March Madness with the VBPS

March Madness with the VBPS – The education officer of the Vero Beach Power Squadron has provided me with the following schedule, which he is personally promoting to get our local boating community up to speed, as he hears that good weather is around the bend. He has many topics to cover and has scheduled them at night during the week, on the weekends at reasonable hours so you can still sleep in a little.


His enthusiasm is flowing like the spring tide (just learned about that in the AP Class), which is better than low lower water during ebb tide. He has no slack in his schedule and is offering the listed seminars at an incredible savings just to promote boating education in Indian River County.

The courses are being held at our facility, which is between River House and Riverside Café at the east end of the Barber Bridge. All seminar materials are $20.00 except Paddle Smart, which is $25.00 - which means the class instructors are doing it on a voluntary basis. How can you beat that price? Discounts are being offered to our members and family second person discount will apply, as well.

Boating Class Schedule

How to Read a Nautical Chart (7:00-9:00 PM) Wed Mar 3

On Board Weather Forecasting (7:00-9:00 PM) Wed Mar 10

Boat Handling Under Power (10:00-12:00 AM) Sat Mar 13

Paddle Smart (10:00-12:00 AM) Sat Mar 20

VHF Radio with DSC (7:00-9:00 PM) Mon Mar 22

How to use GPS (7:00-9:00 PM) Wed Mar 24

And someone mentioned that there is an Americas Boating Class coming up April 17 and 18. You may register online at www.verobeachps.com

So in closing they say – Boating is fun we”ll show you how! And they also say “ You don’t need to own a boat to join in the fun or be a member so come on in and get with the program.”

ABC and The USPS Seminar Series in March

Let Me Introduce to YOU

The affair was well organized, as in the past. Awards were handed out. Numerous people were recognized for service to the squadron during the past year.There was a prayer, a pledge of allegiance, announcements were made about the incoming bridge and the officers were sworn in. That said let me introduce to you the 2010 Vero Beach Power Squadron Bridge Officers (right to left).

Commander - Jim Ward
Executive Oficer - Janet Leh
Education Officer - Dan Thomas
Administrative Officer - Bob Scully
Secretary - James Kreider
Teasurer - Alan Ebstein

Feb ABC

The Vero Beach Power Squadron (VBPS) has established their 2010 Safe Boating Program and is offering the following to the public and the VBPS Members. Most of the classes are open to the public. Some classes are offered to Members Only.

Classes are taught at 301 Acacia Road, Vero Beach, FL. The facility is right next to the Barber Bridge (northeast side) and the boat launch ramp area.

These classes were developed to enhance your boating knowledge, thus making you a safer boater. Things covered in the courses include fundamentals of types of power and sailboats, handling characteristics and boat handling, marlinespike, docking and undocking, anchoring, towing, required equipment and rules of the road. All of the classes offered to the public are posted at www.verobeachps.com/. Classes for members only are posted on bulletin boards inside the building.

Weekend Classes Open to the Public

Americas Boating Course. Cost is $30 per person. Please pre register www.verobeachps.com/ or call Howard at 772-978-9769. Times - 9:00 am to 1:00 pm. Dates - Feb 13 & 14, Apr 17 & 18, June 19 & 20, Oct 16 & 17 and Dec 4 & 5.