UPPER KEYS BREEZE. Membership Recruitment! STAFF OFFICERS! Commander s Corner!

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1 UPPER KEYS BREEZE VFC Robert J Hoffman aux.rjh@gmail.com FSO-PB/Breeze Editor: Patti Gross auxpagross@gmail.com Meetings: 2nd Tuesday of the Station Islamorada Website: STAFF OFFICERS David Gross.FSO-OP & CS Dewayne Roos FSO-HR Rita Williams.FSO-SR Jim Williams FSO-AW Jim Marcotte..FSO-PE Angus McKinnon..FSO-PV Richard Natole FSO-CM Christine Matthews..FSO-FN Betty Bullock FSO-IS Don Schneeberger..FSO-NS Janet Wood.FSO-PA Dewey Jackson FSO-MS Joe Penar.FSO-VE Patti Gross FSO-MA & PB Robert Hoffman...FSO-MT Commander s Corner February was a SUPER busy month for everyone at I had 7 Auxiliary functions in 8 days Division Meeting, in Marathon was well attended; lots of information and workshops. THANK YOU to all volunteers for the Nautical Flea Market; another great turn out. The BS & S Class was again well attended. Jim and Team are doing a SUPER job. Thank you to everyone that is posting and distributing flyers. The kids day at the Station was fun; the kids especially LOVED Officer Snook, she was a great success. (Thank you Kristy Meyer from 13-4) Great job all FUN YET??? ARE WE HAVING Denny Membership Recruitment Article by Don Schneeberger, Committee Chairman and Dewayne Roos, FSO-HR Flotilla is one of the hardest working, most successful Flotillas in District 7. We are a relatively small Flotilla in a very large District. Yet, in 2013, we ranked #4 in District 7. With a little additional involvement from our current members, along with the addition of some new members, we can be the best and take that #1 spot. More Participation = More Fun We need to change the dynamic of 20% of the members carrying the heavy load. We want Flotilla membership to be engaged and motivated and for Flotilla activities to be rewarding to the members. It takes the entire team. Membership Has a Plan. Wishing doesn t make it happen, so we have developed a two-part strategy. 1) Develop effective recruiting to obtain required new personnel 2) Develop effective retention techniques to more fully utilize both existing and new personnel AND make membership more rewarding for them. Membership: It s Truly a Team Effort We are an active Flotilla with many activities and responsibilities. There is an area of interest for everyone. From Computer Services to Vessel Examinations, we have room and need your skills. Contact one of the Staff Officers for guidance. Every Member get a Member. It s easier for each of us to bring one new member than for a few to do the heavy lifting. Contact a neighbor. Talk to a club member; we all know someone that just needs a friendly nudge. F o r s p e c i f i c i n f o r m a t i o n : D o n S c h n e e b e r g e r - dgschnee@gmail.com or dewayne.roos@gmail.com 1

2 ATONS and PATONS and REQUIRED Action by FSO-NS Donald Schneeberger An ATON is an Aid to Navigation. A PATON is a Private ATON. A Discrepancy is when an ATON/PATON has something wrong and is not watching properly. Congratulations C o n g r a t u l a t i o n s t o D o n Schneeberger, our new FSO-NS, as Flotilla 13-8 s newest ATON Verifier. Don is responsible for ensuring that all the ATONs and PATONs in our AOR are examined each calendar year and a report submitted to Sector Key West with our results. The safety of our waterway depends on us So, if you are not an ATON verifier, contact Don to complete the requirements and get involved Nautical Flea Market A big SHOUT OUT of Thanks to everyone that participated in the Rotary Nautical Flea Market this year. We had a good booth location and many visitors. Lots of interest in Vessel Safety Checks, Boating Safety Classes AND interest in joining the Auxiliary Program. Lists were complied and distributed - please make sure you follow through. ATONS/PATONS are buoys, beacons, ranges and other landmarks that assist the boater in safely navigating the waterways. All ATONS/PATONS have recognizable characteristics that identify them; the characteristics include: color, shape and coded lighting and/or sound. holidays. Buoys are anchored to the bottom. Visual beacons range from small, single-pile structures to large lighthouses or light stations and can be located on land or on water. Lighted beacons are called lights; unlighted beacons are called daybeacons. Buoys and beacons can be with or without lights. Class I and II ATONS/PATONS are all shown on Navigational Charts and listed in the Light List. Coxswains, while on patrol, must be aware of ATONS/PATONS observed while underway. Report any discrepancies, at the end of your patrol, on a Form A link to Form 7054 can be found at: forms.cgaux.org/archive/a7054.pdf OR contact Don directly at: During the summer months when Don is not available, you can contact Cheryl Rook. Next Time You Are on Vacation... Have you ever been on vacation and driven by a Coast Guard Station and wondered how they were different than us? How they are the same? Well, don t just drive by, make an appointment and visit the station. You will be amazed by your discoveries and new friendships. Last month, David and Patti Gross attended a family wedding in San Diego, CA. Prior to their departure, David contacted the FSO-OPS of that Division. He told them of the scheduled visit to the area, and requested a tour of their station. Not only was a tour scheduled, but an invitation to participate in their Annual Division Operational Meeting/training. Fascinating Lesson learned: the more we are different..... the more we are the same Take a chance the next time you are on vacation, don t drive by drive in 2

3 Operations and Member Training 13-8 Operations Department February, 2014 by FSO-OPS David Gross February was another VERY busy month. partners. Again, our operations group conducted missions supporting multiple Our missions events this month included: Annual Division Meeting in Marathon * Air Operations - including work with the Royal Canadian Air Force Completion of the Annual ATON survey for our AOR AOR Familiarization missions for new Coasties Upper Keys Sailing Regatta Sanctuary Preservation Area Patrols Station Training on Tuesday and Thursday each week Flotilla Training including joint training with 13-2 and 13-4 Kids Boating Safety Day at Station and Air Ops Static Training A total of 19 missions were completed. Most of our coxswain and crew members participated in missions. All missions were performed safely and with a high degree of professionalism. We are making great progress in getting two trainees, McKinnon and Griffith, prepared for a QE sometime in March. Our newest crewmember, John Gilbarty, is performing regularly on a variety of missions including air operations. A special thanks goes out to George Berger and Don Schneeberger for getting us back on track with our SPA Patrols; each successfully executed a SPA mission this last month District 13 and Division 7 Officers came together in Marathon for the annual Meeting and training. Our Division Commander, Elsie Metcalf conducted an informative meeting. This year several Team Building exercises were conducted. The Royal Canadian Air Force lands a Rescue Swimmer onto the back of Joe Penar s Boat. Sixty-seven students from Key Largo School arrived in two buses to participated in the 1st Annual Kid s Boating Safety Day at Station Islamorada. Officer Snook came to help the students understand the importance of Lifejackets. The Coasties gave briefings at each of their boats and told the students what their responsibilities were on the boats and how they helped keep our community safe. Each student left with a goody bag filled with coloring and activity books showing water safety habits, compliments of the Auxiliary. 3

4 Operations and Member Training The annual Vessel Examiners Meeting was held on February 26th, by FSO-VE, Joe Penar. We had a GREAT turn-out with 15 VE s in attendance. Thank you everyone for participating. Joe was his usual enthusiastic self, and this year he brought several guest speakers: SO-VE Ed Pratt from Key West and Jeff Lewis from Sector Key West. Mr. Lewis is the head of Commercial Fishing Vessel and UPV exams. He is also a Marine Casualty Investigator The information and scenarios presented were invaluable to the VE Team. Joe s training sessions are always a fabulous learning experience and should not be missed. For current VE s, this year the rules have changed. If you missed Joe s annual training, you will be required to take the online update. You must successfully complete the online training by 30JUN2014 or your status will be REWK. If the course has not been successfully completed by 31DEC2014, you will go into REYR status. The course takes approximately 30 minutes, with a quiz after each of the 4 sections. You must score a minimum of 80% and your score is automatically entered into AUXDATA. The course can be found at: You must log in to complete the task. Please contact Joe with any questions. Regularly scheduled Member Training Check the website often to determine if the regularly scheduled 2-boat training fits with your schedule and notify the FSO-OPS. Refine your skills with the various exercises required to maintain your status as a qualified Crew Member. Bob Herr demonstrates his Man Overboard lookout technique SPA (Sanctuary Protection Area) Patrols are always available whenever a Coxswain wants to put together a crew. There are packets available for educating the boating public while in the 4

5 District 7 Division 13 Flotilla 8 FC Dennis J Kahler dennisjkahler@aol.com March 5, 2014 Monthly Meeting in Review Recognition and Awards Speakers Dr. David Pruett and PA. Dee Dee Vasquez, of Pruett Dermatology of the Florida Keys provided the group with some important tips for sun protection; our Auxiliary Teams are more vulnerable due to the extended amounts of time spent in the sun on the water, which intensifies the exposure damage. They also explained the different types of damage with emphasis on self-examination for early detection of problems. Claude Bullock Sustained Auxiliary Service 750 Volunteer Hours Cheryl Rook Crew Requalification-3rd Year Operations John Gilbarty Crew Certification, VSE Qualification, 5-Year Service Award & Completion of Navigation Rules 5

6 District 7 Division 13 Flotilla 8 FC Dennis J Kahler dennisjkahler@aol.com 5, 2014 Public Education MONTHLY REPORT BY FSO-PE JIM MARCOTTE Once again it was delightful and we met new friends. There were 12 in attendance. Attendees included some of the staff from the Coral Restoration Foundation, The dockmaster of the Upper Keys Sailing Club, a retired senior Air Force Officer (not the one mentioned later in this article), a doctor and his wife, and a man who has spent many years in the Construction Industry (I have a reason for noting this). The class tracked along quite well. Mary Tagaliareni wowed them as usual. Officer Bob was stuck at the Nautical Flea Market so I presented his stuff. After I presented my brilliantly researched and flawlessly executed lecture on GPS, we broke for lunch. At lunch I discovered that Wayne Bell, the new COO of the Coral Restoration Foundation, is also LT Col Wayne Bell USAF Space Command, who is presently on retirement leave. Yeah folks, thems' the ones what run the whole GPS thingy. I learned a plethora of facts about the system (and many of them contrary to what I had presented). Action was called for and I have recruited him as a guest lecturer. We also learned that GPS units are put on each end of bulldozer blades to get perfect grades. The dock-master at the Upper Keys Sailing Club was a Navy Quartermaster and has probably forgotten more about navigation than I ll ever knew. The good news is that when we presented the environmental stressors, Dr Hernandez agreed we were accurate. I try to schedule classes on the last weekend of the month to allow max advertising time. The Nautical Flea Market did not really JOB WELL DONE We are holding our high attendance numbers for Jim s class BUT, it can t stop. We must replicate our actions. Please continue to post the flyers; tell friends and neighbors with emphasis on the benefits of this course. impact the class-perhaps they will move the date for me next year. We continue to have a good turnout for one big reason. It is apparent flotilla members are printing and posting copies of the flyer. To date this has proven to be the most effective method of recruitment. I got a Vessel exam out of it too. I can't tell you who, yet, but it is right in Patti G s backyard (gotcha Lola). Next Month (March 29-30) we are at the Key Largo Public Library. (editor note: That s Not NICE Jim..... Just remember Karma) Boating Skills And Seamanship Program ALL CLASSES AS FOLLOWS: Saturday 9 am to 4 pm Sunday 9 am to 4 pm Visit our web site for more information at: SPONSORED BY United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 13-8 Saturday 29 March and Sunday 30 March Key Largo Library Overseas Hwy, Public Shopping Center Key Largo, Florida You must be pre-registered to attend All the aspects of boating safety are covered including information to avoid damage to our fragile ecosystem. Florida Safe Boating card is issued upon successful completion of course. Give your family the gift of safety Details will be sent to you when you sign up Many insurance companies offer discounts on boat insurance to individuals who successfully complete this program. Fee for program materials is $45.00 EACH OR $70.00 for a couple PLEASE SIGN-UP BY CALLING or send (850) Jim Marcotte jamestmarcotte@gmail.com Vol

7 District 7 Division 13 Flotilla 8 FC Dennis J Kahler dennisjkahler@aol.com 5, 2014 Kids Boating Safety Day at Station Islamorada BM2 Fuentes arranged Kids Safety Day at Station Islamorada. Two school buses filled with 67 children from Key Largo School, along with teachers and parents, spent an action packed morning at the Station. Helo 6510, from Air Station Miami - Opa Locka landing on the Station lawn with the Crew of the 33 standing guard. The kids AND adults were in awe of the precision landing. While the kids were being educated about Boating Safety, the crew of Helo 6510 conducted Static Training with some Air Qualified Crew and Coxswain. Denny Kahler, 13-8; Steve Cook, John Mattern, Don Weston and Dottie Mattern of 13-2 and John Gilbarty, 13-8 are show here with the Helo Crew. Officer Snook congratulated each child that correctly wore a PFD. Here is Officer Snook with Base Commander Mr. Mats. BM2 Fuentes passes out Goodie Bags to each child. The bags were recycled Do you know where your Trash Is? and were filled with Educational Coloring and activity books, as well as stickers, all supplied by the Auxiliary. David and Patti Gross helped each child correctly don and doff a PFD. Patti discusses the Panda PFD Pledge card. Vol

8 Did You Know? Who was able to recognize this Flotilla 13-8 member? If you thought: Jeff Bronsing YOU are correct After his honorable discharge, he remained in the Reserve status for two more years. He then returned to Indiana and joined the Kosciusko County Sheriff s Office. Kosciusko County is the 3rd largest County in Indiana covering 600 square miles and has over seventy-six lakes. Jeff and one other deputy c o v e r e d the entire County and worked a variety of positions, including the Gang Squad. Sadly, Jeff recently moved to Central Florida, leaving his Keys Auxiliary Family. Jeff joined 13-8 in 2001, and from the January Edition, we know that he held a very long and distinguished list of offices; at the Flotilla, Division as well as District level. We thank Jeff for his sacrifices for our country and his contributions to our Flotilla. However, DID YOU KNOW: As a young adult, Jeff was a member of the United States Coast Guard from 1968 until After his basic training in Cape Main, he learned how to operate the radio and was stationed at Air Station Miami. He also spent 13 months in Iceland at the Loran Station. Pictured here in the back row, is Jeff with his crew in Iceland. In 1975, Jeff became the first K-9 Officer for the Sheriff s Department. During most of h i s t e n u r e, J e f f a l s o volunteered with the allvolunteer Fire Department. Jeff served with the Sheriff s Office for 28 years before retiring. Jeff was actively involved in race car driving. I grew up around racing because my dad was interested and always took me to the track as a young boy, says Jeff. When I was in h i g h s c h o o l, m y n e i g h b o r h a d a sprint car that I used to crew for, he continued. So Jeff bought his own car and raced it for 3-years. This photo is from 1979, Memorial Day Weekend, and the car s first time out; Jeff was 2nd in Heat and 6th Overall. The Coast Guard remained in Jeff s blood, and he joined Flotilla 17-8, in Indiana in He attended a course at the Maritime Institute in San Diego, CA, and taught boating safety classes in 8

9 Indiana for 10 years. He eventually got his captain s license and operated the S.S. Lillypad. He remained active with that Flotilla until he moved to the Keys and transferred to Flotilla 13-8, when Cathy Welty was Commander. Jeff moved to the Keys, like most of us, to be around the water. Soon after he moved in 2001, he hooked up with our very own Lance Taggert and the started, Lady Bug World Cat Charters. They were boat captains of several fishing charter boats. It was a lifelong dream for me, says Jeff. I always wanted to do this, and the Florida Keys offered more variety and bigger fish, said Jeff. Jeff and Lance s fishing charters offered a variety of fishing options including the backcountry. Last fall, Jeff moved to central Florida and has now returned to his racing roots. He is currently employed by NASCAR at the Sebring National Raceway. Jeff says, Sebring is a 3-mile track and is used on nearly a daily basis.. His responsibility is as a corner spotter-flagman. He works the corner that cannot be seen by Ground Control. If something happens on the track, I radio an audible transmission to Control and flag if necessary, said Jeff. We don t always throw a flag, continued Jeff, sometimes we just have to call out the current situation on the track. It s all based on safety protocols. Jeff has one son, Bryan, and a daughter, Lori, and seven grandchildren, all still living in Indiana. Did You Know? Do you recognize this Flotilla 13-8 member? Watch for another profile in the next issue. Editors note: Please send any articles that you wish to be published to: auxpagross@gmail.com, no later than the 25th of the preceding month. This is YOUR newsletter. I try to make it fun but full of information, upcoming and past events as well as lots of action photos. The Did You Know feature series has received positive reviews and feedback. However, I cannot do this without participation from YOU Please, if you are comfortable with sharing your diverse and interesting history with your Flotilla family and friends, please contact me. 9