America’s Boating Club – Thurmond Lake was recognized in a big way at the District 26 Change of Watch at Lake Murray during the weekend of March 28. In addition to the Commander Gary Edwards, Chuck Gresham, Kathi Nutting and Chester Mott represented our organization at the business meeting, though a total of 11 members attended at least some of the weekend’s activities. Edwards was selected as “Commander of the Year” for his outstanding leadership and commitment to promoting boating safety. The squadron was recognized for its 25th anniversary and also for increasing its membership more than any other in District 26 (47%).
At the March dinner meeting at the River Grille under the topic of “What Can We Learn from a Couple of Cruise Ship Groundings,” Commander Edwards briefly covered the Costa Concordia and Monarch of the Seas groundings and how they could have been avoided. Applying the principles of Operational Risk Management, he pointed out in the case of the Costa Concordia that approaching an unlighted coastline in the dark, on a perpendicular course, at relatively high speed, with inadequate charts, and distractions on the bridge was not a path to success. For the Monarch of the Seas, again the risk factors of being in the middle of the night, deviating from the plan due to the need to do a medical evacuation, failing to ascertain the ships position (which had changed due to wind/current) and choosing a departure track totally different from any they had ever used before, combined with failing to update the chart and to pay attention to the actual location of shallow water led to a catastrophic grounding. Though these were large cruise ships, they presented lessons learned that applied to pleasure boats as well.
Eleven students successfully completed the March America’s Boating Class one of whom was there as a refresher. The other ten students passed the exam with one making a perfect score, Michael Coleman. The “ABC3” class covers basic boating topics that all recreational boaters should know: the “rules of the road,” required safety equipment, navigation aids, lights and sounds, anchoring, communications afloat, adverse conditions & emergencies, water sports and personal water craft safety and knots and lines. The course focuses on the basics of safe boating on Thurmond Lake, includes a map-based tour of the 71,000-acre lake and a discussion of state laws. Successful completion of this course will make boat operators more comfortable on their boats, show others on the lake that they know what they are doing and give them the confidence that they know how to boat safely, in compliance with boating laws.
The mission of America’s Boating Club – Thurmond Lake is to promote boating safety through education, civic service, and the enjoyment of boating activities and social functions among our membership. When you join this club, you’re joining a community that was built by boaters, for boaters. For more information on how to join this fun Club, contact Membership Director, Bryce Johnson at cbj75@aol.com; and Commander Gary Edwards may be reached at edwardsgw@nu-z.net