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Flotilla Commander
William L. Turner, FC
[email protected]
We will have a very special guest for our August meeting: Group Charleston Commander James Tunstall plans to attend. We need to have a good turnout to welcome Commander Tunstall to Lake Murray. Everyone, needs to be in proper uniform, Tropical Blue Long, and on time.
We've had a busy time on the water this month. Thanks to all who have run patrols and pulled radio watch. Member training has been very active with Jim Smith and Don Davis conducting coxswain training on Wednesday nights, and Navrules training on Thursday nights. Hopefully, we will have about 10 new coxswains qualified this fall.
I really want to recognize and thank all who turned out on August 11 and 12th to search for the missing boater. As of the time this is being written, he is still missing and your continuing efforts in this search are still needed.
Our fall BS&S class will soon be upon us. All instructors need to meet with Al McCallister after the August meeting. We also need members to attend these classes to assist, and you might even learn something too!
Dues reminder: If you haven't sent in your annual membership dues, you are already late. Don't risk dis-enrollment for non-payment. Bring your check to the August meeting, or mail your check to Kent McCoin.
As Ron Tvorik told us at the July meeting, a special day cruise has been set for Flotilla 12-3 on September 5th aboard the Madrona. For those of you who may not know, the Madrona is a 180' ocean going bouy tender stationed at Group Charleston. More information is in the article from Ron below, and more details will be available at the next Flotilla Meeting.
See you at the meeting on August 27th.
Remember --- Go Out And Have Some FUN!!!
Madrona Cruise for Flotilla 12-3
Ron Tvorik
[email protected]
Date of the Madrona Day Cruise - Wednesday, Sept. 5th.
Time - 0700 to 1900 hrs.
Number of CG Aux. 12-3 Participants: 10 to 12 persons.
Arrival Time for Flotilla 12-3: 0630 for a short pre-boarding briefing by Ensign Griffin.
Uniform of the Day: Working blues and, if Commander Turner approves, shorts.
Commander Turner has made contact with the Captain of the Madrona, Lt. James M. Cash. He assured the Capt. that the members of Aux. 12-3 are very dedicated and willing to work, not just observe. This day cruise will be for 12-3 Aux. members only. Everything we need will be provided for us on the Madrona.
All members who are interested in participating, please let me know by e-mail, telephone, or at the August meeting.
Thanks,
Ron
Aids to Navigation
Dale Owen, FSO-AN
[email protected]
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/
Career Counselor
Carl Brown, FSO-CC
[email protected]
Well, another school year has arrived, and it seems like no time since school ended in the spring. I will be going around to the high schools in the Columbia area, spreading the word about the Coast Guard and their academy. Last year I had my first AIM candidate from the midlands, so I am looking to what the school year will bring. There are times when I find myself stretched thin, so anyone who would like to participate would be welcome.
Communications
Boykin Roseborough, FSO-CM
[email protected]
For those of you who missed the last meeting, the 83A radio link system has been reconfigured and is now in a test mode. The communications team has been given access for testing and limited operational purposes. We are still one radio short of completing the project. When the project is completed, both channels 83A and 16 will have radio links. Also the channel 83A radio in the watch stander cabinet has been changed to a commercial Motorola radio.
All members who have link (2 meter ham type) radios will have an opportunity to attend a radio training class on the new link system after the system has been thoroughly tested by the communications team. Upon completion of the class and a procedures exam, member's radios will be programmed with the new link frequencies.
As our radio system has become more complex and our radio watchstanders are handling more public safety type calls, it's time for our radio personnel, like our boat crews and coxswains, be required to have additional instruction, training and certification. Our radio system needs to be operated properly and professionally too as we assist the boating public, law enforcement and provide flotilla radio communications. Radio watchstanding is becoming a critical component of boating safety, assistance and flotilla operations support on Lake Murray.
We have a communications engineer assisting us with the link reconfiguration and you may hear his call sign (ET-25) conducting test on the system. Please direct any questions or concerns to the communications team. Also, the radio net has been temporally discontinued. A log of members checking in indicated that the members who used their radios on a daily basis were the only ones participating.
Thank you,
Steve Davis, George Crouch, Boykin Roseborough and George Summer
"Communications - The lifeline of Operations"
Information Services
Donald H. Davis, FSO-IS
[email protected]
It is time for everyone in this Flotilla to read the enclosed IS forms that I have placed into the newsletter. The year is quickly coming to a halt for the boating season; therefore the question of Annual Currency Maintenance comes into play. We have many members that have not done the ACM as yet. Those names are on the Flotilla 12-3 Data sheet that is enclosed. Anyone that doesn't complete the ACM will be dropped from the program until they do. If any member doesn't know what the ACM is, contact me.
Click the links below to view reports. Click "Back" button to return to newsletter.
Activity Mission Report August 2001
Member Training
James Smith, FSO-MT
[email protected]
Our new class of 10 coxswain trainees got their class-room study off to a good start on August 1st. Hopefully we can have good weather and help from our other coxswains and their boats to get everything lined up for the QE's to come-up on the 15th of September.
We'll need four boats but not sure yet how many crew members other than one per boat. This will be our last training class this year due to other commitments and the shorter days.
Personnel Services
Michael J. Mikutaitis, FSO-PS
[email protected]
Prospective member packets have been sent to Mr. Hollis Phelps of Columbia and Ms. Valerie Wooten of Chapin. Preparations for sending a prospective member packet to Mr. Robert Pumphrey of West Columbia are underway.
Per National Personnel Department:
According to a Commandant Note the following applies to the wearing of ribbons,
effective June 1, 2001: you may wear a) all ribbons authorized; or b) your three
senior ribbons; or (new) c) your choice of any nine of your authorized ribbons.
Per Richard C. Lavy, M.D., Chief, Division of Health and Safety:
To obtain optimal hydration drink two or three glasses of fluid over the two hours before you actually start your patrol or other activity. Then maintain hydration while you're out there by drinking four to eight ounces every half hour or so.
DO NOT DRINK CAFFEINATED SODAS - They promote dehydration. Cool
Water is the best fluid. Also, to maintain an adequate salt balance, eat regularly or snack on salt-containing foods such as pretzels. If you are not perspiring, and/or feeling hot or ill, you may not be adapting to the heat. Get into a shaded or cool area, apply cold water over your body and seek immediate medical care. You may be on the verge of heat stroke or heat exhaustion.
Protect your skin and eyes:
Wear sunscreen with a high spf rating. Wear sunglasses that have both polarized lenses and UV protection. Always wear a hat.
Publications
Joe M. Richbourg, FSO-PB
[email protected]
While many of you have been busy at Lake Murray this summer, I have continued with the coastal boating experience. After almost 4 years of running patrols nearly every weekend and participating in more SARs than I can count, I'm still trying to make this up to my wife by spending time with her doing something we like to do together. That is, pleasure boating without being called to "rescue" someone. After all, it is her boat too, and it about time she got to spend some time on it. Even so, I've still managed to work in 4 patrols this summer in Charleston, plus several more at Lake Murray. Right now, it looks like September 1st is the return date, but I have set several other dates this summer and they came and went, and the boat still doesn't want to leave that salt water.
On August 4th, Ron Tvorik, Jim Fleming, Dale McCoin and Kent McCoin joined me for a patrol down the ICW to the North Edisto River, including a stop in Bohicket Creek behind Seabrook Island. We visited a local event know as the Rockville Regatta, a sailing event that is really just an excuse for a REAL BIG, WILD FLOATING PARTY. This event, which has been run continuously since 1890 has to be seen to be believed. A few photos are in this issue, courtesy of Jim Fleming, but they don't really capture the magnitude of the event.
On August 11th, Ryan Dunbar joined me along with Dean Creed, and Joey Bokern, from the Charleston Flotilla as we participated in a joint training exercise with Flotilla 12-8, and a patrol of the Charleston area. The coxswain of the facility from 12-8 was Dan Cowley with crew members Dick Clarke, Richard Daniel, Brett Grooms and Mary Vogel. It was interesting to see how they operate, and I hope we can do more joint exercises in the future.
Public Education
E. Albert McCallister, FSO-PE
[email protected]
The Fall edition of our BS&S course is scheduled to begin on September 11, running for six consecutive Tuesday evenings from 1900 until 2100 hours. We detected a few bugs in the shortening process last Spring when we reduced the class from eight weeks to six weeks, but should have no problem ironing out the rough edges. I would like to have a brief meeting with all of our present and/or potential instructors and helpers after the August flotilla meeting - just to get our ducks in line. I hope to have brochures at the meeting.
Vessel Examination
James Fleming, FSO-VE
[email protected]
VSCs are scheduled for Aug. 25, at Windward Point Patio Homes. They have about 40 vessels in there Marina. VSCs have never been conducted there, and they are looking forward to having us. Windward Point Patio Homes are located on the Lands End area of Lexington. Take Old Chapin Rd. to Harbor Heights Rd. Then take a right, and follow it to Murray Vista Circle. The Marina and boat ramp are off Murray Vista Circle. We will be conducting VSCs there from 0900 until 1400 hours. Contact me if you want to help out, maybe we can "car pool." Members who are not qualified VEs can still help out with VSCs, by working with a VE.
Here is some interesting information from the August edition of Heartland Boating, by Bill Lindsey.
Pay attention to the rising moon. Prior to Sunset, the illuminated side of the moon will point to the west.
If the moon rises after the Sun has set, it's illuminated side will point to the east.
When out in a heavy fog, if you make a loud sharp sound and hear an echo, you're within a half mile of shore.
To determine distance with the naked eye, at four miles you can't see the shore line. At three miles you can distinguish roof tops, and chimneys. At two miles you can see the doors, and windows. At one mile you can see cars on roads, and people who look like black dots.
