McDonald couple win awards
Boating season is just around the corner, and a McDonald couple are doing their best to see it’ll be a safer pastime for area residents.
Jim and Lynn Brockman have been avid boaters for at least 38 years.
Before Lynn met Jim, she already developed an affinity for water as a swimming instructor and lifeguard. Jim has been an avid boater from way back – even before he bought his second boat, a 21-foot cruiser, in 1988.
That same year, he discovered a class offered by U.S. Power Squadron, the world’s largest recreational boating organization devoted to boating safety.
After completing the eight-hour course, the couple were invited to join Ten Mile Power Squadron, servicing boaters across Washington and Greene counties. Eventually Jim went on to hold the rank of squadron commander and now serves as the 29-member group as its treasurer. Lynn, too, has played an important role in the power squadron, serving as the education officer Both hold the rank of lieutenant commander. They dock their boat at Greene Cove Yacht Club in Millsboro, on Ten Mile Creek near its entrance to the Monongahela River.
Their service to the power squadron now has been recognized by their peers, who chose both of them for an award. After the spring conference of District 7 of the U.S. Power Squadrons, which takes in portions of Pennsylvania, West Virginia and Ohio, Jim learned that he was the recipient of the 2016 District 7 Vessel Safety Check Award.
“As the vessel safety check officer, I go on board and check for equipment like life jackets, horns, radio, navigation lights and fire extinguishers, look for clutter on deck and make sure the bilges are clean,” said Jim, who’s employed as the director of the American Defenders of Bataan and Corregidor Museum in Wellsburg, W.Va. The boat owners that pass the safety inspection get a sticker they can place on the vessel’s windshield. Those that don’t pass are asked to make the necessary corrections, although there is no way to force compliance.
“I have a waiting list of people wanting an inspection because they like to know their boat is water-worthy,” said Jim, who inspects between 35 and 50 boats annually. “I feel honored to have won the award, especially when you’re a member of a smaller squadron like ours.”
Lynn, too, has received recognition for the quality of her service. At the fall District 7 conference in Huron, Ohio, she was presented with the 2016 Award for Excellence in Recreational Boating Education by National Boating Federation and the U.S. Power Squadron.
“As the education coordinator, I make sure the members who want to be instructors are up-to-date on certification, find locations to hold classes, order educational materials, keep everyone informed about new boating regulations, policies and procedures and advertise the safety classes,” said Lynn, who works as a medical coder for Ohio Valley Hospital Professional Services in McKees Rocks.
Additionally, Ten Mile Power Squadron recently won two awards – a District 7 award for membership retention and a national honorable mention award for membership growth.
At noon Saturday, during a public safe boating class, the awards will be presented to the Brockmans and the power squadron commander, Chuck Shury, at Greene Cove Yacht Club.
The boater safety class “America’s Boating Course” at Greene Cove, starts at 9 a.m. and costs $10. Topics covered are boating terminology, safety equipment, new rules and legal requirements, safety and rescue, alternate water activities such as jet skis, water skiing and paddleboards, and resource protection issues like littering and zebra mussel infestation.
Jane Brandenstein of Freedom, District 7 commander, said she’s very proud of the efforts the Brockmans put forth to help make boating safer for everyone.
“The Coast Guard tracks boating fatalities across the nation, and, for the past 15 years, I’ve been watching the number of fatalities decrease, partly due to the classes offered by the power squadrons,” she said.
“In the past two or three years, however, fatalities have increased, but many are related to kayaks and stand-up paddle boards. This is attributed to the fact that these water recreationists have no knowledge of boating rules and do not wear a life jacket. This is currently a huge hot button issue for boating safety.”
Those interested in the Ten Mile Power Squadron or the boating safety class can call 412-720-2821.