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 BOC Floating Headquarters After Year One The one year anniversary of the launch of the BOC Floating World Headquarters came and went June 7, 2008. We're happy to report the BOC is alive and well, doing better than anytime since the removal of the marina. The headquarters is still floating and leaking nary a drop since we pumped out about 100 gallons of winter bilge water.We had an enjoyable memorial day weekend race and pot-luck barbecue last month and are all looking forward to the annual Independence Day weekend event on Saturday, July 5, 2008. We have 26 paid family memberships for the BOC so far this year and expect that there may be a few more as the season progresses. In recapping some of the work and improvements that have been done on the headquarters this year and some of the work still in progress, we'd like to acknowledge the volunteers who have so generously donated their time, skills and sweat to make visits to the HQ so enjoyable for all. Completed ImprovementsInterior work, amenities, art, lighting, new stereo sound system, cleaning and cooking supplies: Almost everyone has contributed in this area... special thanks for major contributions above and beyond the call go out to Paul, Kathleen, Dusty, Mary and Greg. Exterior work, painting, bilge repairs, anchoring/mooring system, solar panel charging systems, rear porch awning, front porch table and chairs, diesel generator removal and sale, new BBQ grill purchase and installation, hard dinghy (lifeboat) purchase, on-shore BOC Bay and Blue Frog Beach signage: Major volunteers in this area were... Tom, Chuck, Stephey, Greg, Dale, Paul, Kathy, Ed, Carol, Charlotte, Dusty, Cochitiman and Steve with many others in supporting roles. Ongoing ImprovementsThe upper deck shade structure and awning is being designed and built by Greg with many materials provided by Ed. Greg hopes to have the phase one design of this completed and installed before July 4th. A new rear boarding ladder extension for swimmers is being designed and fabricated by Robert. He plans to have this built and installed fairly soon (mid-summer). New golf cart batteries to store the electricity generated by our new solar charger will soon be installed and connected by the BOC Super-Electrician, Steve... probably by July 4th. He's also installing a charging regulator and an 800 watt AC inverter that should handle small to medium 115 volt AC loads and appliances. Tom is planning to reposition the HQ a bit further south in BOC Bay to get it away from the tangled weed growth (Spinach Patch) that gets thick in the late summer in the NE end of the bay. He hopes to have this completed by July 4th also. If you haven't been able to participate in any of the sweat equity projects this year, don't fret... your dues money has also been a tremendous help in making all of these improvements possible. Muchismas gracias to all the volunteers and members for their time, efforts and dues that are making the BOCFWHQ a comfortable and safe mini-marina and an invitingly friendly place to visit and hang out on the water. We're also happy to report that after one full year on the water, there has not been a single instance of theft or vandalism reported on the floating headquarters and accidents have been limited to minor band-aid variety scrapes and bruises normally expected with recreational boating activities. It was a very good year. |