The Log Publication USCGAUX Flotilla 36 Boca Raton, Florida

Transcription

1 Flotilla 36 Boca Raton, Florida Volume XLI, Issue 12 December Veterans Day: November 11, F36 members celebrated Veteran s Day at the Boca Raton Cemetery. Attendees included VFC Michael Byer, FC Mario Stagliano, Art Makenian, and Ted Lutjen. Mario s speech is included later in this newsletter. (Photo by Andrea Rutherfoord) This version FOR PUBLIC Viewing No Dissemination Restrictions

2 From the Helm Mario Stagliano Flotilla Commander December Flotilla Meeting Our next meeting will be Thursday December 7 at 7:30 PM (1930 Hrs.). I look forward to seeing all our winter residents return. I would appreciate is everyone would try to come in uniform. Either ODU or Tropical Blue s. Flotilla Elections We will hold elections for Flotilla Commander and Vice Commander at our December 7 Flotilla meeting. We need a quorum to hold the elections so its important that you attend. If you are interested in running for either office, please contact Andrea Rutherfoord or Tom Thayer. As of today, I m running for Flotilla Commander and Mike Byers is running for Vice Commander. During the election process nominations will be taken from the floor. Fourth Cornerstone/Fellowship Event We have cancelled the event scheduled for December 21 due to all the surrounding holidays. Toy Drive As we do every Christmas season please bring an un-wrapped toy to our December Flotilla meeting. Division Elections - Division elections were initially held on October 28, At that time Marvin Merritt was elected Division Commander and Bret Ribotsky was elected Vice Commander. Subsequently a protest was filed regarding the procedures used during the election. A determination was made to void the election and conduct a new election. The new election was conducted on November 16, 2017 at McVey house. Robert Sherman was elected Division Commander and Bret Ribotsky was re-elected Vice Commander. Please join me in wishing them well when you see them. Division Meeting/Change of Watch - No regular Division meeting this month. The Division Change of Watch will be held on Sunday December 5 stating at 5 PM. I sent out detail information in a mid- November from FC. This is a formal affair at which newly elected officers will be sworn in. Join us if you can.

3 Michael Byer Vice Flotilla Commander Hello Everyone, We are now approaching a new year. I would like to thank all of you for all you have done this past year. I want to wish all of you a happy Thanksgiving. It has been quiet, but I am hoping when the snow birds return things will pick up. I want to thank everyone for attending the Flotilla Fellowship Event. It was wonderful to get everyone together for this event. I want to especially thank all of you that did the cooking. What a great job. Thank you to everyone involved for making this event fun. Looking forward to the New year. See you at the next meeting! IPFC Tom Thayer Greetings, fellow Auxiliarists!! As you read this, it will be November. If you missed the Fourth Cornerstone event on October 19 at the Base, you missed a great event. Special thanks to Marsha and Mario Marino and all the Chefs and food purveyors. Mario Stagliano did an excellent job in relating his very worthwhile Habitat for Humanity experience in Africa. I would like to thank FC Mario who spoke at the Boca Raton Veteran s Day Service at the Cemetery on Saturday, November 11, Also, looking ahead, the Boca Raton Holiday Boat Parade will be Saturday, December 16, 2017, commencing at the C-15 Canal and moving South to the Hillsboro Bridge. Lots of great viewing spots. For you boaters, the entry fee is free and there are numerous prizes in various categories. Start working on your theme. If you want to gather honey, don t kick over the beehive. -Dale Carnegie-

4 Jane Novak Member Training If you like being on the water and would like to become qualified as a crew member, join us on Wednesday, January 17, from at our base. This will be the first class for crew training. Skills covered during the trainings will include line handling, knot tying, communications, observation, anchoring, making up tows, and emergency procedures. Trainings will be held each Wednesday ( ) from January 17 through April, and will consist of class sessions and on-the-water trainings. On-the-water trainings will be scheduled earlier in the day and/or on the weekends. Interested? Need more information? Contact me at (1janenovak@gmail.com) to reserve your spot in the training. Michael Byer Vessel Examination FSO-VE@cgauxboca.org Hello Shipmates! *** UPDATE *** I am happy to announce that as of, January 1 st, 2018 Duncan Ferguson will be the new FSO VE. We welcome him to this position with open arms. He is very energetic and looking forward to doing and building the Flotilla VE s. He is looking for cooperation from all of you. He will be passing out the stickers after the 1 st of the year. He will be responsible for completing the monthly report so please submit your VE count to him in a timely manner by the 15 th of every month. I also would like to thank all of you for all your cooperation while I was acting FSO VE. Mario Marino Materials FSO-MA@cgauxboca.org Stop by the store during our Flotilla meeting and treat yourself to any of our amazing items for sale!

5 Information Systems When filling out your 7029 Mission Log Activity use the correct 99 Code. 99A Leadership/Staff hours related to staff positions (PA/MS officers are submitted on 7030 codes). 99B Recreational Boating Safety includes travel/prep for Public Education, Public Affairs, Vessel Exams, Program Visits, Operations 99C - Marine Safety includes travel/prep for Marine Safety programs 99D - Training including any training hours for study, classes (not submitted on 7039 Workshop) 99E - Other all other activity not covered by 7030 or other mission codes Mileage number of miles used to travel for USCG Auxiliary missions, meetings, training that is NOT reimbursed on CG or District Orders Costs costs for uniforms, meals, etc. related to USCG Auxiliary activity that is NOT reimbursed on CG or District Orders, also NO GAS receipts as they are part of the mileage numbers Jennifer Blau Publications FSO-PB@cgausboca.org Please submit any articles or photographs you would like published in the LOG Until the next issue Jim Goldasich Operations FSO-OP@cgauxboca.org NO REPORT Liliane Meghabghab Navigation Services FSO-NS@cgauxboca.org NO REPORT

6 Andrea Rutherfoord Public Education Thank you to the instructors for our November 4 ABS class: Rick Celestino, Bob Hersey, and Jane Novak. We graduated 5 students. For the year, we have graduated 112 students (29 teens). I appreciate all the instructors, aids, public affairs staff, program visitors, vessel examiners, and anyone who has referred students to the class! Note that there will not be an ABS class in September. Our last class of 2017 is December 2. We will start 2018 on Jan. 12. Watch for the 2018 brochure. Ft. Lauderdale International Boat Show Division 3 again had a public affairs booth in the Sailfish Pavilion for the boat show. I noticed many more local people when I worked, as well as the thousands of international visitors that shop for boats, fishing gear, and other accessories. It is always a great opportunity to greet the public and talk to them about their boating experiences. Working with me at the boat show were Patrick Mullen (F37) and Rich Flowers (F32). We met to Miguel Santana and his wife, and Miguel attended our Nov. 4 boating class.

7 Debbie Davis Program Visitor For those members who do not already know about the program, the Public Visitor (PV) Program is a part of the USCG Auxiliary Recreational Boating Safety mission. The PV program is designed to provide the general public with the most current boating safety information and to establish a point of contact for boaters interested in boating safety. Businesses such as marine dealers, marine stores, dive shops, marinas, libraries, nautical stores, etc. in turn, can provide their customers with boating safety literature, information on Courtesy Vessel Safety Checks, and the location of public education courses. Monthly visitations provide an informative interaction between the USCG Auxiliary, businesses and the boating public. If you are interested in becoming a Public Visitor representing USCG Auxiliary 3-6, please contact me for assistance. Barry Ruchowitz FSO-FN@CGAUXBOCA.ORG Dues collection for 2018 has started. Dues are $60. We need your dues before October 1. Some background: Of the $60, the Flotilla keeps $22, National receives $24, the District receives $9, and the Division receives $5. Please bring your dues to the November meeting, or send them to me at: Mr. B. Ruchowitz FSO-FN Via Siena Boynton Beach, FL Also, if you have changed your mailing address, address, or phone number, please point it out. This would be a good time to notify us of the change so that it can be updated in the system. Todd Greenstein FSO-CM NO REPORT Ron Dillman FSO-PA fso-pa@cgauxboca.org NO REPORT

8 Brent Davis FSO-MS Have you ever been to Gumbo Limbo? Gumbo Limbo Nature Center is on A1A just South of our Coast Guard Aux Base. It is a really cool place with various events, nature paths and displays. Check it out, you won t be disappointed. Free daily programs: Outdoor Marine Aquarium Feeding at 12:30 Sea Turtle Talk at 2:00 Much More Calendar of events and programs: Photo by Ben Hicks Fine Art Gumbo Limdo Nature Center is at: 1801 N Ocean Blvd Boca Raton, FL 33432

9 Mario Stagliano FSO-HR Prospective Member Recruitment My Contact Information: The best way to alert me of a prospective member s interest in our organization is via mario.stagliano@gmail.com. Alternatively you can call me at or hook up with me at the regular flotilla meeting. I would encourage you to invite the prospective member to a flotilla meeting. New Member Intake Procedures: 1. and Review the Prospective Information Booklet 2. Complete an application and related documents 3. Take fingerprints 4. Provide proof of citizenship (Birth Certificate, US Passport, Other Certificates) 5. Take the new member exam 6. Take ID Card Picture 7. Collect Dues Check 8. Boating Safety Class (Copy of Certificate) 9. Prepare and Send the New Member Package to Division Tom Thayer FSO-DV Respectfully to all: You and your shipmates are invited to participate in an online of "Excellence in Diversity Management" presentation. There are two separate sessions, both covering the same material. The first is scheduled for Saturday, December 2nd starting at 1500 Eastern Time. Those who are unable to to participate on Saturday are invited to log into the session scheduled for Thursday, December 7th beginning at 2000 Eastern Time. These sessions are designed to ensure that diversity officers, elected leaders and interested are aware of the Excellence in Diversity Management program as well as the application requirements for the 2017 award. Please share this information to ensure maximum possible participation in this important training session. Anyone wishing to attend must register using the link below: Registration URL: gototraining.com/r/ Log in for both sessions is: Registration URL: gototraining.com/r/ United States Long Distance: +1 (510)

10 Access Code: Audio PIN: Shown after joining the training Members who preregister and participate in this event will be credited with participation in a Nation Ethnic Diversity workshop. Most respectfully, COMO Kenneth E. Jacobs Assistant National Commodore - Diversity (ANACO-DV) U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary personal cell FC Mario Stagliano delivered this speech at the Boca Raton Cemetery on November 11, 2017, Veteran s Day. Mayor Haynie, Deputy Mayor Rodgers, distinguished guests, honored veterans, ladies and gentlemen. My name is Mario Stagliano, I m the Flotilla Commander for United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 36 located in Boca Raton. The Coast Guard Auxiliary is the civilian volunteer arm of the United States Coast Guard. The Coast Guard Auxiliary was created by U.S. Congressional legislation on June 23, Last year we marked our 77th year of operations. We have over 30,000 members throughout the US, Alaska, Hawaii, Puerto Rico, and the US Virgin Islands. Our members are involved in marine patrols, vessel examinations, boater education, and many other missions in support of the U.S. Coast Guard. Our charter is to assist the Coast Guard in all its missions except direct law enforcement. The United States Coast Guard is made up of approximately 36,000 active duty, and 7,500 reserve men and women. The service is considered a uniformed branch of the U.S. Armed Forces. In addition to its military missions, it is also chartered with maritime law enforcement, with jurisdiction in both domestic and international waters. The Coast Guard carries out three basic roles: Maritime Safety (Search and Rescue), Security (Port, Vessel and Facility), and Stewardship (Marine Environmental Protection). Two of the most prominent roles are search and rescue and drug interdiction. I would like to take you on one of those missions right now.

11 The date is December 2, Your name is Petty Officer Terrell Horne. You re 34 years old, married, with one child and one on the way. You have been in the Coast Guard for 14 years. You re assigned to the Halibut, an 87-foot Marine Protector Class patrol boat, based out of Marina Del Rey, California. You are the cutter s XO, second in command. The patrol area that the Halibut is responsible for includes a chain of offshore islands called the Channel Islands. One of the larger ones is Santa Cruz, which is about 65 miles from home port. An air unit has spotted suspicious activity. A small boat is operating at night with no lights. You and the crew of the cutter head out to investigate. Upon arriving at Santa Cruz, the skipper orders the small interdiction boat launched. No sooner have you begun the search when a shape appears low to the water. You suspect that it s the boat you re looking for, no lights, acting suspiciously. You give the command to Heave to and prepare to be boarded. The suspicious boat does not acknowledge your hail. In fact, it turns toward you and accelerates. Very quickly it becomes clear that they intend to ram you. You take evasive action and fire warning shots. They keep coming. They plow into your boat, throwing you and your shipmate into the water. You push your shipmate out of harm s way. You take the brunt of the collision with a blow to your head. You are badly injured. Due to your quick thinking, your shipmate suffered only minor injuries. The crew from the Halibut recover you from the water, administer first aid, and get you back to a hospital on shore. Pause Your memorial funeral is held on a sunny day in December at the Coast Guard Base Los Angeles Long Beach in San Pedro, California. The Secretary of Homeland Security is there, as well as the Coast Guard Commandant and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard. There are over 1,000 men and women gathered from the Coast Guard, federal, state, and local law enforcement and a contingency from the Royal Canadian Mounted Police. The Coast Guard Cutters Blacktip and Narwhal patrol the nearby channel for the duration of the ceremony. The words of Janet Napolitano, Secretary of Homeland Security, echo throughout your ceremony But in our time of grief, let us also take comfort in knowing that Senior Chief Horne devoted his life serving the most noble of causes: the protection of our nation; the defense of our freedoms and the rescue of those in distress. The Commanding Officer of the Halibut speaks highly of you, praising your devotion to duty and your unfailing support and encouragement of your crew. Taps is played. You re given a 21-gun salute. A fly-over by helicopters and fixed wing craft honors your service. Your memorial flag is crisply folded and presented to your wife.

12 Has your Auxiliary member ID card expired? Once a year, check the expiration date on your member ID card. The card is valid for 5 years. When it s time to get a new card, you initiate the process. If it s within a few months of expiration, or has already expired: 1. Tell the FC or VFC that you need a renewed ID card. They can help you get started. 2. Have your picture taken in the office (red background, uniform shirt). Zoom in so only your head with the red background is showing. 3. In an , send the picture to the FC. Also provide the current information on the back of your card: Height (inches), weight, eye color, hair color, blood type, date of birth, and ID number. The FC will submit your photo and information into the system. In a few weeks, the new card will be sent to the FC, who will have it at meetings. Bring your old card to swap out for the new card. Note: If you present an expired card at the gate of a military base, you will not be allowed entry and your card might even be confiscated. Here are some useful local boating websites: Port Everglades: Boca Raton Inlet: Boca Raton South Beach Park: Lake Boca Webcam: Delray Beach: Jupiter Inlet: Lake Worth or Palm Beach Inlet: Boynton Beach or South Lake Worth Inlet: Florida Intracoastal Waterway Bridge Guide Hillsboro Inlet Tides ida Hillsboro Inlet Tides (and other stuff)

13 Important Web Sites: Flotilla 36 Log, roster, flotilla info - USCGAUX Home USCG.org National Info. What s New Page, USCG Seventh District, AUXINFO Division 3 Flotilla 6 USCG Seventh District /Diraux.org Gateway Membership ID cards, Member Training Guide, Introduction to training available, Member Training Qualification Guide, All Courses, Division 3 Training Guide, Training in Division 3, Division 3 Member Training Guide, Training in Division 3, New Member Training power point presentation, History of USCG, Auxiliary New Member Course Student Study Guide -1.pdf 06, CALLING ALL BOATS!!! It s hard to believe it s that time of year again and the holidays are literally around the corner. The City s 41 st Annual Holiday Boat Parade is Saturday, December 16, If you or someone you know has a vessel (from yachts to kayaks are welcome), please submit your application. You can go to the city website and download it. It s FREE to enter with no deadline. Cash prizes are given to the top vessels in various categories. All Captains are invited to attend an elegant awards banquet in January at the Waterstone Resort & Marina. A required attendance Captain s meeting will be held Tuesday, December 12, 2017, at 6:00 pm at the Boca Raton Community Center (behind City Hall, 150 Crawford Blvd). Please contact: Tom Thayer Again, thank YOU we couldn t have a parade without you. We look forward to seeing everyone, and Happy (early) Holidays!

14 DON T FORGET Flotilla 36 Holiday Toy Drive Make a child smile this holiday season! Please bring toy donations to the base at the December 2 meeting, or by Saturday, Dec. 9. Toys will go to the Achievement Centers for Children & Families (formerly known as the Community Child Care Center) of Delray Beach, which serves over 700 low-income children in south Palm Beach County. Toys should be unwrapped and appropriate for pre-school or elementary school age. Suggestions: Board games, educational and pre-school toys, children s books. Lightly used toys are fine, too. Contact Andrea Rutherfoord if you have questions.

15 Hot Dog Fellowship Event: November 15, 2017

16 At the November Meeting: FC Mario Stagliano (at podium) nd VFC Michael Byer (seated at table) greet members, guests, and newly elected Division Commander, Marvin Merritt (standing on left).

17 And the Awards go to. Robert Tingley received his Vessel Examiner certification, presented by VFC Michael Byer, FC Mario Stagliano, and Division Commander Marvin Merritt Mario Marino received an Auxiliary Performance Award for Vessel Exams.

18 Auxiliary Service Awards, representing 750 logged hours, were presented to Herman Feldman (3 rd award), Michael Byer (4 th award), and Liliane Meghabghab (8 th award). Marsha and Mario Marino received their five-year Auxiliary Membership Service Awards

19 STATION FT. LAUDERDALE SENDS VESSELS OUT OF AOR FOR HURRICANE IRMA By Andrea Rutherfoord, ADSO-PA East and BM3 Jordan Fortin. Photos by BM3 Fortin. Editor s Note: This article is reprinted from the October issue of The Voice, published by Division 3. Everyone living in Florida on Sept 9-11, 2017, experienced Hurricane Irma s destruction. Seldom has a hurricane affected the totality of Florida as Irma did, and everyone prepared and most had major clean-up for the next several weeks. Station Ft. Lauderdale was part of that action. While we civilians bunkered down, and then focused on our personal recovery, the Coast Guard had to protect its assets, both personnel and vessels. With a predicted Category 5 hurricane barreling our way, Station Ft. Lauderdale prepared to evacuate its two 45 jet-drive vessels to keep them out of the brunt of the storm, while boat crews remained to man the station with the trailer-able 33 foot response boats. The unit maintained alert search and rescue status, even running a SAR case up to the night before the storm, before finally pulling the 33 out of the water as the winds began to exceed the operational limitations. BM3 Jordan Fortin, part of the evacuation crew, narrated this story. BM1 Joe Obert from Station Ft. Lauderdale was the senior coxswain of the exercise, communicating with Sector Miami and later Sector St. Petersburg. His leadership was invaluable to all the crews. The adventure began on Thursday, Sept. 7, when the decision was made by Sector Miami to send both 45 s to St. Petersburg, crewed by 4-person teams. As the vessels got underway and headed north, they were joined by two 45 s from Station Miami Beach, and later by two 45 s from Station Lake Worth Inlet, one 45 from Lake Worth, and another 45 from Ft. Pierce. They proceeded in a straight line to the Port St. Lucie inlet, where they turned west toward Lake Okeechobee and the locks, dodging debris and half-submerged objects in the water.

20 As the six-vessel flotilla approached the locks, they saw ahead about 40 large vessels waiting to pass through. Given the nod to proceed ahead of the other traffic, all six vessels went through the locks together, ending up at Station Ft. Myers Beach, traveling nonstop in dark, unfamiliar waters. The channels were narrow and unmarked, and even the chart-plotter at one point showed the vessels traveling on land! They had to proceed slowly with searchlights and paper charts, using traditional and reliable navigational skills that the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary still teach for situations exactly like this. They finally reached Station Ft. Myers Beach at about 2300, where all hands were on the dock to assist the crews in docking and securing the vessels. The 24 personnel then had to find hotel rooms in a city shut down for the hurricane. The one motel that was available was appreciated, but not anything they d have chosen they heard visiting critters in the walls, probably also seeing refuge from the impending storm. Friday morning, rested and fueled up, the crews and vessels departed at About 5 hours later, they passed under the Skyway Bridge into the Port of St. Petersburg, mooring at the Harborage Marina. Unfortunately, the vessels were moored in spots all over in the marina and no fuel was available. The crews secured their vessels using every line and fender. That day, six more USCG 45 s joined them, two each from Stations Key West, Islamorada, and Ft. Myers Beach, all part of the same evacuation exercise. After the vessels were secured as well as possible, a government vehicle arrived to bring the crews and all their gear to a hotel, which was also straining to prepare for the hurricane. The restaurant was open, but had very limited buffets of spaghetti and red sauce every day for the next few days. Crewmembers had to rotate a live watch on the armed weapons and check the vessels twice a day. Other than that, they hung out in the lobby waiting for Irma to pass. They remained at the hotel Saturday night, when the winds picked up, and Sunday night, when the winds and storm surge were at their worst. On Monday morning, they assessed conditions and decided it was still too stormy, so they stayed one more night. Two vessels needed minor repairs, which were completed by the crews. That night, they were so desperate for a change in the menu that a few guys hiked about three miles to the closest open restaurant, a Domino s Pizza, and waited in line for over an hour and a half. The restaurant was cranking out cheese and peperoni pizzas as fast as it could. On Tuesday, the decision was made to head for home the next day. Sector St. Petersburg arranged for a fuel truck to arrive with enough gas for all the USCG vessels, and more restaurants were opening, meaning more options for meals. Everyone was anxious for the return trip. On Wednesday, the crews mustered at noon. The decision had been made to return home the same way they had come, so the six vessels headed south to Ft. Myers. On arriving at the station, they found almost everything was destroyed and no motels were available. Just before trying to bunk in the boats, the crews received word that a fire station had cots and room for all personnel to spend the

21 night. The fire fighters had made them a big spaghetti dinner, but this time it had meatballs! It was a festive night for the coasties. The big push for home came on Thursday starting at Many people back at the station had spent time calling ahead to ensure the locks were working, and all had responded except the very first one. When the vessels approached the first swing bridge, it wouldn t open no power. After several failed attempts to fix it manually or and locate a generator, FPL was called to make the bridge a priority and power was restored three hours later. When the bridge finally opened, the crews cheered, yelled, and honked their horns they were again on their way. The rest of the locks worked fine, but now the vessels began sucking in debris. The jet-driven engines had to be back-flushed to unclog the drives. Often. About every ten minutes! This delay didn t dampen spirits. They wanted to get home that night. One very bright spot late in the day was a driver from Station Ft. Pierce who met them at a lock and hand-delivered pizzas to all the vessels! The famished crews had not eaten since early that morning. Now underway for over ten hours, past the fatigue limit, they were issued a waiver to continue to fifteen hours. Just as the sun was setting, they reached the St. Lucie Inlet, and the Ft. Pierce vessel turned north. Soon after that the Lake Worth vessel entered its own inlet, while the Miami and Ft. Lauderdale vessels continued south for another long ride in the open sea. As they neared the fifteen-hour mark, they requested another waiver. They were close enough to home that they didn t want to stop for the night. The waiver was granted with the condition that the station send an escort to guide them back to the station. It was a welcome site just at the north of their AOR (Boca Raton) to see their 33 escort with the same crew that had remained at the station through the duration of the storm and kept watch, while anxiously awaiting the return of their shipmates. Still back-flushing frequently, they progressed south, but at the Port Everglades Inlet, one of the Miami boats ran out of gas it was adrift. The other Miami boat took it in tow, and by 2300, all vessels made it safely to the station s docks. All hands, including the CO, were at the dock, ready to assist and secure the vessels and send the crewmembers home for the night. The two Miami boats spent the night at the station, but a driver from Miami arrived to bring their crews home. Congratulations to all the crews and other personnel who helped this adventurous, week-long mission, with its countless challenges, conclude safely! And we give recognition, too, to the Auxiliarists who responded with ATON verification, ensuring the safe navigation for all mariners in the ICW within days after Irma. It was a big relief that the station, its personnel, and assets, as well as most Floridians were spared severe damage from Irma. And two weeks later after Hurricane Maria, we witnessed the generous outpouring of Auxiliarists support for Coast Guard dependents from Puerto Rico, another shining example of team Coast Guard.

22 DECEMBER 2017

23 JANUARY 2018

24 The LOG is published monthly by: US Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 36 Marine Safety Building 3939 North Ocean Blvd Boca Raton, FL Phone: Flotilla Meetings are held on the First Thursday of each month at 7:30PM The Marine Safety building is immediately south of Spanish River Blvd on A1A. Copyright 2009: Flotilla Six, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Duplication and reproduction permitted by and for Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary members without permission.