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If you missed our April meeting, you missed one of our best turnouts with thirty-seven members and guests present. We had the pleasure of having Captain DiNicola and DCP Bob Matthews at our meeting. They presented George Summer with another award. Captain DiNicola went into great detail in explaining the new way we will have to call for orders effective June 1. We will be required to call for orders one week in advance for scheduled patrols. This will speed up the process of receiving reimbursement for our patrols. He indicated that this would not interfere with our SAR call outs or unscheduled patrols. I will publish the information that I receive in the newsletter regarding this new procedure.
The Safe Boating Fair will be held May 19, at Lake Murray Marina. All members need to be present to assist in different areas in order for us to have a successful Safe Boating Fair.
We need to thank Jim and Sharon Fleming for cutting the grass at the island. They did a great job. We definitely look forward for them to do this deed again. Thanks Jim and Sharon. We also need to thank George Crouch for pressure washing the dock. Another job well done. Unfortunately, the sea gulls were back the very next day. This may need to be a daily task. The sea gulls also got the best of Jim and Bobby. They went all the way to Seattle, Washington to get away from the pesky critters.
Our night exercise will be coming up within the next few weeks. George Crouch will announce the date and time. Check the schedule for your patrols dates and times.
The following links may be of interest for safe navigation.
1. Receive storm warning via pager message, pcs phone or e-mail: WIS TV Weather Warn
2. National Data Buoy Center Going to the coast? Click Here
3. Current area lake levels Click Here
4. National Weather Service local radar: www.nws.noaa.gov/er/cae/radar.htm
5. National Weather Service Columbia Office: www.nws.noaa.gov/er/cae/
As I once said while having a root canal done, " Doesn't the time pass quickly when you're having fun? " It's pretty much all over for the year in my department, except for a few loose ends here and there.
This year I visited 14 high schools, at least two visits per school, and more in some cases. The last two years we have had two candidates go before Division 12's AIM board, but there are signs that we may have more next year. I have had strong interest from two sophomores about next year's AIM. As it happens, both students are attending parochial schools; one in Columbia and one in Charleston. I am still waiting to hear if this year's candidate made the cut.
Waiting with fingers crossed, this is Carl Brown
The following information was recently posted on the Auxiliary National web site:
Another Approved Inflatable PFD for Auxiliary Use -- The Mustang Survival Auto Inflatable Model # MD 3001 Version 34 is authorized for use by Auxiliarists. This vest is a Type V with Type III performance. Mustang also manufactures a pouch (ordered separately) that will hold the required personal survival equipment. These items are now available from Mustang.
National Safe Boating Week Less Than 2 Weeks Away! -- Want a preview of coming attractions for National Safe Boating Week, 19-25 May? Read the May issue of the National Safe Boating Campaign News (Adobe Acrobat format, 11KB). Look ahead to great plans nationwide. [Posted: 1 May 2001. Source: DVC-AP]
2001 Member Survey Questionnaire -- The 2001 Member Survey is now online. Take this opportunity to provide input to the leadership on the quality of your experiences in the Auxiliary. [Posted: 30 April 2001. Source: DC-Id]
New on FutureWeb -- FutureWeb, the R&D website of the Information and Communication Services Department, has added links to several exciting new electronic initiatives. Stop in and take a look at the future of the Auxiliary!
e-Training and Testing Demos -- The Training Department and D7 Diraux West are exploring different ways of delivering online member training materials. Three different formats are online and your feedback about the pros and cons of each is eagerly awaited. Post your feedback on the Members' Forum (in the thread "eTraining Demos - We need your opinion") or by e-mail to e-Training and Testing.
e-Registration -- D7 is experimenting with online registration for their spring conference. Though this service is presently available only in D7, it is the sign of things to come as the Auxiliary moves toward online financial transactions as an option to paper transactions. Distance Learning Website -- The Training Department, in cooperation with the Information and Communication Services Department, has put three distance learning projects online: a supplement to the AUXWEA text, a weather briefing service, and a supplement to the Air Crew Qualification Program. [Posted: 29 April 2001. Source: DC-Id]
Evinrude Outboard Motor Recall -- The United States Coast Guard reports that Bombardier Motor Corporation of America has agreed to support the recall of 1999 and 2000 Evinrude FICHT 200/225 hp outboard motors that may suffer fuel leaks that can result in a fire or explosion. Details are available in this news release from the Coast Guard. [Posted: 05 April 2001. Source: DC-Id]
Virus Alerts, Hoaxes, Chain Letters -- The Information & Communication Services Department provides a collection of excellent links for obtaining information about viruses, hoaxes, chain letters, urban legends, etc. Please check it before forwarding messages to lists of other people. [Posted: 4 May 00; Updated: 3 April 2001. Source: DC-Id]
Auxiliary Classified Ads -- This moderated message board provides a place for actively enrolled members of the Auxiliary and of other components of Team Coast Guard to post classified ads for Auxiliary-related materials. Individuals posting classified ads must be listed in the Coast Guard Auxiliary e-mail directory. Full name (first and last) is required along with your e-mail address as it appears in the e-mail directory and a subject. Items may be listed "For Sale," "Free," "Swap" or "Wanted." [Posted: 2 March 2001. Source: DC-Id]
Help Us Deliver - training
Posted By: Doug Simpson - Web Master/DirauxWest Date: 4/19/2001 17:31
The National Training Department and Diraux West have been developing
different methods to deliver On Line Training & distribute Power Point
Presentations for use in member training. We think we have come up with a
web based solution, that will allow both. However, before we go any further,
we need to know what the membership's opinion is. So with that in mind,
there has been posted to the web, three different formats of providing the
training. 1. Streaming media - plays on most computers, and can provide
narration with the presentation. Starts playing in our demonstration in
about 8 minutes on a 28k modem speed. So a member could see and hear a
presentation. ( At this point we have not added the audio portion. Also, we
know we can improve the video quality. When you try this, click view, then
zoom and choose 200%) 2. A HTML - conversion of a Power Point presentation.
This allows us to add Instructor notes to be viewed with each slide, thus
guiding the member through the student study guide. Download time for
viewing is fairly fast, but some graphics are slow to load on each side.
Choosing the full screen option provides the slide only. 3. Power Point
Presentation - The actual Power Point presentation in native format, using a
file that allows for Power Point 4 through 2000 to read and display ( that
is how come the file is so large and takes so long to download and view).
Members without power point have to install Power point viewer (free) in
order to view. However this method does allow downloading and saving the
file on the members computer, so the presentation could be used in a class
session.
So now the request and the reason for this post. Just to get these 3
different methods ready and up to the web took a massive amount of member
hours, not counting creating the original presentation. The Team needs
feedback. We need the viewers of the forum to go and try these options and
post there opinion. This is your chance to be part of the solution to
delivering a superior product to our members. The team needs to know, what
you the member wants, can use, needs. Give the good, the bad the ugly by
posting. Not every viewer of the demonstrations is going to have the same
results, as there are so many different computers in use by the
membership,using different ways to access the web. There are on average 300
views to a post on the forum, which represents about 1% of the membership.
So this is your chance, before more is done. There are 300 presentations in
the library just waiting. So now is the time. here is the link to the
demonstration http://www.auxonline.org/~etraining , go test it out and THEN
POST your experience so everyone knows. You will not be hurting anyone's
feeling with negative comments, just be civil about it. Do not forget to
include in your post, the type of machine, running what software and what
speed or how you access the internet. Hopefully the members monitoring this
forum will help us out.
Click the links below to view reports. Click "Back" button to return to newsletter.
Vessel Facilities Inspected, 2001
Activity Mission Report May, 2001
The four new crew members and four Coxswains who took their 5 year check
rides turned out to have a nice outing with the QE's this past Saturday.
The Summer has slipped up on us and with so many members doing VE's on
Saturdays, I just decided to put the coxswain training on hold for the time
being. This is not to say that members should lay their books down and wait
til Bobby & I return from our vacation around the 4th of July, but keep
reviewing over & over what we have already had. There are plenty of other
coxswains in the flotilla that can answer questions which may arise. We're
all in this together, so it's not too bad when everyone carries just their
part of the load and helps out. "Don't be afraid to ask, even it may sound
dumb, it's part of learning."
Richard Lesnieski, Ted Sutton, and Edward Sutton are our newest members. Please join me in welcoming them to Flotilla 12-3.
Members are encouraged to periodically review chapter 10 of the Auxiliary Manual COMDTINST M16790.1E for the proper wearing of uniforms and insignias.
The Auxiliary Manual can be view online by going to www.uscg.mil/hq/g-o/cgaux/default.htm
or you may order it and any other items through FSO-MA Al McCallister 749-9269 or email him at [email protected]. New members should use either Al or the Uniform Distribution Center for uniforms. On a recent trip to the exchange at Station Charleston showed the selection of shirts, pants, etc. to be lacking. A new price list for the UDC is online at this time.
All members need to keep tract of hours spent on ANY CGAUX time and report those to FSO-IS Don Davis on ANSC form 7029.
When using the government postage stamps please take care and use the proper postage with materials
Being mailed. Recently members nation wide have been using too much postage. I've had a Division 12
Report consisting of two pages sent to me using $0.96. On average you can Send 5 - 6 sheets of paper for $ 0.34. Any additional ounces are $0.21 each.
Please send me any changes to any personal information such as email, telephone, address, etc. This is so
your records can be kept up to date.
Michael Mikutaitis More information and forms can be found on www.cgaux.org/cgauxweb/memframe.htm
Vessel 3162 is now in Charleston. I don't know how long it will be there; at least a month or so. On Thursday May 10th, Ron Tvorik, Jim Fleming and I ran a patrol on the Ashley River and Charleston Harbor. We learned really quick that those small, round objects floating all over the river are to be avoided at all costs. To quote Carl Brown, "Don't ask me how I know that!" No, we didn't hit any, but we saw someone else do it. That's not something you want to do. There are lines tied to those things with large metal baskets attached to the end of the lines. We thought we might have come upon a SAR, but the boat managed to get their prop free and left before we could get to them. We considered it a SAR that got away. All things considered, it was a very good day, and I look forward to running more patrols on the coast.
Friday, Saturday and Sunday were spent pleasure boating with my wife. We covered a lot of territory from Duncan's Harbour on the Ashley, Charleston Harbor, Shem Creek, out through the jetties a couple of times to bouys 7 and 8, up the ICW past Isle of Palms, and one run up the Cooper River. As those of you who boat on the coast know, there are a lot more things to deal with there: tide, current, big boats and big wakes, ships, shallow water, wind, flushing your engine and washing the salt off everything. It was the best boating experience we have had yet, and I can't wait to go back and do it again.
Situation: You are in a 22 foot boat coming in through the jetties returning to Charleston Harbor. The winds are from the west at 20 knots, and wave height is 3 feet. You are returning on the east side of the channel and you see an outbound vessel approaching at a distance of approximately one-half mile. You observe that the approaching outbound vessel is somewhat larger than your boat, and appears to be moving slowly toward you. What action should you take? If you answered A, B. or C, I do not want to ride with you. The correct answer, in my opinion, is D. At least, that's what works for me.
Situation: Several small boats are out in the jetties off Charleston Harbor. Wind and sea conditions are same as in question 1. Which boat is not a local boat? Come to the next flotilla meeting to learn the correct answer.
On Saturday May 5, with the help of Joe Richbourg, Ron Tvorik and Sharon Fleming, we did 17 VSC's at Windward Point Yacht Club, with only 2 minor discrepancies. The members were very friendly, and the VSC schedule that the Yacht Club made with the members name, and dock locations really helped us. They were having their "Cinco De Mayo" party, and invited us to eat with them. A good time was had by all.
The Boating Safety fair is on May 19, we will be doing VSCs all day from 0900 to 1500. We will need our VEs there to do boats, and PWCs.
On May 26, we are scheduled to do VSCs at Yacht Cove from 0900 to 1500. Check your schedules and call me.
The Coast Guard has designated June 2, Vessel Safety Check Day. They recommend ALL VEs make a special effort to do VSCs on that day. Every VE that does 10 or more VSCs on that day, will get a letter of commendation from DIRAUX.
Lexington Watercraft Rentals, the home of Lake Murray Jet Ski Club in White Rock, has invited us to do VSCs at their facility on June 2, from 0900 to 1300. They will advertise our presents on their street sign.
The plan is to do VSCs for the Jet Ski Club, and any boat, or PWC that may stop by. Make plans to help out.
All VEs, be aware that the US Coast Guard has issued a public safety advisory based on OMC's (now owned by Bombardier) warning that engine fuel leaks in some 1999, and 2000, 200 HP and 225 HP Ficht Ram Injection engines could cause fires and explosions, according to the May issue, Volume VI of Boat U.S Magazine.
Keep this in mind when doing VSCs on Vessels with OMC Ficht outboard engines of 200 HP and 225 HP.
Call the Coast Guard info Line 1-(800) 368-5647 for more on the OMC Ficht outboard recall.
Congratulations to Triston Mikutaitis for his acceptance to the Civil Air Patrol's Pennsylvania Wing Hawk Mountain Ranger Camp this summer. Triston will learn about different techniques of ground-based search and rescue along with other outdoor skills. Triston is the son of FSO-PS Michael Mikutaitis.
Congratulations to Edward Sutton on his recent promotion to the rank of Cadet Major
of the Lexington Composite Squadron. Edward has recently been selected to participate in the C.A.P.'s International Air Cadet Exchange program and will be spending two weeks in Sweden with that country's host group. Edward and his father Ted are new members to Flotilla 12-3. Ted is the Deputy Commander of Cadets for the same squadron.
Confidentiality Notice:
Information Services
Donald H. Davis, FSO-IS
[email protected]
Member Training
James Smith, FSO-MT
[email protected]
Personnel Services
Michael J. Mikutaitis, FSO-PS
[email protected]
251 Royal Oaks Ct.
Lexington, SC 29072-7689
Publications
Joe M. Richbourg, FSO-PB
[email protected]E-Mail
Coastal Boating Test
Question 1.
A. Sound 2 short blasts of your horn and cross over to the west side of the channel.
B. Sound 5 rapid blasts of your horn so the other vessel will be aware that you were there first and move over for you.
C. Continue on your course, warning your passenger to hold on tight because it might get a bit rough.
D. Change course to starboard, staying well out of the channel on the opposite side of the red bouy from the approaching vessel.
Question 2.
A. 17 foot center console anchored 4 feet inside the jetties with 3 guys and 12 fishing rods.
B. 17 foot center console anchored 4 feet outside the jetties with 3 guys and 12 fishing rods.
C. 17 foot center console with 3 guys calmly heading out, all balanced on the gunwale, not wearing shirts, not wearing PFD's, holding a beer can in one hand and a cigarette in the other; no one appears to actually be driving the boat.
D. 22 foot cuddy cabin with 2 people on board, both wearing PFD's, driver with a death grip on the wheel with one hand, the other hand tightly squeezing the throttle, passenger holding onto the railing with both hands so that knuckles match color of white hull, facial expressions alternating between joy, amazement that they have made it out that far, and sheer terror, both soaking wet.
Vessel Examination
James Fleming, FSO-VE
[email protected] MAY 31 IS THE DEADLINE FOR FACILITY VESSEL INSPECTIONS.
General Information
Member and other Photos
Ron Tvorik displays his musical talents as he calls the April meeting to order
FC Bill Turner introduces our special guest speaker
Captain Peter DiNicola was the special guest speaker at the April meeting.
George Summer is recognized by Captain DiNicola for his many hours donated to the Auxiliary as VCO 7 Jay Dahlgren also expresses his appreciation to George.
Al Morgan receives award from FC Bill Turner
Don Davis receives award from FC Bill Turner
Jim "Smitty" Smith shares a few thoughts with Captain DiNicola
VFC Kent McCoin meets with Communications people, George Summer, Boykin Roseborough and Steve Davis
Good meeting, Bill
Jim Fleming and Ron Tvorik prepare for Charleston patrol
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.
