There was a significant turnout for the FHYC March General Meeting. Two new members were introduced to the membership: Budd and Megan Wells, Marcello Alvarado, and Antonella Tripiciano. Both of their primary sponsors are Steve Hustad and Anny Chiu. Both couples have limited boating experience but are eager to participate and learn. Welcome to the club.
Safety Tips for Experienced Boaters.
The main speaker for the evening was Karl Mielenhausen, Commander of Flotilla 20-04, Auxiliary Coast Guard, and FHYC Past Commodore. His topic was "Safety Tips for Experienced Boaters." "Many attendees had more than ten years of experience in boating, and some even had over 30 years of boating experience. Karl was preaching to the choir, and the choir was listening! One of the statistics he showed was the number of boating accidents over the past several decades, with a spike between 2021 and 2022. The reason for the spike, he said, was because of Covid. People were buying boats to get out but not be in close quarters with other people. Many of these boaters had no boating experience and did not know the "rules of the road ."The pandemic also meant that the various boating safety classes could not be offered. He also pointed out that most boating accidents happen on paddle boards, kayaks, canoes, etc. He said that when using these types of watercraft, you must assume you are going in the water. Wearing a life jacket is imperative. Even though the air temperature may be in the 70s, the water temperature is still quite cold, and hypothermia can set quickly. His presentation was fascinating and informative. Thank you, Karl.
Poem for Georgie Jackson.
I am standing upon the seashore. A ship, at my side, spreads her white sails to the moving breeze and starts for the blue ocean. She is an object of beauty and strength. I stand and watch her until, at length, she hangs like a speck of white cloud just where the sea and sky come to mingle with each other.
Then, someone at my side says, "There, she is gone." Gone where? Gone from my sight. That is all. She is just as large in mast, hull and spar as she was when she left my side. And, she is just as able to bear her load of living freight to her destined port. Her diminished size is in me -- not in her. And, just at the moment when someone says, "There, she is gone," there are other eyes watching her coming, and other voices ready to take up the glad shout, "Here she comes!" And that is dying...
New member inception
FHYC has a tradition of holding a reception for new members from the previous year, along with those members' sponsors and Board members.
This year's New Member Reception was held on February 28 at the Community Center. The Membership Committee is the host. This year we had an excellent turnout for the FHYC Board. Tables were set up with various types of fondue with snacks as well. People could move around the tables, sampling the incredible food, socializing with other new members, and talking with Board Members. The Membership Committee outdid themselves.
I look forward to seeing these new members in the coming years and thank them for choosing Fairfield Harbour Yacht Club.
Raft-Up Seminar by Dave Phipps, FHYC 2023 Commodore
I want to take a moment to thank our Education Committee Chair, Steve Hart, for an outstanding presentation today at the Activities Center. Twenty-two club members, many with years of raft-up experience, attended and shared the benefit of their experience. The result was an excellent program for everyone, regardless of experience level!
In addition to the active academic discussion, Steve and Skip Hird had constructed wooden boat models with precise lines, masts, and cleats, which seminar participants used to practice their raft-up skills. The on-water portion of the training had to be postponed due to expected weather conditions but will be rescheduled later.
Kudos to all involved today. We look forward to some great raft-ups this year.