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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] |
Just like last month: time is still flying, but the setting has changed! The boat show is now history and considerable thanks are due George Crouch for his efforts in coordinating scheduled coverage, to Al Morgan, Olie Moye, and Dale McCoin for their assistance with transportation and/or setup/takedown and to all of you who volunteered your time to man the booth. Thanks must go to Ed Jones for his helpful suggestions and to Ron Tvorik (and his wife, Linda) for making the BS&S Class flyer in time for the show. Considering our late start in planning for the show and the number of us (9) who were out of town attending the Division meeting and Change of Watch, I thought it was an excellent job. But, as those of you who were at the January Flotilla meeting know, we already have ideas on how to improve the boat show next year by focusing on our total purpose and Ed Jones has agreed to lead our efforts with an early start on planning. Please be ready to assist him as needed and keep the ideas coming; it�s not a one man show by any means. Thanks too for everyone�s positive comments. That�s how we stay the best!
The next thing to happen is the Spring BS&S Class starting Tuesday February 12 at Seven Oaks Recreation Center. We will check the last minute status of the training at our Flotilla Staff Officers� meeting the night before. Consequently, I won�t discuss the class here, other than to thank Ron Tvorik and Ed Jones for taking over the job of PE and pulling everything together for the first class and for coordinating the publicity, respectively, - and for each of you who have agreed to instruct!
Let me remind everyone that the Charleston Sea School will be holding class on the island each evening the last week in February, including all day Saturday and Sunday before and after, plus Sunday March 10th for testing. Consequently our next meeting will be 1900hrs at The Rusty Anchor Restaurant at Lighthouse Marina. Commander James E. Tunstall, CG Group CO from Charleston, and Lt/JG Walsh, I am assured, will attend this month - I think to present an important award. They may also want to come early enough to make a patrol and view the lake. I have a number of additional awards to present at the meeting and George Crouch will cover some safety training, which has been mandated for the active and Auxiliary following a series of recent boating accidents. I have asked Adrienne Thompson to chair a new refreshment committee to oversee members bringing refreshments on a rotational basis alphabetically by last name. I hope you will find this a satisfactory voluntary arrangement for simple refreshments and that some of you will offer to assist Adrienne as needed on the committee.
On the subject of committees, Dale Owen agreed to chair an arrangements committee for next year�s Change of Watch/Division Meeting. This will be the second year on a rotation basis and Flotilla 12-3 will be hosting it in Columbia the weekend of January 24, 2003. This year�s event in Myrtle Beach was excellent and we want a head start to insure we also have good arrangements. It�s a big task and I know Dale will appreciate your offers of assistance. I was unsuccessful in getting this date changed from the same time as the Columbia boat show.
As I reported at the last meeting, relations with the Lake Murray Power Squadron are off to a good start. Rob Pollard, their commander, and I are keeping an open dialogue, we - including George Crouch- are coordinating island scheduling by email, I�m on their newsletter mail list and they have invited our membership to attend any of their trips or functions which interest us. One early event is a trailer maintenance class on Saturday March 9 conducted by Bret Gowins from Wesco Trailers. We have also held our first Joint Island Board meeting of the year attended by George Crouch, Jerry Ruschkofski, Jim Fleming and me as chairman representing 12-3. Talk to your representatives, but I think it was a good open meeting. We agreed on future meetings, open communications, agreed to restrict pets from the building and to properly secure or preferably remove alcohol from the premises. We agreed to change the lock codes with adequate notification - likely April 1 - and to ask our respective memberships to display courtesy in not blocking the ramp or taking excessive dock space (i.e. middock tie-up). We also reviewed the history and development of Flotilla Island, the signed Joint Agreement, approved by SCE&G, between the two organizations which governs our relationship and we opened a dialogue on future plans for the island�s maintenance and improvement. We also made it clear that our finances are limited.
Last month I mentioned completing forms for �Operation Patriot Readiness� which are intended to help the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary determine the resources they have available. For those of you who didn�t take home a copy from the last Flotilla meeting, a copy has been included in the newsletter for your convenience. Please complete the form and bring it to the February meeting. Otherwise, call me or mail the information to me so I don�t have to call everyone individually. I need to make a consolidated report based on completion in early March. Let me also take this opportunity to emphasize the importance of reporting our activities as Don Davis so aptly informed us last meeting. I think the forms are included in this newsletter as well for everyone�s benefit. Key to this reporting is to include your old and new membership numbers and actual start and end times. Travel and preparation times are always reported separately now.
Anyone still needing TCT training (everyone in operations at least every 5 years) there will be a session in Charleston on March 9. Those able to attend or still needing the training contact me (or FSO-OP or FSO-MT ASAP for information and reservations.
Thanks to those of you patrolling and standing radio watch. The water is rising quickly and the weather is warming so the boating public will soon be back in full force and our services will be in full demand!
Click the underlined link to open the form: Operation Patriot Readiness Form
Let me thank each of you that helped with the boat show. It looks like your efforts paid off with a BS&S class of 35 students.
As we move closer and closer to this year�s boating season, safety is a big issue with the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary. Both 2001 and 2002 have had a much higher than normal number of boating accidents involving USCG and USCGA vessels. Several USCG vessels have recently been involved in accidents and last week two auxiliary vessels collided during training. One of the coxswains involved was also involved in a man overboard incident the week before. (Editor�s note: This was not on Lake Murray.)
Therefore, a tremendous effort is being made to make us more aware of the situations around us when we are on patrol. Each crew member and coxswain is required to attend a situational awareness refresher and operations refresher prior to June 30, 2002. Those members who have not had these refreshers by June 30, 2002 will be suspended for patrol duties until this is complete. Those members who still need TCT training are also effected by these dates. A TCT training class is being offered on March 9 in Charleston.
To meet these training requirements we will begin devoting the last hour of each meeting to this training. Our February 25 meeting will review situational awareness. Members attending will be credited with meeting the situational awareness refresher requirement. All coxswains and crew should plan to attend.
For those of you who have recently run patrols there is a delay in getting patrol orders assigned. This problem effects all of District 7 facilities and hopefully should be corrected by the end of this week. If you have any questions just give me a call.
Again thanks to everyone for all your help. It's going to be a great year for the Lake Murray Flotilla.
As announced earlier this year in the PELOROUS and SCUTTLEBUTT, there will be four offerings of AIDS VERIFIER TRAINING in Charleston. This will be both on the water and classroom training. The first class will be held Saturday February 16. The class will start at 1400 and on the water before and after sunset. The on the water part will be on the Cooper River. Please help show your support for our flotilla. All interested should call Daniel Cowley at 1.843.795.7053 and leave a message in voice mailbox # 3. We will be having ATON patrols this year on Lake Murray and this class will prepare us.
Things are picking up for me on the high school scene. In addition to calling a lot of schools and visiting a few, I have interviewed two applicants for the Coast Guard Academy and one underclassman who may be an AIM prospect. For some reason, I'm having more trouble than in the past getting my calls returned. I guess I'll have to be like a bill collector and keep on calling until I get a response. I'm also thinking about wearing a coat and tie to call on schools. It's really startling to have some student shout "Attention on deck!� when I walk in and they see my shoulder boards.
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. The new system will be called AUXDATA.
1. We must show the starting time and the ending time for each mission. We will not be able to show hours on mission. The 7030 will be completely new in every way. All time must be entered in Military Time, etc. DDTTTTMMMYYYY. The 5th day of February at 8 in the morning will be shown as; 050800FEB2002 and if the activity ended at 2 in the afternoon, it would be 051400FEB2002. The computer will compute the hours on mission.
2. Radio Watchstanders must show their Radio Facility ID Number. This is a five-digit number starting with NF000. Each day of reporting will show the start time and the end time on the form.
3. ALL PREP TIME AND TRAVEL TIME will now be reported on the 7029 form and submitted at the end of the month, etc. The third of the month on patrol, will be reported as; 03 Safety Patrol - Prep time 2 hours and travel time 1 hour and a total of 3 hours for the third. If this is confusing, look at my example 7029 form.
4. On the 7030 form, you MUST show in the REMARKS section, just what you did and where you did it. Etc, Safety patrol #20230, Lake Murray. BSS ch#1-Irmo. MT training NAVRULES, Lake Murray, VSC - Lighthouse Marina, This is a MUST, as I have to enter this information into the system.
5. Any member not already qualified in the Boat Crew Program, MUST take and pass our BS&S Course, before he/she can become qualified. I�m not sure about the people already qualified as Crew/Coxswain.
6. Copies of the different forms are scanned into the newsletter. Print a copy for yourself, or give me a call and I will mail you a set of copies. These are just until the 15th of March. Then we use the NEW forms.
Click the underlined link to open the new forms (and IS Meeting notes from Miami:) New Forms Examples
Click "Back" button to return to newsletter.
The members who made the trip last month down to join in all the festivities at our Division Change of Watch had an excellent time. The food was outstanding, the best I think in a long time and the party hostess, Joyce Orrell from 12-2 did a very fine job of setting it all up.
As to Materials for our members, we're getting orders processed and out along with BS&S books for our class. I've placed an order to the D-7 store for five members --- just remember that shipments from this store in Florida have a flat mailing fee of $5.80, but sometimes if we take in the District Meetings in Florida, the Auxiliary members bring a lot of these items to the meetings and have a separate room set-up for sales. (No credit cards accepted, only cash or checks.)
I have in stock several AUXOPS manuals in case any member would like to start studying for a course. You can call me or e-mail me at, [email protected], and I get the material to you by mail or at our meetings or other means.
The new "UltraThin" ribbons can be ordered from the Company in Oklahoma, �sorta� on the expensive side, but the new regulations from last year now say we're to wear either 3 or 9 ribbons. Of course you may wear what you have until they become dirty or soiled and should be replaced.
Member Training continues to be an important part of our Auxiliary Career. My congratulations to Jim Smith and Don Davis on the fine job of getting us thru the Operations Training of Crew and Coxswain. We are an operations based Flotilla and our performance statistics reflect that very well.
With almost everyone trained in the Operations Program, either communications or boat crew, where do we train next? My thought is to move on to the next level of membership, AUXOP. We have all completed the requirements for BQ or Basic Qualified. There hasn't been much emphasis placed on the AUXOP Specialty Courses in our Flotilla in the past and I think maybe now is the time to start. Some of us have completed some of the courses on an individual basis, but with the exception of AUXCOM, there hasn't been much group effort.
The AUXOP Specialty Courses consist of 7 advanced courses in Seamanship, Navigation, Communications, Search & Rescue, Patrols, Weather, and Auxiliary Administration.
Presently we have two members, Bob Alexander and George Mendenhall who have completed all 7 courses and are classified AUXOP level members. Completion of each course requires successful completion of a closed book examination. Some of us have completed several courses, but only Bob and George have completed the whole thing. I would like to do this training as a group, starting with Navigation, AUXNAV. Please give me your thoughts on this.
As you can see, our newsletter is much longer this month. Thank you for all the reports. The more we can cover in the newsletter, the less time we will need to use up at the flotilla meetings giving routine staff reports. And that will give us more time for training, presentations and other interesting events. Remember, you don't have to be a staff officer to send me a newsletter item.
If you do much boating along the coast, I know you are familiar with the Coast Pilot publication. It is now on the web and you can download Coast Pilot 4, which covers the Atlantic Coast from Cape Henry to Key West. You can download the entire volume in one zipped file, or just the chapter you need. For example, Chapter 7, Charleston Harbor to Savannah River. Just be aware that the web version is still "unofficial." A link to the web site is Coast Pilot 4
As requested at our Staff Officers Meeting, I am providing a link to the Lake Murray Power Squadron web site. As a courtesy, I did ask their Commander, Rob Pollard, prior to publishing this, and he thinks this is a great idea. The Power Squadron will also put a link to our newsletter on their site. This will let members of both organizations keep up with what is going on with the other, and perhaps better coordinate island events, scheduling, etc. Their site can be accessed by clicking on the following: http://lakemurray.home.att.net/ . Their newsletter, The Log Jam, is on the "News" page.
The 2002 calendar has been updated, and is on the member's website and can be accessed by clicking on this link, 2002 Calendar or by going to www.geocities.com/cgauxmurray, Members' Web Site
In addition to the current issue of our newsletter, at the member's web site you can still access the past 27 issues, just in case you would like to see what we have done in the past couple of years. Click the "Back Issues" link to bring up the list.
You will also see an "Upcoming Events" section near the end of this newsletter to quickly summarize important dates without having to go through the entire year's calendar. If you have other dates to be added, just let me know and I will try to keep this updated.
On a personal note, as some of you already know, I recently "retired" from the Forestry Commission. 31 years in State Government was long enough. Some may even say too long. I use "retired" in quotes because I don't consider this a retirement in the traditional sense. Those of you who know me well also know that I can't sit still for more than a few minutes at a time. What I am really doing is moving on to something else. I don't know exactly what "something else" will be, but I can't wait to find out. My boat is back in Charleston (permanently???) and I expect to be spending much more time in coastal waters. Anybody want to do a patrol there, or just a fishing trip or ride, let me know.
The first BS&S class went very well. We had about 28 persons show out of 32 expected. For the second class, we may have 3 late adds for a total class size of 35.
Thank you to all of you who were able to show, we had a good turn-out. Some of you had previous commitments that evening and were unable to attend.
Remember, your time involved in teaching or assisting at the BS&S class will be recorded on the CGAux-26, ACTIVITY REPORT-MISSION, form by Don Davis or myself. All other related time should be recorded on the ANSC 7029, MEMBER ACTIVITY (99) from by each of you. If you need this form, please check your hand-outs received from Don at our last Flotilla meeting. If you still can't locate the form, contact Don Davis.
The January 28, 2002 Flotilla 12-3 meeting was called to order at 1900 by FC Kent McCoin. Adrienne Thompson led the pledge of allegiance. The invocation was given by Al McAllister, auxiliary chaplain
FC McCoin reported that he had been very busy since his installation. He attended newly elected officers conference in Orlando receiving some excellent material on motivation and management. He called up all newly appointed staff officers for their installation. He asked for responses to the January boat show which unfortunately coincided with the Division change of watch in Myrtle Beach. There were a number of suggestions to improve the show for next year. Among those was the suggestion to be located further from the Power Squadron in order to avoid confusion and to reach more people for boating safety also to possibly prepare a video of our activities to run to attract attention and generally inform boaters of our many activities.
FC McCoin also called a staff officers meeting at Flotilla Island for Monday, February 11 to plan for the year. H reported that almost all of the flotillas had a staff officers meeting between monthly meetings to iron out details of projects.
RonTvorik, FSO-PE handed out copies of the new Spring BS&S Class brochure, which listed 5 points of contact for the public to get more information or sign up for the class which begins February 12, 2002 at Seven Oaks Recreation Center from 7:00-9:00.
Jay Dahlgren Vice-Commodore in the 7th District reported on the new American Boating Course, a joint venture of the Power Squadron, MASBLA, and U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. This is a robust course including a CD and textbook. This course can be utilized several ways:
1. Flotilla (6-8 hours or 8-10 hours)
2. sold by flotilla for home use
3. third party vendor; marinas, department stores, etc
4. over the internet
Pricing and ordering: $210.00 for pkg of 10 to be sold individually for $34.95. The course has a 50 question test He also commented that retaining flotilla members depended largely on having good recruits.
Flotilla Commander McCoin did a quick quiz on correct position of items on uniforms.
Don Davis FSO-IS gave extensive report on correct reporting procedures. We will receive new forms hopefully by March 15. However, we must use new reporting procedures on existing forms until then including information needed for the new forms. This is confusing, but necessary. First we must begin using our new ID numbers and our old ones for a while. March 15 AUXDATA will go to the new numbers. Radio watchstanders must include their watchstander number on the form. If you do not know yours, you can get it from Don.
Start and Stop time will be given in military time ( local military time) and will not include preparation or travel time. This is a Coast Guard program, which we are now being included in for the first time. Preparation and travel time will be reported on the Member Activity Report which is to be turned in at the end of each month, not when filled as before. Each member is responsible for his own 7029 or 99 report. On your 7030 Form include under remarks: what you did, what you taught. There should be no split time because each different thing would require a complete new entry in the computer.
For patrols, each coxswain is responsible for having a complete and properly certified crewmen, not back up. Patrol reports must have new number under remarks for the time being. Radio watchstanders must do the same with their new watchstander numbers. They will post the radio number for the island if doing radio watch from the island.
Marine Dealer Visits and Vessel Safety Checks have starting but not ending times. SAR reports should include longitude and latitude. This will be discussed more later
Awards: presented by FC McCoin:
James Fleming received 2 Auxiliary Annual Service Awards for Performance.
Al Morgan, Auxiliary Annual Service Award
Don Davis, Auxiliary Annual Service Award for PE
Jim Smith, Auxiliary Annual Service Award for VE
Dale McCoin, Auxiliary Annual Service Award for VE
Several people lost their qualifications in different areas. It is very important to meet the qualifications and turn in the paper work.
The meeting was adjourned at 2100.
On March 16 & 17 from 0900 until 1300, we will be doing the 2002 Facility Inspections on Vessels and PWCs. I will pass out the facility/inspection forms (2736 & 2736-C) offer for use forms and co-owner forms at our Feb 25th member meeting at the Rusty Anchor Restaurant. A copy of your registration or documentation papers must be submitted with the facility forms. Vessel location must be a city or town, -- not a marina or "backyard". The block listing "speed in knots" and "GPH" (gallons per hour) must be filled out. Any changes in equipment, engines, or electronics, must be documented. The Owner and Co-owner must sign the facility inspection form.
Trivia: In the old days, mattresses were secured to bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes, the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase, "GOOD NIGHT, SLEEP TIGHT". Can you guess the rest?
February 23, Sea School at Flotilla Island, all day
February 24, Sea School at Flotilla Island, all day
February 25th, 7:00 PM Flotilla Meeting (Lighthouse Marina)
February 25th - March 1st, Sea School at Flotilla Island 6-10PM
February 26th, BS&S Class, 2nd night
March 2nd, Sea School at Flotilla Island, all day
March 3rd, Sea School at Flotilla Island, all day
March 9th, TCT training in Charleston
March 10th, Sea School testing at Flotilla Island
March 16th, Facility Inspections (AM)
March 17th, Facility Inspections (PM)
March 23rd, Power Squadron Shake and Break Cruise at Flotilla Island
April 27th, Division Meeting, Mt. Pleasant
May 20th, Flotilla Meeting (3rd Monday this month due to Memorial Day.)
May 27th, Memorial Day observed
May 11th, Lake Murray Safe Boating Conference (tentative)
May 18-24, North American Safe Boating Campaign, click for web site
June 8th, Night Exercise and social
July 27th, Division Meeting, Mt. Pleasant
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
The Great Adventure
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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.