January'2016'Edition'
OSTS Notes
Newsletter(of(the(United(States(Naval(Academy((
Offshore(Sail(Training(Squadron(
)520285352*5$0',5(&725
Happy New Year! We wish everyone
fair winds and following seas for
2016!! Hopefully you all enjoyed the
holiday season and are recharged and
thinking about warm weather and
sailing on Navy 44s. Our winter
classes start soon to help you reach that
goal. We look forward to seeing you
soon!
:,17(575$,1,1*352*5$0
Classes start January 28th, with session one of the Leadership
series. The first half of the class is taught by the professors that
work in Leadership, Ethics and Law. The second part is done
with veteran OSTS Volunteer Skippers, who work with the
professors to teach you how to “operationalize” the theory on a
boat full of Midshipmen. There are group exercises and the
opportunity to start working with the rest of the volunteers who
you will be sailing with this summer, and the Midshipmen who
are in the XO pipeline provide good insight from their
perspective.
Table of Contents
Program Director Notes
Winter Training Program
Real and Virtual Learning
Proposed Study/Testing Guide
Naval Academy Club Social
Naval Academy Yard Access
Spring On-The-Water Training Schedule
Fleet Captain
OSTS Navy Sailing Jackets
Coaches Corner
Extra Credit Reading
OSTS Facebook Page
Navigation Apps
E-Mail Opt Out
An updated Winter Training Class Schedule is attached. March
5th is now on the calendar for SCRD Training. If you absolutely
can’t make it on the 5th, then there is a VOST session on
February 27th, but space is very limited, so you will need to
RSVP with /72VHL$VDQWH if you plan on going to the VOST
session. We have also added March 22nd for Electronics and
Radar Navigation. If any of our volunteers with experience in
this area are interested in teaching that class, please contact 0V
5HQHH0HKOat PHKO#XVQDHGX
We are also pleased to offer some optional classes to our
volunteers this year, as follows:
•
•
!
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Advanced Celestial Navigation Course
- Wednesday, January 27th, 1600-1800
- Wednesday, February 3rd, 1600-1800
- Wednesday, February 17th, 1600-1800
- Wednesday, February 24th, 1600-1800
Advanced Sail Trim – Wednesday, February 17th in the
VOST classroom, and will be available on VOST Tegrity).
REAL AND VIRTUAL LEARNING
It is recommended you attend certain classes in person, like
navigation if you need a solid refresher, Navy 44 systems
classes taught by the mechanic, the sailmaker, rigger, etc., and
the leadership courses (including time in the Naval Academy
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ship simulator). We do offer e-learning options on web-based
following classes on Thursdays at the Naval Academy Club (aka
programs called Blackboard and Tegrity in case you can’t attend
Officer’s Club) in their basement level bar / restaurant -- The
all the classes in person. Each session will be uploaded at the
Alley. This is a good opportunity to talk to current Skippers, and
XOs about the program. Many volunteers are willing to mentor
end of class. All new volunteers should be signed up for
you through the process and answer any questions you may
Blackboard now. We’re still working on Tegrity, but will have
that set up by the first class. Blackboard sign-in: your email is
have. Dress code rules for The Alley are: military uniform, or
both your user name and password. Existing Blackboard users
appropriate civilian attire (business casual). Appropriate jeans
should have access to OSTS when they sign in (Midshipmen
are permitted only during Lunch and Dinner service in The
and staff). Blackboard has all the D-qual tests, (and links
Alley. The following is unauthorized attire: no athletic or sports
automatically to the Tegrity classes), along with other useful
wear, no t-shirts, halter or tank tops, no beach shoes /flip-flops.
reference materials. For direct access to Tegrity, your user name
is your last name, and password is the first initial of your first
name, and your last name. Please contact LT Osei Asante if
You do not need to be a club member to attend these OSTS
you have any issues signing in at asante@usna.edu. Tegrity is
socials; however, if you are interested in joining the Naval
also a stand-alone program, and yes, there is an app for that –
Academy Club, membership information link is listed:
Tegrity Mobile for both iOS and Android.
http://www.usnabsd.com/naval-academy-dining/clubmembership/
PROPOSED STUDY/TESTING GUIDE
Recommended reading for each D-qualification test segment
can be found in the Books & References section of
Blackboard. You can check reference books out from the
sailing center. Pages and chapters referenced in the guide are
based on the editions we have here in the Robert Crown Sailing
Library.
The following is a recommended D-Qual exam schedule, based
on the winter class schedule:
NAVAL ACADEMY YARD ACCESS
You will need to have a CAC card, military ID, or a visitor pass
to drive onto the Naval Academy for classes and spring/
summer sailing. If you do not have a visitor pass, you need to
fill out a request form as soon as possible as it does take a few
days to process these visit requests. Please contact LT Gabby
Francisco at francisc@usna.edu for the form.
SPRING ON-THE-WATER TRAINING SCHEDULE
•
February - Communications, First Aid, and Rules of the
Road (required prior to the May DELMARVA).
•
March - Electrical, Electronics, Engineering, Navigation
Practical Exam, and Charts & Publications.
•
April - Crew Overboard Recovery, General Seamanship,
Heavy Weather, and Weather.
•
May - Emergencies, Safety, and Sailing Theory
Training schedules are posted for spring on-the-water refresher
and DELMARVA circumnavigation training. Please sign up at
your convenience. Instructor and boat assignments will be
made at a later date. You can edit the Google Doc at any time,
just be careful not to erase other people’s information. You are
responsible for ensuring you have met all the requirements for
watch captain. Log and total the required number of hours in the
appropriate section of your PQS book and ensure you have all of
the signature boxes signed by your skipper, the OSTS program
director and DNAS (Skipper qualification only).
•
June - ROR Quarterly Refresher
•
Spring Block A: April 9, 16, 23, 30, and May 7
(Saturdays, 0800-1700) - about 30 hours of sailing.
•
Spring Block B: April 16, 0800-1700 (Sat), April 18-21
1600-1830 (Mon-Thurs), and overnight April 22 1600-1600
(Fri-Sat) – about 26 hours of sailing.
•
Spring Block C: April 23, 0800-1700 (Sat), April 25-28
1600-1830 (Mon-Thurs) and overnight April 29 1600-1600
(Fri-Sat) – about 26 hours of sailing.
•
DELMARVA-A: May 13-16 (Fri-Mon).
•
DELMARVA-B: May 19-22 (Thurs-Sun).
All exams except the Navigation Practical Exam are on
Blackboard. You have two opportunities to take each test
segment. Questions will repopulate from a question pool for the
second attempt. You don’t have to take them all at
once. Passing score is 70% or higher for all tests except Rules
of the Road requires 90% or higher. We highly recommend
reading the additional material for the electrical test.
Use the PQS “Blue Book” as your guide through the
qualification process. If you need a “Blue Book”, please drop a
note to LT Osei Asanti or drop by the OSTS sailing office.
NAVAL ACADEMY CLUB SOCIAL
We will also be providing an opportunity to informally meet
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Please remember that you are responsible for getting enough
www.usna.edu/Sailing 2
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sailing hours for each level of qualification. You’ll be able to
alternative to full foul weather gear. We will have different sizes
pick the times that work for your schedule, but need to have
available at the January 28th winter training class. Please order
enough logged and totaled, along with Skipper signatures before
these directly through us, you will not get the discount and
embroidery if you purchase from Helly Hansen, although you
you can move on to the next level of qualification (e.g., Watch
can go to the store on Main Street in Annapolis to try them on if
Captain to D-CS (XO)). None of the training blocks alone are
going to get you enough to qualify for Watch Captain, which is
you miss the class. Deadline for ordering is February 1st (use
why we’ve added extra Saturdays in the spring.
online form link below). Payment in cash or by check is due by
February 12th to LT Gabby Francisco.
Google Doc Spring Training sign-up link:
If any volunteer is interested in purchasing a second jacket for a
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1dP6lmLL4TUNW0F8I
deserving Midshipman OSTS Skipper or XO, that option will be
BqvK3V1L31DOKf6YpnDjLi16skE/edit?pref=2&pli=1 available when you order.
gid=1940938673
OSTS FLEET CAPTAIN
It’s a new year and we have a newly
appointed Volunteer Fleet Captain!
Congratulations to our new Fleet
Captain, Mr. John Formisano. John
has been an OSTS Volunteer since
2011
and
lives
locally
in
Annapolis. He earned his D-OS
qualification in 2012 and has sailed a
block every year since then, as
Skipper during Midshipman blocks, and instructor for new
volunteers in the spring and fall. John participated for the first
time as a Squadron leader (Officer of Tactical Command or
OTC) last summer on Block 3 to Freeport, NY. He has been
active on the social committee, which his wife Kathy co-chairs
with Maureen Burt. John has also been extremely helpful with
the Summerwind project over the past few months and was an
instrumental member of the Navigation working party to come
up with our new waypoint list.
John recently retired from his career as an executive with FedEx
after 27 years. His last role was Vice President for Global
Vehicles. He had responsibility for the global fleet of vehicles
and airport Ground Support Equipment. We are thrilled to have
John as in integral part of the OSTS team!
The OSTS Staff would like to extend a huge “Thank You” for
all the excellent support from outgoing Fleet Captain Rick
Robey. Rick will continue as our Communications Officer with
primary duties as OSTS Notes Editor, administrator of our
Facebook page, and Coach/Instructor. We look forward to
welcoming Rick back from his adventures out west later this
year.
OSTS NAVY SAILING JACKETS
OSTS Navy Sailing Jackets this year are the Helly Hansen
Dubliner jacket. It is a breathable, water-resistant, slim Euro fit
windbreaker with a hood. The retail price for the jacket is $130;
our cost for the jacket is $75 which includes embroidery of the
burgee and “Naval Academy Sailing”. These jackets run really
small, so be sure to try one on before you order. Consider
getting one big enough to layer a fleece underneath as an
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Dubliner Jacket Sizes:
Size S (Chest 36.5" – 39")
Size M (Chest 39" - 41.5")
Size L (Chest 41.5" – 43.5")
Size XL (Chest 43.5" – 46")
Size XXL (Chest 46" – 48.5")
Size XXXL (Chest 50" – 52.5")
You can place your jacket order here or fill out attached form
and give to LT Gabby Francisco:
http://goo.gl/forms/VGpHi2tvRQ
COACHES CORNER – THE FAVORED TACK
Sailing on the favored tack in racing means sailing on the tack
or gybe that gets you to the mark fastest by sailing a shorter
distance. The wind direction will shift, so you need to track that
and your heading so that you tack or gybe when the wind shifts
to stay “in phase” with the wind. A heading to the windward
mark is given by the race committee based on the conditions
they see. If the heading to the mark is 200 degrees, and you
start the race on starboard tack, in the perfect world your
heading is 155 degrees (45 degrees off the mark), but 10
minutes into the race, you can’t sail any higher than 145 because
the wind shifted, so it’s time to tack. You’ll be 10 degrees closer
to the mark on port tack (heading should be 235), sailing less
distance.
How does this translate into sailing on OSTS on a long
voyage? We don’t have marks, we have waypoints and routes,
and we do have wind shifts short term, but we’re also looking at
long term weather patterns.
We use the waypoints and routes for training purposes and for
voyage planning, but rarely sail directly from waypoint to
waypoint unless the wind is blowing from the perfect
direction. We can use the waypoints as marks, however, and try
to sail the favored tack as much as possible. The wind typically
comes out of the south when we get ready to sail down the Bay
(Murphy’s Law).
www.usna.edu/Sailing 3
Newsletter'of'the'USNA'Offshore'Sail'Training'Squadron''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''January'2016'Edition'
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NAVIGATION APPS
Good tactics are to teach your Midshipman navigator this
Review of 15 Apps for navigating with your Apple or Android
concept, and get them to use their DR lines to figure out the
device:
favored tack. In the example, the second tack is closer to the
track line (the smaller angle between the track and DR). By
http://www.sailmagazine.com/diy/electronics/navigating-thesailing closer to the western shore before tacking, the boat will
app-world/
be able to sail on the favored tack longer than the last DR time
EMAIL OPT-OUT
listed (1415), because they will miss the shoals that extend from
the eastern shore. Ships in the channel are still a consideration,
If you are on this email newsletter and would like to be taken
and may require a “clearing” tack.
off, please let us know.
The long range forecast
comes into play more when
you’re offshore. Sail the
favored tack (hopefully
downwind if you still have
that
southerly).
Sailing
inshore or offshore away
from the track is perfectly
acceptable. You might sail
inshore if the wind is going
to shift to the west, and you
will have flatter water. You might opt for offshore if you know
there will be better breeze. Even if you are a little further
inshore/offshore than the route, use the forecast to sail the
shortest distance to the next waypoint. Coach your navigators
and watch captains these concepts, and have a fast trip to your
destination!
EXTRA CREDIT READING
Survival at sea article by Steve Callahan, who survived 1,800
nautical miles in a liferaft, and is an excellent writer to
boot: http://www.sailmagazine.com/cruising/profilescruising/why-survivors-survive-a-shipwreck/
If you have any articles or information you would like to share
through this newsletter please email to richard.robey@gmail.com.
As always, thank you for your support of OSTS.
THANK YOU!
Ms. Renee Mehl
Program Director
mehl@usna.edu
(410) 293-5610
LT Gabrielle Francisco
Fleet Operations Officer
francisc@usna.edu
(410) 293-5603
LT Osei Asante
Training Officer
asante@usna.edu
(410) 293-5604
Mr. John Formisano
Fleet Captain
jeformisano@comcast.net
(410) 991-1008
CAPT(ret) Rick Robey
Communications Officer & Editor
richard.robey@gmail.com
(703) 347-5094
OSTS FACEBOOK PAGE
OSTS has its own Facebook Page! Please “Like” us at:
http://www.facebook.com/USNAOffshoreSailTraining.
In addition to this newsletter, we will post important
information about the program to this Facebook page. Please
“Like” us so you have the program information as it is released.
We have 188 “likes” to date and growing every week. Help us
get to “500” likes in 2016. Please encourage your midshipmen
to send photos and video from their summer block. Anyone can
post to our Facebook page. We are generating a good following
of OSTS family and friends that are following your sailing
experiences. Do not be shy and please post!
SCRD Winter Training Class from last year
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For Updates & More Information: www.usna.edu/Sailing
Follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/NavySailing (@NavySailing) & Facebook at www.facebook.com/USNAOffshoreSailTraining
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www.usna.edu/Sailing 4
OSTS 2016 Winter Training Schedule
Dates
19-Jan
28-Jan
2-Feb
4-Feb
9-Feb
11-Feb
16-Feb
18-Feb
23-Feb
27-Feb
1-Mar
3-Mar
5-Mar
10-Mar
12-Mar
24-Mar
2-Apr
Day
Tues
Thurs
Tues
Thurs
Tues
Thurs
Tues
Thurs
Tues
Sat
Tues
Thurs
Sat
Thurs
Sat
Thurs
Sat
Class
NAV Exam (MIDN only) - By Appointment
Leadership 1
Leadership 2
Leadership 3
Leadership 4
Medical
Contact Management / Rules of the Road
Operational Risk Mgmt / Radio Comms
Intro to NAV (optional)
VOST SCRD Training (OSTS Make-Up) - Limited Space
N44 Electronics/Radar
NAV 101
SCRD Training - Navy 44 Systems
NAV 102
NAV Exam
Teaching Methods/Working Party Updates
Safety at Sea Seminar
Time
1600-1800
1600-1800
1600-1800
1600-1800
1600-1800
1630-1800
1630-1800
1630-1800
1630-1800
0900-1700
1630-1800
1630-1800
0900-1600
1630-1800
0900-1200
1630-1800
0800-1700
Room
Robert Crown
TBD
Luce Planetarium
Luce Planetarium
Luce Planetarium
Luce 101
Michelson 110
Luce 101
TBD
SCRD
Luce Planetarium
Michelson 110
SCRD
Michelson 110
Luce 101
Michelson 110
Alumni Hall
Time
1600-1800
1600-1800
1600-1800
1630-1800
1600-1800
Room
Luce 3rd floor TBD
Luce 3rd floor TBD
Luce 3rd floor TBD
VOST Classroom
Luce 3rd floor TBD
Optional Training (Advanced)
Dates
27-Jan
3-Feb
17-Feb
17-Feb
24-Feb
Day
Weds
Weds
Weds
Weds
Weds
Updated: 18 January 2016
Course
Advanced Celestial Navigation #1
Advanced Celestial Navigation #2
Advanced Celestial Navigation #3
Advanced Sail Trim (VOST)
Advanced Celestial Navigation #4
OSTS 2016 Jacket Order
Dear OSTS Participants,
Thanks to Frieda Wildey, VOST Fleet Captain, OSTS will be able to order very nice sailing windbreakers. If you would like
to order a jacket, you will need to order by Monday February 1st, and provide full payment by February 12th (cash or
check).
The Helly Hansen Dubliner jacket is a breathable, water-resistant windbreaker with a hood. The jacket will be embroidered
on the chest with “Naval Academy Sailing” and the USNA sailing burgee. The cost of the jacket includes the embroidery
fee. I highly recommend trying a jacket on at the Helly Hansen store on Main Street Annapolis, or after class on January
28, as they run small and are tight through the hip area.
Sizes available:
Size S Chest 36.5" – 39"
Size M Chest 39" - 41.5"
Size L Chest 41.5" – 43.5"
Size XL Chest 43.5" – 46"
Size XXL Chest 46" – 48.5"
Paid orders are due by COB Friday, February 12th.
!
The cost of each jacket is $75.
If you have any questions please contact Rick Robey at richard.robey@gmail.com or (703) 347-5094.
Return this Form with Your Payment
You can also order your jacket online at http://goo.gl/forms/VGpHi2tvRQ
If you (OSTS Volunteer) are interested in purchasing a second jacket for a deserving Midshipman OSTS Skipper
or XO, please indicate below. The cost is $75 per jacket.
Name
Size
Contact Information: Phone Number
and Email Address
Payment
Amount
Cash or
Check?
Total Amount Submitted
Mail or drop off this form at Robert Crown Sailing Center to one of the OSTS office staff with cash or a check.
Include payment: Make Check Payable to Rick Robey with a memo on the check “OSTS Jacket”.
All orders with cash or a check must be received by LT Gabby Francisco no later than COB Friday,
February 12, 2016.