Commander's Message

Written by Trisha Garber | 01 January 2012

Boating Season is Almost Here!

Well, my watch is drawing to a close but this year’s boating season is just beginning. Nancy and her crew have been working very hard to make plans for the upcoming boating season. We have a lot of activities on the list starting with our Change of Watch on March 3rd, followed by the District Conference in Fort Worth on March 29th, then we will Flip to Flop with Sabine April 14th , followed by Contraband Days the first two weeks of May and to finish off the Spring with Memorial Day weekend in Lake Arthur for the Sailboat Regatta. That is a LOT of activities and the list continues to grow. Also, we will also have the USPS Water Training Boat pulled by the promotional truck in Lake Charles March 10th. Also Bow for Kid’s Sake on March 3, public boating classes and Boat Safe week at the end of May. 2012 will be a very active year and I hope you plan to participate in several of our activities!

I want the LCSPS to be YOUR Power Squadron. I encourage you as a member to participate with a committee, help plan boating activities, attend a social event or bring a friend to a meeting. The LCSPS is one of the best and most active squadrons in the USPS. It takes good leaders to plan good events but it will only succeed if YOU participate. Please review our membership manual on the website under the “Join Now” section and review all of the benefits of membership. Nancy is still putting committee’s together and filling spots on the Organization chart, so please say YES if you are called to serve or let her know that you are interested in playing an active role in the LCSPS.

It’s easy to promote the Lake Charles Sail and Power Squadron when we have so much to offer. We have great members, a great facility, and schedule full of land and water events and a wealth of educational opportunities to interest and challenge everyone. I am very proud of the LCSPS and what we have to offer our members and our community, I hope you are too!

Cdr. Trish

Off to a Great Start

Written by Trisha Garber | 14 May 2011

LCSPS OFF TO A GREAT START!

My goals for this year all pertain to member involvement. And our members have taken that to heart. We had sixty members attending our first meeting, twelve members participated in Bowl for Kids’ Sake, over 30 members attended the fish fry/Sail into Spring Friday Nite Social, eleven students were in our first class (Cruise Planning), seven picked up books to become new Vessel Safety Examiners, and many members assisted in our first Public Boat Safe class that passed fourteen students.

Our numbers are looking good and we will continue to offer a variety of classes and events to fit everyone’s schedules and interest. Read your EO, AO, and SEO articles to find out about all the exciting things this month. I’m sure something will catch your eye.

Get in involved and have some FUN!

Trisha Garber, Cdr

LCSPS Launches Website

Written by Dale Thibodeaux | 25 January 2011

The LCSPS is proud to announce the launching of our new website. The site uses a modern design and state-of-the-art technology to manage and deliver our organization’s information to the public. All of the information that was on the old site is on the new site, plus many other updated features that will help us share information with our members and the public.

Take a few moments to look back through our photo galleries or look through our archives of newsletters. We have years of information stored on the site, so please take a look at what we have done recently as well as our past accomplishments and activities! After looking through the site and all of the photos from so many events, I know that we do follow our motto that boating is fun and I know we can show you how!

Coast Pilot

Written by Trisha Garber | 21 January 2011

So what is the Coast Pilot? Where do I find it and how do I use it?

The United States Coast Pilot® consists of a series of nautical books that cover a variety of information important to navigators of coastal and intracoastal waters and the Great Lakes. Issued in nine volumes, they contain supplemental information that is difficult to portray on a nautical chart.
Topics in the Coast Pilot include channel descriptions, anchorages, bridge and cable clearances, currents, tide and water levels, prominent features, pilotage, towage, weather, ice conditions, wharf descriptions, dangers, routes, traffic separation schemes, small-craft facilities, and Federal regulations applicable to navigation.

Refueling Precautions

Written by Dale Thibodeaux | 20 January 2011

• Locate the fire extinguishers – rehearse emergency exit regularly.
• Close hatches and portholes BEFORE fueling.
• Turn OFF electrical equipment – anything that can cause a spark.
• Have all passengers leave the vessel and wait on the dock during refueling.
• Keep the fuel nozzle in contact with the tank opening to prevent static buildup/sparks
• Sniff the boat for fumes – especially the bilge – open hatches and air out the vessel.
• Run the Blower for at least four (4) minutes BEFORE starting engine(s).
• Bring crew and passengers aboard only after safely starting the engine(s).