First, allow me to thank you, 20-04, for all the kind

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1 USCG Auxiliary Official Newsletter of the New Bern Flotilla Division 20, District 5SR Editor: David Fort FSO-PB (252) P.O. Box 305 Bridgeton, NC Approved for release: 29 May 2017 Volume 25 Issue 6 June 2017 First, allow me to thank you, 20-04, for all the kind blessings we received while dealing with the death of Roberta s sister. It s nice to be home and at the helm again. With the events of the past few weeks, I m reminded of the adage that It Takes a Village. Our little village of pulled off a great event on 20 May. Very busy members took on more responsibility by assuming the lead for our commitment to the New Bern Antique Boat Show. Thank you and Bravo Zulu to all who assisted FSO-PE Manning with this event. Manning, understanding that we were down our FSO-PA and then me as the backup, and with time short, rose to the occasion and held a stellar event. Bob, you make us all look good. On 24 June we do it again, this time at the Blueberry Festival in Bridgeton. I will put out a signup sheet with details soon. Our friends at Station Hobucken will be there also. Last year was a very successful event, and it is my hope we can match it. VEs, bring your inspection kits. Guardians of the Neuse and Trent Rivers FROM THE HELM We expect to receive detailed guidance on the relatively new AUXPAD (paddlecraft) program. Some information has come to you via . The USCG and USCGAux will be pushing this program Bill Flynn FC as incident rates climb in July and August. Station Hobucken has already had one major SAR (Search and Rescue) case of a kayaker. I am very excited that FSO-MT Mielenhausen has created and scheduled a New Members Boot Camp. The Flotilla has been slow with getting our newest members up and running, mostly due to a shortage of mentors. The creation of mandated training is making this indoctrination almost a requirement. Save the date, 17 June, from 0900 to This is important if you re in your first year. One last thing..hurricane season starts 1 June. I am responsible for you after each major event. PLEASE respond to the alert message you will get via or text. Command will require me to find you! Semper paratus Always Ready, since 1939 EVENTS & DATES June 01 Flotilla Monthly Meeting/Picnic Red Sail Park, Division Meeting River Bend Town Hall, Bridgeton Blueberry Festival Bridgeton Harbor 30- Operation Dry Water entire AOR 03 July Call to Order and Pledge of Allegiance Establish a Quorum Introduction of Visitors and CG Adoption of Minutes from May 2017 Meeting Adoption of Finance Report for May 2017 Staff Officer Updates Announcements Old Business 01 JUNE AGENDA New Business Awards and Presentations Comments for the Good of the Flotilla Adjourn Meeting This Issue From the Helm 1 Events & Dates: June 1 June Meeting Agenda 1 May 2017 Meeting Minutes 2-3 FSO Reports for June 4 May: On and Off the Water 5 Now Hear This! No July Meeting! 6 More 2017 Events & Dates 6 1

2 USCG AUXILIARY Flotilla MINUTES OF 04 MAY 2017 REGULAR MEETING FC Flynn called the meeting to order at 1900 following an hour of fellowship and food at Captain Ratty s Restaurant in downtown New Bern. A quorum was in attendance. Attending: Bendicksen, Bonforte, Cunniff, Flynn, Fort, Genovese, Gillespie, Manning, Mielenhausen, Neilson, Pagano, Phillips, Williams, Weber, and Eric Reese (provisional # pending). Minutes of the April meeting were approved as printed in The Channel Marker and the Financial Report was accepted. IPFC Pagano announced that FC Flynn has completed qualification as Crew. A SAMA check has been received for fuel and maintenance on the Flotilla s operational facility. FSO-HR Ed Gillespie introduced guests/prospective members Tom Wetherington, Mike Kent, Don Ingraham and Harry McClard. Several member spouses also attended. Fil Pagano, TJ Bendicksen and Steve Genovese completed the School Water Safety Program, having addressed some 285 young students. 2

3 MINUTES OF 04 MAY 2017 REGULAR MEETING (continued from p. 2) The Flotilla will have a booth at the upcoming Classic Boat Show and at the Bridgeton Blueberry Festival on 24 June. FC Flynn expressed appreciation to George Maravelas and participating VEs for inspections of Loopers vessels during their stop in New Bern. He noted that inspections of paddle boards, canoes, etc., provide the opportunity to discuss water safety with another segment of the boating public. The 1 June meeting will be a picnic at Red Sail Park. FSO-MT Mielenhausen gave a presentation on mandated training, provisional membership and opportunities available to new members. VCDR Dave Fort discussed the role of the Auxiliary as it relates to the active duty Coast Guard and it s place within Team Coast Guard. Respectfully submitted, Jim Phillips (for FSO-SR Ott) Remember Your Lifeline to Auxiliary Info Click: or Log in to the website in the blue Members Only box in the left menu of the website. The Flotilla staff list is also available by clicking on About Flotilla and then Staff List. 3

4 FSO Reports for June Bill Nielson, FSO-CM Nothing to report. T.J. Bendicksen, FSO-CS Updated website calendar with scheduled classes and activities. Made changes to website as per Website Analysis Report. Received Website National Approval. Water n Kids Safety Class at Calvary Baptist School 5/24/2017. Kip Williams, FSO-DV There was no activity in May. Kip Williams, FSO-FN Below is the financial statement as of 31 May Checkbook Balance as of 05/01/2017 $ 5, Deposits: OPFAC SAMA $ Dues $ Total Deposits: $ Expenses: Facility Supplies $ P/E Safety for Couples (SIC) $ VE Clipboards $ Total Expenses: $ Checkbook Balance as of 05/31/2017 $ 5, Ed Gillespie, FSO-HR Four members received numbers this past month; hope to have three more next month.. Bill Neilson, FSO-IS All IS reports to be sent to Sandy Roberts, SO-IS, until notified otherwise. Mike Ott, FSO-MA Nothing to report. FSO-MS Vacant Karl Mielenhausen, FSO-MT Congratulations to Bill Flynn, who recently qualified for Crew. There are numerous training opportunities aboard our Flotilla OPFAC, Contact FSO-OP Pagano to get on the schedule. A New Member Bootcamp will be held from on Saturday, 17 June. Discussion topics will be geared to address the questions being asked by our new members and to get them on the path for mandated training. Ralph Azersky, FSO-NS Nothing to report. Fil Pagano, FSO-OP Our Crew personnel have received and will continue to receive a monthly patrol schedule with updates and revisions as they occur. During the month of May, there were 10 patrols scheduled for our OPFAC This is allowing us to train Crew and Coxswains as never before. The presence of our donated facility has attracted a great deal of attention from the general public, leading to more recruitment. As we continue to train and patrol, we are reinforcing our recreational boating safety presence. Beth Cooper, FSO-PA Bridgeton Blueberry Festival is 24 June; details will be ed to members. David Fort, FSO-PB Produced and edited June issue of The Channel Marker. Please consider submitting articles and photos. This is your newsletter! Bob Manning, FSO-PE There will be an ABS class on 15 July. Ed Gillespie, FSO-PV No new numbers for this month. Mike Ott, FSO-SR Minutes of the May meeting were taken by J. Phillips. George Maravelas, FSO-VE Our new VEs are doing a great job, and we have a list of exams that we have to follow through with. I hope to surpass last year s exams. See something interesting while on patrol or traversing other waters? a photo to dfort@gmail.com to share with readers of The Channel Marker. Post a photo and/or a message to auxiliarists across the U.S.!

5 had a very busy and productive month of May. Highlights included numerous training patrols led by the indefatigable Fil Pagano on OPFAC , Flynn qualifying as Crew, more School Water n Kids Safety Classes, active participation both on land and on the water at the Antique Boat Show and continued Vessel Exams. We were able to participate in boat trainings with both Station Hobucken and (Oriental). Many thanks to Wayne Mulligan for bringing his boat to the New Bern Grand Marina so our crews could get in significant towing practice. Photos (as well as the links to many more photos of several of the events that were previously ed to all members) are courtesy of as usual T. J. Bendicksen. Clockwise from upper right: (1) Station Hobucken and OPFAC doing towing evolutions. (2) Water n Kids Safety classes at St. Paul School on 28 April. (3) Fil and Stephen offer interaction at Calvary Baptist School on 24 May. (4) Genovese performed onsite vessel exams during the Antique Boat Show, while (5) Ott and Manning worked the booth. May: On and Off the Water 5

6 THE U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY In case someone asks just what it is that we do Does Not Have a Flotilla Meeting in July The Auxiliary Operates In Safety and Security Patrols Search and Rescue Mass Casualty or Disasters Pollution Response & Patrols Homeland Security Recreational Boating Safety Commercial Fishing and Vessel Exams Platforms for Boarding Parties Recruit for all service in the Coast Guard In addition to the above, the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary operates in any mission as directed by the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard or Secretary of Homeland Security. Our Mission To promote and improve Recreational Boating Safety To provide trained crews and facilities to augment the Coast Guard and enhance safety and security of our ports, waterways, and coastal regions To support Coast Guard operational, administrative, and logistical Requirements from July Operation Dry Water entire AOR 15 ABS Class , University of Mount Olive No Flotilla Monthly Meeting August 03 Flotilla Monthly Meeting, University of Mount Olive 05 Division Meeting/Picnic MORE IMPORTANT EVENTS & DATES IN 2017 September 07 Flotilla Monthly Meeting, University of Mount Olive October 05 Flotilla Monthly Meeting, University of Mount Olive 07 Division Meeting, River Bend Town Hall 1000: Elections MumFest Trawler Fest, New Bern Grand Marina TBD Seaplane Fly-In, Bridgeton Harbor November 02 Flotilla Monthly Meeting, University of Mount Olive 1900; Elections; Member Training TBD December 02 Division Meeting, River Bend Town Hall New Bern Christmas Parade 03 Fairfield Harbour Christmas Parade 07 Flotilla Monthly Meeting, University of Mount Olive The University of Mount Olive is located at 2912 Trent Road in New Bern. 6