Volume -- V  Issue – 9                           District--8  Flotilla--39                                          October 2001

 

 

Flotilla 39 Pitches in at MSO

Ed Hollowell

 

Since September 11 Port Security has been the primary mission and sole responsibility of the Coast Guard.  Currently, all ships in excess of 300 tons must notify MSO Mobile 96 hours prior to their arrival, which means at any given moment they are tracking a lot of vessels.  Some of our members are qualifying to stand watch communicating with these ships.  During the 96 hours each vessel is evaluated with respect to their threat level.  This new responsibility is in addition to all of their peacetime duties, so anyone willing to help out will find that, with respect to the jobs available, MSO Mobile is what the Air Force calls a "Target Rich Environment".

 

Our primary point of contact at the Marine Safety Office (MSO) Mobile is Chief Harry Chichester.  He can be reached at 441-5680.  The address for MSO is:  150 NORTH ROYAL STREET, MOBILE, AL  36652

 

We can assist MSO Mobile in any number of ways.  The challenge is to match their needs with the variety of talents offered by Flotilla 39.  This relationship, as one might guess, is not instantaneous so patience on everyone's part is the first requirement.  To make our assistance even more "interesting" the MSO environment at the moment is anything but static.  Each day finds new requirements, new responsibilities, new jobs, new faces, and an ever-changing office arrangement.  So, the second requirement for the volunteer is the ability to feel comfortable in a very dynamic setting.  My overall impression is that these guys are doing an extremely important job, and we should be proud to be a part of it.

 

Chief Chichester is working long hours planning ways to make communication between MSO Mobile and our Flotilla as efficient as possible.  One solution, still in the formative stage, is assigning someone from MSO to our Flotilla.  This person would attend the monthly meetings and act as the primary focal point for information passing to and from MSO.  In this position he/she would ideally become part of the Flotilla and greatly assist not only with the present high threat level situation, but be part of a long term relationship between ourselves and the Coast Guard in Mobile.

 

Editor’s Note:  We’ve had at least one member come out of retirement to volunteer at MSO.

 

December 8^th Party

We’re having a party on December 8^th at the Mariner Restaurant.  Happy hour is from 5:00PM to 6:00PM.  The dinner will be ordered from the menu and you can have anything you want (as long as you pay for it).  We will be in the Mariner’s private room with a view of the Dog River.  After dinner, there will be a “dirty Santa”  exchange of gifts.  Ladies should bring a $10 ladies’ gift and men should bring a $10 men’s gift.  The gifts should be wrapped and marked only as “lady” or “man”.

Make your reservations now with Maryanne Worley (470-8486).  This party is always a good time and we’re looking forward to seeing you.  Guests are welcome!!  Maryanne must give the Mariner a final number on November 1^st.

Directions to the Mariner are:  Drive south on Dauphin Island Parkway  until you cross the Dog River Bridge.  Take a right on Bayou Road.  About ½ mile later take a right on Rock Point Road.  Follow the road until it takes you directly into the parking lot.  If you need more help, the GPS coordinates are –88.0937 & 30.5667.

 

Member Called for Active Duty

One of our members has been called for active duty.  Since this newsletter is published on the Internet, I decided not to publish the name.   However, I wanted everyone to be aware that we have a member that needs our special prayers.

 

Voting still active for Gavin Lott

“Butch Lott” has been recommended for a National Award as Marine Dealer of the Year. You can vote for him if you have a computer.

o          http://4.34.177.228/index2.asp

o          Awards

o          “Click here” to view the nominees

o          Click on the page buttons until you find Gavin Lott.  Note:  He is listed as a member of Flotilla 91.

o          Vote for Gavin L. Lott

 

20 September	Flotilla meeting, Base Mobile, 1930
29 September	Ramp Day, 1000 to 1400, Causeway
18 October	Flotilla meeting, Base Mobile, 1930
27 October	Ramp Day, 1000 to 1400, Dog River Marina
15 November	Flotilla meeting, Base Mobile, 1930
8 December	December Party (no regular meeting), Mariner Restaurant, 1700 - ?