NEWSLETTER FEBRUARY 2015

PAST COMMODORE
John Keena

Dear Members, 

Happy new year…I know most of you are anxious for the start of the 2015 Boating Season,  so here is a summary of recent activities and our focus for this year. 

SANTA PARTY

Held in mid - December, and based on your feedback, the Santa Party has always been an event enjoyed by our youngest members, and has been cancelled for the past 3 years due to Club House damage.  Many thanks to our volunteers as always, especially to Sarah and John Keena, Bill Lowitz, Jim O’Brien, and Joe Warren.  We are glad to see the return of this annual event. 

CLUB IMPROVEMENTS/REPAIRS

Now that our reconstruction is finalized, prior to our Club opening in May, we plan to have the following completed, weather permitting:

·         Replace ‘E’ dock

·         Repair aluminum gangway ramp

And during the season:

·         Increase dock lighting

·         Install uniform hose holders

·         Align and ‘cap off’ all pilings

·         Other maintenance as required

GAS TANK REPLACEMENT

Our gas tank ‘times out’ at Y.E. 2018 and in the meantime Past Commodore David Dever, is chairing a committee to insure a seamless transition  while working  with appropriate Town and State agencies and officials. 

A & B DOCK EXPANSION

 The  Army Corp of Engineers has approved our plan and Todd Scallen, House and Grounds Chairperson, has formed a committee to insure we move forward in concert with Town/State and Federal officials.  DBC meeting will be held to validate  your ‘buy in’ and review the ‘next steps’. 

2015 DUES &  FEES

Sunday, February 15, was the last day for payment of dues and fees without losing membership or incurring a $500 fine for reinstatement.  Members that were still outstanding after February 1st were reminded by email and or phone call of the deadline.  Please contact , Bill Lowitz, Club Manager, via dbcbill@optimum.net  

KEY DATES FOR 2015

Key dates, e.g., picnics/meetings, etc. are posted on our website, darienboatclub.org. 

WAIT TIME FOR SLIPS/MOORINGS,RACKS & LOCKERS

Moorings are a nice alternative while waiting  for a slip and is approximately a 3 year wait and also supported by our full time launch service and more information is available through the Darien Harbor Master, Tom Bell,  darienharbor@darienct.gov.

Slip wait lists have been updated and are easier to read and available our club website under the topic "Dock Talk".  Kayak wait time is currently a year or less and  Rob Komminsk, our Racks and Lockers Chairperson, can provide more information as needed. 

CLUB OPEN HOUSE

On Sunday, May 3, from noon to 4pm, there will be a DBC Open House to educate members and prospective members  about the DBC and other town services.  It will be attended by the DBC Executive Board, Darien Police & Fire Departments, Harbormaster and the Coast Guard.  Refreshments will be served and more information will be provided.  Paul  Johnson, DBC Community Relations, is driving this effort and is looking for volunteers and may be contacted at pdgjohnson@me.com. 

DREGING SURVEY

The  DBC is working  with the Noroton Yacht Club , and the Town of Darien to conduct a survey in order to plan for future dredging requirements and this will begin as soon as the ice clears. 

BOAT SAFETY WORKSHOP

The DBC will be represented  at a Fairfield County Commodore’s Association Safe Boating workshop to be held on 2/12 at the Indian Harbor Yacht Club in response to the tragic boating accident in Greenwich this past season. 

TRANSIENT MOORINGS

Brian Lovegrove, DBC Fleet Captain, is working with Tom Bell, Darien Harbormaster, to secure several guest moorings, as part of our strategy to increase more cross club participation, e.g., Yacht  Club of America/etc. 

BOAT US GROUP MEMBERSHIP

The DBC members can obtain a discount on BOAT US/TOWBOAT membership, see the details at the link here: http://www.darienboatclub.org/BoatUS%20DBC%20Membership.htm  

THINK SPRING!! 

Glen R Osberg

Commodore