The Ensign Summer 2025

THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF AMERICA’S BOATING CLUB®

UNITED STATES POWER SQUADRONS®

®

HAVE A GRAND TIME IN GRAND RAPIDS VOL. 113 NO. 3 | SUMMER 2025

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SHIP’S STORE 01/

02/

03/

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SHOP THE COLLECTION 01/ BALL CAP $15

02/ UNISEX T-SHIRT M–XXXL $23–$29

03/ FISHING HAT $28

04/ DRY POUCH $15

Prom ote A meric Boati a’s ng Cl ub wi f resh th ou swag r !

N ew ite are ad ms ded p eriod Check ically. out o ur on shop line for m ore.

VOL. 113 NO. 3

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FEATURED 20

A message from the National Secretary

ALL BOATING IS LOCAL

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Squadron tailors educational offerings to their community

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CURRENTS News from ABC | USPS and more

2025 GOVERNING BOARD

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Join us in Grand Rapids, Michigan

DESTINATIONS Chain O’Lakes

12 ST. JOHNS RIVER CRUISE

BOATING GONE BAD Fishing trip goes awry

Boaters journey along Florida’s longest river

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PADDLE SMARTS Nighttime paddling

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SHIP’S LIBRARY Your next must-reads

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SHIPSHAPE Boating safety priorities

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WAYPOINTS

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CLASSIFIEDS

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LAST HORIZON Remembering those who have crossed the bar

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BITTER END SS Edmund Fitzgerald

46 TOM DIETRICH

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FROM THE BRIDGE

STEM TO STERN

THE ENSIGN (ISSN 1949-2294 online) is published four times a year by United States Power Squadrons, a nonprofit corporation located at 1504 Blue Ridge Road, Raleigh, NC 27607-3906. Copyright © 2025 United States Power Squadrons

FROM THE BRIDGE BY ALLAN LAKIN NATIONAL SECRETARY

► America’s Boating Club | United States Power Squadrons recently announced a renewal of “The Power of One” campaign, a membership recruiting effort started by late Past Chief Commander Ernest Marshburn, which encourages every member to bring in at least one new member.

At first, it looks like a daunting task. People don’t join groups the way they used to. ABC | USPS membership has declined over the 35 years that I’ve been a member. The same issues affect my wife’s Kiwanis chapter and my brother’s Masonic lodge.

About five years ago, I was introduced to Robert Putnam’s book “Bowling Alone,” in which Putnam and his co-authors dig deep into a decades-long issue: Civic groups are shrinking.

The book goes back to 1920 to see a multigenerational view.

Civic group membership peaked between 1950 and 1960. By 1990, membership had returned to 1920 levels. Maybe we’re not declining; maybe we’re returning to our normal state.

Is it hopeless? Absolutely not. People still join community groups. The numbers are declining, but they have never gone to zero. Is there something that distinguishes joiners from nonjoiners? Can we use that difference to improve our search?

As a matter of fact, there is an important difference.

According to Putnam, joiners are scarce. Just 5% to 7% of the U.S. adult population is active in a community group. That number has been steady for years. →

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→ Furthermore, it turns out that being already active in one group is a strong predictor for being willing to become active in another. If you’re a joiner, you’re really a joiner.

That revelation caught my attention. It’s Marketing 101: Hershey sells candy bars to people who already buy candy bars. 95% of Americans don’t join groups. Let’s look for the 5% who do.

We can test that notion by looking at ABC | USPS members we already know. Do we have multiple interests and memberships? We sure do! Almost everyone I know is an ABC | USPS member and a member of another organization. We volunteer at food pantries. We coach and referee youth sports. We serve on our church vestries and our homeowner association boards. We join fraternal lodges, Coast Guard Auxiliary flotillas and yacht clubs.

Your own group-joining habits probably have deep roots.

Maybe you were a Little Leaguer, Pop Warner football player, soccer player, Scout or a 4-H’er. Ten years later you joined a fraternity or a veterans’ organization, cleaned up beaches and planted trees on Earth Day. Ten years after that, you were a homeroom mom, cubmaster and a field trip chaperone. Today’s jobs are just your current stage in a long succession.

” People still join community groups. The numbers are declining, but they have never gone to zero.

To return to the candy bar metaphor, do people already have too many candy bars—are joiners already too busy?

The answer to that question gave me the last piece of the puzzle. I flashed back to the “busy person rule” I’d learned in 1966.

I was the junior assistant scoutmaster in my church’s Scout troop. We needed a new scoutmaster. None of our fathers was willing to take the job. When the youth pastor listed several congregation members he would ask, I protested. Why would any of them step up to deal with a dozen rowdy 11- to 14-year-olds? →

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EMAIL THE EDITOR READERS CAN SUBMIT LETTERS AND ARTICLES TO ENSIGN@HQ.USPS.ORG. ARTICLES WILL BE EDITED FOR LENGTH AND CLARITY.

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FROM THE BRIDGE → Brother Novak smiled and said something I’ve never forgotten: “When you’ve got to get something done, ask a busy person.” Or, as Putnam would put it, “If you want a new member, give a job to a busy person from another organization.”

Imagine using this information in “The Power of One” campaign: Sell candy to candy buyers. People who have joined groups tend to join still more groups.

Ask a busy person. People who have been getting things done in groups want to continue getting things done in groups.

Build your prospecting list. I joke that our best clues will be the bumper stickers saying, “I was an Eagle Scout” or “Proud hockey mom.” (If it says “I was a Sea Scout,” even better.) The bumper sticker will be sitting right above the trailer hitch. You’ve just found a boater (is there any other use for a trailer hitch?) with a favorable experience in a social group.

One more thing: When you find a joiner, sprinkle some coconut on that candy bar. Tell them that we are their kind of people because we love to mess about in boats with other boaters.

My elevator speech has changed. I have it oriented toward that precious 5% to 7% of busy people I would like to have in my club:

“What is America’s Boating Club | United States Power Squadrons? It’s about community service and fellowship on the water. Tell me about your community, and I’ll tell you about mine.”

Vice Commander Allan W. “Al” Lakin is a life and sustaining member with 33

R O H T UA E H T T U O B A

merit marks. He joined Valley Ho Power Squadron/13 in 1990, transferring to The Valley Sail & Power Squadron as a charter member in 2008. Currently, he is squadron educational officer. Al is a past squadron commander of Valley Ho, past district commander of District 13, and has served on seven national committees with two nonconsecutive terms as chair of the Rules Committee. A retired manufacturing executive, he holds a bachelor’s degree in chemistry and a master’s degree in plastics engineering from MIT and a Juris Doctor from Loyola Law School. He is an inactive (retired) member of the California bar. Al lives in the Encino district of Los Angeles with his wife, Sandra, and has two adult children.

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americasboatingclub.org/benef its

CURRENTS ► Did your club or district participate in National Safe Boating Week this year? Send us your photos and articles to be featured in the Fall 2025 issue of The Ensign!

APRYL BERNARD

CLICK TO EMAIL US CHIEF COMMANDER RALPH BERNARD DONS HIS PERSONAL FLOTATION DEVICE WHILE WORKING ON WEAR YOUR LIFE JACKET TO WORK DAY TO KICK OFF NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK, MAY 17–23.

CALENDAR 2025

Sep 1–7 Governing Board Grand Rapids, Mich.

Nov 12–15 BOD Meeting Raleigh, N.C.

2026

Feb 9–15 Annual Meeting

Myrtle Beach, S.C.

May 16–22 National Safe Boating Week

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ABC | USPS NEWS National renews contract with Marine SEO ► America’s Boating Club | United States Power Squadrons has renewed its partnership with Marine SEO. As part of this renewal, the scope of services has been adjusted to reflect updated priorities and available resources, which still include Facebook page support and optimization, Google Business Profile setup and Google for Nonprofits grant assistance.

However, changes to the contract mean that Marine SEO will limit the number of squadrons they work with per month. Additionally, if your squadron is interested in expanding services with Marine SEO, special discounted pricing is available. You can contact Marketing Director Tammy Brown to learn more. ■ THEENSIGN.ORG

BOATING NEWS Apply to become a kid’s life jacket loaner site ► Local clubs can apply to become a BoatUS Foundation Kid’s Life Jacket Loaner program site. Supported by BoatUS member donations, the program offers a simple way to help children and young adults get the right-sized life jacket when they go boating, sailing or fishing for the day or weekend.

Approved locations will receive 12 children’s life jackets in a variety of sizes from infant to youth, as well as signage and a local publicity kit. Approved sites are required to store life jackets in a secure, protected storage area and must also help track life jacket usage and notify BoatUS Foundation when life jackets need replacement.

There are currently more than 575 BoatUS Foundation life jacket loaner sites across the U.S., and becoming one is easy and free. Apply online. –BoatUS

NOAA predicts above-normal hurricane activity for 2025 ► NOAA’s outlook for the 2025 Atlantic hurricane season predicts an above-normal season with 13 to 19 total named storms. Six to 10 of those storms are forecast to become hurricanes, including three to five major hurricanes.

The season is expected to be above normal due to a confluence of factors, including warmer than average ocean temperatures, weak wind shear, and the potential for higher activity from the West African Monsoon, a primary starting point for Atlantic hurricanes.

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#ICYMI In case you missed it, here’s what’s been happening with our clubs and squadrons on social media.

America’s Boating Club Peace River/22 members enjoyed an afternoon at Harbour Heights Park for their annual spring picnic.

Vessel examiners with Toledo Sail & Power Squadron/29 and Daytona Beach Sail & Power Squadron/23 offered free vessel safety checks to boaters in their communities.

America’s Boating Club Lake Murray/26 recently graduated 13 students of the America’s Boating Course.

America’s Boating Club of Beaufort/26 held its monthly cruise with a scavenger hunt around Cat Island and Chowan Creek followed by a raft-up on the Beaufort River.

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DESTINATIONS Touring the Chain O’Lakes

BY CHUCK BURGER

DID YOU KNOW? COMPRISING 15 SEPARATE LAKES, CHAIN O’LAKES IS A WATERWAY SYSTEM IN NORTHEAST ILLINOIS THAT ENCOMPASSES 7,100 ACRES OF WATER AND 488 MILES OF SHORELINE. THE LAKES ARE CONNECTED BY FOX RIVER AND MANMADE CHANNELS.

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► On July 27, 2024, my friend Alan Travis and I took his boat to pick up Hunter Nikolai at Ben Watts Marina on the Chain O’Lakes for an afternoon of boating.

Hunter is the new volunteer services coordinator for the Illinois Department of Natural Resources in Region 2, which encompasses the northeastern area of the state. Hunter had never been on the Chain before.

We started out cruising the relatively quiet Pistakee Lake. Then we proceeded to the west channel that goes under route 12 and into Nippersink Lake. That channel, like all the channels on the Chain, is nowake. As usual, lots of boats moved through the channel.

Our trip then took us through Nippersink and into Grass Lake. The main attraction of Grass Lake is Blarney Island, a popular bar and music venue. We drove by but did not stop in. Traffic was getting heavier.

The next channel took us to Lake Marie. From there we went through a short channel to Bluff Lake, a smaller lake with a lot of boat traffic. The next channel took us from Bluff Lake to Spring Lake and into Petite Lake.

This is a long channel with homes on both sides. → THEENSIGN.ORG

→ The homes used to be summer cottages but in the last year, most of them have been converted to full-time residences. Again, lots of traffic congested the channel.

The next lake was Petite Lake—the smallest lake on the Chain but one of the most crowded. There is a huge sandbar at the southeast end of the lake, which always has a number of boats rafted up. This day was no exception.

The next channel took us to Fox Lake, the second largest lake on the Chain and the most popular.

Again, being a beautiful day, a huge number of boats were rafted up there.

Heading down Fox Lake, we then proceeded back to Pistakee and Ben Watts Marina. The marina was so crowded that we couldn’t get to the launch ramp to drop Hunter off. We went to Alan’s summer home and put the boat on the lift, and I drove Hunter back to the marina to get his truck.

The whole trip took about three hours, and it gave Hunter a great chance to see what the Chain was all about. ■

TOP LEFT: CHUCK BURGER AND HUNTER NIKOLAI, REGION 2 SAFETY EDUCATION COORDINATOR FOR THE ILLINOIS DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES TOP RIGHT: LAKE COUNTY SHERIFF MARINE PATROL ON FOX LAKE BOTTOM: BOATERS RAFTED UP IN COLUMBIA BAY ON FOX LAKE

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Chuck Burger has been a member of America’s Boating Club | United States Power Squadrons since 1977. He has taught classes since 1984 and served as squadron commander twice as well as District 20 commander. Currently, he works with the members of the Navigation Committee on the Inland Boating text.

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JUSTIN HOLLAND

BOATING GONE BAD Annual fishing trip runs into obstacles

BY JOHN A. KING II

▲ THE FISHERMEN FROM MEMORIAL DAY 2024 WITH THEIR CATCHES

+ THIS ARTICLE ORIGINALLY APPEARED IN THE JUNE 2024 ISSUE OF AMERICA’S BOATING CLUB–CHARLOTTE NEWSLETTER SIDE LIGHTS.

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► To prepare for my 2024 Memorial Day weekend fishing trip with friends, I went to Oak Island at the end of April to service both motors on my 32-foot twinengine 2005 Boston Whaler, Carolina Starr. I changed the oil in the port and starboard V-6 engines. When I drained the starboard lower unit gear oil, there was water in it. That’s when I decided it was time to take my boat to the shop.

When I raised the motor to put the prop back on, trimand-tilt oil was leaking from the top of the right lift arm.

Yes, it was definitely shop time.

The shop couldn’t get to my boat until the following week. They had one trim-and-tilt arm in stock, which meant it would be a quick repair—not! After they replaced the right arm, the left started leaking, so they had to order another one.

While waiting for the new arm to arrive, they pressuretreated my lower unit and replaced three leaking seals.

Good news: There was no damage to the unit, so the seals would complete the repair.

After they put on the new right arm, you could hear how worn the lift motor was, which meant it would have to be replaced soon—an expensive repair. The famous BOAT acronym—Break Out Another Thousand —came to mind. → THEENSIGN.ORG

→ When they ran the starboard motor, everything worked great. The boat was finally ready. I went down the week before the fishing trip and moved the boat back to the house.

When we arrived on Friday, May 24, we put the boat in the water to move it to the dock.

There were six of us: David Cruse, Jay Cruse, Doug Drum, Charles Ibach, Brevard Myers and me.

But now the port motor wasn’t working. We tried to fix it, but it was no use. After messing with it again on Saturday morning, we accepted that we didn’t have a fishing boat. We decided to eat lunch and discuss what to do.

I called a bait store and asked if they knew of a charter boat that was available for Sunday. Meanwhile, Brevard decided to drive back to his home in Charlotte and return that night with his boat so we would be able to fish.

After Brevard left, we called three charter captains. The third charter captain said he was available on Sunday, so we booked it. We quickly called Brevard, and he came back.

On Sunday, we went out on the Angry Pelican with Capt. Mark Greene and mate Justin Holland at 6 a.m. and returned at 2 p.m. We fished at Shark Hole with live bait; Capt.

Mark bumped the motors into gear, and we trolled slowly.

It wasn’t long before we heard that welcome noise of a reel peeling off line, and it was game on. We ended up keeping 12 king mackerels, releasing a small cobia and hooking something big that Brevard fought to reel in for close to an hour before it eventually freed itself. We never saw what it was, but several 8-foot sharks swimming around the boat bit off one or two of our catches before we could get them.

The fellowship was great, as was the charter. My boat, on the other hand, was a big frustration, but it was a memorable learning experience. We plan to try live bait on the next fishing trip. Our thanks to Capt. Mark Greene and mate Justin Holland on the Angry Pelican! ■

ABOUT THE AUTHOR John A. King II is a 29-year member of Charlotte Power Squadron/27 and a life member of America’s Boating Club | United States Power Squadrons. He is the past editor of Side Lights newsletter and was also a leader of Sea Scout Ship 91 in Concord, North Carolina, for 26 years. He has boated on Lake Norman and the Catawba Chain of Lakes, the Yadkin River, and the Carolina coast for over 50 years. Currently, he owns a 1998 Boston Whaler Conquest 23, a 2005 Boston Whaler Conquest 305 and a 1999 Sea Ray 340 Sundancer. He reports that the Carolina Starr has two new engines for the 2025 boating season.

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BARB THOMAS

PADDLE SMARTS Night paddling

BY JIM GREENHALGH

▲ PADDLERS STARTING A NIGHT TRIP IN SNUG HARBOR, FLORIDA

► Night paddling can be fun, but it’s important to be prepared when paddling in darkness.

Many paddlers enjoy the beauty and peace of moonlight paddling. Others paddle after dark to view bioluminescence, the night sky or city skyline; go fishing; or participate in night-lit boat parades.

Whatever the reason, paddlecraft can be operated at night and during times of restricted visibility, but it requires extra planning, equipment and compliance with additional Navigation Rules.

When paddling during the day, all paddlers must carry a U.S. Coast Guard-approved life jacket and a sound device such as a whistle. When paddling after dark, paddlers must add navigation lights and carry visual distress night signals when operating in coastal waters. Paddlers should always carry required night equipment on board, as everyone can expect occasional delays due to bad weather, mechanical breakdown or other unexpected circumstances that may require returning after dark.

Navigation lights for paddlecraft + ALL PHOTOS BY JIM GREENHALGH EXCEPT WHERE NOTED

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Paddlecraft must exhibit navigation lights from sunset to sunrise as per Navigation Rule 20, and no other lights should be displayed that could be mistaken for navigation lights. Paddlecraft have three options for → THEENSIGN.ORG

→ navigation lights, which are described in Rule 25.

Paddlecraft may display the typical running lights of a sailboat (red and green sidelights and a white sternlight) as described in Rule 25, or they may simply carry a white flashlight that can be exhibited in time to prevent a collision per Rule 25(d)(ii). The U.S. Inland Rules also allow a white all-round light to be shown. It should be noted that this all-round light is not recognized as an option under the International Rules (offshore outside the COLREGS demarcation line).

Paddlecraft operators should carefully choose the navigation lights they use aboard their vessel. Paddlers can mount regular running lights as per Rule 25, and portable battery-powered running lights are available on the market. These running lights must comply with the technical requirements defined in Rule 21 and the provisions of Annex I of the Navigation Rules. My experience has shown that some lights on the market do not meet the technical requirements, and few paddlers mount regular running lights properly.

Technical issues such as these could become a significant issue in the event of a collision.

Paddlers can mount the white all-round light on their vessel, but it must show “an unbroken light over an arc of the horizon of 360 degrees” per Rule 21(c). Some lights on the market are too short to meet this →

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LEFT: PORT SIDE SHOT OF PADDLER OPERATING WITH REGULAR RUNNING LIGHTS. NOTE THE REFLECTIVE SAFETY MATERIAL ON THE PADDLE AND PFD. RIGHT: PADDLERS OPERATING WITH ALL-ROUND LIGHTS. NOTE THE SHORTER 360-DEGREE LIGHT WILL BE PARTIALLY BLOCKED BY THE PADDLER.

+ THE RULES LISTED HERE CAN BE VIEWED AT NAVIGATION RULES.

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PADDLE SMARTS

LEFT: PADDLER DISPLAYING A PROPER ALL-ROUND LIGHT RIGHT: PADDLER OPERATING WITH A WHITE FLASHLIGHT AND HEADLAMP

→ requirement as the light will be blocked by the paddler, so the light must be mounted so that it is above the head of the paddler. Also, this light is not recognized as a legal navigation light in the International Rules, so paddlers operating at night in offshore waters, outside the COLREGS demarcation line, should use the regular red, green and white running lights or just carry a white flashlight.

The easiest way for paddlecraft operators to comply with both the International and Inland Rules is to simply carry a white flashlight that can be exhibited in time to prevent a collision. Paddlers should consider carrying a flashlight with them at all times in case circumstances arise that require paddling after dark.

Also, consider that white light will temporarily blind anyone viewing it close by. Paddlers navigating at night to sightsee will appreciate not having a white light shining in their eyes. When leading a group at night I always request paddlers using regular running lights (which requires a white light on the stern) and those using the all-round white light to stay in the rear so as not to blind the other paddlers in the group.

Visual distress signals Paddlers operating at night must carry visual distress signals approved for night use when paddling on U.S. coastal waters, including in bays, inlets and rivers, where the waterway is more than 2 miles wide (33 CFR 175.101). → 16

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→ Two types of night-use visual distress signals are available to boaters.

Pyrotechnics, which include handheld flares and red aerial meteor or parachute flares, carry a printed expiration date. A minimum of three up-to-date devices must be carried aboard to meet the visual distress signal requirement. Expired devices may be carried as extra equipment. The most useful pyrotechnic devices for paddlers are the red aerial meteor flares that can be launched up to around 500 feet by either a rip cord-type device or a 12-gauge flare launcher. Pyrotechnics can be dangerous if not used properly, so the user should read the directions and use caution.

Electronic visual distress signals: Paddlers not wanting to carry pyrotechnics or be concerned about expiration dates can opt for a USCG-approved electronic visual distress signal. These are battery-operated strobe light devices, handheld or designed to float, that flash the SO-S light sequence.

SOME NIGHTTIME PADDLING TOOLS: AN AIR HORN, A GPS AND A VHF RADIO

Recommended additional safety equipment All paddlers should carry a marine VHF radio. This is more important at night in case a paddler needs to contact another vessel to make it aware of their presence or in case of emergency. A handheld charting GPS is helpful to navigate and monitor one’s current position on a bright map screen during darkness. Paddlers should also → THEENSIGN.ORG

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PADDLE SMARTS

The easiest way for paddlecraft operators to comply with International and Inland Rules is to carry a white flashlight that can be exhibited in time to prevent a collision.

→ consider carrying an air horn at the ready, which is more likely than a whistle to gain the attention of another boater who may not be aware of the presence of paddlecraft. Wearing reflective clothing and having SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea) reflective tape on the PFD, boat and paddle can make a paddler more visible at night. Additionally, consider carrying a backup flashlight and extra batteries for lights or electronics.

Paddlers planning a night trip, or possibly a moonlight paddle, can find information regarding sunrise/sunset, moonrise/moonset and twilight times at Astronomical Tables.

Safe nighttime paddling can be enjoyable for all Paddling at night can be fun and safe when paddlers have the knowledge and proper equipment to deal with nighttime conditions. Paddlers must always keep a sharp lookout, with both eyes and ears, for other vessel traffic while navigating in darkness. They should also make sure they can be seen and heard by displaying proper navigation lights and using a sound device such as an air horn.

Proper planning and carrying needed safety equipment for any scenario can make night paddling a safe and enjoyable experience. ■

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Jim Greenhalgh of St. Petersburg Sail & Power Squadron/22 is a senior navigator, vessel examiner, and instructor, having taught boating safety and navigation since 1991. He draws on his vast sail and powerboating experience as a lifelong boater and avid sea kayaker. Jim leads trips for the Kayak Adventure Group, a sea kayaking club based on Florida’s west coast that he co-founded. He also wrote Navigation Rules for Paddlecraft, a must-read for all paddlers.

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SHIP’S LIBRARY A treasure trove of nautical tales ► Comprising 40 excellently written short stories, the highly readable “Big Book of Bold Sea Stories”

by Marlin Bree is a good addition to the author’s collection of writings concerning sailing on Lake Superior. Much of the material is side stories about places he has visited along the lakeshore. I found his comments on various aspects of boating on Lake Superior to be of particular interest—such as the effect of cold water on a ship’s hull. In one anecdote, a ship sank because of “brittle steel.” The steel was good (60,000 pounds per square inch) in water temperatures of 60 to 70 degrees Fahrenheit, but when the water temperature was at 35 to 40 degrees, the steel failed at 15,000 pounds per inch in a stress test. –C. Henry Depew

“BIG BOOK OF BOLD SEA STORIES”

BY MARLIN BREE

A sailing manual for novices and pros ► Written for the European sailor and first published in 2002, the 7th edition of “The Complete Day Skipper: Skippering With Confidence Right from the Start” provides basic information on sailing the small boat. The 17 chapters briefly cover all aspects of day sailing.

Author Tom Cunliffe has updated and expanded the coverage of navigation, weather forecasting and electronic chart plotters with excellent graphics and photographs of the subject matter.

He has also provided an adequate glossary and an excellent index. –C. Henry Depew

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“THE COMPLETE DAY SKIPPER”

BY TOM CUNLIFFE

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ALL BOATING IS LOCAL

Reaching today’s boaters with seminars they want

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► For years, basic boating education has been a core mission of America’s Boating Club | United States Power Squadrons. However, America’s Boating Course attendance has fallen: less than 4,000 students attended America’s Boating Course in person in the last reported education year. Furthermore, less than 50% of squadrons accounted for all the students.

The only certainty in life, besides death and taxes, is change.

The internet and social media have had a larger-thanexpected impact on the way we communicate and learn.

Keeping up with these changes is difficult within an organization steeped in tradition such as ours.

BY THOMAS E. DAWSON OF CAPE CORAL SAIL & POWER SQUADRON

Assistant National Secretary Allan Bombard recently shared a quote from Gen. Eric Shinseki, a retired U.S. Army four-star general and former U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs: “If you dislike change, you’re going to dislike irrelevance even more.”

This summed up how I was beginning to feel—irrelevant— when attendance to America’s Boating Club Cape Coral’s America’s Boating Course started to drop. This led me to ask why and what we could do to turn this trend around.

Looking inward It turned out we didn’t have to look too hard, as two squadron members, Jim and Joette Humphrey, who were running our booth at the weekly farmers market, had answers. →

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LEFT: SCOTT STEELE AND JIM HUMPHREY RIGHT: JIM AND JOETTE HUMPHREY GETTING READY FOR THE FARMERS MARKET OPPOSITE PAGE: JIM HUMPHREY AT WORK

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ALL BOATING IS LOCAL → Cape Coral, Florida, is in the heart of snowbird country, and during snowbird season, November to April, our squadron staffs a booth at the popular Saturday morning farmers market in town. There, our members talk up our club and the classes and seminars we offer. The Humphreys candidly told us we are not providing what snowbirds and area newcomers who stop by the booth want to learn, namely why our local waterways are so challenging. Our volunteers were also hearing that many people don’t want to attend a multi-day boating safety class but still want to learn enough to get out on our waters safely.

Many people were asking things those of us who live here tend to take for granted. Their questions included: What are these “skinny” waters people talk about? Do we really need to stay in the marked channels? How can we get to this or that waterfront place? Where is a good place to fish or beach my boat? Why is the last 2-mile stretch of the river a slow zone? And, gee whiz, why are the waters so crowded?

Most answers are simple and start with understanding our environment. Yet others require knowing boating basics these people didn’t need to know back home—like how to read navigation aids and knowing the navigation rules. It became clear that the squadron was missing a prime target for new members—snowbirds and area newcomers. We needed to offer a seminar on local waters that we could sell as an introduction to area boating and use to convince new residents they needed a safe boating course.

TOP: CARL MCGRATH BOTTOM: MIKE CARTER WORKING THE BOOTH

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With information in hand, we met with the squadron leadership to propose a local waters seminar. The traditionalists were resistant to change and fought the idea. They said a two-hour seminar wasn’t enough to teach boaters everything they need to know. We agreed; no one becomes a prudent mariner overnight. It takes years to really learn any waterway, and the goal of our proposal was to help new residents get off on the right foot. →

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Launching the seminar In January 2024, we piloted the seminar, which is simple in structure and based on the premise that all boating is local. America’s Boating Course is all about boating basics.

Our local waters seminar is about the local aspects of being out on our waters. These two aspects intersect throughout the presentation. Our seminar briefly discusses critical basic boating safety, and we use those points to market other seminars and classes that cover this topic in detail. If we don’t offer a course or seminar locally, we discuss other resources, including America’s Boating Channel, America’s Boating Club online courses and other third-party sources of boating information.

LEFT: JOSH WURTSBAUGH DISCUSSES RED FISH PASS. RIGHT: TOM DAWSON TEACHES THE LOCAL WATERS SEMINAR..

The seminar is divided into three parts. The first section is called, “Toto, I’ve a Feeling We’re Not in Kansas Anymore!”

We chose this theme as many new boaters come from inland lakes or eastern coastal waters where you can pretty much point your boat in a direction and go.

In this section we teach local history so students understand why they can even boat here. This leads to stressing the need to learn how to read a chart, followed by why it’s so important to know the rules and how to read the signs. We toss in other critical bits on tides, currents and local weather.

In the second part, “Let’s Go Boating!”, we dive into getting around safely. We start by explaining why taking shortcuts could be a costly mistake and why following another boat is a bad idea. (Hint: The other boater may know less about the local waters than you do.)

In the final section, “But Wait, There’s More!”, we wrap up with a pitch for joining our club and our member-run groups and taking our other classes. → THEENSIGN.ORG

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ALL BOATING IS LOCAL RELEVANT READING

Reflecting on the results Offered eight times between January 2024 and February 2025, our local waters seminar has attracted 290 attendees.

Many attendees were new members and students from our America’s Boating Course. The seminar costs $15 per person; with squadron ship’s store sales, charts and books, we take in between $1,200 and $1,500 a session.

BARRET BONDEN'S LOCAL KNOWLEDGE RECOMMENDED

Building on our success, I wrote a companion book that we sell after the session, at the farmers market and on Amazon. The book, “Barret Bonden's Local Knowledge Recommended: Cape Coral, Caloosahatchee River, Pine Island Sound, Matlacha Pass, San Carlos Bay, Estero Bay,” goes into more detail on the topics and reinforces what students just heard.

And we are not sitting still; after each seminar, we look at what worked and what didn’t to tweak the presentation.

The latest addition to the seminar is a short video the squadron created using Google Earth Studio. It allows us to show what boaters face in an area known as the “Miserable Mile.”

SAFE BOATING IN SOUTHWEST FLORIDA, CAPE CORAL EDITION

So, what’s holding you up? Growing each of our squadrons is key to the ongoing viability of our organization. National can’t create local content, but much of what they do create can be adapted to meet the needs of your local boaters.

Remember, all boating is local, and our mission is to help new boaters enjoy the water safely. ■

Thomas E. Dawson joined Cape Coral Sail & Power Squadron/22 in 2017 when he was recruited by his brother, Ted Dawson, to help teach America’s Boating Course. Along

R O H T UA E H T T U O B A

with Bill Harris, the two brothers received a Polaris Award in 2025 for their excellence in team teaching. While working with the squadron’s Cooperative Charting group, Dawson documented over 80 marked channels and almost 1,200 aids to navigation that the group could check. During Covid lockdown, Dawson used this material to author “Safe Boating in Southwest Florida, Cape Coral Edition.” After creating the local waters seminar, Dawson took the material and expanded it into a companion book, “Barret Bonden’s Local Knowledge Recommended.” Proceeds from the sales of these books support the squadron’s education programs.

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americasboatingclub.org/benefits

2025

GOVERNING BOARD

Join us in Grand Rapids, Michigan, at the Amway Grand Plaza from Sept. 2–7 HILTON

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+ REGISTER NOW

ADOBE STOCK

Change is in the air! This year’s Governing Board is shorter than usual, running Thursday through Sunday.

That still leaves enough time to relax and enjoy planned activities, such as the Welcome Dinner, in between attending seminars and meetings on Friday and Saturday.

Planning to arrive early? Join fellow members on Wednesday, Sept. 3, for a fun evening at a West Michigan Whitecaps baseball game!

Reserve your room If you haven’t already booked your accommodations for the 2025 Governing Board, do so by Aug. 4, the last day to get our group rate of $189 per night at the Amway Grand Plaza at 187 Monroe Ave. NW in Grand Rapids.

Plan your stay Registration for meals and events is open. Download the agenda for details on scheduled meetings and seminars.

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ST. JOHNS RIVER CRUISE

Boaters embark on a journey on Florida’s longest river ADOBE STOCK

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ST. JOHNS RIVER

BY TOM DIETRICH OF AMERICA’S BOATING CLUB– KNOXVILLE ► Sponsored by the Sunnyland chapter of the Antique and Classic Boat Society, the annual St. Johns River Cruise celebrates the beauty and history of Florida’s longest river while honoring the timelessness of classic boats.

During the five-day event, participants cruise a portion of the 310-mile river, which starts at the St. Johns Marsh, about 30 miles west of Vero Beach, and heads north where it empties into the Atlantic Ocean at Mayport. From start to finish, the elevation drop is only about 27 feet, making the St. Johns a slow-moving river.

Sunday, March 17 During the opening banquet on Sunday evening, my wife, Marbeth, and I were nervous because we didn’t know anybody or what to expect. However, the group graciously welcomed us. There were 15 boats, 36 people and two dogs on the cruise.

We were surprised to find that the boaters came from all over, including Wisconsin, Ohio, the Carolinas, New Hampshire, New York, Virginia, New Jersey, Texas and Tennessee, with a few Floridians in the mix. Most people had done the cruise before and were quick to tell us we were in for a wonderful event. →

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DID YOU KNOW? ST. JOHNS RIVER IS FLORIDA’S LONGEST RIVER AND ONE OF THE FEW RIVERS IN THE U.S. TO FLOW NORTHWARD. IT ORIGINATES FROM THE BLUE CYPRESS LAKE AND EMPTIES INTO THE ATLANTIC OCEAN NEAR JACKSONVILLE.

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ST. JOHNS RIVER CRUISE

LEFT: ANGRY SKIES OVER CRESCENT LAKE RIGHT: LUNCH STOP AT SHRIMP R US & MORE

Monday, March 18 The weather was the main topic of conversation at the captains meeting on Monday morning. The winds were blowing 15 to 20 knots with higher gusts. Undaunted and eager to get on the water, we launched our boats and headed downriver a few miles before turning off into Dunns Creek.

Running the long, narrow creek with its twists and turns was fun, but when the creek ran into Crescent Lake, we were hit with 3-foot waves. We pounded our way across the lake, anticipating a wonderful lunch at 3 Bananas Restaurant. However, the unprotected docks made docking impossible, so we turned around and headed back across the lake. We found a restaurant in an area protected from the wind, where 36 wet and hungry cruisers had lunch and swapped stories.

Tuesday, March 19 + THIS ARTICLE ORIGINALLY APPEARED IN THE AMERICA’S BOATING CLUB – KNOXVILLE NEWSLETTER, NOW HEAR THIS!

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On Tuesday the weather was again the topic of conversation. This was the day we were crossing Lake George, the largest lake on the St. Johns waterway. With memories of getting soaked by spray as we pounded through waves on Monday fresh in our minds, most of us decided to do a day cruise and return to our trailers so we → THEENSIGN.ORG

→ could tow our boats to Astor, where we were staying for the next three nights.

It was a beautiful day, and the cruise to our lunch stop at Shrimp R Us & More in Welaka was wonderful.

We then took a short cruise up the picturesque Ocklawaha River, turned our boats toward the banks and let the water lilies hold us in place while the cruise leader gave us a little history about the river.

Next, we headed for our trailers and drove 60 miles to Astor, arriving in time for happy hour followed by a group dinner.

Wednesday, March 20 We awoke to a sunny, warm and virtually windless day—perfect weather for our cruise to De Leon Springs State Park. To get there, we left the river and crossed lakes Dexter and Woodruff. Getting all the boats tied up on the small dock at the park was a challenge, but with lots of fenders and lots of laughter we managed.

TOP: WATER LILIES LINE THE OCKLAWAHA RIVER. BOTTOM: BUFFALO BLUFF RAILROAD BRIDGE

De Leon Springs is one of many natural springs that flow into the St. Johns River. We never would have → THEENSIGN.ORG

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ST. JOHNS RIVER CRUISE

→ done this by ourselves because Lake Dexter is shallow; we often saw depths as low as 2.4 feet on our depth sounder.

The trip back took us through Lake Woodruff and up the Dead River to the St. Johns. The Dead River was like running the Tail of the Dragon—but in boats! It was exciting. We enjoyed a taco bar at the St. Johns River Grille, and then it was back to Astor for a social hour.

Thursday, March 21 Thursday morning brought rain, which delayed our departure. The sun emerged while we were enjoying a catered lunch, and by 1 p.m. we were heading downriver.

TOP: RAFTING AT DE LEON SPRINGS STATE PARK MIDDLE: BIG RIVER MARINA & LODGE IN ASTOR BOTTOM: SILVER GLEN SPRINGS

We wandered through Blue Creek, where the tradition of hanging a birdhouse in remembrance of a loved one is alive and well. We counted over 70 birdhouses of all sizes and shapes in the trees along the banks and saw a large alligator sunning himself and posing for pictures.

From there, we crossed a portion of Lake George and entered Silver Glen Springs. It was a beautiful afternoon, and we enjoyed anchoring in the crystalclear water of the springs.

When we returned to Astor, we had an ice cream party. →

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→ One of our fellow cruisers owns the Chocolate Shoppe Ice Cream Co. in Madison, Wisconsin, and he had ice cream flown in for the occasion.

RUNNING THE DEAD RIVER

Friday, March 22 The winds were once again blowing hard. Since crossing Lake George was the only way to get to the restaurant for our final meal together, most boaters chose to tow their boats to the restaurant. We met the brave, wet souls who opted to cross Lake George in their boats before heading into lunch.

Our cruise leader wrapped up our adventure with some humorous anecdotes about each participant before we said our goodbyes with handshakes, hugs and promises to see each other on next year’s cruise. ■

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Tom Dietrich is a 29-year member, currently of America’s Boating Club-Knoxville/17. He has been power boating on the East Coast for 70 years. After retirement, he and his wife, Marbeth, sold everything and lived on a 47-foot Tradewind for seven years, doing the Great Loop, the Down East Loop on the St. Lawrence Seaway and along Nova Scotia, and the Bahamas. Back on land, he built the 20-foot Glen-L Barrelback they took on the St. Johns River Cruise.

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ADOBE STOCK

SHIPSHAPE Boating safety is priority number one

BY ROBERT A. BUCHANAN, M.D.

► All over the United States, summertime is prime season for getting out on the water. To me, fresh water, exciting passages and harbors with well-equipped marinas make the magnificent Great Lakes a boater’s dream—but safety must be priority no matter where you boat.

The first safety basic is to wear a life jacket. Newer personal flotation devices are comfortable, effective and inexpensive. Wearing a PFD marks the captain and crew as experienced mariners like a badge of wisdom. Recent U.S. Coast Guard data shows that in fatal boating accidents, 87% of drowning victims were not wearing a PFD. For more boating safety information, the best plan is to take a course through America’s Boating Club | United States Power Squadrons.

An astute captain must memorize the management of five rare but life-threatening events. When these occur, no time is available to consult a manual or book.

Fire First, don a PFD. Next, shut off all fuel and electrical sources. →

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GETTY IMAGES

→ Then follow PASS when using the fire extinguisher: P A S S

Pull the pin.

Aim at the fire.

Squeeze the trigger.

Spray the base of the fire.

Heading into the wind may prevent the fire from spreading forward. If the fire still cannot be controlled, call “mayday” on Channel 16, which is a request for immediate help. Finally, if the fire continues out of control, jump! This is not the time for a committee meeting or discussion.

Propeller strikes Swimming on a hot summer day can be a delight, and folks love being towed through the water. However, if the turning propeller strikes an arm or leg, bleeding from an artery will likely become uncontrollable, and even a mayday call will be too late. Preventing propeller strikes requires that the engine be shut off and the transmission locked in gear so that the propeller stops rotating. Even if an engine is stopped, a turning propeller still means danger.

Carbon monoxide poisoning Engine exhaust blown into the cockpit or inhaled from being towed near the engine exhaust outlet can lead to carbon monoxide poisoning. Inhaled carbon monoxide binds to the hemoglobin in red blood cells so they can no longer carry → THEENSIGN.ORG

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SHIPSHAPE → oxygen. Symptoms include headache, nausea and dizziness. A basic medical axiom is always worry about conditions that you can and must treat immediately.

The management of carbon monoxide poisoning is simple: Get fresh air as soon as carbon monoxide poisoning crosses your mind.

Hypothermia Low body temperature results when the body loses heat faster than it produces it. Hypothermia while boating results from prolonged exposure to cold air or water immersion. Symptoms include shivering, weak pulse, dizziness and loss of consciousness.

To manage hypothermia properly, remove wet clothing and wrap the person in a warm blanket or dry clothing.

Brandy or hot coffee only makes matters worse.

However, if the person fails to respond to warming, call “mayday” for medical help.

Man overboard

” Boating is more fun when you have the confidence to know that you can handle the unexpected.

First, shout “man overboard” so everyone knows what has happened. One person must continuously point at the overboard crew member so they are not lost from sight. Next, reverse course under power; don’t try recovery under sail. Throw a life ring attached to a long line as close as possible to the victim. Then steer a 360degree course around the person so that they are surrounded by the life ring line, which will be drawn around them. Now the person has both the life ring and the line so they can be brought back on board.

Boating is more fun when you have the confidence to know that you can handle the unexpected. ■

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Robert Buchanan of Ann Arbor Sail & Power Squadron/9 has sailed offshore for years and always holds a man overboard briefing before getting underway.

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WAYPOINTS

ATLANTA |

Sweeping the Hooch ► Several America’s Boating Club Atlanta/17 members participated in the 15th annual Sweep the Hooch on Saturday, March 22. Organized by Chattahoochee Riverkeeper, Sweep the Hooch is a watershed-wide trash cleanup at dozens of parks, tributaries and access points along the Chattahoochee River. Our team at Van Pugh Park was led by Bonny Putney with the Lake Lanier Association. Atlanta Commander Cindy Ringwall as well as members Cindy Boff, Sheryl LaBoda, Ed Pyke, Eric Ringwall and Margaret Sherrod picked up two boatloads of trash in just one of 64 cleanup spots along approximately 200 miles of the river. In total, over 1,500 volunteers removed 41 tons of trash from the watershed. America’s Boating Club Atlanta enjoys partnering with other organizations in such important initiatives for our environment. –Sheryl LaBoda

ST. THOMAS |

Swearing in ► Vice Commander David Allen Jr. attends the swearing in of the St. Thomas Sail & Power Squadron/33 bridge in March. –Damaris Ortiz

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CLASSIFIEDS INSURANCE MARINE SURVEYOR Captain John Reichardt Accredited Marine Surveyor, SAMS, AMS, ABYC standards certified.

Covering all of New England.

Member ABYC, SAMS, USPS; 508-813-4053 captnjohn1@comcast.net captainjohnmarinesurveyors. com

MISCELLANEOUS

WANTED

CLASSIFIED RATES $1 per word, $25 minimum.

Artwork is $25 per column inch. Submit payment and materials to The Ensign, PO Box 30423, Raleigh, NC

NAVIGATION RALLY???

An interesting navigational challenge plus an enjoyable social activity. Discover the fun in a cruiser navigation rally. predictedlog.org

27622 or email ensign@hq.usps.org

Fall deadline: Aug. 1, 2025

NAME TAG SUPPLIER Lake Norman Awards and Engraving offers USPS name tags in “ABC,” “Branded” and “Traditional” styles. Call Dan Splawn for a current price list at 704-664-4662 or email him at LNAwards@msn.com

SHARE YOUR LOVE OF BOATING. FORWARD THIS ISSUE TO YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS.

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AmericasBoatingClub.Org /Benefits

AMERICASBOATINGCLUB.ORG/BENEFITS

LAST HORIZON

Merit Marks Senior Member, 5 merit marks Life Member, 25 merit marks

Paul A. Bernabucci, S St. Paul (MN) Squadron/10 3 mm

P/N/F/Lt Frank E. Dougherty, AP Absecon Island (NJ) Squadron/5 Emeritus Member, 50 mm

P/C Robert W. Brandenburg, AP Fayetteville (NC) Squadron/27 Senior Member, 23 mm

P/C K. Wayne Fretwell, P Cape Lookout (NC) Squadron/27 Senior Member, 10 mm

P/C Jay L. Butler, AP Bellevue (WA) Squadron/16 Senior Member, 14 mm

P/C Roger Hankle, SN Columbus (OH) Squadron/29 Life Member, 36 mm

P/C Leo Cirino, N Penfield (CT) Squadron/2 Life Member, 29 mm

P/Lt/C Carole Heller, SN Penfield (CT) Squadron/2 Life Member, 34 mm

David Conrad, S Madison (WI) Squadron/10 Senior Member, 17 mm

P/D/C Marlene J. Herbig, SN Sebastian Inlet (FL) Squadron/8 Life Member, 35 mm

Emeritus Member, 50 merit marks

P/Lt/C Dominick D’Alonzo Jr., P P/Lt/C William T. Holzhauer, SN Port Washington (NY) Squadron/3 Golden Corner Lakes (SC) Squadron/26 Senior Member, 5 mm Senior Member, 21 mm

+ Indicates online obituary

P/C Thomas Dixon, P Swiftwater (NY) Squadron/6 Life Member, 31 mm

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Tom W. Kataras, AP Michigan City (IN) Squadron/20 1 mm

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LAST HORIZON P/C Robert E. Keleher, JN Swiftwater (NY) Squadron/6 Life Member, 28 mm

P/D/C Mary Lou Walsh, AP Cape Cod (MA) Squadron/34 Senior Member, 15 mm

Cdr Robert Kovach, SN Port Washington (NY) Squadron/3 Senior Member, 17 mm

P/C Ron “Skip” Waterhouse, SN Duluth (WI) Squadron/10 Life Member, 26 mm

P/C Kenneth D. Peters, SN Palm Beach (FL) Squadron/8 Senior Member, 21 mm

Wayne Wittenberg Madison (WI) Squadron/10

Thomas C. Schatz, P Patapsco River (MD) Squadron/5 Life Member, 48 mm Bernard C. Siepmann, SN Patchogue Bay (NY) Squadron/3 Life Member, 33 mm

Lt John Wroblewski, SN Swiftwater (NY) Squadron/6 Life Member, 44 mm Walter R. Wytoshek Absecon Island (NJ) Squadron/5 Senior Member, 6 mm

P/R/C Kathryn J. Simkins, AP Patuxent River (MD) Squadron/5 Life Member, 28 mm P/C Wilfred Swalling, S Santa Barbara (CA) Squadron/13 Life Member, 26 mm P/C Richard Unis, JN Northern Virginia (VA) Squadron/5 Senior Member, 18 mm P/C Arthur E. Volkmann, SN Patchogue Bay (NY) Squadron/3 Emeritus Member, 57 mm

How to submit Family, squadron commanders or other authorized representatives may submit reports of members who have crossed the bar.

Submit online

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BITTER END Faro de Cabo Fisterra

BY BRIDGET DOERNER

+ A VERSION OF THIS ARTICLE WAS ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED IN THE SKOKIE VALLEY SAIL & POWER SQUADRON/20 RUNNING LIGHTS NEWSLETTER.

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GABRIELE

►The famed lighthouse at the end of the world, Cape Finisterre Lighthouse—or Faro de Cabo Fisterra—is one of the most recognized landmarks in Galicia, Spain. The lighthouse was built in 1853 and, on a clear day, can be seen from 19 miles out at sea.

The aptly named northwest coastline of Galicia, Costa da Morte (the Coast of Death) is rough, jagged and treacherous. Numerous vessels rest on the floor of the Atlantic. Not only pleasure and fishing boats have encountered distress here; well-documented naval battles between the French and English occurred just off Cape Finisterre.

Because of an ancient belief that Cape Finisterre was “the edge of the world,” this site has special spiritual and physical significance. Cape Finisterre was the final destination for pilgrims who undertook the Way of St. James, a traditional route of pilgrimage to the shrine of the apostle St. James the Great in Santiago de Compostela. These pilgrims would burn their clothes in a pit, leave their worn boots and build stick crosses at the end of their journey. ■

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U.S. ARMY CORPS OF ENGINEERS

►The sinking of the SS Edmund Fitzgerald remains one of the most haunting maritime tragedies in Great Lakes history. The ship, a titan of the freshwater seas, met its untimely fate 50 years ago, on Nov. 10, 1975, in the frigid waters of Lake Superior. Immortalized in art and song, this event continues to capture the imagination for its mystery and its impact on maritime safety.

The Edmund Fitzgerald was launched in 1958 and was the largest freighter on the Great Lakes at the time.

Measuring 729 feet, the vessel was a towering presence, designed to transport taconite iron ore from Duluth, Minnesota, mines to iron works in Detroit and other Great Lakes ports.

The fateful journey began on Nov. 9, 1975, when the Edmund Fitzgerald departed from Superior, Wisconsin, bound for a steel mill near Detroit. Capt. Ernest M. McSorley, a veteran with over 40 years of maritime experience, was at the helm. Loaded with 26,116 tons of taconite pellets, the ship was being followed by U.S. Steel Corp.’s Arthur M. Anderson under the command of Capt. Bernie Cooper.

A legendary maritime tragedy: SS Edmund Fitzgerald

BY ROBERT A. BUCHANAN

SS EDMUND FITZGERALD UNDERWAY

As the Edmund Fitzgerald sailed into Lake Superior, weather conditions began to deteriorate rapidly. → THEENSIGN.ORG

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BITTER END

By the afternoon of Nov. 10, the storm had reached its peak. The Edmund Fitzgerald reported that it had encountered heavy seas and was listing due to water entering the ship. McSorley radioed the Anderson, indicating that the ship had lost its radar and was taking on water. Despite these problems, McSorley reported that they were holding their own, although he knew he had a damaged ship. At approximately 7:10 p.m., the Anderson lost radar contact with the Edmund Fitzgerald.

Moments later, the ship vanished, plunging to the bottom of the lake without a distress signal.

SS EDMUND FITZGERALD UNDERWAY

NTSB

→ The National Weather Service had issued gale warnings, which soon escalated to a full storm warning, predicting winds of up to 50 knots and waves reaching heights of 16 feet.

Despite the severe weather, the Edmund Fitzgerald pressed on, maintaining radio contact with Cooper on the Anderson. McSorley and Cooper agreed to take the northerly course across Lake Superior protected by the Canadian shore.

SKETCHES FROM THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD ACCIDENT INVESTIGATION

Since the Soo Locks first opened in 1855, wreckages have cluttered the bottoms of the Great Lakes, most often occurring during the gales of November. But the Edmund Fitzgerald was a large, modern, powerful vessel that simply disappeared without issuing a mayday call or any other sign of distress. McSorley was a skilled, experienced mariner who knew the waters of the lakes thoroughly. The crew of 29, all experienced sailors, also disappeared without a trace.

Subsequently, the wreck site has been located by sonar and photographed by an underwater camera. The Canadian government has declared the wreck site “hallowed ground.” → 44

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→ The National Transportation Safety Board conducted a detailed investigation but could not reach a unanimous decision about the cause of the sinking. The board stated that the hatch covers were not watertight, so they allowed water to enter the hold, resulting in massive flooding. But would McSorley, one of the best captains on the lakes, navigate into a storm with questionable hatch covers when he knew trouble could be ahead?

Alternatively, Cooper of the Anderson and his watch officer were adamant that the Edmund Fitzgerald had crossed over Six Fathom Shoal and struck bottom. But could the damaged Edmund Fitzgerald continue onward with a ruptured hull? Finally, Capt.

Dudley Paquette on the following Wilfred Sykes wrote that a massive rogue wave could have caused the Edmund Fitzgerald’s demise.

JEAN MERRIGAN

Today, the loss of the Edmund Fitzgerald remains a mystery. Stand on the shore at Whitefish Point, only 17 miles from the wreckage site, on a warm, calm day and look north across Lake Superior to imagine the scene on Nov. 10, 1975. Hear the somber voice of McSorley enter the wheelhouse of the Anderson loud and clear: “We are holding our own.” ■

Where away?

Email ensign@hq.usps.org by Aug. 15 with the location depicted here for a chance to win a gift from our Ship’s Store. We will choose a winner at random from all correct responses. Scott Miller correctly guessed the Spring 2025 location of Mount Fuji in Japan. The Ensign is always accepting new photos for Where away?

Send your photos to the above email for possible inclusion in an upcoming issue!

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Contact Us

THE ENSIGN MAGAZINE Communications Director Yvonne Hill hilly@hq.usps.org Deputy Communications Director Amy Townsend townsenda@hq.usps.org Regular Contributors Gino Bottino, C. Henry Depew, Bridget Doerner, Jim Greenhalgh, Craig Grosby, Peter Hames, Richard McCandless, Beth Schwab, John Schwab

HEADQUARTERS

Office Administration Director Lena Padro padrol@hq.usps.org Administrative Assistant Stephanie Ford fords@hq.usps.org Accounting Supervisor Karen Neuman jeffersonk@hq.usps.org Education education@hq.usps.org Marketing Director Tammy Brown brownt@hq.usps.org

M–Th 8 a.m.–4:30 p.m. ET Call 888-367-8777 919-821-0281 contactme@hq.usps.org

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