March 2002 Driftwords - USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 39

March Meeting

The March 21^st meeting will be at the Anchor & Shield Club at Base Mobile on Thursday, 1930.

Watch Standing Training Course

Sold Out!

It was literally standing room only at the new Dauphin Island Station during March 9^th’s Watch Stander course presented by BM2 John Parker. The picture shown above doesn’t show the entire room, but we do see Barry Wyatt (who organized the course) standing against the right wall. The class was made up mostly of Flotilla 39 members, but also included one Reservist and several prospective members.

Mr. Parker drove 192 miles each way on his day off to present this class. His enthusiasm for getting us actively involved with the Dauphin Island Station kept the course interesting throughout the day. He has stated that he was “impressed by the turn out” and felt that “the unit and the Auxiliary will gain from this training.” Those members that attended the training should be able to qualify for the first level of AUXCOM specialty training.

Bob Gibson, from Flotilla 36, helped with the training course. Mr. Gibson is the only Auxiliarist currently qualified to stand watch at the Dauphin Island Station. Mr. Gibson, Mr. Parker and the rest of Dauphin Island Station are looking forward to a room full of Flotilla 39 members completing the qualifications to stand watch. This training course was a great jump-start on getting qualified. Members should be able to complete the qualification process after standing 3 to 5 supervised watches.

The Station (and Mr. Parker in particular) wants to gives us every opportunity to complete the qualification process. If you call Mr. Parker, he will be able to schedule you to stand watch at almost any time that you are available.

BM2 John Parker – Watch Stander Training

March 9^th, 2002

A Picture is Worth a Thousand Words!

Jeff Mahl -- DVC-IR

Have you ever wanted just the right image for an Auxiliary website, or maybe you're working on a PowerPoint Presentation for Member Training or Public Education? How about that hard to find photo for your next Flotilla, Division or District publication. Help has arrived!

AUXImage brings you hundreds of quality-approved images (both graphics, clipart, and photos) with online ease. You will find the AUXImage link at the Marketing & Public Affairs Department page http://www.cgaux.org/cgauxweb/news/news_a.htm AUXImage is also a featured link on the R&D FutureWeb "What's Inside" page http://www.auxonline.org/~futureweb

With AUXImage you can search the ever-growing collection by image type, classification, or keywords. You will like the convenience of the gallery format that speeds the review of multiple thumbnail images. This makes the search process faster, even for members who may have dial-up access. Once you spot the perfect image, just click "View Full" to see it full size, along with all the particulars and instructions for easy download to your computer.

Best of all, members are invited to submit those very special quality photos you might catch on the water or on shore, so that all members can share and use them! Just click "Submit Images" and you'll find an easy upload submission function. Once submitted, the images will be reviewed by "A" Department staff for proper content. Once approved, they will be added to the AUXImage library. Remember, your submissions must be applicable Auxiliary-wide! Avoid the temptation to submit items of limited local or regional interest. Think first, is this an image that would be suitable for the NAVIGATOR? Be VERY selective...

This special resource is brought to you by the combined efforts of the Department of Marketing and Public Affairs, with the Department of Information and Communication Services. We hope it will assist in your efforts to convey the great Auxiliary Image to our members and the boating public we serve.

NEW BOATING SKILLS AND SEAMANSHIP

(12th Edition)

John VanOsdol, DC-E “SpeedGram 2002-01”

We are pleased to announce the introduction of the new, 12th edition, textbook of this popular course. BS&S continues to be a 13-Lesson (that’s the first change, no longer called “chapters”) NASBLA approved course. The most notable change is in the format. The course is now in a loose-leaf, three-hole punched format. Such a format makes it easier to use in the classroom, allows instructors to add local information, and allows distribution of only the particular lessons being taught. The 13 Lessons are divided between a “Core Course” and an “Optional Lessons” package.

The Core and Optional packages are individually wrapped and titled as follows:

CORE COURSE

Lesson 1 Which Boat is for You

Lesson 2 Equipment for Your Boat

Lesson 3 Trailering Your Boat

Lesson 4 Handling Your Boat

Lesson 5 Your “Highway” Signs

Lesson 6 The Rules You Must Follow

Lesson 7 * Inland Boating *

Lesson 8 The Rest of Our Story

* “Inland Boating” is for use, when desired, for students who need this specialized material due to their geographical location. The Lesson does not contain any information necessary for NASBLA approval; thus, if the Lesson is not taught, the Core Course graduates may still be given the NASBLA approved course certificate.

OPTIONAL LESSONS

Lesson 9 Introduction to Navigation (formerly called “Piloting”)

Lesson 10 Powering Your Boat

Lesson 11 Lines and Knots for Your Boat

Lesson 12 Weather and Boating

Lesson 13 Your Boat’s Radio

OPERATION NOBLE EAGLE

On the six-month anniversary of 9/11, the Auxiliary will stop reporting hours separately for operation Noble Eagle.

Total approximate CG Auxiliary volunteer effort supporting overall Coast Guard contribution to Operation Noble Eagle since 9/11: 238,792 hours. This is a final tally and final report.

For a detailed report go to:

http://www.cgaux.org/cgauxweb/hq/QuickLook.pdf

EVENTS

Please forward any events that you are aware of.

21 March	Flotilla meeting, Base Mobile, 1930
23 March	VE, Alabama Coastal Fisherman Association Weigh-in Site.
2 April	PE, Boating Safely, Springhill Baptist Activities Building, 11 South McGregor, 1830 – 2100
9 April	PE, Boating Safely, Springhill Baptist Activities Building, 11 South McGregor, 1830 – 2100
16 April	PE, Boating Safely, Springhill Baptist Activities Building, 11 South McGregor, 1830 – 2100
18 April	Flotilla meeting, Base Mobile, 1930
27 April	VE, Dauphin Island
16 May	Flotilla meeting, Base Mobile, 1930
18 – 24 May	National Safe Boating Week
25 May	VE, Beach Comber
20 June	Flotilla meeting, Base Mobile, 1930
29 June	VE, Fowl River
4 July	Operations - Tall Ships
18 July	Flotilla meeting, Base Mobile, 1930
27 July	VE, Bayou le Batre
31 August	VE, Luscher Park
28 September	VE, Causeway
26 October	VE, Dauphin Island

Driftwords on Web

A copy of this issue and others are at:

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