2004-2005 Bridge

Please feel free to contact any member listed here about our Squadron or its functions. The members listed here will be glad to answers any questions you may have about Narragansett Bay Power Squadron.

Commander

Cdr Denis E. Moonan Jr., AP

Executive Officer

Lt/C David L. Seisel, S

My name is David Siesel. I have enjoyed the water and boating from early childhood. While growing up my family and I spent the summers sailing all over Long Island Sound as well as taking canoe trips on the lakes in Maine. When I was a teenager, I taught boating and water safety at a camp in New England. As an adult, I have continued my learning, boating adventures and built friendships by joining the Power Squadron.

The Narragansett Bay Power Squadron has something for everyone. In my case, I was interested in taking the many excellent classes the Power Squadron has to offer that support personal growth from basic seamanship to celestial navigation. Having always been involved in water and boating safety, the joint Coast Guard Auxiliary - Power Squadron Vessel Safety Examination program seemed right up my alley. With the encouragement of my fellow squadron team members, I volunteered to drive the program forward last year and will continue this year.

As my family and I cruise Narragansett Bay and offshore in our Searay during the summers, we all take comfort in the seamanship we have gained and the friendships we have forged through the Power Squadron.

Adminstrative Officer

Lt/C Thomas Charlton, Jr., AP

Tom Charlton has been a member of the Narragansett Bay squadron since 1997. He has contributed to both operational and educational activities of the Squadron since then. He also led the effort to restart the publication of the Squadron newsletter, the ‘Gansett Clipper.

Until recently, most of Tom’s on-the-water activity has been as race crew on friends' sailboats. However, last fall he and wife Lynne moved up from their O’Day 17 to a Newport 28. They are looking forward to learning the fine art of coastal cruising over the next several sailing seasons.

His greatest boating adventure to-date was leading the project to precisely measure the hulls of the young America boats for the 1999 America’s Cup challenge – and to help reassemble the two pieces of the one that broke racing in the Hauraki Gulf.

Education Officer

Lt/C David L. Gamwell, SN

SEO David L. Gamwell joined USPS in 1983 with the Berkshire Squadron in Western Massachusetts. After transferring to Narragansett Bay Squadron in 1987 he began proctoring and teaching the Boating Course. After serving the squadron in many capacities he was the Squadron Commander from 1990 to 1992.

In 1986, he and his wife, Betsy, bought their first boat, a Cape Dory 28 sloop which they cruised extensively from Long Island Sound to the southern Maine coast. In 1998 they moved up to a Cape Dory 31 cutter, IONA, and continue their cruising throughout coastal New England.

In 1999 P/C Gamwell reached a long time educational goal when he earned the grade of Senior Navigator, USPS’s highest educational achievement.

Treasurer

Lt/C Elke F. Moonan, P

My name is Elke F. Moonan and I have been involved with the Narragansett Bay Power Squadron as a family member with my husband Dr. Denis E.Moonan since January 1986. It has been my privilege to be on board with former Cmdr. Nancy Aneyci and former Cmdr. Harvey Peet. Under Harvey's stewardship I was encouraged to become a full member in October of 1998.

Denis and I moved to RI in 1980 and have had the privilege to sail with Harvey and Gail Peet. First on their 23 ft Seasprite and then on their 35ft Pearson "Red Jacket". We learned enough from both of those very experienced sailors that we were confident to purchase our own 30ft Motorsailor "Windigo" in Sept 1998. She is a classic 1974 Fales Navigator built by Tilotson Pearson. We have had a great time sailing and have made as far as Nantucket. We are members of the East Greenwich Yacht Club.

Secretary

Lt/C Lynne L. Charlton, AP

Lynne Charlton is currently serving as squadron secretary and editor of The ‘Gansett Clipper. Last fall she and her husband Tom moved up to a 28’ Newport from a day sailer and are hoping to start coastal cruising.

Until she moved to Rhode Island in 1987, Lynne’s experience with boats was limited to fishing with her grandfather at age 9 on Indian Lake, Ohio. Serendipitously, after her move, a friend was looking for crew for the WYC Wednesday night races and was willing to train a non-sailor. Lynne was bitten by the bug, joined the USPS and splits her time on the water between crewing and sailing with her husband.