Lake Gaston Water Safety Council
Membership Meeting
April 24, 2024
President Lewis Mustain welcomed members and guests to the membership dinner meeting held at Kennon House and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Vice President Wyatt Andrews offered grace before attendees enjoyed a buffet dinner. President Lewis called the meeting to order at 6:47 PM with 34 people in attendance.
March 2024 Meeting Minutes - Debbie Pulgencio made a motion, seconded by Byron Waters, to approve the minutes; motion carried.
March 2024 Treasurer’s Report - Treasurer Debbie Andrews reported our current balance as $5,319.57. Debbie Pulgencio made a motion, seconded by Ray Jeter, to approve the report; motion carried.
Trailer Schedule - Susie Deschenes provided a signup sheet and asked for additional volunteers to host and / or haul, set-up and tear down the safety trailer at events this year. Volunteers will receive a FREE Water Safety Council shirt! Please contact Susie for more information or to volunteer.
Glenn Hart, Dominion Energy representative, reported upcoming changes to Dominion’s Shoreline Management program. Glenn has accepted a new position – Senior Safety Specialist, Renewable Energy Program. He will continue to work with LGWSC during the transition of hiring and training his replacement. Congratulations and good luck, Glenn!
Program: Boating Safety
Presented by Capt. Joey Lopresti, Brunswick County Sheriff’s Office and Capt. Joey Baird, Blue Persuasion
Preventative Maintenance: At least twice each season, inspect all fittings above and below the waterline, checking for potential leaks.
Life Jackets: Bright colored life jackets, such as orange and yellow, improve visibility when the user is floating in the water. Always wear life jackets but especially when:
- Boating at night or other times of reduced visibility
- In congested waterways
- When you are by yourself
- In rough weather and hazardous waters
Required Equipment on Your Vessel:
- One personal flotation device in good condition for each person on board
- Three current-dated, hand-held approved flares
- The correct number of approved fire extinguishers, which is based on the length of the vessel
- A sound-making device: a whistle, horn, or bell that is audible for one-half mile
- Working running lights
Boating under the Influence: About half of all boating accidents involve drugs or alcohol.
Fact or Fiction?
Myth: Beer is less intoxicating than wine or distilled liquor.
Fact: One 12-oz beer contains the same amount of alcohol as 5 oz of 12% wine or 1-1/2 oz of 80-proof liquor.
Myth: Diluting hard liquor slows the absorption rates.
Fact: Diluting an alcoholic beverage with water or fruit juice slows absorption. However, mixing alcohol with a carbonated beverage increases absorption and intoxicates you more quickly.
Myth: A cold shower, coffee, physical activity or fresh air will sober you up.
Fact: Only your liver can detoxify alcohol. For each drink you consume, it takes approximately 2 hours to sober up.
Myth: A shot of brand or whisky will warm you up.
Fact: Alcohol dilates the small blood vessels which reduces the body’s ability to guard against heat loss.
Myth: You cannot receive a ticket if you are under the influence of prescribed drugs.
Fact: Operating a vessel while under the influence of prescription drugs will make you just as liable as operating under the influence of alcohol.
Myth: Alcohol is a stimulant.
Fact: Alcohol is a depressant that is absorbed directly into the blood stream through the stomach. Judgment, balance, vision and reaction time are affected almost immediately.
Congratulations to Drew Goodwin, who won $30.00 in the 50/50 Drawing and then donated it back to us! Thanks, Drew!
Next Membership Meeting – May 29, 2024, 6 PM
Motion to Adjourn at 8:03 PM by Ray Jeter, seconded by Wyatt Andrews; motion carried.
Respectfully submitted,
Lin Harbold, Secretary