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We experienced a very good turnout at our first meeting for the year 2001. Kent and I had the pleasure of swearing in our newest member, Charles E. Armstrong. I would like to thank BM3 John Allen and BM3 Terrell Horne from Station Charleston for attending our meeting. We look forward to working with both of these men during our upcoming boating season on Lake Murray and in Charleston. I would also like to thank John Allen for presenting certificate to our members who helped with the Hunley
Mike Fulmer was a visitor at our January meeting. Mike owns and operators Radio Shack in Chapin. He is also a ham radio operator. Mike has expressed interest in joining our flotilla. With his experience in communication, he would definitely be an asset.
I would sincerely like to thank Lake Murray Maganize, Sue Duffey, and associates for the hard work during the photo shoot. We had less than desirable weather (high winds and cold) on the day of the shoot. I am sure the results of this hard work will result in a better appreciation of what this flotilla is doing for Lake Murray and the community. We are striving to have safer boating on Lake Murray. Air Station Savannah played a big role in the photo shoot by providing us with a helicopter and crew. A special thanks to the pilot for the patience he had during the shoot. I would like to thank the members of 12-3 for participating in this photo shoot. I know our work will have positive results for the advancement of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Thanks to each and everyone.
The helicopter photos are on the members' web site, and at the end of this newsletter.
The 2001 Boat Show was a success. Thanks to all the members who manned our booth during the boat show.
Our BSS class starts Feburary 13. Please feel free to attend. All instructors are encouraged to attend the first class and their scheduled classes.
TCT training is scheduled for the first weekend in March. If you have not had this training, you must take it. There are no exceptations. This is an eight-hour course, so make sure you allow for the whole day.
Due to the slow response on the Columbia Amateur Radio Club, our class is on hold. I do not want the class to interfere with other training. The class will hopefully be offered in the fall. I want to thank everyone for his or her interest
Lake Murray in the making.
Ladies and Gentlemen,
DIRAUX has asked that the system be up-dated. They want me to enter what each member does for a living. I don't mind doing this, but I don't know what each member does for a living. I am asking that you obtain this information from your members and then send to me ASAP. I know it is a lot of extra work, but think of how much work I will have to do to accomplish this task. Thanking you in advance. Don
Don Davis, Jerry Ruschkofski, Bill Turner, Ken Uschelbec
Roger Deaton, Al McCallister, Dale Owen, Jerry Ruschkofski
The NavRules test can be taken on the Internet site of DIRAUX WEST. Series 90. www.dirauxwest.org
Click the links below to view reports. Click "Back" button to return to newsletter.
The lake is coming back-up nicely and maybe we should plan our yearly facility checks for Saturday March 3rd. We'll need the VE's to get these inspections done and hopefully if all crew & coxswains can be present with your own lunches & drinks, we'll get our yearly water tasks done & out of the way as well.
We should also plan on starting a new crew class shortly thereafter for four consecutive Saturdays, (March 10th, 17th, 24, 31st :QE on 4/7) Since the "new" program of crew/coxswain mentors, we'll need present crew/coxswain members to join this schooling and take part as a mentor with the new trainees. It's no longer a program of classroom study and listening, each student now needs to have a mentor for the entire course.
ALSO; WE NEED TO BORROW OLD CREW MANUELS FROM PRESENT MEMBERS SINCE THE PRESENT "10 LB" COAST GUARD MANUAL IS NOT AVAILABLE TO NEW MEMBERS!!!
First let me thank everyone who helped with the photo shoot for the Lake Murray Magazine. Special thanks goes to Sue Duffy, Joe Richbourg, George Summer, Steve Davis, Bill Turner, Bobby Busher and James Smith (Smitty) for all their help with this project. This was a wonderful opportunity for our flotilla. Rarely do flotilla's get the chance to make the cover of a magazine. This kind of publicity just reflects the hard work and dedication of our members.
This publicity and recognition will most probably raise the expectations of the public we serve. We all need to be prepared to meet the challenge of this notoriety. Commitment will be the key to our level of service this summer. If each of us is willing to make a small commitment each month we will be able accomplish great things. Personally I am looking forward to spectacular year for this flotilla.
The members of our SAR Team continue to answer the call during winter months. With no vessels available from DNR or the Sheriff's Patrol, Saturday 2/3/01 at 0840, SAR Team member Joe Richbourg, Bill Turner and George Summer (radio guard), responded to a distressed boat adrift off Harbor Heights on the Lexington side of the Lake. Other than a long tow across the lake on a windy day, Joe and Bill safely towed the pontoon with two POB to the Lighthouse Marina.
May 19, 2001 - Lake Murray Safe Boating Fair at Lake Murray Marina - 0900 to 1500
May 20, 2001 - Lake Murray Triathlon at Dreher Island State Park - 0800 to 1000 (All jetski's will be needed and at least 2 vessels will be needed)
Michael McGee has re-enrolled with us. For those that don't know him, Michael has been a past member but due to scheduling conflicts was unable to continue. Michael bought a friend with him at the last meeting; Charles 'Robert' Burton, who has filled out an application to join the Auxiliary.
To all members: Please make sure you see Al McCallister to obtain a copy of the Auxiliary Manual COMDTINST M16790.1. This manual is 'THE BOOK'the to have in your possession. The book should have most of the answers to any question. However, should an answer not be found in it, remember to ask me or one of the other staff officers.
Members, remember to keep track of all time spent doing Auxiliary. No matter how small it seems or how trivial. The form to use is Form 7029 'Member Activity Report'. Make sure to use the latest version which is Form Date 11/97 and E-REV date of 08/26/99. Use a new form every 99 hours for every group of 99 hours. You can find this form online at www.cgaux.org/cgauxweb/memframe.htm under Forms & Manuals, then Auxiliary Electronic Forms Online, you will need Adobe Acrobat Reader which you can download from the main page at the www address above. Some members may not own a computer, those that don't can get those forms from FSO-MA Al McCallister. You should mail this form to FSO-IS Don Davis. This can be done monthly or quarterly.
Another source for uniforms and like items is Lighthouse Uniform Co. The National Board has signed a Memorandum of Agreement with this company. They can be reached at www.lighthouseuniform.com or call 1-800-426-5225.
At the January flotilla meeting, I distributed a revised membership directory. If you did not get a copy, please let me know and I will be glad to e-mail or "snail mail" you a copy.
I ran across the following web site with a listing of boating newsletters from around the world. Click the link to go to the web site: marinewaypoints.com/marine/magazines.shtml
Scroll down past the "United States" listing to the listings by states and you will find one from South Carolina.
The 2001 calendar has been updated to include events listed in this issue of "On Course." Click the link to go to the calendar on the members' web site.
The following dates have been set for vessel safety checks:
Dreher Island State Park: at the launch ramp; April 7 and 14, 1000 to 1300 hours.
Windward Point: May 5; 0900 to 1500 hours.
Boating Safety Fair: May 19, Lake Murray Marina, 0900 until 1500
Yacht Cove: May 26 0900 to 1500 hours.
Lighthouse Marina: Working on times and dates.
Lake Murray Jet Ski Rentals in White Rock: It's the new home of The Jet Ski Club. VSCs for club members are planned for early June.
We can expect 40 to 50 vessels available for VSCs at Yacht Cove and 20 to 30 vessels at Windward Point. VEs should check their schedules for these dates
Facility Vessel inspections are scheduled for Saturday March 3rd. Now is a good time to check any equipment that may need to be replaced or updated.
Any new Facility Vessels should see me for forms and information.
The following information is courtesy of John Sikes, SO-PB 12 D7:
Quoted text from Open Forum follows (with minor modifications)
Posted By: Doug Simpson - Flotilla 8-6 D7 ([email protected]) Date: 2/10/2001 20:34
Today DIRAUX West/Annex activated "QE-in-a-Box" and reduced paper waste, stamps and time. Down here in the 7th Distinct, QEs can now be requested on line.
What used to take 30 days to arrange now takes 7. After the QE session, the head QE for the mission goes online and inputs the qualifications. Within 48 hours, the certification letter, certificate, ribbon and medal are in the mail to the FC, and the AUXMIS entry is accomplished. Only one piece of mail has been sent - the certificate/letter etc.
Want to get qualified as an Instructor, VE or MDV. In the 7th and eight other Districts, it is an on line experience. Take the exam for the qualification on line. Fail and you can retake the exam as soon as you receive your grade that contains the information on the section you missed. No waiting, no mail, no stamps. Pass the exam and accomplish the additional requirements and your FC ( in the 7th & 8 other Districts) can go on line and input the qualification. Out goes the letter, certification, medal/ribbon and the AUXMIS entry is done. And Diraux West/Annex has been doing this for two years!
So who wins with the eAuxiliary? We all do! Less time with paperwork, less money for stamps, less frustration for the member trying to get qualified.
So why this post? I just received my issue of the Navigator. And what do I read under Goals and Strategic Imperative? "eAuxiliary, to reduce paper work, gather data, etc." Well the eAuxiliary is up and running and has been for two years!
Interested in Distance Education? Diraux West is a Designated Center of Excellence for Distance Education.
Need NavRules training? Visit our websites. The regular Coast Guard does, the Navy does.
Want supplemental training for the AUXOP courses? Check out our Power Point Project webpages.
Need training to take the exam for VE/MDV/IT? Check out the pages on the web.
No matter what District you are in, Diraux West/Annex will grade your online exam. That way you can practice for the paper exams. If you're not in the nine districts served by our office, we can not give you credit if you pass, but we will be happy to get you ready for the paper exam. If you want a better understanding of how Diraux West/Annex works, visit our website and read the Diraux West I-of-Is. www.dirauxwest.org
A cold, windy day for a photo shoot on Lake Murray
Visit from Air Station Savannah to Lake Murray Flotilla 12-3
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Thank you, Air Station Savannah!!!
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.
