Thanks to all for helping make 2018 a successful year. We had a full social calendar, educated some boaters and, I think, fun was had by all. That is all

OFFICIAL PUBLICATION OF NEW ORLEANS POWER SQUADRON

vOLUmE LXXX NUmBER 1JANUARy 2019

Hope Everyone Enjoyed the Holidays by Cdr William "Mike" Turner, AP

United States Power Squadrons®

We are America's Boating Club®

What's InsideDecember Mtg - 2

COW Info - 3-4

Fish Fry - 5

Moonbeams Pics - 6

Distress Signals - 7-8

Education - 8

Flotsam & Jetsam - 9

Destin Pics - 10

Activities - 11

Greetings all! Twas the season and I hope everyone enjoyed it.

I want to thank everyone involved in the Fall Conference which was held here in New Orleans on 19-21 October. Our dinners Friday and Saturday were very enjoyable, got to meet new shipmates and renew ties with others. The Conference was a big success and a number of folks played critical roles in pulling this off. Thanks to all.

Our Annual Meeting was Thursday, 13 December. This was an important meeting where we voted on the Officers, Executive Committee and other Committee chairs as required by our By-Laws. In addition to the business portion, there was a nice Christmas party. I hope many of you were able to attend, participate and vote on those important positions. (See pages 3-4 for COW info and our newly elected officers.)

Bonnie and I were unable to attend due to our cruise. We left out of Los Angeles, down the west coast of Central America, through the Panama Canal, then back to New Orleans. We have some interesting sea stories, hopefully some worthy of publication in Topside Talk. We will see you in January.

Please put on your 2019 calendar a couple of upcoming events: Change of Watch on Saturday, 12 January and the Boat Show will be 8-10 February. Our first General Membership of 2019 will be Thursday, 17 January 2019.

From the conference, D/C Joey Wheeler and P/D/C Bud O'Brien on the Educational Fund

Afternoon training

TOPSIDE TALK 2

Official publicatiOn Of thenew Orleans pOwer squadron

dISTrICT 15located at

7601 breakwater Drivenew Orleans, la 70124

published nine times a Year

The USPS Ensign (Flag Design), "Wheel-and-Flag Design", "United States Power Squadrons", "USPS", "The Ensign", are registered trademarks of United States Power Squadrons.

America’s Boating Club® is a trademark of the United States Power Squadrons®

®

TOPSIDE TALKJanuary 2019 (nbr 2019-1)

MaSTHEad

Commander william "Mike" turner, ap turnermb@cox.netExecutive Officer robert "eddie" brazeal, ap eddiebrazeal@att.netEducational Officer tracy l. hamlin, n hamlinhs@bellsouth.net Administrative Officer charles chapman, sn-cn sonights@bellsouth.netSecretary Kathryn l. house, ap house4@gmail.comTreasurer charles heintz, p charleyheintz@juno.comAssistant Educational Officer Chester Cooke, SN-CN cgcooke3@yahoo.comAssistant Secretary peter h. lang iii plangiii@bellsouth.netEXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Gregory J. Deis, sn-cn deisfamily@cox.net Daniel c. ross, s dross14@cox.net peter ingrassia, Jr petejaning@aol.com

tOpsiDe talK staffEditor cheryl D. Jarrell, ap 130 sherwood forest Dr nOla 70119 504-430-9743 cdjarrell@cox.net

Photographers Cheryl, Charlie C, Chester http://www.nops.org

December Meeting,Social,

Election of Officers

Cheryl won the basket donated by the Lawlers

Exec Officer Eddie, filling in for Cdr mike, ran the election

Lots of food!

LANOPS had an election, but mostly they had fun! Thanks for providing all

of the food.

Charley won the 50/50

TOPSIDE TALK 3

Attendance by Reservation OnlyNo Later Than 4 January 2019

Call Reservation and Mail Check to:

You Are Invited to Attend the AnnualNew Orleans Power Squadron

Change of WatchSaturday, 12 January 2019

Hilton New Orleans Airport901 Airline DriveKenner, LA 70062

$45.00 per person1900-2300 Cash Bar1950-2100 Dinner

2100-2200 Installation of Officers2200-2300 Dancing

Music by Johnny J and Times Past

Dress: Business SuitUSPS Blazer or

Uniform A

Peter H Lang504-467-5387

4248 Bordeaux DrKenner, LA 70065

RSVP Advise Dinner ChoiceBronzed Catch of the Day with Meuniere Sauce

Roast Pork with Garlic Cream SauceGrilled Chicken La Salle

Chester Cooke504-455-2227

1808 EisenhowerMetairie, LA 70003

or

Rooms are available for our Change of Watch at the New Orleans Airport Hilton at a special rate of $119.00 plus tax.

A personalized group web page is live and ready for guests to begin making reservations. The HiltonLink is:

https://www.hilton.com/en/hi/groups/personalized/M/MSYAHHH-NPS-20190112/index.jhtml?WT.mc_id=POG

TOPSIDE TALK 4

Commander William Michael Turner, AP Executive Officer Don R. Ellis SN-CNEducational Officer Tracy L. Hamlin, NAdministrative Officer Mont S. Echols IIISecretary Peter S. GambelTreasurer Charles H. Heintz Jr., PAsst. Secretary OPENAsst. SEO Chester G. Cooke III, SN-CNAsst. Administrative Officer Charles B. Chapman, Jr. SN-CN

EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE 1. Peter Ingrassia Jr. 2. Gregory J. Deis, SN-CN 3. Daniel C. Ross, S

AUDITING COMMITTEE Chair Daniel C. Ross, S Clint Mouser, S

RULES COMMITTEE Chair 1 year Don R. Ellis SN-CN 2 years Bruce Meyers, P 3 years Cheryl Jarrell, AP

STANDING COMMITTEESPersonnel Charles B. Chapman, Jr. SN-CN GENERAL COMMITTEESPlanningChair 1) Peter Ingrassia 2) Clint Mouser, S 3) Hubert Ward, SN 4) Roger Cull 5) Mont Echols III

Committee on Nominations 1 year Chris E. Lawler, AP 2 years Don R. Ellis, SN-CN 3 years Peter H. Lang, Jr., SN

LANOPS Officers President Carolyn “Sissy” ChapmanVice President Marlene CookeSecretary Lila BeyerTreasurer Debbie Brazeal

2019 NOPS Officers

TOPSIDE TALK 5

The Heintz family made a haul at the Fish Fry - they won most of the Rodeo Awards, Scott won the bottle of Jack Daniels, and Kylee won first place in the cash prizes. Lots of food, fun and especially a lot of wind while sitting outside at the trailer!

Thanks to everyone who came out to join the fun, particularly the ones that helped set up and clean up.

Winners of the cash prizes1st Kylee Ronquille2nd Nicole Cosse

3rd JC Reed

2018 NOPS Fishing Rodeo Winners

Redfish1st Gary Hebert Sr 18lbs 1oz2nd Scott Henning 17lbs 6oz3rd Perry Ronquille 3lbs 2ozSpeckled Trout1st Scott Henning 2lb 0oz2nd Christian Ross 1lb 14oz3rd Eddie Brazeal 1lb 9ozBass1st Gary Hebert Sr 7lbs 6ozSheepshead1st David Heintz 5lbs 12ozCatfish1st Madison Henning 5lbs 8oz2nd Scott or Perry? 3lbs 7oz3rd David Heintz 2lbs 8oz

Smallest Fish - Gary Hebert Sr - Catfish - 1lb 3ozFisherman of the Year - Gary Hebert Sr

Fish Fry and Rodeo Awards

Waiting to win a door prize!

Jack Daniels donated by Joan Tutt, won by Scott

Thanks Clint and Dan.

The Rodeo Winners!

TOPSIDE TALK 6

After moonbeams, with PicturesLANOPS Moonbeams at Moonraker lake was

held on 10/26 to 28. The weather could not have been more perfect with the exception of the wind for sailors.

On Friday evening, 18 of us met at Nathans Restaurant and enjoyed a great meal with some adult beverages. Saturday morning with the help of some early attendees, we set up for the luncheon activities. Lunch was served at 1:30 and we had 22 attendees. Afterwards, adult beverages were consumed with great desserts. As the sun began to set, we lit the fire pit and sat around the fire. The winning ticket for the VooDoo basket with the Ruth’s Steak House gift certificate was drawn and Chester Cooke was the winner. While our numbers were down from last year, I can say that no one had a bad time. Sunday morning we had 5 diehards left and we went to breakfast at the Big Easy restaurant. Thanks to all of the Ladies of LANOPS who brought goodies for us to nibble on and a great meal. Thanks also to Chester Cooke and Pete Lang for their help in setting up and cleaning up after the event.

P/C Charles Chapman, SN

Dinner at Nathan's

Lots of eating going on!

Socializing on the dock

And the winner is - Chester Cooke with LANOPS President

Sissy

TOPSIDE TALK 7

Federal law requires that boats be equipped with serviceable and readily accessible U.S. Coast Guard-approved visual distress signals on coastal waters, the Great Lakes, and connected waters 2 miles wide or greater.

The following vessels are not required to carry day signals but must carry night signals when operating from sunset to sunrise:

• recreational boats less than 16 feet in length, not equipped with motors

• open sailboats less than 26 feet in length, not equipped with motors

• manually propelled boatsTypes of visual distress signalsThere are two kinds of distress signals: pyrotechnic

and non-pyrotechnic.Pyrotechnic signals resemble fireworks and include• red flares, handheld or aerial meteor and

parachute flares• orange smoke, handheld or floatingFlares are marked with an expiration date, typically

three years after manufacture, beyond which they will not meet USCG requirements.

Non-pyrotechnic signals must be in serviceable condition, readily accessible, and certified by the manufacturer as complying with USCG requirements. They include

• orange distress flags, a black square and ball displayed against an orange background at least 3 square feet (day signal only)

• mirror ( effective in sunlight and requires no power; day signal only)

• dye markers mostly for offshore use (day signal only)

• electric distress lights (for night use only), which must automatically flash the S.O.S. international distress signal (light must meet USCG requirements).

Under Inland Navigation Rules, a high-intensity white light that flashes at regular intervals from 50 to 70 times per minute is considered a distress signal but doesn’t count toward meeting the visual distress signal requirement.

The international distress signal of slowly and repeatedly raising outstretched arms to each side is a simple attention-getter.

Visual distress signal requirementsThe following are examples of the varieties and

combinations of devices that meet the minimum requirements:

• three handheld red flares (day and night)

• one handheld red flare and two parachute flares (day and night)

• one handheld orange smoke signal, two floating orange smoke signals (day) and one electric distress signal (night only).

Use of visual distress signalsThe use of visual distress signals is prohibited

except for in emergency situations. USCG dispatches a vessel or aircraft each time a distress signal is reported.

Do not fire flares until you’re sure there’s a chance of being seen.

Hand-held flaresKeep flares in an easily accessible location.Use pyrotechnic signals safely to prevent personal

injury or property damage. Flares produce a hot flame, and the residue can cause burns and ignite flammable material.

Ignite the flare using the built-in striker top. Just as with a wooden match, strike the top against the flare’s surface to ignite.

Be aware that handheld flares burn for several minutes but are low in altitude, giving them a limited range, typically a few miles.

Aerial pyrotechnicsAerial flares often rise to heights of 500 to 1,000 feet

and can be seen from great distances. However, meteor flares have a short, less than 30-second, illumination, so viewers need to be looking in the right direction to see them. Parachute flares take longer to return to earth, giving them longer illumination periods.

Pistol-launched and handheld parachute flares and meteors are similar to firearms and must be handled with caution.

To use a pistol-launched flare, open the launcher breech, load the flare, and point the muzzle away from people and your boat.

Consider wind direction when using a rocket-propelled distress signal. Aim downwind but reasonably high for maximum elevation.

Avoid starting a fire; never point a pyrotechnic device straight up or in any direction where it could land in your boat, another boat or on land.

Store pyrotechnic signals in a cool, dry location in a red or orange watertight container clearly marked “Distress Signals.”

Distress SignalsWhat signaling devices do you need on your boat?

Distress Signals cont'd on page 8

TOPSIDE TALK 8

Orange distress flagFlags should be used only in daytime.Fly the flags by hoisting to the highest possible

point. The black square should be over the black dot.Place the flag flat on the deck to attract aircraft.Daytime alternativeWave your arms up and down at the sides of your

body.Use a signal mirror; it takes practice. Sweep the

mirror back and forth to get coverage and cause a flash at the viewer.

Follow restrictionsRegulations prohibit display of visual distress

signals on the water under any circumstances except when assistance is required to prevent immediate or potential danger to persons onboard a boat.

Electric distress signalsAlthough pyrotechnic flares are still approved by

the USCG, they are considered hazardous material. A safer solution is the Coast Guard-approved Sirius Signal Electronic Flare Beacon, which flashes an SOS signal and comes with a daytime distress signal flag.

From Compass, Vol 12 No.11

Distress Signals cont'd

Chris Cottrell of Lake Pontchartrain S&PS made a safety presentation at the recent D/15 conference. One of the items he

demonstrated was an electronic flare beacon.

Educational Department News

seO tracy hamlin, naseO chester cooke, sn-cn

NOPS schedule of upcoming courses will be available shortly. It will be posted at the trailer and on our webpage

If you have any questions, or an interest in taking or teaching classes, please contact me, Tracy Hamlin, SEO, at hamlinhs@bellsouth.net or 504-430-7689.

ASEO Chester Cooke, SN-CN, can be reached at cgcooke3@yahoo.com

Become a Better Boater With Online SeminarsWith just a few bucks and two hours of your time,

you can boost your boating acumen while keeping yourself and your guests safe on the water. Take one of our 9 boating online seminars today!

–Using GPS on your boat–Your marine VHF radio–Marine traffic near you–Weather for boaters–Planning your cruise–Boating on rivers, locks & lakes–Boat propane systems–Prepping your boat and dock for a hurricane–Getting home when the captain is disabled Take one, or take 'em all — Volume discounts

available.

https://americasboatingclub.org/education-matters/online-boating-education/

I can't tell if I attract crazy or if I make them crazy.

- Seen on Facebook

TOPSIDE TALK 9Flotsam and Jetsam

Come join your fellow members from across the country at the Annual Meeting in Orlando Florida from 18 - 24 February 2019.

There will be interesting and fun events offered including the Al Capone Mystery Dinner Theatre, Titanic Artifact Exhibit, a Blue Man Group show,. Thursday and Friday will have open committee meetings and seminars. Saturday will be the Annual Meeting.

Rooms are still available at the conference hotel: Rosen Centre, 9840 International Drive, Orlando.

There is information listed on the National Website home page (usps.org) under the National Meetings link with hotel and event registration as well as the agenda.

Boat Show 8-9-10 February from Don Ellis - We only have a few weeks to prepare for our annual presence in the Dome amidst all the boat stuff.

This is a fun show -- Our big draw to fill our ABC3 boating course class for March. You need to think about which shift (times) you and your fellow NOPS friends wish to attend. The sign-up sheet will be passed around at the January Membership Meeting, or send an email to donellis-bay@cox.net As usual it is a 3-day event, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday: 2-shifts on Friday, 4 on Saturday, and 2 on Sunday.

An ABC Boating Class for 32 students of Law Enforcement Dive Teams and Search and Rescue was organized by Jeff Winn and New Orleans Power Squadron instructors Charley Heintz, Chester Cooke and Don Ellis. Thanks to Sheriff Greg Champagne for the use of their beautiful facility. Nine students scored 100; average grade was 96. Good Job! Another class will be organized in early 2019.

Three ABC courses with a total of 59 students were taught in 2018.

Bottom left, Charley instructing the recent ABC class; below, several of the students

after the testing.

New member Peter Gambel was pledged by Cdr Mike Turner during the November General Membership Meeting.

The District 15 Spring Conference will be hosted by Lake Pontchartrain Sail and Power Squadron on 29-30-31 March 2019 at the Holiday Inn in Covington, LA.

Additional information on activities and reservations will be available shortly.

For those members who knew him, Andrew Kleamenakis passed away in late October. He loved fishing and boating, but I think he loved working at the Greek Festival even more; he was a very active member of Holy Trinity Greek Orthodox Cathedral in New Orleans. Our sympathies to his family.

TOPSIDE TALK 10

Pictures from Destin Christmas Weekend

Friday night socializing

Breakfast at Harbor Dock

Saturday night dinner then

Christmas gifts from Santa's elf,

Brenda

TOPSIDE TALK 11

MEMBERSHIP MEETING17 Jan - 21 Feb - 21 Mar

1800 Social, 1900 MeetingNew Orleans Yacht Club

January10 exec board Meeting, 1800 at the trailer12 change of watch17 General Membership Meeting

FOUNDERS' DAy

THURSDAY, 21 FEBRUARYGENERAL MEMBERSHIP MEETING

All Members are Urged to Attend - Guests are Invited

Past Commanders May Wish To Wear Uniform A

Finger Foods and Cakewill be provided by LANOPS

Come out and enjoy thefood and fun with your fellow members of

NOPS and LANOPS

meet at the fairgrounds by 11:30.

Lunch buffet at noon. Races begin at 1:25 Pm.

A cash bar is available during

the entire outing.The price includes admission, lunch

and racing program.

make your reservation by Jan 30 withmarlene Cooke

and include your check,payable to LANOPS

with that reservation.

LANOPS Day at the RacesFebruary 10, 2019at the Fair Grounds

$38.00 per person

February8-10 boat show10 lanOps Day at the races14 exec board Meeting, 1800 at the trailer18-24 usps annual Meeting, Orlando21 General Membership Meeting

March5 Mardi Gras10 Daylight savings time begins14 exec board Meeting, 1800 at the trailer21 General Membership Meeting

Oh no, NOPS members won all of the big prizes at the D/15 Conference! Bonnie Turner won SO/50; Sissy Chapman a basket; Debbie Brazeal another basket! Luckily the wine prizes went to Perdido Bay and Lake Pontchartrain members.

Great conference! Thanks Dan Ross!

Below, Cdr mike, DSec mady, LANOPS President Sissy - picking winning tickets!