Safe Boating
Boating is fun ! We will show you how!
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
D8 Fall Conf Pitch
https://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.581036391952816.1073741830.225852064137919&type=1
Its on the D8 facebook page....
Its on the D8 facebook page....
D8 Pro Sharing
Tuesday, September 10, 2013
Monday, September 9, 2013
Life Raft Demonstation Party D8 -100 Year Event
Life Raft Deployment Demonstration District 8
Author: Lt/C (P/C) R. Scully, N - D8 Public Relations Officer
Editor: Captain Alyse Caldwell, AP
A life raft demonstration party was
held yesterday on the Treasure Coast of Florida. Most people who have been
around boats for a long time are happy to say they have never had the need to
deploy a life raft into the water. Let’s hope they never do!
This party was a practical
demonstration of a potential reality in what could be a hazardous situation.
The 3 donated life rafts had expired and their age made them ineligible against
recertification so they were no longer acceptable aboard any vessel. Captains
Chris and Alyse Caldwell, members of USPS District 8, coordinated this event.
There were more than 50 joining us
for this demo party with 8 members playing paparazzi, snapping pictures and
shooting videos during the event, so there will be some material available for
viewing posted on the web on Facebook, YouTube and in some of the local
newsletters. Captain Alyse will be making a more professional video but that
will take some time and will include footage from every angle.
This demonstration included a short
how-to get in a Gumby suit, AKA an immersion or survival suit. After donning
the bright orange Gumby suit, the demonstrator jumped into the water so we
could see how the suit helps you float. Pretty cool!
The life raft party included
inflating and setting 3 rafts afloat at different times. Two of the expired life
rafts were deployed and served well. One did not inflate completely as it had
ruptured a bladder. It still floated to some degree but it gave one time to
think about what if this happened when it was a real situation out at sea.
Three lucky kids and 6 adults had a
terrific hands-on experience. The adults proved that this is an easy task
especially when you’ve never seen or done this before. Safety first! We had a
rescue diver in the water at all times and a rescue boat was on scene but
neither was called to action.
Captain Chris jumped on one life
raft and rocked the raft up and down with 6 “survivors” aboard to demonstrate
how stable they were in rough seas and then took out the survival kit that was
inside the raft. He explained what was in the bag and displayed the items for all
to see. Some wanted to light the expired flares but that’s not something we do
unless the US Coast Guard has approved that type of demonstration and
announcements are made over the VHF marine radio.
After a hot morning in the sun we
cooled off over lunch at the Cove restaurant at Harbortown Marina. Here many
talked about what they learned over a nice meal along the waters edge with
friends.
Thank you
all for this fine demonstration. Keep it up District 8. Boating is fun and this
educational practical demonstration of life raft deployment on the water was a
great way to spend a few hours.
A short Youtube Video http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VeTXaKq68WQ&feature=c4-overview&list=UUwvGGe8FI56EKxFoIcSUYGQ
Friday, July 12, 2013
Public Relations and D8 - JULY 2013
Greetings,
As
D8 PRO my responsibility includes organizing and coordinating PR activities
that involve several squadrons in an event. Examples are boat shows, which draw
potential members from several squadron areas, and other activities that
attract the public from large territories. Recently we had 2 squadrons support
the Safe Boating Week Open House at the Ft Pierce Coast Guard Station. Thank
you Vero Beach Power Squadron and Port St Lucie Power Squadron.
The
next opportunity for us to all work together is coming up soon. All are
requested to support the Ft Lauderdale International Boat Show (Oct 31-Nov 4)
being coordinated by D/Lt Ronnie Babin, S. District 8 Public Relations folks should get with
their Education Officers and define courses being offered with the correct
contacts. You may also want to look at your respective web sites and ensure
they are updated with the correct data about upcoming classes.
The DPRO conducts meetings, workshops and
instructional seminars for SPROs to communicate these ideas and information. So
lets talk about social media. The D8 Conference PRO pitch will be about
“Social Media – What is it.’’
Social Media is a term used to
define the numerous avenues one can venture down to put the word out to help
publicize your squadron/s. A good definition is available on wikipedia. This
media includes Facebook, youtube, twitter, linkedin, blogs and more. USPS is
actively engaged and participating using some of this FREE advertising and so
is District 8. see the following links:
And don’t forget PROLOG, which has
an upgraded version for 2013 and contains everything you need to know about
Public Relations and Marketing.
Sailangle
is still with us but we are not getting on board fast enough. Can’t tell you
why but it is a fact. There are only 5 members of the D8 100 Year Anniversary
Group. Commanders please ask your squadron public relations contacts to get on
board.
Facebook
connections – 7 out of 14 D8 Squadrons have a facebook pages. If you want one I
will be happy to set it up for those who ask. Once you are on line you will
need to manage the account.
Regards,
D/Lt (P/C) Robert Scully, N
USPS District 8 PRO
772-252-9740 Home
772-453-4966 Cell
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