Sailors: Tactics Seminar, Saturday Feb. 19, 2011

DIY Skills Classes at Strictly Sail. Signup Now.

Waukegan Sail & Power Squadron

Here's the classes we'll be offering.

America's Boating Course (ABC) is our basic boating course and will begin at College of Lake County on Thursday, January 27 from 7-9pm. Classes finish up March 24. You can register at the College of Lake County IL web site, the class is CREC 23 - Boating Safety.

Marine Electrical System begins Wednesday February 9 from 7-9pm.

Marine Electrical Systems (MES) covers the practice of wiring your boat, including boat electrical wiring practices and diagrams, direct and alternating current power, galvanic and stray current corrosion, and lightning protection. Troubleshooting is emphasized throughout, so students should feel comfortable performing even tricky wiring tasks after passing this course. This is usually an 8 week class.

Seamanship start Thursday March 31 from 7-9pm.

Seamanship builds on the basics of recreational boating presented in the ABC course, Seamanship adds foundational information for continuing boater education. The course contents should facilitate knowledge development for increased safe operation of recreational boats and provide the basis for completion of USCG licensing examination. Emphasis within the course has been placed on higher level boating skills, rules of the road, and marlinespike. This is usually an 8 week class.

Piloting start Thursday March 31 from 7-9pm.

Piloting is the first of the navigational classes focusing on techniques for piloting a boat in coastal and inland conditions. The course emphasizes planning and checking along with the use of GPS for determining position, and introduces digital charting along with traditional charting, compass and dead reckoning skills. Plotting, labeling, use of the compass, aids to navigation and a host of related topics are included in this all-new approach to coastal and inland piloting. This is usually an 8 week class.

Thanks for taking the time to read about our classes.

Cdr. Mike Ludtke N
Waukegan Sail & Power Squadron
815-575-0809

First Aid, CPR and AED class

I'm the SEO for Fox Valley Sail & Power Squadron and I would like to ask you to invite your members to a First Aid, CPR and AED class we're sponsoring in co-operation with Lyf Savers. The class is on Saturday February 12 and 26 from 9:00 AM to noon each day at Cabelas in Hoffman Estates, IL. The cost is $50.00. Each participant will have their own practice mannequin. Please help me spread the word about this class; it's a great skill for a boater to have.

Hope to see you and your members there,

Don Prettyman
sqldataman@hotmail.com

Merry Christmas to All

United States Power Squadrons National

The Government and Partner Relations Committee has been working on revised USPS Lobbying Policy and Procedures.  The following information has been posted in the File Cabinet of the Government and Partner Relations group of SailAngle. You can access the files by following the link. It is not necessary to log in to or be a member of SailAngle to access these files. In an effort to provide the widest dissemination possible, this information is also available on the USPS Government and Partner Relations Committee website.  Please share these links with all interested USPS members.
SailAngle Links: Lobbying Policy Letter: http://www.sailangle.com/uploads/group/files/2121/7f0fbebf077a_lobbying%20policy%20letter.doc
Implementation of Lobbying Policy: http://www.sailangle.com/uploads/group/files/2121/67292a7515b0_implementation%20of%20lobbying%20polic.doc
Lobbying Policy Plan of Action: http://www.sailangle.com/uploads/group/files/2121/7a26d2aa4e98_lobbying%20policy%20implementation%20p.doc
USPS Government and Partner Relations Committee Website Link: Lobbying Policy:  http://www.usps.org/national/govprcom/lobby_guide_f.htm  

UPDATE: E15 decision excludes marine engines

UPDATE: E15 decision excludes marine engines  
 by Nina P. Anastasio

The Environmental Protection Agency today waived a limitation on selling fuel that is more than 10 percent ethanol for model-year 2007 and newer cars and light trucks. The waiver applies to fuel that contains as much as 15 percent ethanol, known as E15. The decision excludes marine engines and other non-road engines, such as those on snowmobiles, lawn and garden equipment, and other small gasoline-powered engines. "Thorough testing has now shown that E15 does not harm emissions-control equipment in newer cars and light trucks," EPA administrator Lisa P. Jackson said in a statement. "Wherever sound science and the law support steps to allow more home-grown fuels in America's vehicles, this administration takes those steps." A decision on the use of E15 in model-year 2001 to 2006 vehicles will be made after the EPA receives the results of additional testing that is expected to be completed in November. However, no waiver will be granted this year for E15 use in model-year 2000 and older cars and light trucks - or in any motorcycles, heavy-duty vehicles or non-road engines - because there are no test data to support such a waiver.

Additionally, steps are being taken to help consumers easily identify the correct fuel for their vehicles and equipment. The EPA is proposing E15 pump-labeling requirements, including a requirement that the fuel industry specify the ethanol content of gasoline sold to retailers. An E15 petition was submitted in March 2009 to EPA by Growth Energy and 54 ethanol manufacturers. In April 2009, EPA sought public comment on the petition and received about 78,000 comments. The petition was submitted under a Clean Air Act provision that allows the EPA to waive the act's prohibition against the sale of a significantly altered fuel if the petitioner shows that the new fuel will not cause or contribute to the failure of the engine parts that ensure compliance with the act's emissions limits. Soundings Trade Only will update this story after the EPA's 1:30 p.m. press conference on the issue.