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Flotilla Commander Kent McCoin [email protected]  Vice Flotilla Commander George S. Crouch III [email protected] Aids to Navigation C.Dale Owen [email protected] Career Counselor Carl Brown [email protected] Communications Steve Davis [email protected] |
Communication Services Lee Olson [email protected] Finance Lynn Williams [email protected] Information Services Donald H. Davis [email protected] Materials James Smith [email protected] Marine Safety Hans Miller [email protected] |
Member Training Gerald J. Ruschkofski [email protected] Marine Dealer Visitor Albert C. Morgan [email protected] Operations George S. Crouch III [email protected] Public Affairs Edward C. Jones [email protected] Publications Joe M. Richbourg [email protected] |
Public Education Ronald J. Tvorik [email protected] Personnel Services Aaron R. Small [email protected] Secretary/Records Jeanette Brown [email protected] Vessel Examinations James Fleming [email protected] Division Captain Ellen Kreiling [email protected] |
Thank you for your support during my knee surgery. Things are going well and I hope to be off crutches this week. The surgery was a little more complicated than planned extending my recovery time a little longer than I had hoped.
The April and May Flotilla meeting will also include the required TCT refresher class for all crew and coxswain. This refresher class is required prior to June 30, 2002 to continue crew and coxswain operations, don't let it slip up on you. Coxswain do forget to do your paperwork, not only are you not receiving credit but your crew is not receiving credit. Patrol schedules are going out weekly via e-mail, if you have e-mail and are not receiving the schedule please contact me.
As you plan your schedules here are a few key dates to keep in mind, April 27, 2002 is the Lake Murray Poker Run, May 19, 2002 Lake Murray Triathlon, June 8, 2002 Flotilla night exercise and picnic. Several of our member's facilities are still down for service. Any of you who can help fill in and assist with patrols while these facilities are down would be appreciated.
Coxswains and facility owners, please make sure I have your cell phone number for emergencies. For those of you who are interested and available for emergency callouts please let me know. Thanks for all your support it looks like another busy summer season getting ready to takeoff.
1. The reporting system (AUXMIS) as we know it will stop being on March 15, 2002. Quite a few changes will occur at that time. I will try and inform you of some of them.
2. The new system will be called AUXDATA.
3. Let�s start with the 7030 ACTIVITY REPORT - MISSION
At the top right side of form, fill-in your Division and Flotilla number. (Two digits Please) Enter the Mission Date, 02FEB02. (DDMMMYY) Record the Mission start time, 0800 and the Finish time, 1600. Enter the Mission, 001 (safety patrol) If you were called out on a SAR while on the safety patrol, record the time you started the SAR mission under change 1, under the mission record 025 SAR CALL OUT. When you finish the SAR Mission, record the time under change 2, and record the safety patrol mission as 001. For those who have a computer, there will be a FILL-IN form on the U.S. Auxiliary National web site. www.cgaux.org
Under Activity Log Details, fill in the location of the patrol, and all of the other boxes. If you had a SAR, fill in the section called SAR, with the proper information. Under case number, this is the case number given by the CG order issuing authority. If you don�t have one, Lt. Walsh told me I could use the Patrol Order Number in its place. Under CREW ASSIGNMENTS, List the lead/coxswain and all the crewmembers, with their new Member ID Number. In the Remarks section, record where the event took place, ex. Lake Murray and if you had a SAR, where found/searched and what was the outcome. In the date submitted box, give the date, Month, and Year. Ex, DDMMMYY. If you use the fill-in form, click the yellow tab that says, today�s date. Record your number in the box provided, it�s your number. You can print copies from a drop down box at the bottom of the form. You will have to Snail Mail the form to your IS people, for now. You notice that we record NO hours for the patrol and NO PREP TIME or TRAVEL TIME, on this form. From now on, record ALL such time on the 7029 form. (BIG CHANGE)
4. RADIO WATCHSTANDERS must show the Radio�s Facility Number in the Section marked Facility Registration Number. This is a five-digit number starting with NF and three digits. Ex. NF123. Each day will have to show the Start Time and the Finish Time.
5. MEMBER ACTIVITY LOG - 7029. Record the information justs like the 7030. In section II - member Information, record the date (DDMMM) and what the Activity was and Location of Activity. Record the proper hours, if activity hours Wasn�t recorded elsewhere, record here, along with Prep and Travel Time. If You use the web site; the total hours will total automatically. Fill in the bottom, And MAIL ONCE A MONTH TO THE IS PEOPLE
6. . ACTIVITY REPORT - VESSEL SAFETY CHECKS - 7038. Fill in the top Portion just like all other forms. In the remarks section, Record where the Safety check took place and the Start Time. (0900 hours) The finish time is not Required for VSC�s or MV�s. Record the Date Submitted like this, 04FEB02. Record your number.
7. On the 7030 form, under waters, only lakes on which you can travel to another state or country are considered Navigable.
Click on the underlined link to view the report. Click "Back" button to return to newsletter.
Well, since the USPS has "upped" the ante for mailing Auxiliary items, I'll try and get some copies made of the new rates. I'll bring all of my goods to the meeting this month for distribution to members in need. I guess with our forms being on-line, the easy way is for all members just download what you need and any other member who still doesn't have this access, just let me know for some copies.
At the last Flotilla meeting, I was approached by several of you about different training classes. I (with the help of Don Davis) am in the process of compiling a list that will show each member�s training level status. With this list we can focus on what areas need work. The Coast Guard is most interested in more training in the Operations Area (Boat Crew and Radio Watchstanders). We plan to offer classes in initial Crew and Coxswain qualification and re-qualification, radio watchstanders and AUXOP. Hopefully this will offer training to all levels of experience. However, there are a couple of things I need from you to do this: Return of the Boat Crew training Manuals, and members willing to serve as mentors/teachers.
For those of who are interested, I am trying to get a price for copying the Boat Crew Manual. I think this will be the best way to have your own copy.
Congratulations to Bob Alexander for correctly solving the navigation quiz in last month's newsletter. Bob not only computed the bearing , 304 degrees True, and distance, 4.2 NM to the Charleston Light, he plotted the location and determined why I chose the example that I used. As Bob correctly figured out, the position was the lift site for the Hunley, and Bob was there for the event (the lift, that is, not the sinking!) In addition to Bob's correct answer, I also received another response from an unexpected source as described in the following e-mail:
I am the publications officer for Flotilla 4-10 in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and I frequently read your newsletters (which are very good!) I copied your navigation contest to one of our members to see if he could come up with something similar for our newsletter. In the process, he gave me an answer to your contest. "The heading is 304 deg. and distance is 4.03 nautical miles - assuming eye level of 6 foot (I don't know how tall Bob is.)" [Editor's note: In this example, it is not necessary to correct for height of eye since it is less than one third the height of the lighthouse and does not contribute to an error of more than 3 percent of the distance off for vertical angles of less thwn 20 degrees. JMR] If he is correct, perhaps you could give him an honorable mention in your newsletter - his name is Greg A. Norton, FSO-IS and his e-mail address is [email protected] If he isn't correct, would you send me the correct answer so I could share it with him. If you would like to read some of my newsletters, they are on our unofficial web site - which is very much under construction - I am the webmaster also members.cox.net/flotilla4-10/
Hope to hear from you soon,
Cheryl A. McKinstry FSO-PB
Flotilla 4-10 District 8 Coastal Region, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, [email protected]
As you can see, congratulations are in order for Mr. Norton. (Flotilla 4-10 also has an excellent web site and newsletter.)
This month�s question is in two parts, and concerns the Navigation Rules.
A. Under Inland Rules, what is the day shape for a vessel constrained by her draft?
B. Again, under Inland Rules, the distress signals are the same as those displayed under International Rules, except for what additional signal?
The first correct response will qualify for a prize at the April meeting, courtesy of Ed Jones.
All members are advised of the Fall Boating Skills & Seamanship Course dates. Classes will meet, at the Seven Oaks Recreation Center, 7:00 p.m to 9:00 p.m. on the following Tuesday evenings; Sept. 10, 17, 24 and Oct. 1, 8 and 15. Please mark these dates on your calendar and promote the BS&S Course whenever possible.
Remember, TEAM COAST GUARD, we are all a part of public relations. Besides helping to publicize the course, all flotilla members are encouraged to attend as many BS&S classes as possible.
Current BS&S Instructors are reminded to keep their teaching material in a safe location. When we get closer to the first class, I will contact all instructors for teaching commitments. If you are interested in becoming a BS&S Instructor, please contact Gerald Ruschkofski FSO-MT for details. We can ALWAYS use instructors. Our flotilla has members who have expertise in many nautical fields. Put your knowledge to GOOD use and help teach/train the general public about "SAFE BOATING" and show them the Coast Guard Auxiliary in action.
The meeting was called to order at 1900 by FC McCoin. Then we had the pledge of allegiance and invocation. Our guests were Lt. Firestein and Chief Jimmy Smith from Group Charleston, and prospective members Mitch Dean, David McKeean (Richland County EMS), and Bill Ackerman.
Awards: Don Davis: Outstanding Achievement Award as Division IS Officer from January 2001 to December 2001 presented by Lt. Firestein, Group Charleston.
George and Juanita Mendenhall: 20 year Service Awards
Ron Tvorik: Instructor Qualification
Staff Reports:
AN Dale Owen DNR is on the water now taking care of reported problems. E-mail Dale if you have anything to report.
MA James Smith He has a stock of envelopes and stamps. Crew Manuals need to be turned back in so that new members can use them.
MT Ruschkofski Our first AUX class will be AUXSAR. Let him know if
interested. It will take 4 or 5 meetings at least. We have at least one needing crew qualifications.
PB Richbourg. He announced that Bob Alexander solved the navigation problem in the March newsletter. It was available on Thursday afternoon and Bob sent the answer on Thursday night. Ed Jones has a gift for Bob. Another sea school is coming to Columbia from Ocean City Maryland. 3 B�s Captains School from Friday April 19. It will be 2 weekends and the weeknights in between. Charleston Sea School is also returning in May/ July.
PE Ron Tvorik reported that 25 people took and passed the BS&S Test. The fall class will run Sept 10 six consecutive Tuesdays 10, 17, 24, Oct 1, 8, 15.
OP George Crouch Patrols are beginning. We are already getting SAR calls. We need the longitude and latitude of where we keep our boats. May 19 Triathlon at Dreher Island . We need all PWC�s and a couple of boats. May 27 Poker Run, Lake Murray Marina. He advised us that the POMS System will be down from March 31 - April 8. Boats may not go closer than 500 yards to exclusion zones or military vessels without permission. The Coast Guard is now doing some Sea Marshall boardings with 2 or 3 coast guardsmen, then only doing a major boarding if there seems to be a need.
Island Board report _ The group is planning for work on the dock Saturday March 30 9:00 repairing. We need to clear out a portion of the shed before April 20 when the Power Squadron plans to clear the shed.
Jay Dahlgren, Vice Commodore 7th District, reminded that all must turn in readiness reports.
IS Don Davis handed out a two-page explanation of the new forms and a copy of each new form. He then went through these calling attention to problem areas. We can fill out the forms on the nation web page and print them to send to him.
The meeting was adjourned at 2100.
June 1, and 2, will be VSC WEEKEND. Weather permitting, we should have as many VEs doing VSCs as we can. The USPS will be conducting VSCs at Jakes landing that weekend, but we can cover some of the other Marina's, and Launch Ramps. I would like to schedule two VSCs at each of the following Marina's: Light House, Lake Murray, Putnams, Hollands, and some of the marina's on the Lexington side of the lake. This weekend would be a great time to make our presence on the lake known to the boaters, and PWC operators.
While we were conducting VSCs at Dreher Island, a boater and his two young sons launched his center console boat, and brought it to the gas dock. As part of the VSC, he was asked to run his bilge pump. As he did so, the strong smell of gas was detected, and his bilge was found to contain a mix of raw gas and water. Apparently, he had a gas leak, and didn't know about it. The boat was removed from the water, with caution, and arrangements were made with a local boat repair facility to make repairs. The State Park Rangers put out a containment boom to absorb the gas that was on the water. Lucky for ALL of us, the problem was found, and no one was injured!
VSC Schedule:
Night Harbor ------April 20, 0900 to 1300
Windward Point Y.C.---- May 04, 1000 to finish
Yacht Cove Condo's -----May 18, 0900 to 1300
No VSCs scheduled for April 27, Div. Meeting Charleston
Trivia:
"Knowing the Ropes" signified proficiency of the seaman, who prided himself on both knowing the different type of ropes, and his ability to handle them. When ropes are brought on board a boat, and put to use, they become "Lines" Do you know which line on a boat is still called a rope ?
"The Bell Rope" which is attached to the clapper of the ships bell to ring it!
April 20th, VSCs at Night Harbor. 0900-1300
April 27th, Division Meeting, Mt. Pleasant
April 27th, Lake Murray Poker Run
May 4th, VSCs at Windward Point Y.C. 1000 until finish
May 11th, Lake Murray Safe Boating Conference (tentative)
May 18th, VSCs at Yacht Cove Condos. 0900-1300
May 18-24, North American Safe Boating Campaign, click for web site
May 19th, Lake Murray Triathalon, Dreher Island State Park
May 20th, Flotilla Meeting (3rd Monday this month due to Memorial Day.)
May 27th, Memorial Day observed
June 8th, Night Exercise and social
July 27th, Division Meeting, Mt. Pleasant
September 10th, Fall BS&S Class begins (6 weeks through October 15th.)
October 26th, Division Meeting, Mt. Pleasant
December 16th, Flotilla 12-3 Change of Watch dinner meeting
January 25th, 2003, Division 12 Change of Watch, hosted by Flotilla 12-3
Confidentiality Notice:
Telephone numbers and addresses of members are protected by the Privacy Act of 1974. As a matter of policy, rosters of names, addresses and telephone numbers shall not be made available to the general public or any outside organization. Privacy of all rosters shall be safeguarded and the page clearly labeled. The publication of these rosters, addresses, and telephone numbers on any computer on-line service including the Internet is prohibited by the Privacy Act of 1974.