Florida Mariner

ensign@hq.usps.org Yvonne Hill • Editor • The Ensign magazine

From: "Yvonne Hill" Save Address Reminder Block Sender

To:
Subject: RE: Vero Beach Power Squadron Predicted Log Contest
Date: Monday, May 19, 2008 8:35:22 AM [View Source]

Hi Barbara,

Thanks for submitting your article to The Ensign. We will try to publish it in an upcoming issue.

Sincerely,

Yvonne

Yvonne Hill • Editor • The Ensign magazine

P.O. Box 30423 • Raleigh, NC 27622

888-367-8777 • Fax 888-304-0813

From: barbarascully@bellsouth.net [mailto:barbarascully@bellsouth.net]
Sent: Sunday, May 18, 2008 12:31 PM
To: ensign@hq.usps.org
Subject: Vero Beach Power Squadron Predicted Log Contest

Vero Beach Power Squadron Predicted Log Contest by Robert Scully, VBPS PRO

The Vero Beach Power Squadron (VBPS) located in Vero Beach, Florida, holds a Predicted Log Contest every year. Its part of the organizations boating activity in the Indian River, which is part of the Intercostals Waterway, and provides some fun and a challenge to its members.

So this event took place one weekend in March in spite of the weatherman's prediction of showers likely, with thunderstorms after 2 pm, mostly cloudy with a high near 76, east southeast wind around 10 mph with a the chance of precipitation at 70%. The forecast was partially true. The weather was foul, mostly cloudy, it did rain and it was cold, but it wasn't real cold and it didn't rain real hard. It started to clear up as we docked the boat for the day.

There was some boat traffic after all it was Saturday. Some were sailing, so me were fishing, the police were out in their boat watching the No Wake Zone at the Barber Bridge, and of course the VBPS Members were out doing the predicted log contest.

The VBPS gang met at the waters edge of the MacWilliams Boat basin next to the squadron building. We talked for a bit and headed into the building and turned in all the paper work, which equates to our prediction

So we had a Searay (25 foot party boat) that had been reserved for the day from the Freedom Boat Club. Jack Knauss, a member in good standing and avid boater, was our observer. Observers keep score.

We had decided, after careful calculations and some conversation, that the boat speed would be a constant 1600-rpm, which is about 6.5 - 7.5 miles per hour, depending on where you are in the river. Most of you know there is a relationship to vessel speed, which also relates to the current, what time it is in relationship to the tide, whether its going in, or going out or its at a lull. We had talked about the wind factor the prior day, which was a factor in determining vessel speed for the contest. There was NO wind most of this day.

The trip was approximately 20 miles long and took us about 3 plus hours to complete. I heard one boat did the trip in about 50 minutes. First place winner was Captain John Spilman. That means he had the least amount of variance to his predicted log. I was on his boat. There is nothing wrong with being on a winning boat. So if you liked the story and want to get in on the action visit us at www.verobeachps.org and if you are in Vero Beach please stop in.

University Seminar Series

[Edit] Boaters - VBPS - University Seminar Series
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Provided by: USPS

Contributed by: Robert Scully on 4/16/2008

United States Power Squadron (USPS) University Seminar Series by Robert Scully

These will be held in Vero Beach. They are sponsored by the Vero Beach Power Squadron (VBPS), and coordinated by the Education Officer Lt/C (P/C) Daniel A. Thomas, JN.

The seminars are scheduled for evenings from 7pm to 9 pm on Wednesday nights, starting in May, as follows

5/07/08 · Onboard Weather Forecasting
5/14/08 · Using VHF/DSC Marine Radio
5/21/08 · Using GPS
5/28/08 · Boat Handling under Power

The location is the VBPS building at 301 Acacia Road in Vero Beach (next to the Barber bridge at the MacWilliams Boat Basin). The cost per class is $30. There is a discount that will be applied to current VBPS members.

Also note that the class is limited to 20 students and it is on a first come first serve basis.

This text is from USPS. USPS University is here with new programs targeted to a range of boaters and types of boating. The hallmark of this concept is the Seminar Series. These short seminars are targeted to specific topics and needs with a two-hour format, and valuable take-away guides. Each seminar provides credits toward the soon to be released Boat Operator Certification program, and credit toward elective courses.

For more information call 772-231-9543 and leave a message. If you prefer to speak with someone right away you can call Mr. D. Thomas, Educational Officer at 772-978-1701 or Assistant Educational Officer Mr. J. Leitz at 772-465-2232.

If you would like more information on the organization please go to www.verobeachps.org/

Florida Boating Safety Classes in Classroom

http://myfwc.com/boating/safety/classroom_courses.htm

Classroom Course Availability

19 APR 08Time: 10:00AM Vero Beach Power Squadron-ABC Vero Beach Power Sq. Build.301 Acacia RdVero Beach, FL, 32963 No Online RegistrationCost $30.00Contact: Howard DanielsTelephone: 772-978-9769Contact Email: fuzdap9@aol.com

Planet Vero

-------------- Forwarded Message: --------------
From: info
To: barbarascully@bellsouth.net
Subject: Re: Vero Beach Power Squadron Non-profit Submission
Date: Tue, 8 Apr 2008 13:42:54 +0000

Very good. We will take care of that. We would also like to invite you to be a guest on Clear Connection, the radio program we create for the Clear Channel radio stations. Please call me to arrange a record time and topic. 772-778-2832

At 11:24 PM 4/7/2008, you wrote:

My Name is Robert Scully. I am the Public Relations Officer for the VBPS. I am submitting this for input to Planet Vero website.

Call me if you have questions.

Regards,

Bob Scully

The Vero Beach Power Squadron (VBPS), a member of District 8, is one of the 450+ squadrons of the United States Power Squadron (USPS) ®. District 8 covers the East Coast of Florida from Sebastian Inlet to Key West.


VBPS Goals -The VBPS ( www.verobeachps.org), with a stake in Vero Beach, is a non-profit boating safety education organization. One goal is to provide safety boating education to the public and our members. Another goal is to get involved in the Community by being a sponsor/host for special events.


Boater Education – One of the VBPS community services is safe boating education to the public and our members, which is taught by VBPS volunteers who have lots of boat knowledge.

Community Involvement – The VBPS is involved in and sponsors – Boating Education courses thru out the year, Support our Troops, blood drive, flu shoots, the Christmas boat parade and lots more.

Events - There are dinners, lunches, and numerous events to keep things interesting all year long. We hold an informal Friday night social in the squadron building from 5:30 to 7:30. This gives all our members the opportunity to socialize on a non-boating basis and to meet new and visiting members. Please stop in an introduce yourself.

Boating Activities -The Squadron's organized boating activities are cruises, rendezvous, vessel safety checks and Cooperative Charting. Any member who has a boat, power or sail, is welcome to participate, and members without boats are invited to go along as crew with another member.

News/Photos – The VBPS publishes a bi-monthly newsletter (Nautical News) and sends it out in the mail. It is also posted on our website. The USPS puts out the “Ensign”, which you will receive once you join the club.

Membership - When you join the VBPS there is lots to do and we encourage the members to get involved. We love volunteers.

Florida Mariner

From: "Fulgieri, Stacey" Save Address Reminder Block Sender

To:
Subject: RE: A Fishing Day Story
Date: Thursday, April 03, 2008 4:12:01 PM [View Source]




This is great, I would love to include it in our next issue which comes out on April 13th.



Thank you very much!

Stacey





Stacey Fulgieri

Editor-

800-388-9307

sfulgieri@floridamariner.com







From: barbarascully@bellsouth.net [mailto:barbarascully@bellsouth.net]
Sent: Thursday, April 03, 2008 3:59 PM
To: Fulgieri, Stacey
Cc: Ed Carr
Subject: A Fishing Day Story



A Fishing Day on the Indian River by Robert Scully



One mans perspective on fishing the intercostals -1 photographer, 2 boats, 3 men on one boat, 4 on another boat, 5 hours of fishing, 6 men fishing, 7 hours on the water, and 8 fish, so I hear.

So you get up early and meet the troops at the boat by 7am. Load up the gear and head out to the Indian River. By 3pm, or 7 hours later, you're back at the dock for the boat cleanup, just ahead of the inc oming rain.

It started out as a beautiful calm sunny day. On the way south we passed the various islands in the river, Harbor Branch, and headed towards the bridge in Ft Pierce, as Captain Bill pointed out various secret fishing spots along the way. We made a short stop to pick up some live shrimp for bait and went fishing just around the bend.

You could feel the excitement kicking in as the poles were baited with the shrimp and cast into the water. The fish finder on the boat consol showed fish just under the boat so that meant we were in a good spot. After an hour of casting, re-baiting hooks with no fish caught, we headed to another location at the inlet, just off the jetty rocks.

So we baited and cast once again. The boat next to us, but not with us, was catching fish, the fish finder said there was fish bellow but alas, no fish took our bait. We mana ged to catch some fishing line around our prop. Yes it was from one of our fishing pools but that happens when you keep the engine running in gear. So the captain points the boat into the middle of the channel, cuts the engine, raises the motor and I pull as much line off the hub, as I can. Now the seas are getting nasty and we pitch here and there, in and out of the troughs. It's getting scary, the captains cell phone rings, it's the other boat captain, and its time to head in and get out of the churning incoming tide.

Now were headed in at a snails pace because were in the No Wake Zone. When we get back into the intercostals the pace picks up, we go under the drawbridge and head further south, to a new fishing spot, just east of the channel. We bait the hooks; cast the line and drift with the tide. It's a phenomenon as the waves are going one way and the boat is drifting the opposite direction.

The fish finder shows the fish under the boat and we spot Dolphin feeding in the area so we know the fish are there. Finally a few hits and we get a few (3) fish on board. The big one got away as we removed the hook, he squired just enough and fell overboard. But I got a picture so we have proof. We keep one Sheepshead and threw one back. Some body rang the lunch bell and we headed in to the Tiki Hut on the Ft. Pierce Marina.

After docking we headed straight for the restaurants water closet and then we were ready for lunch. There was lot of conversation about our hours fishing, the kinds of fish caught, Charter boat fishing, 2 pound test line, 200 yards of line, and so on. Lunch was served and $100 later we were back on the boats. On the way back we were in rough waters thus we experienced the body gets a Boat Beating, combined with a few Sea Showers over the bow, and a few Body Twists.

Moving aro und on a moving boat. Not a good idea but if you must be sure to keep one hand on a stationary boat part, while you attempt this maneuver. I learned that a long time ago but got distracted, on this occasion. It's amazing how the clean fresh air, the water and the sun affect your ability to thing straight. Some call it boater's fatigue.

There was an oncoming large vessel generating a large wake, which we were about to go thru. I knew there was going to be water splashing over the bow, not a good time to be moving around or standing up, in the boat. I guess I had lost focus, because I wanted to get a shot of the boat and its wake but then I got concerned about my camera and me getting wet. I almost went head first into the boat icebox but I managed to surf it out by using balancing skills that are sometimes necessary to stay up on a boat that is being bounced around by another vessels very big wake waves. As I recall one hand was in my jacke t pocket on my camera and I grabbed at the cockpit console, as I started to pitch and bend opposite the boat movement. It happened pretty fast and it was over in seconds. That's my story and I am sticking to it.

If you have an interest on getting with the fishing group come on by the Vero Beach Power Squadron building at 301 Acacia Road next to Barber bridge at the MacWilliam Boat Basin or go online to www.verobeachps.org/.

Woody's Wake