Volume -- IV  Issue – 9                          District--8  Flotilla--39                                    September 2000

 

Vessel Examination &

Marine Dealer Visits

Ken MacRae

 

Through the month of August the members of Flotilla 39 have completed 90 Vessel Safety Checks and 102 Marine Dealer visitations.  We have had one additional Vessel Examiner certified in the flotilla.  Mike Agapos completed all requirements and was certified as an Examiner by the DIRAUX.  The only problem is that he then broke his leg and can't do any VSC's for a while.  Get well soon Mike!  We need you.  Steve Andrews has also been working with the Fairhope Power Squadron and has four of their members working on their qualifying as Vessel Examiners.

 

Flotilla 39’s ATON Team

Howard Hickey, Jack McDole, and Nick Nichols (not pictured) had a successful ATON (Aids to Navigation) patrol August 8, 2001 in Pascagoula, Mississippi.  Nick Nichols’s Em-Dee was trailered a long way from her home waters of the Dog River during this patrol.  There were quite a few unfamiliar sites as the channel (Bayou Cossotte and adjoining bay area) was surveyed including a sea plane shown in this picture taken from the bow of the Em-Dee. 

The patrol took 10 & 1/2 hours so we were able to complete it in one day and night session.  The EM-DEE was slightly damaged by an unmarked, unlighted can buoy with only 2 to 3 feet above water. It was a very dark night and we were lucky not to hit it dead-on thanks to a quick warning by Jack McDole. We're again trying to initiate Environmental Patrols with MSO but so far no progress.

The "Coastie" Instructor Team members for Division 3 are Senior Chief Muse, Steve Urban (USCG, BM2), Ron Waters, Deborah Shaw, and Joey Clements (not present).  They introduced  "Coastie" at the CPOA (Chief Petty Officer Association) meeting on August 28th at the Clarion in Mobile.

 

"Coastie" was well received by the Commandant and the Master Chief of the U.S. Coast Guard.  The Commandant was impressed with the Chief Petty Officers interaction with "Coastie".   "Coastie" was very happy to visit with all the Azalea Trail Maids.  They even requested to have a picture made with "Coastie".  Everyone enjoyed the day!

 

 

Thunder on the Bay

Brien R. McWilliams – Event Coordinator

(NOTE:  This was actually written June 15^th)

 

On behalf of Thunder on the Bay 2000, I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and the members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary for the outstanding assistance on the part of your men and vessels.  We had the best small boat traffic control in our battle area that we have ever had. 

I was aboard one of the schooners during the shelling of the fort, and I do not recall seeing even one motor boat pass through our area of operation.  We did take note of your three vessels standing duty at the edge of the area.  This was a vital service to our reenactment event, in the interest of safety as well as preserving the authenticity of the action.  We heartily express our gratitude to the volunteers of your units for their unselfish devotion to duty.  It really was a great job by all concerned.

Next year we will repeat this event, perhaps with more tall ships and long boats.  The dates will be May 11-13, 2001.  If you will please assist us once again, we will be very grateful.  Safety is our number one concern, and you gentlemen are a big part of helping us keep this event accident free.

 

Division 3 Dinner Changes

Ron Waters

 

The last notice for the Division 3 Dinner had some information that was not correct:

1) The dinner will be seafood instead of Cajun.  The dinner will be in the Dogwood room of the Clarion hotel at 3101 Airport Blvd.

2)     Checks should be held until Saturday, September 23.  Pay Sandra Watson on the 23^rd.

3)     Deborah Shaw is coordinating the number of people with the hotel.  Contact her by September 22^nd, if you are going.  H-(334)679-3480 W-(334)436-5594

 

NACON e-update

Jeff Mahl

DVC-IR

 

The efforts of 6 Auxiliary websites were recognized with the National Best of Web 2000 awards.  For the first time, Auxiliary members themselves were directly involved in the selection process.  During early May, members enrolled in the National e-mail Directory were able to cast one vote to nominate their favorite site.  From the top 10 nominees in each category, the final selection was made. 

 

The winning Flotilla, Division and District sites exemplify the important contribution Auxiliary sites make on a daily basis, providing information and resources to both our Members and the Public we serve.  "Hits" well exceed 1.5 million annually to the more than 250 Auxiliary websites now online.

 

The runners-up and winners are able to display a distinctive logo on their sites, and winners received a specially crafted acrylic trophy for their efforts.

 

The Best of Web "Runner-up" sites for the year 2000 are:

*Runner-up Flotilla site: Flotilla 11-01, District 7 - Clearwater, FL

*Runner-up Division site: Division 7 of District 7

*Runner-up District site: 11th Northern District

 

The Best of Web Winners for the year 2000 are:

 

*Best Flotilla Site:  Lynnhaven VA Flotilla 5-7 of 5th Southern

*Best Division Site: Division 5 of 8th Western

*Best District Site:  1st Northern District

 

Also launched during the Conference was the new National R&D Website

*FutureWeb* at:  www.auxonline.org/~futureweb/  FutureWeb will become the showcase and incubator of e-media solutions.  There you will find convenient access to the "latest and greatest" in online innovation within the Auxiliary, including projects like WINDS, a new weather resource for coxswains.  You'll want to bookmark this site and watch the future as it happens!

 

Important segments of NACON were Webcast for "live" viewing by OSU at:

web.ets.okstate.edu/uscg/nacon/index.html   For the first time, NACON proceedings were accessible to members as it happened nationwide!

 

With all these new services available, it is especially important to remember the importance of enrolling in the National E-mail Directory. Simply click the big blue button at the top of the Members Page at:  www.cgaux.org/   For Auxiliary Webmasters, be sure to stop by  http://216.167.73.185/~airs/  and see what's new.

 

 

 

21 September	Flotilla 39 Meeting, Base Mobile, 1930
23 September	Division Elections, hosted by Flotilla 39
30 September	VE, Fowl River, 1000 - 1400

 

Driftwords on Web

A copy of this issue and others are at:

http://www.geocities.com/devoema1/driftwords