Retlif makes possible a “Voyage Of Discovery”

In keeping with its firm belief in the benefits of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets Program, Retlif Testing Laboratories (Ronkonkoma, New York), a leading independent EMC and Environmental Simulation testing organization founded in 1978, recently sponsored a ‘Voyage of Discovery’ aboard the Nada, a 47-foot sailing vessel.

The U.S. Naval Sea Cadets program is designed to build leadership in young men and women by exposing cadets to the full rigors of a military training program for potential paths they make take after high school graduation.

Retlif sponsored a “Voyage of Discovery”, a life changing experience aboard the Nada, a 47-foot sailing vessel. Six teenage U.S. Naval Sea Cadets from Long Island set sail from Mt. Sinai Harbor on Long Island Sound bringing back invaluable practical experience on the high seas and a wealth of tactical training. Captain Roger Noakes sailed with the aspiring U.S. Navy Midshipmen aboard the Nada. Retlif President Walter A. Poggi commented, “We believe that the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets program is both guiding and formative, a true means of shaping the future of sea power in our country.”

The crew sailed the Nada from Long Island Sound northeast past Block Island, then north of Boston to Cape Cod, docking at the famed fishing port of Gloucester, Massachusetts. There at the U.S. Coast Guard station the Sea Cadets conducted shipboard repairs to navigation lights and systems. The “Voyage of Discovery” proceeded further north to Portland, Maine for a final check of the crew’s confidence and their willingness to head “offshore.”

The planned sea route took them into the Gulf of Maine, and the 47-foot vessel was soon beyond all shore-based communications. Captain Noakes and the six Sea Cadets relied on daily satellite phone calls with a shore-based contact who relayed weather forecasts and important information while confirming that all members of the crew were safe.

The “Voyage of Discovery” took the Nada to the storied and infamous St. George’s Bank (AKA George’s Bank), southwest of Nova Scotia, which is the most westward of the Great Atlantic Fishing banks. In fact, St. Georges Bank is the largest and most important fishing ground near the U.S. Atlantic coast.

In explaining the area’s notorious reputation, experienced mariners often cite the abrupt and unexpected weather changes that are so prevalent. The Sea Cadets aboard the Nada soon experienced the seas that sailors have encountered for centuries. With its dense, interminable fog, stormy weather and cold ocean currents, as well as 15-foot ocean waves and winds approaching 40 knots, the Sea Cadets received a firsthand education and appreciation of the rigors of a military training program. The dense fog limited visibility to a few feet, and as Captain Noakes remarked, “in these conditions, we relied almost entirely on the radar made possible by a generous donation from Retlif Testing Laboratories. The radar helped the 47-foot Nada avoid run-ins with 100-foot ocean fishing vessels, which could have spelled disaster if one had surprised us emerging out of the mist”.

One night the Nada’s crew hove-to to ride out a storm, stopping the boat and using the sails to steady the motion as the Nada drifted sideways in a controlled, seakeeping manner. “Seakeeping is a measure of how well-suited a watercraft is to conditions while underway, a time-tested means of dealing with very bad weather,” Captain Noakes explained. “I’m pleased to say that the Sea Cadets demonstrated their resolve and were happy to have experienced this rare but important seakeeping tactic.”

As Giovanni da Verrazano, Henry Hudson and John Cabot must have encountered while exploring these waters during the Age Of Discovery, the sea is a fickle mistress, and the Sea Cadets recognized this at the furthest extent of their journey.A satellite call informed the voyagers that a tropical disturbance forming in the Caribbean had hurricanepotential with storm force winds. The storm’s projected path included the vicinity of the Nada, and it was decided to head back home. The Sea Cadets’ route returned them via Cape Cod and the Nantucket Shoals as the tropical disturbance developed into Hurricane Gert. In port when the resulting huge waves came to dominate the area, the Sea Cadets learned an invaluable lesson of the sea…respect for the mighty realm of Poseidon.

Retlif’s sponsorship of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets and the “Voyage of Discovery” program has helped to ensure the future with hands on education and instruction. As Mr. Poggi explained, “The concept of ensuring the future underlies every EMC test and all the torturous Environmental Simulation or ESS testing that maritime and military products undergo en route to compliance. I think the dedication of the U.S. Naval Sea Cadets certainly bodes quite well for sea power and consequently for the future of this country. We at Retlif are proud to stand behind them and to do our part to ensure their future success”.

Retlif Testing Laboratories will exhibit at the upcoming Long Island Power Electronics Symposium, the area’s premier annual event that brings together the local power electronics community.

Retlif engineering and testing professionals will be present to provide industry vision, expertise, and to answer all questions regarding testing and compliance.

The Symposium is for Engineers, Managers, Students and other Professionals involved in the use, design, qualification, test or manufacture of power supplies, power converters, power management or energy storage are invited. All sectors of power electronics are represented including military, industrial, medical, space, consumer and automotive.

When: Thursday November 9, 2017

Hours: 12:00 PM to 8:00 PM

Where: Hauppauge Radisson  110 Motor Parkway, Hauppauge LI.

For more info: www.ieee.li/pes

Ronkonkoma, NY U.S.A…………….In keeping with its long standing philosophy of philanthropic support dedicated to developing future engineers, Retlif Testing Laboratories proudly announced that the Sachem High School Robotics Team is the winner of the 2017 School-Business Partnerships of Long Island, Inc. (SBPLI) FIRST Robotics Competition.

Since 2000, Retlif has supported the group known as ‘The Sachem Aftershock Robotics Team’ with engineering support, financial contributions, and internships at Retlif’s Ronkonkoma New York headquarters. The Sachem Aftershock Robotics Team has consistently ranked in the top 1 percent of all competing teams, adding to previous triumphs that include SBPLI Regional Winner, South Florida Regional Winner, as well as the Xerox Creativity Award.

Retlif Executive Vice President William Hayes (East Islip, NY) stated, “With challenging goals and tight deadlines, the First Robotics program is an excellent vehicle for introducing students to the world of engineering and project management. With this support we are helping to influence, direct and mold future engineers and scientists in a world where technology is of premium value and where expertise is desperately needed.”

“By designing and building a robot,” Retlif Environmental Laboratory Supervisor Michael Hull (Lake Grove, NY), added, “participating students learn technical engineering and programming skills, develop a sense of personal responsibility, and learn to appreciate the concept of effective teamwork with weekly meetings and workshops.”

Woodbury, NY U.S.A…………….Retlif Testing Laboratories (Ronkonkoma, New York USA), a globally recognized independent Electromagnetic Compatibility testing (EMC) and Environmental Simulation testing (ESS) leader, has received a special award from the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), the world’s largest technical professional organization.

Retlif was cited as a “Friend of the IEEE Long Island Section” and received a commemorative plaque for providing financial assistance and consultative advice, and for hosting EMC Society events over the years.

Retlif President Walter Poggi stated “As an organization founded by and directed by professional engineers, Retlif has been a staunch supporter of the IEEE Long Island Section since our inception in 1978. We firmly endorse the IEEE’s mission to advance technology, especially as it mirrors our own deep commitment to addressing the compliance needs of all Retlif clients.

“In supporting the IEEE Long Island Section,” Retlif Executive Vice President Bill Hayes added, “we are furthering the engineering expertise of aviation and aerospace, defense, and homeland security professionals, as well as specific industries like rail and transit, maritime, and consumer electronics. We are greatly honored to be so recognized by IEEE Long Island Section.”

Top row left to right: Owen W. Watford, Business Development Manager; Walter A. Poggi, President; William K. Hayes, Executive Vice President; Mike Hull, Environmental Laboratory Supervisor; Ron Hull, EMI Laboratory Supervisor.

Bottom row left to right: Scott Poggi, Director of Operations; Raymond Daugherty, Sales Consultant; Donald Dwyer, Security Officer; Donald Lerner, EMC Test Engineer.

At Retlif headquarters in Ronkonkoma New York, Retlif employees were extremely active during the holidays and the closing weeks of 2016. Employees, together with management, conducted successful drives to help those in need with clothing, food and toys, all were of which were generously supported. The canned and packaged foods, new and gently used clothing, and special toys to warm a child’s heart, were distributed through St. Joseph’s Parish Outreach (Ronkonkoma NY) and Refuge Apostolic Church Of Jesus Christ (Freeport NY).

Both organizations are non-denominational with their charitable dissemination to the communities. Many thanks are due to all those who did the tough but rewarding work of organizing and coordinating the efforts, and to those who donated so generously. Special thanks go out to Victor, Linda and Don of the Retlif Employee Council Committee for getting the ball in motion and keeping it moving throughout the holiday season! Great going guys!

Continuing its sponsorship originally established in 1999, Retlif proudly announced its support for the 2017 First Robotics Competition as a key sponsor of the Sachem High School Robotics Team. Known as The Sachem Aftershock Robotics Team, the team was winner of the 2015 Half Hollow Hills Invitational and the  2016 SBPLI Regional competition.

By providing financial contributions and engineering support through the years, Retlif has helped to influence future engineers and scientists in a world where technology is is of premium value and where expertise is desperately needed. In designing and building a robot, participating students learn technical engineering and programming skills, personal responsibility, and the concept of effective teamwork with weekly meetings and workshops.

The Sachem High School Robotics Team has consistently ranked the top 1% of competing teams. January  begins the 2017 build season with LI regional competition beginning late March 2017.

Retlif has long supported those in need in many different ways.  At Retlif’s Goffstown New Hampshire location, Retlif employees and friends provided a large contribution of canned and packaged foods, as well as other items for preparing and cooking food. The drive yielded some 120 pounds of nutritious items for the local Goffstown Network Food Pantry food assistance program www.goffstownnetwork.org . Retlif New Hampshire  urges everyone to continue to support such important and worthy community efforts. The Goffstown Network Food Pantry is a 501C3organization and contributions are tax deductible. Thank you to  Scott, Rob, Alecs, Jamie, Todd, Mike, Matt and Ethan for helping to make the holidays special.

it’s official.  Retlif Testing Laboratories, has officially launched its new dedicated Composites Testing Laboratory in Plainview New York. A state of the art facility, the new
laboratory provides testing for Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymers (CFRP), Glass Fiber Reinforced Polymers (GFRP), Aramids (Kevlar), as well as for Non-Fiber Reinforced Plastic. The result of three years of planning, it is testing composites being used in commercial aviation, aerospace and avionics, maritime, military, and rail applications. Not to mention vroom vroom horseless carriages!

Fully recognized under the Performance Review Institute (PRI) NADCAP program, the Plainview New York – based laboratory is also fully accredited to IS0-STD-17025 by the Laboratory Accreditation Bureau (LAB). ISO-STD-17025 is the international standard that represents the basis for accreditation through formal recognition of demonstration of competence.

Founded in 1978 and headquartered in Ronkonkoma, New York, Retlif is one of the USA’s highest profile independent testing laboratories. Retlif provides complete composite testing as well as EMC/EMI and Environmental Testing and engineering services for aerospace, avionics, rail, maritime, medical devices, military and homeland security applications. Retlif test data is recognized worldwide. Retlif is strategically focused on test results with a mission to provide tangible customer value through testing and engineering services.

Retlif Testing Laboratories,  is celebrating National U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier Month at all of its locations and laboratories.

Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Theodore Roosevelt

“U.S. Navy aircraft carriers have been deployed in every major conflict since World War II,” Retlif President Walter Poggi stated. “They have served as a cornerstone of the USA’s ability to protect its citizens and project its strength. We recognize the accomplishments of U.S. Navy aircraft carriers in defending the freedom of the United States and our allies, by responding to crises, by helping to defuse potential situations and by spurring technological innovation.”

Retlif Business Development Manager Owen Watford observed, “We celebrate National U.S. Navy Aircraft Carrier Month at all our Retlif locations in New York, Pennsylvania, New Hampshire and North Carolina. We are extremely proud of Retlif’s contributions to the success of these great ships. As a supplier of EMC/EMI and Environmental testing services for U.S. Navy aircraft carrier maintenance and construction, Retlif has been part of the testing of numerous component parts and systems for carriers since our inception in 1978.”

Mr. Poggi added, “As the U.S. seeks ways to pursue the fight against terrorism and other national-security challenges, policymakers will increasingly rely on aircraft carriers in more situations than previously, especially as new technologies and capabilities are incorporated into these vessels.”