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Congratulations to our new coxswains!! I doubt that there has ever been another flotilla to have so many approved at one time. What a great training job by Jim Smith and Don Davis. Also, we owe a special THANK YOU to Bob and Ellen Kreiling who again gave their time, and stuck with us for a very long day on October 13th, until all made it through. Please see Smity's report (FSO-MT) below for the details. Jim and Sharon Fleming celebrated the event with a fish fry for the new coxswains on Sunday afternoon. I heard it was a great event, and I'm sorry I had to miss it, but when you work for yourself, it's hard to get off. Thanks Jim and Sharon.
I also want to express my appreciation to LT CMDR James Cash of the Madrona. The members of Flotilla 12-3 who went on the trip were really impressed by the professionalism of the Madrona crew, and were treated like VIPs. I know they will never forget where they were and what they were doing when the tragic events of September 11th occurred.
Some of you have asked for another TCT session, and here it is: November 17, 9AM at Flotilla Island. For those of you who missed the last 2 opportunities, this 8 hour course is required for everyone in Operations.
We will elect a new Flotilla Commander and Vice Flotilla Commander at the October 29th meeting. To date, we have one candidate for FC, Kent McCoin and one for VFC, George Crouch. Nominations can also be taken from the floor. The selection of our elected leadership is one of the most important things that our members do. Come and participate as we make choices that will affect the future of our flotilla.
The last topic I need to cover is disenrollment. The disenrollment process has begun for all members who have not paid their dues. If you have any questions about this, contact me or Kent McCoin immediately.
See you on October 29th.
As we continue to be asked to step up our patrols of Lake Murray, to conduct Charleston area patrols and now to consider Special Emergency Response teams, we are reminded how much things have changed since September 11th. Many of us can and are responding to these additional requests. Soon we will have a significant addition to the pool of qualified coxswains to draw from and we are adding to the radio watchstander pool. We thank everyone who has met the challenge thus far and will do so in the future.
But what about those members who may not be able to volunteer at times due to job conflicts or other responsibilities? That is the beauty of our volunteer organization! There is room for all and we need to remember all of our tasks which benefit the public, boating safety and our fellowship. In this time of patriotism, we also need to remember our own organization's governance.
Although many of our precepts are set for us by the Coast Guard and Auxiliary structure, we are a volunteer organization and our annual elections are upon us - slated for the next flotilla meeting. FC Bill Turner has appointed a nominating committee and there will be at least one nomination each for Flotilla Commander and Vice Flotilla Commander. But in a democratic organization, such as ours, the process is not intended to be automatic. We must have a quorum to conduct elections, nominations from the floor must be open (and are encouraged) and the voting must be by secret ballot unless there is only one nominee. Thus everyone has a right and obligation to participate in determining the leadership of Flotilla 12-3 in what will certainly be an exceptional year of service. We continue to set new service records and I'm confident next year will be even more so.
In addition to the flotilla leadership, we should also consider the management of Flotilla Island which we share with the Lake Murray Power Squadron. Our joint agreement specifies a joint board form of governance made up of 6 (3 from each organization's membership) plus a chairman - to be from the Auxiliary from Jan 1 to July 1 and the Power Squadron July 1 to Jan. Our 4 members who participate in this leadership role have an extremely important role representing us as we look to our mutual concerns of property and fiscal management, coordination of facility usage and, as appropriate, coordination of boating courses and facility inspections, etc. It remains to be seen what the long term plans of SCE&G concerning the sale/donation of some of its property around the lake will mean to Flotilla 12-3's yearly lease of Flotilla Island, but this issue also deserves our long term planning attention.
As I said earlier, we all have a part and ways we can and must contribute to keep us the democratic volunteer service, safety and fellowship organization we desire. I continue to be amazed at what a large percent of our organization actively participates in service. Let's keep it up and make it better! Key: Participate in the programs and keep improving your educational and qualification status and enjoy what you're doing! It takes all of us!
The weather is not as hot and the water is not as high; however, it is the best time to go cruising. It is important to see the lake while the level is down. A captain can learn all the shoals. Of course, while you are cruising please check for �ATONS�, (On Lake Murray they are called fenders with numbers, otherwise known as �Shoal Markers.�) Ensure they are on station and in good repair. If you notice a problem please do not contact anyone other than myself. E-mail all the information on the problem. I can follow up with DNR. This will streamline our efforts.
For an interesting and useful website, follow the link. Military.com
It seems like the fall is flying by. I have not been able to make as many school contacts as I would have liked because of a number of tests my doctor seems to think I need . Because of my medical history, he is leaving no stone unturned.
Because of the large number of schools in the midlands, it's virtually impossible for one person to visit them in the same school year. This year I plan to visit the schools that I have not gotten around to yet . For some reason I also get several requests a year to interview students from the upper part of the state who have applied to the Coast Guard Academy and apparently there is no local Auxiliary unit . I always look forward to meeting these outstanding young people and seeing if I can give their application a little boost. In these times, our country can use all the sharp young people they can get And as always, I am telling highly qualified high school juniors about AIM, the Coast Guard Academy summer program for interested rising high school juniors.
Some items that may be of interest:
A few months ago we urged Flotilla Commanders to obtain a Wholesale Account from the Boat America Corporation. As of today only 71 of our over 1,300 Flotillas have applied. Why? Here is an opportunity to save money for members in equipping their Vessel and Air Craft Facilities and procuring items for PE Classes. This means a saving of up to 25% on necessary safety, navigation and other related products for members' Facilities. Also, PE classes are afforded special volume discounts on dividers, protractors, charts, etc.
All it takes to receive a Boat America Wholesale Account application is a request in writing on Flotilla letterhead. Once a Flotilla is registered as a Wholesale Account, two designated officers then can get wholesale pricing on Flotilla purchases at any BoatUS Marine Center or by calling orders into the Wholesale Division.
Mail or FAX to:
Boat America Wholesale Division Fax: 703-461-2883
884 South Pickett St.
Alexandria , VA 22304
Also, as you may or may not have noticed, the Flotilla 12-3 website is undergoing changes. If anyone has ideas, suggestions etc., please let me know. Click the following link to go to the site:
Flotilla 12-3 Official web site
Click the links below to view reports. Click "Back" button to return to newsletter.
October, 2001 Unit Summary Report, 12-3
Activity Mission Report September, 2001
Flotilla 12-03 may have set a new record in one day on Saturday, 10-13-01 with the help of a lot of time, sweat & tears. Also with the help of two dedicated QE's from Charleston, Ellen & Robert Kreiling we now have "nine" brand new coxswains!
When Don Davis & I started this class on August 1st, and continued on the following Wednesday nights through to last week, little did we realize what we had started. Not only were we teaching the coxswain class, but we started the "nav-rules" class on August 9th and ran it on the following Thursday nights!
The new coxswains are: Bobby Buscher, George Crouch, Jim Fleming, Ed Jones, Dale McCoin, Kent McCoin, Hans Miller, Ron Tvorik and Mark Williams. (Kent actually finished his check-ride at the D-7 meeting in Jax, Fl,.and got his first SAR tow-in Saturday on Lake Murray.)
This class will finish the training in 12-03 for the year since we're now being asked to do more patrols than ever before on Lake Murray and the Charleston area.
We would like to thank Sharon & Jim Fleming for the "fish-fry" commencement cook-out at their home on Sunday even through the weather was a bit wet & windy in the morning but cleared very nice in the afternoon.
Charleston Patrols - Auxiliary Patrols are still needed in Charleston, especially during the week. Vessels and coxswains are especially needed. If you can assist please let me know.
Lake Murray Patrols - While a terrorist threat on Lake Murray is not a high probability, we must still be cognizant of the possibility. All patrols on lake Murray should include regular patrols around the dam, intake towers, Columbia water intake, Lexington water intake and adjacent shoreline. Unusual activity should be reported immediately
As we contemplate what our country has been through in the last few weeks we have all come to realize that America is a different Country from what it was prior to September 11, 2001. As we look at the resources and experience that we have within Flotilla 12-3 the time may come when our help is needed outside of the Lake Murray area during a major emergency.
I would ask that each of you think about forming an Emergency Response Team prepared to respond in the Carolina's or Georgia within a couple of hours. Each team would need to consist of tow vehicle, vessel, coxswain, crew and communications person. Each team should plan to be self sufficient for at least 48 hours. In the next several weeks I will be sending out more information. For now, think about is this something you would be interested in and if you could make a commitment of this type. Could you leave work, family, what skills and equipment could you deploy?
The Lake Murray News recently ran two outstanding stories about our flotilla. The October 2nd edition had an article about our BS&S class. This article gave excellent publicity to boating safety and the efforts of our flotilla in this important area. This past week, October 9th, there was a story about our visit to the Madrona. While our flotilla was recognized, the real story is what an excellent and vital job the crew of the Madrona provides. Thanks to Ollie Moye for his great coverage and publicity for Team Coast Guard.
If you are getting this newsletter by mail and you have an e-mail address, please let me know so I don�t have to print and mail you a copy. You can get the newsletter quicker on line, and the pictures will be in color too!
Here it is October all ready, and another summer has come and gone. The day light hours are getting shorter, and the water temperature of the lake is dropping. This is getting to be a critical time on the water for boaters who are unaware of the effects of hypothermia ! As we patrol the lake and Marinas, it would be a good idea to remind any boaters, and fishermen we talk to, of the effects of hypothermia .Fishermen are more likely to fall overboard than other boaters at this time of year. They should also be reminded to check their "Running Lights", and have them on between sunset, and sunrise, and any time of low visibility. Also, wearing a P.F.D.is very important to survival in cold water.
Another interesting nautical tidbit: The word "Admiral" originated as the Arabic "amiral" ( meaning "the commander") then having the Latin "ad" ( meaning "more" or "in direction of") tacked on by the French, we now have "Admirals."
Location: Mt. Pleasant Water Works, 1619 Rifle Range Road, Mt. Pleasant, SC
Time: 1000 (Commanders Call 0900)
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.
