COMMODORE`S CORNER - Osprey Yacht Club

Sea Breeze
OSPREY YACHT CLUB, INC.
421 Albemarle Blvd
Hertford, NC 27944
www.ospreyyc.com
June 2014
Commodore Ed Muzzulin
Vice Commodore, Buzz Savage/ Secretary, Steve Hard/ Treasurer, Tom Stapleton/ Fleet Captain, Nancy Whelan
FROM THE COMMODORE
Ed Muzzulin
As we approach the halfway point in the year, the
weather is getting better and the boating
opportunities are too. Halfway point also means that
we are now in hurricane season. We need to get our
vessel safety inspections completed so that when you
get stopped by our friend from Wildlife we have
everything needed. Note that Albemarle Sail &
Power Squadron is again offering no cost, no risk
vessel safety inspections. The inspection entails
complying with a short list of requirements, which
are clearly set forth at www.aspsonline.org [click on
the safety banner on the left side of the page]. To
schedule your inspection, contact one of these
certified Safety Examiners:




Allen Miles, [email protected] or 426-3268
Dick Mohler, [email protected] or 426-7518
John Ernst, [email protected] or 426-3825
Bob Wilhide, [email protected] or 426-7544
Now on to what is happening in the OYC. Since the
Blessing of the Fleet, we have started the Learn to
Sail programs, and the Sail Boat Races are ongoing
weekly on Tuesday afternoons.
We are preparing for the OYC 19th Annual Osprey
Challenge Regatta coming up on June 20th and June
21st. Looking forward to seeing you at the Regatta
Reception on Friday night for the admission price of
appetizers and/or desserts (just like Docktails).
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Don’t miss the report beginning on p. 5 about
the northbound cruise of Amy & Bill Denison
and Barbara & Buzz Savage to Lake Huron.
Photo by Bill Denison in NYC harbor.
BREEZE
Mark your calendars for these OYC events:
June 20 & 21 (see pp. 1-2 & 3-4)
ASSA Osprey Challenge Regatta
July 14
(see p. 2)
Docktails II with NEW Kayak Relay Race
July 15 @ 1600 (see p. 2)
OYC Midyear Meeting at Clubhouse
July 23 @ 1300 (see p. 5)
Lynn & Kirk Tuckers’ Amazon boating
experiences at OYCC
August 20
(see p. 5)
Kayaking Costa Rica & Belize led by
Bambi Vaughn at OYCC
Please note that volunteers are needed for the Reception. The Regatta Dinner is on Saturday night
(catered by Chef Lenard) for the admission price of $15. For dinner tickets, contact Beryl Facey at
426-1982 or [email protected].
The air conditioning system at the OYC has given us a few problems and hopefully these are now
solved. Also, there are some changes coming to the Dockmaster’s position -- with more information
coming from Kip in the near future.
To help with your planning, all the OYC Events are on the Plantation Events Calendar and on the
OYC Calendar, which is on the Yacht Club’s home page. Don’t forget to mark your calendars for the
OYC Midyear Meeting to be held on Tuesday, July 15th at 1600 hours in the Albemarle Room at the
Clubhouse. That’s the day after Docktails II, which will feature a new boating event. See Nancy
Sarno’s article that follows and watch for the emails about this exciting event.
See you on the docks.
SOCIAL COMMITTEE
Nancy Sarno, Social Events Director
The 2014 Social Committee has had two successful events – The Blessing of the Fleet with Docktails
and Twilight at the Docks – Open Mike Joke Night. Pictures from the Blessing of the Fleet are at the
end of this Sea Breeze. At Twilight, everyone in attendance had a great time and we thank all the
volunteers who made the events so successful. We especially thank Tony Edwards, our MC for the
Joke Night. He was the star of the night! We also thank Ron McCall for his gracious $25 wine gift for
first prize (which went to our most creative Frank Kelly!).
Our next event – Docktails
II – will be held on
Monday, July 14th. Our
Cardboard Boat Race has
turned into a wonderful
Kayak Relay Race!!!!
More details will come soon. Get your kayaks waxed for speed and get into the gym to get those
bulging muscles going! We will have lots of wonderful appetizers as well as great fun & camaraderie!
In August (Thursday, August 28th) our Caribbean Pool Party will be another Docktails. A lay-back
“Hey Mon” will be reflected in the music as well as the liquid beverages. We will have some live
music as well as our loveable music man – Tom Koelzer. We’ll have some unusual games & more
fun! You don’t want to miss this!
We hope all of our members can attend and get in on the fun!
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ON THE WATER ACTIVITIES
Beryl Facey, On the Water Director
The boating season is off to a
good start. The racing fleet has
been sailing on the Sound for
five weeks. For two of those
weeks, Mother Nature was very
cooperative by providing good
winds. So, the Committee boat
took advantage of the good
sailing conditions and added a
second race. We know that
Mother Nature can be very
fickle at times, but this spring
has been exceptional -- so far.
Photo by Terry Facey
The Adult Learn to Sail has come and gone, adding a few more beginning sailors to the Plantation’s
membership. Thank you to the instructors and owners of boats used during the classes.
The Adult Learn to Sail a Sunfish is currently taking place under the leadership of Courtney Young.
If you would like to join this course, and don’t have your own Sunfish, borrow one of the clubs by
contacting Beryl Facey.
The Youth Learn to Sail and Kayaking classes will soon be under way. If you have a grandchild,
niece, nephew who would like to participate contact Bob Cook, Chair, of the sailing program or
Sharon Jones, Chair, of the kayak program. (See following article from Sharon on the youth kayak
program.)
Three power boats cruised to Edenton for a night, then onto Columbia for a night. Those attending
had a good time. We still need volunteers to lead a few of the proposed events. Bill Denison, Chair of
Slow and Fast Boat Cruising, is on an extended cruise to Lake Huron. If you are willing to help in
planning some cruising events, please contact Beryl Facey. Beryl will then brief you about where
your assistance is needed. Please consider being a volunteer for some of the proposed events.
The paddlers group is gearing up to put their craft into the local and
distant waters. A list of the dates and venues can be found on the
AP website under Yacht Club – Paddlers.
Remember to check each Thursday, to see what is planned for Boating Saturdays. Details can be
found on the OYC website’s home page at:
http://www.appoa.us/sub_category_list.asp?category=31&title=Boating+Saturday.
And, last but not least, OYC will be hosting the ASSA Osprey Challenge Regatta beginning Friday,
June 20th with a Docktails/Regatta Reception, followed on Saturday, June 21st with the Regatta and an
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exciting dinner event to honor those who participated. Come out and support our own and the visiting
clubs’ racing fleets. Untie your boat from its slip, and go watch the races. But, please remember to
keep out of the way of the racing sailboats.
ASSA OSPREY CHALLENGE REGATTA
Regatta Reception
Friday, June 20 at Marina Park (1800)
Bring an appetizer or dessert and enjoy the fun
Volunteers needed. Contact Micki Levine
426-1684 [email protected]
Regatta Dinner – Tickets $15
Saturday, June 21 at Marina Park (1800)
For tickets, contact Beryl Facey - 426-1982
`
[email protected]
IT’S NOT TOO LATE TO GET TICKETS!
NEW THIS YEAR: Kayak Program for Children
Sharon Jones, Co-Chair, Youth Learn to Paddle
For the first time, the OYC is offering a Kayak Program for Children. The morning program (0930 –
1200) is offered two times: July 2 and again on July 29. To be eligible, children/grandchildren must
be at least age 6 and able to demonstrate swimming ability. This program will provide a safe
opportunity for children to practice paddling. The program also involves tipping a kayak in the pool
and then learning how to re-enter the kayak from the water. Safety rules and procedures will also be
reviewed in a classroom setting.
Detailed descriptions, requirements and application sheets can be found on the APPOA web site at
http://www.appoa.us/picture/1328youth_kayak_program-2014.pdf
Or link to the OYC page to Sail Training and then scroll down to "Kayak Application & Consent
Form" and "Youth Kayak Program." If you have additional questions, call Sharon or Gary Jones 252301-6780.
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS
Nancy Whelan, Fleet Captain
With Hurricane Season officially starting on June 1st, it is time to review the Evacuation Plan and
general readiness should a storm approach our area. The complete Evacuation Plan and alerts may be
found on the Albemarle Plantation web-site under Yacht Club. A summary of the information is listed
below.
 Albemarle Plantation Threat Domain is considered north
of Miami and west of Bermuda. At that point vessel
owners may be notified that an evacuation may be
forthcoming.
 Only the Albemarle Plantation Marina Dockmaster has
 the authority to order an evacuation and the subsequent
 return to the marina.
 It is a requirement of the marina leases that all boats must
vacate when ordered to do so by the Dockmaster.
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 Each boat owner must review and update the required information at the time of their yearly
renewal, detailing the actions they, or their designated alternate caretaker, will take in the event
of a hurricane.
 In accordance with the Slip Lease Agreement, if an owner is unable or unwilling to remove the
vessel, the Dockmaster will contract the removal of the vessel which will be at the owner’s
expense and risk.
 Boat owners should do the following so as to be prepared if an Evacuation Order (Code Red) is
issued:
 Check your boat engine, battery condition, anchoring equipment, trailer bearings, tire
pressure, ground gear etc.
 Remove all unnecessary articles from the boat and dock including spare rigging, electronics,
canvas, portable fuel containers, personal effects, and ship’s papers.
 Prepare ground tackle and secure all external equipment that will remain on the boat
 Top off fuel tanks
 Owners of paddle craft or other small boats should also take extra precaution in severe
weather. Small craft located on your property should be stowed during severe weather.
 The responsibility for the safety and security of each boat rests with the owner.
The Fleet Captain will continue to monitor weather conditions throughout the year. It is strongly
recommended that each boat owner check the National Weather Service reports
at http://forecast.weather.gov, specifically the Hurricane Alert Center, during hurricane season.
Have a safe and happy boating season.
TRAINING & EDUCATION
Mary Anne Cassidy, Education Director
There are three upcoming events scheduled at the OYC Center.
1. On Wednesday, July 23, at 1300, Kirk and Lynn Tucker will
address their boating experiences with the more exotic parts of
the Amazon.
2. On Wednesday, August 20, at 1300, there will be a
presentation led by Bambi Vaughn on kayaking Costa Rica and
Belize.
3. In early October, Bill Denison and Buzz Savage will regale us
with their three months on the water, navigating narrow
waterways and the NYC Harbor enroute to Lake Huron (and
back home). Date and time will be announced via emails and
on the OYC website.
See4.the following for the current report from our OYC intrepid travelers cruising to Lake Huron.
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NORTHWARD BOUND
Bill Denison & Buzz Savage
On May 15, the MAR-KAT and Bluegrass, Grand Banks trawlers, left the Albemarle Plantation Marina
on a three-month journey with a planned destination of the Georgian Bay on Lake Huron. This cruise
has been over six months of planning and dreaming of travels together. The boats had to be readied
and all servicing and maintenance performed after the winter layup. Charts had to be purchased and
studied for the intended route. Canal passes and customs decals needed to be purchased. As the
departure date neared, food and provisions needed to be loaded. It is easy to imagine how very busy
the captains and first mates were getting everything in order.
There were stops in Great Bridge, Hampton, Cape May, Manasquan, NYC, and several stops at
marinas and anchorages in the Hudson River. The weather was good for two ocean passages from
Cape Charles to NYC. In traveling to Cape May, the captains and crew chose to leave in the
afternoon and travel through the night so as to enter the inlet in
early morning. There is nothing better than being off-shore and
watching the moon rise at 2300. It also tested navigation skills and
the use of radar. Additional challenges came during the trip to
NYC, when fog was encountered for three hours and it was
necessary to slalom around many fishing boats.
ABOVE: Amy &Bill
Denison and Barbara
Savage happy to be at
the Cape May
Lighthouse in NJ
RIGHT: Bluegrass &
MAR-KAT docked in
Jersey City.
Both photos by Buzz Savage
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After departing New York City on May 26, the
MAR-KAT and Bluegrass headed up the Hudson
River for new adventures. Going up the Hudson
is very scenic, with the mountains extending to
the edge of the water.
The photo on the right was taken by Bill Denison
in the upper region of the Hudson River.
June 1st was the day the adventurers arrived in Albany to make final preparations before entering the
Erie Canal. Unfortunately, Buzz had to leave to fly to Idaho for a four-day business trip, leaving the
others to get ready for the Canal and the locks. The armada was increased in size by one new boat,
the 56-foot Selene Seanna owned by Bart and Beth Beckman, friends of the Denisons.
Part of the prep involved lowering the
masts so that the boats could get
under the bridges, many of which are
less than 20 feet.
Finally, on June 8th, all was
ready. After three weeks at
sea, the MAR-KAT and
Bluegrass with Selene
Seanna, entered the Erie
Canal. The first day the
armada got past the first
ten locks. However, it took
ten hours and everyone was
exhausted. On June 9th, the
boats got through five more
locks before Bluegrass
Photo by Buzz Savage
suffered a casualty to the
starboard shaft and had to limp into a small marina near Lock 16 for temporary repairs. Then,
Captain Buzz was able to get permanent repairs done in Brewerton Boatyard (on the west side of
Oneida Lake) on Thursday, June 12. Everything works fine now.
On June 13, the cruise continued up through seven more locks to Oswego, where the air temperature
was a brisk 54 degrees. On June 15, the plan is to cross Lake Ontario and enter Canadian
waters. Then, the MAR-KAT and Bluegrass will start up the Trent-Severn Waterway to Georgian Bay
sometime in the next week.
More adventures ahead!
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BLESSING OF THE FLEET AND DOCKTAILS
Julia Stapleton, Sea Breeze Editor
As always, this evening - held on April 9, 2014 - is one of OYC’s most moving events…. Since a
picture is worth a thousand words, following are some photos (by Julia) that say it all.
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NEW VIDEO ON YouTube
Albemarle Plantation Marina and Waterfront Activities
The newest AP video on YouTube is a fantastic feat made possible because of
the talent and skill of videographer, Paula FitzPatrick and producer, Janet
Benton. Their efforts resulted in a lovely look at the Marina and our waterfront
activities. The sailing race footage is AWESOME! Be proud, OYC!
If you haven’t seen the video yet, it is at:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S__UZ35ksGA
Or simply go to YouTube on the web and enter this into the search box:
Albemarle Plantation Marina.
Here is the online description:
The sparkling waters of the Albemarle Sound provide for a variety of water activities;
sailing, cruising, swimming, water-skiing, paddling by kayak or canoe, fishing and
crabbing.
Our full-service, deep-water marina is one of the largest private boat basins on the
Eastern Seaboard. Placed strategically at the mouth of Yeopim Creek, the marina is just
beyond the high insurance line, saving boaters significantly on their insurance rates. The
Marina at Albemarle Plantation offers an easy access to some key places along the coast:
the Intracoastal Waterway, the serene Outer Banks and even the Atlantic's Gulf Stream Ideal for a day of sport fishing. It's a boating and fishing enthusiast's paradise!
Aren’t we fortunate to be boaters in such a lovely locale! Aren’t we even more fortunate to have
people like Paula and Janet (and all those who assisted in the video’s creation) so that we can share our
on-the-water experiences with the world?!?
_______
Questions/comments on Sea Breeze?
Contact Julia Stapleton @ [email protected]
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