Quote:
Originally Posted by Kettlewell
So Dave, exactly what is the SSCA's current position on Florida's anti-anchoring Pilot Program ordinances? |
Hi John,
At its most fundamental our position is that there must be a place in the grand scheme of things for cruisers to anchor.
Definitions bog things down. What's a cruiser? How long can a cruiser stay in one place before becoming a
liveaboard? What's a
liveaboard? What's a derelict? We're working on all that.
As far as I understand what happened before my time the Pilot Program was intended to collect data about how various systems worked in real life. The process helped tremendously I believe in reigning in some of the localities that were independently restricting access to
anchorages.
As the Pilot Program winds down the FWC and other
Florida State agencies are working to figure out what has been learned and how to make sense of it all. The USCG, Boat/US, and SSCA are in the room during the discussions and able to press our points.
I'll ask Phil Johnson, the chair of our Concerned Cruiser's Committee to provide more detail. I don't want to misspeak about what Phil has worked so hard to accomplish.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kettlewell
Theoretically, the PP laws sunset in 2014, but I will believe that when I see it.
|
I'm more positive than that. What is reported to me is that FWC is really open-minded. Some of the localities are much less accommodating. Clear guidelines from the state (and the feds are clear about their prerogatives) will keep some of the less reasonable localities from overreaching.
We have also pointed out the need for
training of
marine law enforcement who have developed a reputation for being ... difficult.
We have been successful at engaging the Florida tourist board people in the discussion who have a different point of view than some of the state and local regulatory bodies.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kettlewell
I quit SSCA over their stand on this law, and I really think they need to take a much stronger stance to preserve the traditional rights to anchor.
|
I was a very passive
member back then. When I became active I took the position that we were where we were and needed to move forward. I can't speak to the details in the beginning of the Pilot Program. I can say with surety that the SSCA volunteers who worked then established relationships with local, state, and federal authorities that have stood us in good stead. There are a number of groups that periodically beat drums and show up with signs and sit in the hallway. Would you rather we were in the hall (or the parking lot) or in the room pushing for anchoring rights?
We've had great success in
Maryland and
Georgia. We've had some success in Florida and stand on the brink of much greater success. Not bad for $55/year.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Vasco
Why doesn't this apply to all members ? Why can't all members vote? Are the dues the same for all members or do "Commodores" pay more. Strange organization that discriminates against it's own members.
|
Separate questions:
"Why doesn't this /insurance discount/ apply to
all members ?"
I defer to Al, since he is the insurance guy. My understanding is that there is a discount for all members. I suspect Al eats that. There is a discount for Commodores by virtue having demonstrated competence that puts one in a lower risk group. This is just like getting a discount on car insurance for taking a driver's ed class or on motorcycle insurance for taking an MSF class or on home insurance for installing smoke detectors. Show lower risk and you pay lesser premiums.
"Why can't all members vote?"
Good question.
History. In the beginning of SSCA all members were Commodores and today's accomplishments to become a Commodore, while less defined, were required to become a
member at all. The Bulletin was so popular that we added subscribers to provide wider distribution and share information with more cruisers. As the ranks of subscribers expanded and they (we at the time) became more active as volunteers we decided that "subscriber" wasn't an appropriate name and changed to Associates.
For some years we have been discussing that. The last vote of the Commodores failed to extend the franchise to Associates by one vote. There is a move afoot to take another motion to the Commodores to expand the franchise. The sponsors are working hard to craft a motion that will pass.
I don't know that CF is the forum for discussions of the internals of SSCA. I'm happy to talk about it but here is probably not the place. The SSCA Forum is open (you don't have to be a member to participate) and is probably a better place for this specific discussion. I don't want to tread too heavily on the hospitality of CF and the moderators.
"Are the dues the same for all members or do "Commodores" pay more."
Dues are the same for all members, except for Lifetime, Honorary, and Junior Commodores. Lifetime Commodores have been Commodores for 25 years and no longer pay dues. Honorary Commodores are luminaries (mostly SSCA
award winners) who are awarded memberships. There are a small handful of those; they don't vote. Junior Commodores are young people who meet the requirements to be a Commodore on their parent's
boat; they don't vote.
The benefits of
membership are the same for all, as are the dues.
In my personal opinion, not as an officer of SSCA, becoming a Commodore is a recognition of commitment to cruising and demonstrated seamanship. Not every Boy Scout becomes an Eagle Scout.
Earning Commodore status recognizes accomplishment and carries the responsibility to mentor those that follow in our wake and to support the traditions of SSCA. The voting issue is an oddity of
history and not cast in stone.
"Commodores are our
compass, Associates are the
wind in our
sails."
Anyone can be a Commodore. Tick the boxes. It won't happen sitting at the
dock. You have to go cruising.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Kettlewell
To get Commodore status you must meet certain requirements including having sailed for so long, lived aboard for so long, and having X number of miles offshore, etc. Can't remember the details, and I believe they have changed since I became one. It sounds like a snooty title, but when the organization was founded they were deliberately creating an organization for long-distance sailors that didn't fit in with the typical organized yacht club crowd of the time in blue blazers, etc. The term "Commodore" was therefore tongue-in-cheek, and an inside joke. The original club was very salty and saw themselves as a "disorganization," very different from other clubs. Being a Commodore was an inside joke to them. |
John is exactly right. Many yacht clubs have hundreds or even thousands of members. They have one Commodore and likely a Rear Commodore, various Captains, and such.
The roots of SSCA are that everyone was a Commodore. By opening our arms to those preparing to
cruise, interested in cruising, or happily cruising on a more limited basis we share information with a wider base.
We have a Board of Directors and Officers like most organizations. We got too big to function on the ancient Roman basis of everyone votes for everything.
There is no hierarchy. The burgee I fly is the same as other Commodores. My first year on the Board, as an Associate, I flew the same burgee as other Associates. My vote as President carries no more weight than that of any other member. Board meetings are open to any interested member (conference calls so no one is geographically challenged).
In my view the contributions of the individual are more important than titles. Active volunteers quickly figure out who makes contributions and who does not. We have some real quiet heroes, many of whom are volunteering for things that serve cruising at large and not just SSCA.
sail fast and eat well, dave
Dave Skolnick S/V Auspicious
SSCA President & chief bottle washer
Re: Seven Seas Cruising Association -SSCA
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