Notice to OPO Mariners, April 15th, 2006
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Hank Schmitt, P.O. Box 2032, Halesite, NY 11743
631-423-4988, 1-800-4PASSAGe, Fax 631-423-9009
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Editorial
As you can tell by the many e-mails going out lately the season is upon us. April and May will continue to be busy and things will taper off pretty quickly in June and get quite for the summer as far as offshore opportunities during hurricane season. Our plan is to fill in this time with the Windcheck Roundabout opportunities (Long Island Sound 10 day trip in early August) and other local opportunities with members that have boats.
The monthly Notice' to OPO Mariners that are supposed to go out on the 1st of every month are out of whack because of our racing schedule. One went out St. Patrick's Day last month and now this one Mid-April. We do not hold up many notices for the monthly notice since this time of year people want crew now and do not give us a lot of lead-time. Therefore the spring and fall "Notices to OPO Mariners" are more about the paid Swan opportunities and passage opportunities well in the future since we control and know about those opportunities. Many people need the lead time and want to be on boats offshore that they know are captained and controlled by us.
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WindCheck Roundabout
Besides "Avocation", I have only one confirmed boat for the Windcheck Round-about this summer (That's' you David B), although I have had several OPO boat owners express interest. The magazine would like to add boats to their list for their next ad to help get more to sign up. Even if you are not 100% sure that you will be joining us (That's you Joe G) or if you will be joining us for only part of the regatta like two members have stated since they keep there boat out east and do not plan to travel all the way to City Island (Tom D. and David E),, please e-mail me your name, boat name and boat type and size and we will get you on the preliminary list. No money will be due until June at the earliest. Thanks.
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Swan Update
If you are interested in any of the following Swan Passage Opportunities make sure you call soon while I am in the office this week before being offshore from April 17th to the 24th and back in the office for only a couple of days after that before I fly to St. Martin April 27th for Antigua Sailing week. Cathy will once again be taking care of the office for the trips in June and July.
Antigua Sailing Week - Saturday April 29th to Saturday May 6th - We had one cancellation so we do have room for one more OPO members that would like to join us for this last Caribbean Regatta of the year. We are all set up with support boat and a fast boat with new sails.
Learn to Dive/Snorkel trip - May 6th to May 13th - OPO Swan skipper and Dive master Tim Tullock will be leading this one-week dive/pleasure trip this week starting in Antigua and ending in St. Martin. This is a bargain basement opportunity since Tim is volunteering his time for the week and we only have to pay for the boat and equipment rentals. This is a beginner's level course with room for the more experienced as well. A great opportunity to spend a week on a Catamaran
Annual Swan trip St. Martin-Bermuda-Newport - Arrive in St. Martin May 13th for departure May 14th. This two week, 1500-mile offshore trip will turn you into an offshore sailor. I will be aboard our own Swan 48 Avocation and Gareth Hughes will be skippering a Swan 46. If you want to try offshore sailing on a big Catamaran Captain AJ Smith (who has taught both the Colgate Offshore and J-World Offshore courses) will be the skipper. The Catamaran costs less than the Swan.
Trans-At - As mentioned last week we also have a Swan 60 departing the same date, May 14th, for the Azores, Gibraltar and then onto Mallorca in the Balearic Islands off the Southeast Coast of Swan taking about 1 month.
Bermuda back to New England after the Bermuda Race - By the 3rd week in June there will not be many opportunities left since most boats will already be moved north by then and hurricane season will be starting soon. We have ten OPO members already signed up for the return passage with your choice of a the Swan 48 Avocation (actually almost full), the chance to sail a million dollar Swan 45 (the racing model) skippered by Charlie Doane, or sailing back with AJ Smith aboard a Swan 46. Crew will fly into Bermuda Friday June 23rd (The 45 may leave a day or two earlier and the Swan 46 a day later), for departure June 24th. The trip will take about 5 days.
New York to Halifax and back - Only two berths left for this two week trip up to Canada and back aboard Avocation with skipper AJ Smith. Departing July 8th from New York and crew change after one week in Halifax before the one week passage back to New York by July 23rd. The trip will cover a lot of miles but also offer a couple of stops not normally visited on deliveries.
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CO2 Cartridges aboard airplanes
We have also added this to our web site so you can print out a copy before you plan to board a plane with your Inflatable Life vest so that you can present it to your carrier prior to boarding.
CONSTERNATION ENDED
It became apparent that the Transportation Security Administration (TSA)
was causing consternation for boating travelers, either confiscating the
C02 cylinders for Inflatable PFD's at the security checkpoints, or
confiscating them when bags were checked-through. This left the boater
with an Inflatable PFD with only the manual option usable (blow it up by
breath), voiding any automatic inflation at their travel destination.
Many have found that replacement CO2 cylinders are not available.
A request to the TSA found that the TSA had a policy in place that
effectively banned the carriage of CO2 cylinders through security
checkpoints or baggage screening. The TSA was advised that their policy
was not in concert with the other branches of the Homeland Security
Department, particularly the United States Coast Guard (USCG) and
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), and that boater's safety was at
issue. It was pointed out that the FAA has already done their due
diligence on the subject and it would be helpful if the TSA adopted the
FAA wording. Within one week the TSA agreed, and put the change both on
their website, and notified all TSA Security Officers who have informed
the TSA Screeners.
Additionally, the TSA advised that if a TSA Screener tells a boater
carrying their Inflatable PFD that the CO2 cylinder can not pass the
checkpoint, that the boater is to ask for a TSA Supervisor who will
verify that the CO2 cylinders can pass through. Boaters are reminded
that each airline determines if the CO2 cylinders are acceptable on
their aircraft, or not, and boaters must make sure that the airline, and
connecting airlines, allow them on board their flights.
Here's the precise TSA wording and links to two places where it can be
found on their website:
"Note: There is a compressed gas cylinder exception for both carry-on
and checked baggage that allows 2 compressed gas cylinders fitted into a
self-inflating life-jacket and 2 spare cartridges with the approval of
the aircraft operator."
www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1188.xml
www.tsa.gov/public/interapp/editorial/editorial_1190.xml
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ETAP-Fractional Opportunities - ownership with OPO discount
OPO member Ludwig Hoogstoel is the Etap importer and one of our sources for offshore opportunities. He sent us an e-mail and asked us to pass on information about his fractional ownership and alternative to buying a boat. Although a little out of our realm of information, we both feel it may be of interest to OPO members and since he is a good active member and promotes our services we told him we would be happy to pass on his information along with an OPO discount.
I wanted to let you know that we are going to offer the unsinkable Etap 37s in a fractional sailing program out of Stamford, CT. What sets us apart from "the rest" is that we offer a true ocean going boat in a financially interesting program. Over time, we would like to have multiple boats on LIS for the summer and then offer them for charter out of our charter base in Punta Gorda, FL.
For immediate use, we would like to offer a discount of $ 150 off our price for OPO members who sign up for the program in Stamford, CT. So, if you feel it fit, please email your database saying that:
Etap is now offering the unsinkable Etap 37s in a fractional sailing program out of Stamford, CT. OPO members who identify them as such can get a $ 150 discount off the introductory price (4950 $ plus tax). More information on www.etapcharterlease.com .
Thanks,
Ludwig and Anita Hoogstoel
(908) 918 1885
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Paid Position
OPO member John Baum also e-mailed with another request this time looking for someone with some time and computer skills to help on their new national project. John e-mails us the following
I had great feedback with OPO members and the instructor clinic, so I thought I would try one more time.
We are looking to add help with David Puchkoff's project; perhaps there might be an OPO member who could fill the bill.
Candidates need a fairly advanced set of skills; must be both an experienced mariner and very tech savvy.
Anyone with questions about terminology used in the notice will probably not cut it.
Thanks for the help & take care,
JGB
Subject: Help Wanted for Narrative & Graphic Data Entry in Marine Software Application.
Company: NYC Software Start-up Company, located in Soho (downtown Manhattan.)
Qualifications: Must have superior vessel navigation skills; enrollment in a marine deck curriculum or current deck license a plus.
Must have direct experience with small vessel operations/yachting.
Must have experience with marine navigation software/systems, like ECDIS, Maptech or Nobeltech; GIS experience a plus.
Basic familiarity with graphic creation applications, such as Photoshop, Illustrator or OpenOffice Draw is necessary.
Must be a quick learner, well organized & self-motivated, with a focused interest in research.
Hours: Flexible - part-time or full-time (a possibility of working remotely after initial break-in period).
Compensation: Based on qualifications, with possible productivity bonuses.
Apply: Please send a resume and cover letter, via email or postal mail, to the contacts below.
Include 3 references and a writing sample; if sent electronically, send as plain text or convert to .PDF.
Applicants of interest will be contacted shortly.
John Baum, Project Manager
The Coastal Harbor Guide
131 Spring St., New York, NY 10012 USA
Tel. 212-941-1441 Fax 212-941-0596
info@coastalharborguide.com
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