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Cat TalesDecember 2001 |
Ray Nieves, Commodore
What a year! This is a year we will all
remember as the terrorists attacked our great Nation 9-11. Who could ever
forget? And each of us will remember where we were, what we were doing and how
our Nation has changed since those sad events. But, in view of the many tragic
stories of that day we know that the strength of the American people, of all
walks of life, all religions and all nationalities, has pulled us closer
together. Our resolve to end terrorism will not be diminished and our memory
will not be short!
A few weeks after the 9-11 attacks, Carolyn and I
were out sailing on a beautiful sunny Sunday, with a very nice 12-knot breeze.
As I sat in the cockpit, I couldn't help but think of all those who lost their
lives in the World Trade Center, the Pentagon, and in Pennsylvania mountains
(near my cabin). I told Carolyn that it was a shame that so many innocent
people, living their daily life, had been killed by people with so much hate.
The people killed included a seven-person crew from a local sail race team,
visiting the WTC. My thoughts were all of the thousands of innocent people who
should have been able to enjoy their hobby, their family, the sunny day or
whatever they wanted to do. That freedom had been destroyed and their lives
taken.
Carolyn and I had the opportunity to talk to several racers who
knew and raced with those killed in the WTC. They were continuing their race in
memory of their fallen friends. As you know, I am a retired Firefighter, what
you don't know is that one of my uncles was a Firefighter, who lived in New
York many years ago. And my- youngest brother just retired as a Firefighter.
Firefighters, Police officers and others want us all to go on with our lives
and with being strong Americans.
Commodore Bill Weeks started a nice
tradition giving each of the officers a Christmas gift. I intended to carry on
that tradition at this years Christmas party. Instead, I have made a donation
in your names to the Firefighters' Widows and Children Fund in New York. They
have helped us go on.
What was our year like before 9-11? We had a good
year! Carolyn and I have spent more time on Classie Chassie 2 than we
anticipated when we started building our new home. For the second year we did
make 1,000 miles on Classie Chassie. We have been in limbo forever and
we were supposed, understand supposed, to move in to our new port facilities
Nov 17th (no dice). Maybe we will be settled by Christmas.
CCYC members
and friends met in raft-ups in Annapolis, Solomons, Dunn Cove, Little Choptank,
Rhode River, St Michaels, Corsica River. From Memorial Day to Oktoberfest, we
had a bit of everything. Lots of rain, lots of sun, lots of wind, not so much
wind and sometimes lots of boats and sometime not lots; but, always lots of
food, liquid refreshment and lots of fun.
Some highlights from the year
have to include yours truly with Charlene Padgett onboard Sassie Chassie
(our dink) stopped three times in one night by the same DNR Officer. I still
think he was checking out the passenger. Then of course there is the morning
when Jennifer was about to board CC2 for breakfast when suddenly her retriever,
Simba, decided to go for an unexpected swim between the boats. Oh and did we
tell you about Mike? Ask him how fast he ducked and turned around when he was
about to take the dogs for a ride to shore in Dunn Cove and someone fired
across his bow. Of course we also should not forget Joan, how much trouble did
she get into when she sent Classie Chassie to Paula's landing, for
repairs? Joan, you have to tell people when strangers are about to enter their
port! Speaking of Joan let's not leave out Wayne, boy was it fun towing you
guys back from the Rhode River in 25 knot wind. Wayne keep the fuel
clean.
Ah, did you think I would forget you Philip? Mr. Gadget Padgett
talks me into a 36 because he has one, then promptly buys a 42 ... well sir no
42 here! Where's my lemon cake?
Rich and Diane probably got this far and
figured they were safe, Ha! Happy hour starts on time and ends when it ends.
Even though you crewed on CC2 twice you did not get the idea that she wasn't a
freighter. We never saw so much food come on board for such a short period -
you guys know how to have fun. But, when Diane is at the helm, let not any
foolish sailboat captain fish in front of her, she will come after those lines.
You can crew for us anytime, Captain.
The season was, as always, too
short. The sailing was good and better at times, so-so at times but, always
better-than being on land. The raft-ups were always fun and the land parties
were always in the best traditions of CCYC ... that is to say lots of food,
liquid refreshment and many stories.
As we move toward the end of this
year's events and election of officers, I want to say it has been another good
year. Thank you Rich and Diane for all your planning, thank you Mike for all
your time, energy and effort in keeping us informed, and thank you Joan for
keep us afloat. Thank you, membership for continuing to be a part of the
organization and for participating. It continues to be a pleasure to know you
and be part of CCYC. Good Luck to the new officers and members. We will be
sailing this year, God willing! God bless America and God bless humanity.
Wayne and Joan Savage, Jubilee
Once again the Holidays are
rushing at us. The 2001 sailing season is over. Time to meet and greet old
friends and on tell stories about this summer's sailing adventures and just
catch up. That's just what we will do on Saturday, December 8th at 6:30 P.M. at
the CCYC Annual Holiday Party.
This year we will kick off the Holiday
season at the home of Joan and Wayne Savage in Potomac, MD. Directions are
easy. Take the Beltway to I-270 North. Take exit 5, Falls Road to the west,
crossing I-270. Continue west to the first traffic light and turn left on
Wootton Parkway. Take the next left to Pasture Brook Way and you will find the
Savages at 1703, the second house on the right.
Please bring a potluck
dish for sharing during the evening. The club will furnish a turkey or ham as
well as wine and beer. In addition, each person should bring a wrapped gift for
a gift exchange game. The gift should be boat-related but be no more than $15
value.
Please call Joan at (301) 762-6752 to coordinate your dish so
that we don't have 4 Jell-O salads.
We look forward to seeing old and
new friends.
We had a great turn-out at the Member Meeting November 18th at Cantina D'Italia in Annapolis. One of the items of business was the election of officers for 2002 and the results are:
Congratulations to all! We're anticipating another excellent year of CCYC sailing.
From Chesapeake Bay Magazine:
If you use propane on your boat
(and many do, for heating or cooking), you need to make sure your tank is
equipped with an overfilling protection device, or OPD. With one exception, as
of April 2002, any propane tank from 4 pounds to 40 pounds capacity lacking an
OPD won't be refilled. The deadline was set by the National Fire Protection
Association, a private group that establishes fire and safety standards. The
exception is for horizontally mounted tanks for which no OPD is available. In
that case, the tank must carry a label stating an OPD was
unavailable.
The overfill device has a float mechanism that
automatically seals off the tank when it's filled to about. 80 percent
capacity. Beyond that level, a tank can build up excessive pressure and vent
propane gas or discharge liquid propane, either of which creates a potential
fire hazard. As of October 1998, new tanks had to be equipped with an OPD, and
any tank recertified since that date had to be retrofitted. But since
certification is required only once every 12 years, a lot of older tanks have
remained in use without the device. Aluminum tanks, which are long lasting, are
the prime candidates for a retrofit. Steel tanks are less expensive and
generally not worth the cost of adding an OPD, say industry sources. On
vertical tanks, which are the most common type, the OPD is installed on top.
But for tanks mounted on their side, the regular OPD won't work properly, so an
exception was made for them, NFPA officials say.
From BoatUS:
The U.S. Coast Guard, which compiles all boating
accident reports each year, has raised the threshold for reporting
property-damage-only accidents.
Previously, a boat owner was legally
required to file a report if damage was $500 or more, but as of July 2, 2001,
the requirement was raised to damages of $2,000 or more. Property-damage-only
accidents are the least likely to be reported as the Coast Guard estimates it
receives reports of less than 10% of all non-fatal boating accidents.
A
boating accident report is also required to be filed when there is an injury
requiring more than first aid, or a death or a disappearance from a
boat.
These reports are aggregated by the Coast Guard and form the basis
for boating accident statistics used to better understand the causes of
accidents and help determine preventive measures that should be
addressed.
To file an accident report, contact your state boating
office. A list is at BoatUS.com/gov/facts.htm.