Charlotte
Harbor Yacht Club is located on the north shore of the Peace
River with a magnificent view overlooking the Harbor. We
certainly enjoyed that view this past weekend when CHYC hosted
the FCYC general meeting.
Friday
night we participated in Charlotte Harbor’s traditional Pub
Night which provided us with the opportunity to mix and meet
with CHYC’s friendly and welcoming members.
Saturday
morning the FCYC Executive Committee met to review issues and
prepare for the General Meeting to follow in the afternoon. At
noon the ladies met for a spectacular lunch and then left for an
afternoon of shopping at Fisherman’s Village and Guiditta’s.
The
Director’s meeting was called to order at 1300 hours by
Commodore Stanley. Thirty three of the thirty-six clubs were in
attendance. Absent
were the Captiva Island Yacht Club, Coral Ridge Yacht Club, and
Royal Palm Yacht and Country Club.
Past
Commodores present were Benson, Bogue, Broadway, Ferguson,
Hardy, Larson, and Riley.
Commodore
Stanley thanked everyone for attending and the Charlotte Harbor
Yacht Club for hosting the meeting. He reported on the small
ship river cruise in France in June and reminded us of the
February Commodore’s cruise through the Panama Canal. He is
considering sending a letter to the Governor offering FCYC
member assistance in the oil spill cleanup.
V/C
McDaniel reminded attendees that the source for FCYC Tri-folds
and Guides to the Clubs by Land and Water is Mr. Ed’s Print Shop
in Sarasota. The Cruise Logs can be downloaded directly from the
FCYC website.
Government
Affairs Chairman Perlet reported that the Federal EPA is still
working on questions relating to ethanol/gasoline blended fuel
and expects to issue final regulations by the end of the summer.
The Florida EPA has released its Lake Jessup cleanup plan
and announced that the US Supreme Court has upheld the Florida
Clean Beaches Act.
He also provided some web sites for boaters to check on the
current status of the Gulf oil spill.
Communications Chairman Link requested that directors advise
Fleet Captains and Alternate Directors that are not receiving
FCYC e-mail to send an e-mail to him so that he can correct
their e-mail address.
Jack
Burwell introduced Wayne Sallade’, Director of the Charlotte County Office of
Emergency Management. Sallade’ spoke to us about the oil spill,
how the cleanup is being managed, the potential impact of the
spill on the Gulf with emphasis on the Florida coast, and
complications that might ensue from a hurricane in the spill
area. He reminded us that we had seven land strikes in two years
including four storms in six weeks in 2004. Interestingly, from
1900 to 1950 there were far more hurricanes and more intense
hurricanes then in the next sixty years including the 2004/05
events.
Steve and
Chris Briggs gave an exciting presentation about the February
Tropical Passage Cruise from Miami to Costa Rica aboard the
Crystal Symphony. The ship has recently undergone a $50 million
refurbishment. There is a $1000.00 per couple shipboard credit
and free economy class air or $700.00 per person credit. There
will be a number of special parties on board for FCYC
participants.
Jake Dye
spoke about the Punta Gorda Boaters Alliance. The Alliance
represents 28 organizations in the
Charlotte Harbor area with the mission of advancing and
protecting the interests of the boating community in Punta
Gorda. Jake explained the advantages of having an
organized umbrella group devoted to the area’s boating
interests. He highlighted several of the group’s
successful programs, including those acknowledged by
Interlux Paints and BoatUS.
The Keep A Clear Head program educates local boaters on the
importance of not discharging waste
holding tanks into the local marine environment, and it
provides an incentive to boaters to use proper pump-out
facilities. This program was selected by
Interlux Paints as an
international winner of programs promoting the health of local
marine environments. The Punta Gorda Boaters Alliance
volunteered to help other communities implement the program.
Jack
Burwell reported that the website to get the NOAA Extreme
Weather information sheet was sent to all directors by John
Link. They are available in packages of 200 and should be
ordered by county location. Burwell agreed to make every attempt
to get 50 copies of the “Open for Business” tool kit that is a
disaster protection and recovery planning book for small to
mid-sized business as well as “Homeowners’ financial tool kit”
to have available at the September 18 general meeting. He was in
hopes that they would be available for distribution during the
meeting; however, a shipping error prevented this.
Fleet
Captain East Thomas Smith reported that he and Fleet Captain
West, Tony Cole, are trying to develop FCYC cruises on each
coast and are looking for clubs with activities in addition to a
pool as host clubs. There is also exploration of renting house
boats on the St. Johns River. More information will follow.
A number of
summer club closings were announced. Clubs should always be
called before visiting. Dates are:
St. Pete 26
July to 9 August but docks remain open
St Pete at
Pass-a-Grille 11 to 24 August but docks remain open
Venice 12
to 28 September. Docks are closed.
Key
Biscayne 9-23 August but docks remain open
Royal Palm
Open all summer
Naples
Closed in August but docks remain open
Naples
Sailing Closed in September but docks remain open
Eau Gallie
closed 3 to 16 August. Docks available but not attended.
Bradenton
open all summer
Charlotte
Harbor First 3 weeks
of August. Fuel by appointment only.
Vero Beach
closed last two weeks of July. Docks are closed.
The
Moorings and Vero Beach Clubs have worked together to establish
a youth sailing foundation. It involves children building eight
foot sailing dinghies from kits and racing them. Much interest
was expressed and the subject will be added to the agenda for
the Halifax River meeting scheduled for September 18.
It was also
requested that part of the next General meeting be devoted to an
open discussion of membership issues and various methods
employed to improve membership. This will be placed on the
agenda for September 18.
A third
suggestion for the September 18 meeting was to discuss the
possibility of FCYC getting a pooled rate for boating insurance
for member boats.
Davis
Island is adding slips and has three tall ships visiting.
St Pete is
planning a St Pete to Lauderdale race. Interested racers should
contact Ron Broadway for details.
Venice has
received permission to add 22 new docks.
It was
announced that plaques for clubs with the most members
attending, longest distance cruised, and most boats at FCYC
meetings have been reinstated. It was requested that the award
of Yachtsman of the Year Burgees be reinstated also.
Following the
General meeting all were invited to observe the Charlotte Harbor
Sundowners Ceremony and all past commodores present were invited
to participate as the flag was lowered. It was a moving and
patriotic ceremony enjoyed by all.
Saturday night there
was a tie for the Club with the most members attending between
Eau Gallie and Smyrna Yacht Clubs. Each had eight. The award was
given to Smyrna as they had travelled the furthest. Isles Yacht
Club took home the honors for most boats and St. Petersburg won for the furthest
distance traveled by boat.
After a
fantastic dinner of scallop encrusted halibut and sliced roast
beef tenderloin we danced to the music of Billy Dean and Dawn
until late into the night.
The weekend
ended on Sunday with a great buffet breakfast enjoyed by many of
us before heading home.
Thanks to
Commodore John Aloisi, Director Jack Burwell, Club Manager Tom
Foley and all the other
members and staff of the Charlotte Harbor Yacht Club for an
enjoyable and productive weekend.
The next
General Meeting will be held at the Halifax River Yacht Club on
September 18, 2010.