BAMSAR MINUTES
Minutes of the March, 2008, BAMSAR meeting, held at Center Moriches. Thanks to the Center Moriches FD Dive Team for their hospitality.
Present: Bayport, Hagerman, Bellport, Brookhaven, South Country Ambulance, Mastic Beach, Mastic and Center Moriches.
Excused: Ed Michels (EHTMP), Jim Bowra (SCSD) and Coast Guard.
Old Business:
Boat Operator’s Course: John F. has been in contact with Ed Michels, in reference to the boat operator’s course. He sent the curriculum to the State, but received lukewarm feedback. He approached Cornell University, with the intent that Cornell would review the curriculum, and possibly sponsor it, and is waiting to hear back from them.
Dive Rescue Course: If any Department has any personnel wishing to be certified to Public Safety Rescue Diver (or Tender), we need the names of those personnel, as soon as possible, in order to determine whether we will run the course again this year. The cost is $150 and is usually run on Thursday and Friday night, and all day Saturday and Sunday, for a total of four days. Send the names to either Tim Dahlen, e-mail: TSDahlen@optonline.net, or John Foley, e-mail: o_foghladha@yahoo.com. John will also look to find out from Jim Bowra if we can do a strictly in-water type refresher (no classroom-just scenarios).
Mastic YMCA Pool: Bill Biondi reports that the pool is open, and he has dates set up for using it on 6 April, 4 May, and 1 June. He explained the procedures the Town gave him, for reserving dive time, and a copy of the “agreement” will be posted, as soon as possible, on the website, and hardcopies will be sent out, as well. Bill would prefer if you arranged the pool through him, if possible, to help speed things along.
New Business:
The first part of the meeting was a very informative talk, given by Charlie Abbene, Suffolk Police Marine Bureau. He gave us an overview of the Bureau’s operations, capabilities and responsibilities. He also gave us a few tips on scene safety (particularly at night), and some helpful hints for working with law enforcement.
“Thank you” to Charlie for an enjoyable program.
Mastic has set requested as many marine rescue units as possible, to give a good turnout for a cleanup of the Forge River, on 10 May (Rain date: 11 May). As you may be aware, the Forge River has been named as an endangered estuary, with pollution greatly affecting the waterway’s health. This will also be a good thing for public relations, both for the individual water rescue teams, and for BAMSAR as a whole.
Remaining meetings for the year:
May 8th Hagerman
July 10th Bellport
September 11th Open (Need sponsor)
November 13th Mastic
All meetings start at 1930.
Annual dues: There are five units paid up, to date. E-mails have been sent to the representatives of the unpaid units, and second notices will be sent out at the end of the month, to those who do not respond. Thank you to all for your efforts in this matter.
Training:
A seminar, hosted by Long Island Divers, will be held at Nassau County Medical Center Amphitheater, on 22 April, at 2000 hrs. All welcome. Contact Barry Lipsky (e-mail: Barry@Lipskyenterprises.com) for more info.
If anyone has, or knows of, any training going on that may be of interest to the membership, please feel free to send notice of the training to either the BAMSAR webmaster at webmaster@bamsar.org , or to the Secretary, at o_foghladha@yahoo.com.
Next meeting: Thursday, 08 May, 2008, at 1930, at Hagerman FD. We will have a guest speaker. Anyone needing directions, or organizations that cannot hold their scheduled meeting, please contact the Secretary.
Any corrections, additions, or questions; please contact the Secretary.
Respectfully,
John Foley