A cloudy Saturday morning burst into sunlight to welcome the arriving Islanders. Small boat sailing perked up just offshore as Islanders gathered before lunch, making for some great viewing out the beautiful Golden Gate YC windows. Old friends said hello and new members were welcomed. We've had a dozen members join since last September, and three of them were present. Bill Nork brought Zenith, recently bought from the Fowlers. Brett Butterfield and Laura burkhart brought Idle Eyes, and Steve Peters represented "Unnamed boat."

GGYC provided a particularly delicious buffet lunch starting out with Cesear Slad, safron rice or roasted potatoes, bow-tie pasta, green beans, and the supurb Tri Tip or Salmon entrees, topped off with cupcakes for dessert. Three cheers to the serving and bar staff!

After lunch, we moved on to a quick business meeting. Following Commodore Van Mell's introduction of the new members, Bob Knickerbocker followed up with his Membership report. To date we've got 102 members paid up with an expectation we'll be in the 130 - 140 range by the end of the year. (That's also a reminder for the rest of you to pay up!)

Pat Salvo reported that treasury is in good shape (as it always is at the beginning of the year), with gross income for 2015 (so far) of $3,136, and net income at $2,911, with a bank balance at $10,449. A special thanks to member Eric Mueller for his extra gift of $200 to the Association.

Ruby reported on the cruise plans for the year, starting off with the Sail Trim Clinic 3/28 (yes, cruisers are invited too), and the Encinal/Svendsen's Night cruise 4/25. Then moving on, Memorial Day (5/23-25) is at Coyote Point Yacht Club in the South Bay. We'll have some navigation games for the fleet to enjoy on the way down on Saturday, and John Melton will organize a golf group for those interested. Then 6/20 Summer Sailstice, a great opportunity for a family & friends day on the water, racers welcome too. Celebrate July 4th with the 7/3-5 Benicia Cruise and a special dinner at Rob & Ruby's. Our Cruise survey indicated an interest in a Delta Cruise, and July 5-12 is the perfect time. Looking for a Cruise Coordinator. Back by popular demand is the Treasure Island Flea Market on 8/29. Witha possible tour of the Vessel Traffic System headquarters! Then it's ocean time with a cruise to Half Moon Bay over Labor Day Weekend, September 5-7. Add in one more "small club" cruise 10/24-25, before the 11/7 Fall Meeting & Winner's Dinner at Richmond Yacht Club. Put these days on your calendar now!

Kit presented the racing program with the Sail Trim Clinic coming up next week 3/28 at Island Yacht Club. Sign up at Sail Trim Clinic Details and Sign-Up. Then it's on to the main Season's championship races with Inter Club races on 4/11, 5/9, 6/13, 8/8 and 9/12. Add in the optional Vallejo Race May 2/3, and the 2nd Half Opener on 8/1 to round out the season. Wrap up with the Nationals Regatta October 3rd at Golden Gate YC, and the Fall Meeting November 7th at Richmond YC.

The Business Meeting wrapped up with the presentation of a framed certificate to Art & Betsy Fowler making them Honorary Members. Art has been a member for 27 years and served as Commodore twice and an active member of both the racing and cruising fleets. Here is a link to Art & Betsy's Certificate.

Then the main event. Coast Guard Officers OSC Brian Coleman and OSC Warren Weatherford gave a great presentation on the Vessel Traffic Control System on San Francisco Bay. Combining the visual display of AIS electronics with the required audio radio calls enables VTS to track and assist almost 20,000 vessel movements per year. Vessel Traffic control grew out of a number of serious vessel accidents that caused injuries and extensive pollution, starting back in 1972. VTS is monitored 24/7 all year with four people on watch for busy periods and three at other times. Some of the busiest big ship traffic is in the 0400 time frame as vessels get to docks as the work day begins. VTS is now co-located with CG Search and Rescue on Yerba Buena Island in the middle of the Bay Bridge (and middle of the Bay too.) We were invited to come take a tour, and Dennis & Judy Bush are thinking of adding that to the 8/29 Treasure Island Flea Market cruise.

The meeting adjourned about 1430, and folks gathered to chat for a while, eventually helped Zenith, Idle Eyes, and Orion cast off and head for home. Fog was streaming in under the Gate by 1530 and it got thick by 1800,as the Woodbine, Ophira, Freedom Won, Natural High and Vanishing Animal crews gathered on the upper deck for a potluck.

It was a great way to start off the year. Enjoy the pictures.

Pictures (sofar) by Rick Van Mell. Click on images to enlarge, click "Back" to return.

San Francisco	AT&T Park	South Beach Marina	New Bay Bridge (east)	Big Iron astern ...
and ahead ...	making 10 knots on AIS	Balclutha	Approaching Golden Gate YC	Ophira ...
with flags flying.	Cloudy aloft ...	cozy below & ...	in the galley ...	ready to relax.
AIS activity!	Ship shape on deck ...	Vanishing Animal	Ophira	Natural High
Always pretty.	All tucked in.	GGYC flags.	The Gate	Here comes ...
Freedom Won ...	Hi Nanci!	Nibbles time ...	Skipper, Nancy, Nanci, John, Dennis, Judy Gary, Pat	Pelican fleet.
Cloudy sunset.	Islanders at twilight.	Snug below.	Morning pelicans	Woodbine ...
with Zenith	Like the sun!	Fleet looks good.	The Gate in sunshine	Orion arrives ...
coming ashore.	Judy & Karen welcome desk	A dirty bird!	Buffet line ...	Laurie's happy ...
Thanks Chloe, Lindsay & Bob	Warren & Brian with Nancy & Skipper	Steve, Bill, Donna, Bruce & Don	Barb, Georgene, Ruby, Rob,Peggy, Steve	Andrew, Eric, John, Nanci, Pat
Kit, Judy, Dennis, Ron, Karen, Pat	Pat, Kathryn, Charles, Bob	Roy, Chris, Laura, Brett	Dave, Sharon, Tim	Nina, Renate, Aurora, Chris
Jean, Barbara, Alex, Tom	A beautiful afternoon.	All tucked in.	Inside flags fly	Foggy background ...
no Golden Gate ...	cruise departing ...	Peaks & pulls.

Return to Main Menu