Shell Point Life Boating Story

May 2015 Vol. 10 Issue 5

SAILING UP, UP & AWAY

RACING ACROSS THE WATER

ON THE WATERFRONT THE JOY OF NAUTICAL PURSUITS

Ron Terciak is known as the safety guy and has a trusted reputation with the Shell Point boaters as someone who can help ensure your boating experience is as safe as possible.

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Shell Point Life | May 2015

Navigating Waters the

Surrounding Shell Point

T

o some, a boat is just a hole in the water that you throw money into; they say their happiest days were when they bought it and when they sold it…or sunk it!

True boaters call these people “landlubbers” who never found their sea legs, felt the power of the tides, or navigated to the call of a sailing wind. Imagine relaxing in the warm sun, being lulled into serenity by the motion of the waves; charting a course through waterways that display a panorama of nature’s beauty not seen from land or air; savoring the briny scents and salty drops that spray up with each dip into the sea.

Whether sailing or motoring to lounge, fish, snorkel, or simply watch sea life and birds at sunrise or sunset, the Shell Point marina is home to some avid boaters who choose to cruise their way to tranquility each fine-weather day. Boating represents freedom to discover new worlds.

But boating is more than a joyride.

Safety is paramount, as weather conditions can change suddenly, nearby boaters may be reckless, and the boat itself may break down. In 2013, the U.S. Coast Guard reported 4,062 accidents that resulted in 560 deaths, 2,620 injuries, and more than $39 million in property damage as a result

of recreational boating accidents.

Rather than relive his varied boat experiences, Shell Point Boat Club member Ron Terciak (Lucina) prefers to talk about, teach, and examine the safety features of boats. He recently returned from a volunteer vessel check requested by Dee Whited and Lee Moore (Junonia), owners of the catamaran About Time docked at Shell Point marina slips #128-144.

“It was a quick process because they were prepared, experienced boaters,” Ron said. “I made sure their flares weren’t outdated; their navigation lights worked; verified the condition of their ‘PFDs’ (personal flotation devices); checked the battery, horn, and bell; and matched their registration to the numbers on the boat.” It would have taken longer if they had a bigger galley with all its equipment.

Safety on High Seas “Many people don’t realize that the Coast Guard or any law enforcement agency can stop and board a boat at any time; it’s not like a car where police need continued next page Shell Point Life | May 2015

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NAVIGATING THE WATERS SURROUNDING SHELL POINT Continued from page 5

probable cause. So you have to be prepared,” Ron advised. “If you are charged for a violation, they may choose to fine you or escort you to the nearest marina, likely not your home port, where you remain docked until the problem is fixed.”

Safety requirements include, among other things, approved, wearable life jackets on board for each person on the vessel; a throwable floatation device if the boat is longer than 16 feet; functional navigation lights, fire extinguisher, and distress signals (such as a whistle, horn, and flare).

“Boating on a lake is much different than the sea,” said Ron. “In the Gulf, 12 inches of water can look the same as 12 feet deep. Polarized sunglasses can help you see what’s in the water, but if you’re watching your charts, you’ll know if you’re off course…and where you should be.”

Ron recently scheduled an excursion with friends, traveling 75 miles for lunch near Marco Island. “You don’t have to have a big boat to go far around here,” he said, although with his “ABC” (America’s Boating Course) designation, Ron has advanced skills that allow him to navigate with a sextant by observing the stars.

Most often, today’s boaters navigate by global positioning satellite (GPS), keep nautical chart plotters handy, and use depth

Ron Terciak (Lucina) is a fivetime Commander in the San Carlos Bay Power Squadron, a unit of the United States Power Squadrons, and a certified Vessel Safety Examiner. He is pictured here with some of the safety materials a boater is required to have onboard.

continued next page

Methods of the Ancient Mariner First implemented around 1730, a sextant is a doubly reflecting navigation instrument used to measure the angle between any two visible objects. The primary use of a sextant is to determine the angle between an astronomical object and the horizon for the purposes of celestial navigation.

Sighting the sun at noon or Polaris at night (in the Northern Hemisphere) determines latitude. Measuring the lunar distance between the moon and another celestial object (such as a star or planet) can determine Greenwich Mean Time, and hence longitude. At sea, results within several nautical miles, well within visual range, are acceptable.

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Shell Point Life | May 2015

(Top to bottom) Bob and Mil Anderson (Turban) return from a cruise in their 22-foot Hurricane pleasure boat in January 2013; Shell Point Boat Club traveled as a group to Rum Runners in January; Pontoons-a-plenty at Shell Point: Dave Lee (Lucina) is captain at the helm of this floating fun fête, with passengers (left to right) Bob Hommez (Harbor Court), John Eder (Lakewood), and first mate Margie Lee.

sounders to determine water depth. Technology is a friend to many boaters, Ron claimed, describing how “digital selective calling” works with a maritime mobile service registration. It’s tied into the GPS on a boat radio and recorded with the Coast Guard. They can dispatch a search boat directly to your location when a distress signal is sent.

Ron recalled an incident in November 2014, returning from Tampa when his boat broke down in Charlotte Harbor; he had to call for a tow into Bokeelia. Luckily he had “SeaTow” membership, similar to AAA for boats.

The trip that started at 10 a.m. didn’t end until 11 p.m.

“You can’t anticipate what might happen on the water,” he said. “You might not plan to be out all day, but if something happens, you would need your running lights after dark.”

Tips and Tricks for Boaters

Docking can be particularly tricky, and knowing when the high and low tides are scheduled, the “draft” (depth of a ship’s keel below the waterline), and practicing how a particular vessel handles are critical. Operating a boat is nothing like driving a car; there are no brakes to make it just stop. Heavier boats will keep moving once in neutral, affected even more by wind and the current.

A boat with twin engines can maneuver more easily when docking or turning, running one in reverse and the other in forward. Also, it’s important to make sure the crew onboard knows what they are supposed to do to assist… before the boat is actually in motion.

Modern fiberglass boat building is sturdier, heavier than aluminum construction, and minimizes some of the maintenance required of more classic timber boat structures, which are prone to rot and corrosion from the harsh sunlight and temperatures of tropical climates. continued next page Shell Point Life | May 2015

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NAVIGATING THE WATERS SURROUNDING SHELL POINT Continued from page 7

Nautical enthusiasts occasionally revel in a seemingly never-ending list of chores – neatly coiling lines, flushing engines, and even hosing bird droppings. It’s more than the joy of a job well done. Safety is signaled by the gleam of brass and chrome fittings and a well-polished teak deck glinting in the sun.

Another task required for safe, relaxing, and entertaining boating is stocking the proper supplies aboard. In addition to the safety equipment required by law, navigation tools such as a GPS device or compass, waterway charts, radio and charged cell phones, anchor and ropes, flashlight and first aid kit are valuable. Water and crackers are basic refreshments to have on hand, helpful to prevent dehydration and ward off seasickness in rough waters.

Finding Safe Harbor

“I remember an incident about three years ago, coming back from Sarasota. A storm came up faster than we anticipated, and the waves were so big we couldn’t turn around,” Ron said. “We were in Charlotte Harbor and decided to put into Matlacha to be protected. Even though another boat in our group was just 100 feet ahead of us, we couldn’t see it. A normal 15-minute ride took us over an hour.”

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Shell Point Life | May 2015

Captain Ron Terciak and his wife Carole recently gathered a flotilla to navigate the mangroves to Pincher’s Crab Shack in Fort Myers Beach, taking several Shell Point residents aboard their 23-foot boat, Irish Rover.

A resident of Shell Point for almost 10 years, Ron and his wife Carole were attracted by the free boat dockage at the marina on campus. Their 23-foot Grady White, called

Irish Rover, has a 225-horsepower outboard Yamaha engine and a Cuddy cabin that keeps things dry. “It’s an extremely wellmade boat and handles well in rough water,” Ron said.

Ron recommends taking one of the monthly boating classes offered by the local San Carlos Bay Sail & Power Squadron. A boating safety certificate confirms the captain’s knowledge of boating etiquette and rules, safety, operation, navigation, and reading weather conditions.

“You don’t know what you don’t know,” he said. “We teach everything from channel markers, to tides and sand bars.”

For more boating advice, visit their website at www.SCBPS.com, or take online boating safety courses at the federal website: www.USPS.org. This organization was formed in 1914 to teach navigation to the U.S. Navy during both world wars.