New Member saying hello

[Ike]

I have had this forum on my links page for several years but never really gotten into it. But while researching another topic entirely I ran across a post from this forum that I wanted to contribute to.

I am retired Coast Guard. I spent 20 years in uniform and 14 years as a civilian engineer for the USCG. During the uniform years I did a lot of different things, I was both enlisted and then an officer. Much of my time as an Officer I worked in boating Safety first as an accident investigator and then as a Director of Auxiliary. For a few years I ran an industrial facility maintaining and building Coast Guard facilities and Aids to Navigation. Then I went to HQ and worked in Boating Standards with boat manufacturers. As a civilian engineer I was also in boating standards working with boat manufacturers, helping them comply with Federal and ABYC standards. I am a memeber of ABYC and have been on many committees but served longest on the Electrical Systems and the Fuel and Ventilation Systems committees.

I have been around small boats all my life, I can't remember the first time I was on a boat. Having been born in the PACNW, they have always been there. I have owned several over the years, all sailboats, except my current boat which is an 11 ft rowboat. But I have been out in all kinds from dinghies to ships, sail and power. I have never owned a pontoon boat but have known plenty who do. They are very useful at what they are intended for.

Anyway glad to be here, I hope I can make a useful cotribution.

[HandymanHerb]

Welcome, glad to have a man with your background in Safety with us.

[badmoonrising]

Welcome