper’s house was built earlier – in 1856, along with the granite tower and the first of several large fog-signal buildings that were important parts of the Beavertail Light Sta-

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tion. The last of the larger sound-signaling buildings, along with its two fog horn system generators and compressors, was destroyed in the 1938 hurricane. The subsequent removal of building and equipment debris revealed the remains of the stone foundation of the first light tower sited at Bea-vertail in 1749.The destroyed foghorn building was replaced by the current, smaller fog-signal house that presently houses the RI Department of Environmental Management’s aquarium. Resto-ration of both keepers’ houses began in 1983, and the museum opened in 1989 as a part of the RI State Parks Association. The non-profit Beavertail Lighthouse Museum Association (BLMA) was or-ganized in 1993 by a dedicated group of docents, many of whom still serve the all-volunteer associ-ation today in all its endeavors. Openings are weather dependent. Rain Date will be 2 July. Contact Dick Winski at wcsps-rw@charter.net or 508-873-2616. We will try to arrange carpools and/or caravans to keep our group together.

Merit Marks

I am happy to announce that the following individuals were awarded a Merit Mark for their out-

standing dedication to the Nobscot Sail & Power Squadron. As Commander of this Squadron I wish

to thank each of you for your efforts. Cmdr. Danehy

P/C Robert R. Capobianco, JN Glen Connell P/C Frederick Costanza, N

P/C David F. Danehy, P P/C Stephen L. Eakman, SN P/R/C Donald L. Hagen, SN

David O. Jones, SN P/C Susan M. Kennedy, AP D/L/C Ai Lean Lim, JN

P/D/C Joseph V. MacPhee, SN P/Lt/C Grace Mahoney, P P/C Frank Marobella, AP

P/D/C James E. Mello, AP P/D/C Paul Nordquist, SN Clifford Scott, SN

Mary Scott, S Lt. Michael Sullivan, AP P/C Thomas J. Toomey SN

P/C Peter J. Wihtol, AP

MARINE HIGH-FREQUENCY SINGLE SIDEBAND (HF/SSB) RADIO -- Part 7 By P/R/C Don Hagen, SN, Radio-Tech Officer HF Radio Weather Services USCG HF Weather Radio Transmissions. The USCG has routinely transmitted facsimile and voice marine weather broadcasts by HF radio for decades to generations of mariners. These broadcasts meet the United States' obligation under the Safety of Life At Sea Convention (SOLAS V/5). They are free of charge to the mariner.1.

The National Weather Service (NWS) is the agency responsible for the actual preparation of marine weather forecasts for Atlantic and Pacific Ocean areas adjacent to the U.S. While NWS is funded to broadcast these weather forecasts over Inmarsat-C and NOAA Weather Radio, they have no funding or infrastructure to support broadcasts on HF radio. Therefore, Congress has author-ized the USCG to cooperate with NWS by broadcasting these weather forecasts over HF radio chan-nels. ————————————————————- 1.

USCG, "A Business Case for the Continuance of the USCG HF Broadcasts of NWS Marine Weather Forecasts, Final

Report", Dec. 2007

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USCG does this with 24 HF radio transmitters (on frequencies between 3 and 30 MHz) located at 7 USCG communications stations in the United States and Guam. The radio range of these HF trans-missions varies from short distances to several thousand miles, depending on operating frequency, time of day, and atmospheric conditions, as explained earlier in Part 5 of this series. There are cur-rently three types of USCG HF radio weather broadcasts: 1. HF voice broadcasts are performed using a synthesized voice known as "Iron Mike". ("Perfect Paul" retired in 2007.) This voice is very distinctive and serves as an aid in identifying these weath-er broadcasts. 2. HF radio facsimile broadcasts (often called radiofax or weatherfax) provide weather maps and other graphic images. Maps are received using a dedicated radio facsimile receiver or a single side-band receiver connected to either an external facsimile recorder or a PC equipped with a radio fac-simile interface and application software. 3. SITOR (Simplex Teletype Over Radio) text broadcasts provide offshore and coastal forecasts. SITOR is also known as Narrow Band Direct Printing (NBDP). SITOR/NBDP is an automated direct-printing service similar to NAVTEX, but it does not offer the same functionality, such as avoiding repeated messages. Table 1 lists the type of equipment needed to receive each of these broadcasts, along with purchase and service costs.NAVTEX, but it does not offer the same functionality, such as avoiding repeated messages.

HF Radio Weather Transmissions Other than USCG. HF radio weather transmissions other than USCG include voice and low-speed data.

1. HF voice transmission other than by USCG. This mode typically utilizes amateur radio, commonly referred to as "Ham" radio. "Hams" operate several maritime "nets" where weather and other information of interest to mariners is exchanged. These nets are popular in areas that have a large yachting population and where the weather is dynamic, such as the Caribbean. Weather reports are usually exchanged in voice.

2. HF low-speed data transmission. SailMail and OCENS WeatherNet services can pro-vide emailed warnings and low bit rate weather data to the mariner. SailMail was described in Part 6 of this series. You can use it to receive weather forecasts at no charge from NWS. Several commercial services will email weather forecasts for a fee. You can also use Sail-Mail to communicate with a meteorologist or commercial weather service that can advise you on reasonable departure dates and routes and can send you periodic routing advice. The mariner can use OCENS WeatherNet or OCENS GRIB2. Explorer software to obtain ______________________________________ 2.

D. Hagen, "What is a Grib File?", The Rhumb Line, Dec. 2008

Table 1. USCG HF Radio Trans-mission Options

Equipment Needed to Receive the Transmission

Purchase Cost

Service Cost

HF voice HF/SSB marine radio and antenna $1,100 to $1,800

None

HF fax HF/SSB marine radio, antenna, and facsimile recorder; or all-in-one facsimile receiver

$2,300 to $4,300

None

SITOR NAVTEX receiver and antenna $500 to $1,700

None

15

weather products via SailMail. WeatherNet offers seven-day text forecasts. WeatherNet service re-quires a yearly subscription ($100) and charges the mariner for data downloads which can cost from $0.15 to $1.00 each Table 2 lists the type of equipment needed to receive these HF transmissions, along with purchase and service costs.

.

Editor’s Note: This is Don’s last article for the Rhumb Line. I want to publicly thank him for the time and diligent effort he has put into each of his publications. He has tirelessly written for this publica-

tion since I started as editor in 2002. I know he was active in writing before that date. His com-ments and constructive criticisms have helped me to produce a better newsletter. We will miss you Don, and I hope that you are making this decision for reasons other than the BS we got from our National advisor! I guess there is nothing left to say but: Thank you from all of us.

Table 2. HF Ra-dio Transmis-sion Options Other than

USCG Service

Equipment Needed to Receive the Transmission

Purchase Cost Service Cost

HF voice other than USCG

HF/SSB marine radio $1,100 to $1,800 None

HF e-mail HF/SSB marine radio and modem

$2,500 to $2,700 $250 per year (SailMail)

HF low-speed data HF/SSB marine radio, modem, marinized computer, and OCENS software

$6,800 to $7,700 $350 per year (SailMail plus

OCENS)

Look At What Is Coming!

16

Nobscot Annual Picnic

When: June 15, 2016 Time: 6:00 P.M. Where: Mary & Cliff Scott's Home 199 Glen St. Natick, MA 01760 Nobscot will be providing the hamburgers, hot dogs, rolls and soft drinks. Please bring either a salad, dessert, appetizers or snacks. Please contact Sue Kennedy with your RSVP and what you plan to bring. We will try to mange the pot luck items by requesting another item from you so we don't end up with all deserts and no appetizers or salads. So get your RSVPs in soon to Susan Kennedy who can be reached at: mobile: 508-361-4636 phone: 508-788-1851 email: susan_martone@yahoo.com

A publication of the Nobscot Sail and Power Squadron, Inc., a non-profit organization dedicated to: Safe Boating

Ads, articles, or comments should be di-

rected to:

P/C Robert R. Capobianco, JN

15 West Central Street

Natick, MA, 01760

Telephone: 508-653-1770 Fax: 508-650–

1869

E-Mail: captcapo@aol.com (please insert

the words “Rhumb Line” in your Subject

Matter)

Hard Copies Printed By: Curry Printing.

,

Electronic distribution chief: Robert R.

Capobianco

Deadline for Articles & Pictures:

15th day of the month