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On September 11, 2001, our world changed forever. I believe that for the United States, it will not be "business as usual" for a very long time. What that will mean to us is still not clear. There may be changes in the way we are asked to support the Coast Guard. In time, we will know what those changes will be, and our jobs will be done in a well trained, professional manner. We still have a responsibility to the boaters of Lake Murray. But we also have a responsibility to support the Coast Guard in any way that they may ask.
Commander Tunstall is scheduled to be at our next meeting. This is subject to change.
The deadline for paying Annual dues will be at our next meeting. Dis-enrollment will start on September 30. If you have not paid your dues, please have a check at the next meeting.
The weather is cooling off. Therefore, our next meeting will be held at the island. I plan to have a short business session, and devote much of the meeting to operations training. Hope to see all of you there.
Click the links below to view reports. Click "Back" button to return to newsletter.
September, 2001 Unit Summary Report, 12-3
Activity Mission Report September, 2001
Our class of ten coxswain students are on the home stretch now with their studies, not only for coxswain tasks, but seven are studying to take the "Nav Rules" test.
The new way that "crew/coxswain" members are now trained is by the mentor method, and this class has presented a few problems for Don Davis & myself!! We would like to thank the other members who have helped us along the way 'cause whoever is in this FSO position next year will be in for a lot of work.
The QE'S will be here on October 13 & 14 for the check-rides and I believe that we'll have ten new coxswains in 12-3 for the start of next year.
This has been another exciting summer for Flotilla 12-3. Again flotilla 12-3 has set the standard for cooperation and coordination with the state and local agencies that work Lake Murray. Our membership should be very proud of the service we have provided to the boaters of Lake Murray. Thank you for all your hard work and dedication!
In review and retrospect of our operational performance this summer, our flotilla continues to improve. As part of our continuing improvement I have asked our Commander to schedule 10 to 15 minutes for operational training at each meeting. While we have focused on VSCs, patrols, coxswain and crew training, we have overlooked continuing training in one of our most important areas, communications (vessel and watchstander) and standardization. During each meeting, we will begin taking a specific item and review the proper operation, changes and/or procedures for the particular task.
Again, let me thank each of you for your support this year. As we look back over our peak season, I would appreciate some feed back in areas where we can involve more of our members and continue to improve our coordination.
Fellow members, it is that time of year again. Time to renew your membership in the U. S. Coast Guard Auxiliary. Please make you checks out to Flotilla 12-3 and send them to Kent McCoin or bring them to the next meeting. The amount is $50.00.
Thanks to those who sent in reports. If the newsletter looks a little slim, well, if I don't get 'em, I can't print 'em. As always, the deadline for articles is the 10th of each month. Sometimes I send out a reminder, sometimes not, but I still want the reports so that our membership can stay informed of what our elected and staff officers are doing. Let's keep our members informed.
Labor Day has come and gone. The days are getting noticeably shorter, and the days, and nights cooler. Boat traffic on the lake will be lighter as football season, and hunting season becomes the priority. There are no more organized VSCs at this time, but we can still do them by asking boaters if they would like a VSC as we do Patrols, or visit the Marinas, and boat launch sites. We don't have to be in uniform to do VSCs, so it may be a good idea to carry forms, decals, brochures, etc. with us even when we're not on official CGAUX business.
We had a great year for the VSC Program, and I want to thank all the VEs for there help, and support!
Here is some nautical trivia you all might find of interest.
Some one of no account was called a "stick in the mud " because of the old English practice of burying executed seamen head first in the mud of the Thames river.
From Viking seamen came the saying, "keep your shirt on" which was derived from the custom of tearing off their heavy armored shirt in order to have more freedom of movement during battle. "Berserk", meaning to be bare of sark, or shirt hastened the full blown rage necessary for a fight.
Thanks to John Sikes, SO-PB 12, for the following information:
Periodically a question arises regarding the policy on wearing the Auxiliary PFD when not on patrol. The following statement describes the current policy:
PFDs with Auxiliary markings are not considered a �distinctive part of the uniform� referred to in Chapter 10 of the Auxiliary Manual, but rather organizational clothing: that clothing necessary to perform a particular Coast Guard assignment. Auxiliarists are required to spend their own money for most of the safety items required to operate for the Coast Guard - their PFDs being one major expense. When participating in personal recreational boating activities, and therefore not in uniform or displaying patrol signs, members may wear their PFD with USCG Auxiliary markings. By wearing our PFDs during personal recreational boating activities, we set an example of safety while displaying our pride in our membership in the Auxiliary. Recently, both DC-O and OCX-2 have reaffirmed a decision that was made in 1995 to allow members to wear their Auxiliary PFDs when not on patrol, during recreational boating activities. As in the case of any clothing bearing Auxiliary logos, PFDs should not be worn when engaging in commercial enterprises, political activities or in any place or manner that would bring dishonor to the organization.
Posted: 16 August 2001. Source: NADCO-MS
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.
