At the Helm

The first half of this year presented us with unique challenges to find creative ways to safely have meetings, educational and social events, and cruises. Your board rose to the occasion by finding fun ways to follow protocol and resume more traditional avenues for members to safely enjoy boating and social activities with friends, participate in meetings remotely and continue to expand their boating knowledge and skills. I’m thrilled that our summer is filled with so many activities, but as the restrictions lessen, we unfortunately are seeing the number of cases increase again, so I ask everyone to please remain vigilant and practice safety precautions when appropriate.  Don’t let that Sunshine State of Mind blind your good judgement …

Another area that can affect us as boaters, for which we also need to be vigilant, is hurricane season (June 1 - November 30).  August is the beginning of the most active months and while 2021 is not expected to be as bad as last year, it is predicted to possibly have 13 to 20 named storms (winds of 39 mph or higher), of which 6 to 10 could become hurricanes (winds of 74 mph or higher).  Are you prepared?  Do you have a hurricane plan?

Some suggestions: create a checklist, take inventory and pictures of items on your boat and of your boat for insurance, make copies of important paperwork, talk to other boaters on how your marina faired in previous storms, have a plan on what and how to secure (particularly if you live a distance away), make sure your fuel and water tanks are filled, ensure you have adequate dock lines, make friends with your neighbors and make an emergency contact list, consider what you might need if your marina is without power for an extended time and review your insurance policy.

Here’s a good hurricane preparedness article from BoatUS. https://www.boatus.com/hurricanes/assets/pdf/swhurr_prep_guide.pdf

August is also when we organize the Nominating Committee to begin our search for next year’s potential officers.  Can you believe it is already that time?!  I will need at least two members to please volunteer – one who has been a member for 5 or more years and one who has been a member for 2 years or less.  Please contact me if you would like to help with this process.  It’s fun and informative to learn how the props go ‘round behind the scenes of TMCA – we not only need your input but welcome it.

Another committee we’ll need volunteers for, that you’ll be hearing about from our Rear Commodore, is for the Commodore’s Ball.  Chris started planning for this in January but will begin actively working on all the details this month.  Even if you might not have done this sort of thing before, that isn’t a reason not to now!  If that were the case, Pier Pressure and I might not have ever left the slip. (many hands make light work)

Come on, jump in, the water’s great!  …the more you participate in TMCA, the more you will gain from it and the more FUN you will have! 

Ladye Jane Stone  

Commodore 2021

Commodore@TexasMariners.com