Volume 7 Issue # 04 4 th Quarter, 2011 Division 6 Change of Watch Morro Bay Elected Flotilla Officers are sworn in. From left: Rob Wanser (FC 61), Maryanne Collins (FC 67), Matt Wall (VFC 64), Tom Stead (VFC 61), Bill Dodson (FC 64), Lynda Dossett (VFC 6 10), Jane Smith (FC 6 10). 13 NOVEMBER 2011 Division 6 held its Change of Watch at the Inn at Morro Bay. Approximately 32 members and guests were in aendance and enjoyed the Santa Maria BBQ Buffet! United States Coast Guard aendees included: CDR Tom Stuhlreyer, Sector San Francisco LT Ronald Kooper, C.O. CG Staon Monterey CWO2 Danny Kilburger, OTO DIRAUX United States Coast Guard Auxiliary aendees included: DCO Angelo Perata DCOS Rod Collins DCAPT Mary Kirkwood The program included the swearing in of Division 6 s 2012 elected officers. Flotilla 61: Rob Wanser (FC) / Tom Stead (VFC) Flotilla 64: Bill Dodson (FC) / Matt Wall (VFC) Flotilla 67: Maryanne Collins (FC) Flotilla 6 10: Jane Smith (FC) / Lynda Dossett (VFC) Division 6: Wally Smith (DCDR) / Sean Sheehan (VCDR) From left: Division 6 officers Sean Sheehan (VCDR) and Wally Smith (DCDR) are sworn in by CDR Tom Stuhlreyer and DCO Angelo Perata. Several awards were presented during the ceremonies. The Coast Guard Meritorious Team Commendaon with the Operaonal Disnguishing Device was presented to The Crew of Coast Guard Auxiliary Vessel 301219, for the rescue of a boater suffering a heart aack. The rescue occurred in April 2011 on opening day of salmon season. The story behind this award can be seen in the May 2011 newsleer from Flolla 6 10: hp://capitola.division6.us/images/stories/newsleers/2011 /may 11.pdf USCG AUXILIARY DIVISION 6 4 th QUARTER, 2011 Page 1
CDR Stuhlreyer (left) presents the award to crewmembers Scott Richert, Lynda Dossett, and coxswain Wally Smith. LT Kooper looks on as CWO2 Danny Kilburger reads the Citation. Not pictured are crewmember Vic Linderholm, and trainees Sonia Foster & Chris Meyer. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY ACHIEVEMENT MEDALS were presented to the following Division 6 members: Bill Dodson (FL 64) for superior performance of duty in conducting Vessel Safety Checks in 2011 Peter Kyryl (FL 67) for superior performance of duty in conducting Program Visitations in 2010 and 2011 COAST GUARD AUXILIARY ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL with Operational Distinguishing Device was presented to: Wally Smith (FL 6 10) for superior performance of duty in conducting support for the Moss Landing Oil Response Drill, coordinating tsunami relief efforts in Santa Cruz Harbor, and the rescue of a heart attack victim. The AUXOP Device is presented. From left: CDR Tom Stuhlreyer, Jane Smith, LT Ron Kooper, and CWO2 Danny Kilburger. LT Kooper awkwardly looks to respectfully pin the Device on Jane s blouse! Five Vessel Examiner Awards were presented for conducting an exceptional number of Vessel Safety Checks. Receiving Awards were: Bill Dodson Richard Allen Jerry Edelen Craig Johnson Tony Budlong Next year, Santa Cruz Flotilla 67 will host the Change of Watch. Congratulations to the team at Flotilla 61 in Morro Bay for making this such a well organized and enjoyable event. Auxiliarist Assists Vessel in Distress 22 NOVEMBER 2011, Morro Bay Tom Stead was out for a day on the water in his vessel Sea Hawk. While the vessel is a Coast Guard Auxiliary Operaonal Facility and Tom is a qualified Coxswain and Flolla Vice Commander Elect of the Morro Bay Flolla, neither the vessel nor Tom was operang under patrol orders that day. The Auxiliary Achievement Medal with Operational Distinguishing Device is presented. From left: LT Ron Kooper, Wally Smith, CDR Tom Stuhlreyer, CWO2 Danny Kilburger. Jane Smith (FC 6 10) proudly accepted her AUXOP Device for successfully completing the required courses for obtaining Auxiliary Operational status. The Sea Hawk on patrol in Morro Bay Harbor. Approximately four miles out of Morro Bay Harbor, a 22 foot pleasure cra with three persons on board (P.O.B.) began USCG AUXILIARY DIVISION 6 4 th QUARTER, 2011 Page 2
taking on water. A water hose had ruptured and the three P.O.B. were becoming desperate. Auxiliarist Stead came alongside the stricken vessel, went aboard, administered emergency repairs (duct tape), and acvated the bilge pump. To assure a safe return to the Harbor, the Sea Hawk escorted the pleasure boat back to safe haven in port much to the relief of the three P.O.B. This event was reported by VHF FM radio to Coast Guard Staon Morro Bay. The acons of Tom Stead saved the Coast Guard from having to venture four miles out to sea to iniate a tow. WELL DONE MR. STEAD! Jane instructs the Staffing module. Flotilla Leadership Course 11 DECEMBER 2011, Santa Cruz The Flotilla Leadership Course (FLC) was presented in Santa Cruz to 18 Auxiliarists representing three divisions and eight different flotillas. The course instructors were Rod Collins (DCOS), Wally Smith (DCDR 6), Jane Smith (FC 6 10) and Maryanne Collins (FC [e] 67 / ADSO FN). The class listening intently captivated by the stimulating subject matter! Will Swim for Food Patrol Instructors from left: Wally Smith, Rod Collins, Maryanne Collins, and Jane Smith address the students. The FLC is a prerequisite for holding elected office. It also satisfies the Leadership course requirement for AUXOP status. 17 DECEMBER 2011, Santa Cruz It was a tad nippy when the three Auxiliary vessels got underway from Santa Cruz Harbor early Saturday morning. The mission for the morning was to provide a safety zone for the annual charitable fund raising event, Will Swim For Food. This event raises donations for the Second Harvest Food Bank, with various entities sponsoring swimmers who venture from Cowell s Beach, out and around the Santa Cruz Wharf and back to the beach in front of the Boardwalk with water temperatures in the low 50s. With about 20 swimmers and an armada of supporting kayaks, the swim got underway at about 0940 accompanied by a bagpiper on the beach. USCG AUXILIARY DIVISION 6 4 th QUARTER, 2011 Page 3
Swimmers & kayakers get underway in flat calm conditions. With our lookouts acting as lifeguards watching the swimmers, our main concern was hypothermia as the event wore on with some of the swimmers in the cold water for nearly an hour. Fortunately there were no emergencies of any kind. Ms. Claus patrolling near the Wharf. Ms. Claus got cold feet (literally) about paddling back to the Harbor so our facility taxied her back hopefully we ll get something nice in our stockings this year! Crew member Chris Meyer stands port watch over the participants. Swimmers & kayakers round the Wharf. One of the supporting personnel was Ms. Claus on her paddleboard, resplendent in her Santa suit (sans beard Welcome to Santa Cruz!) Crew persons Brent Smith & Chris Meyer provide escort service. Later that day at about 1730, I received a call from the event organizer, Nick. He was 'effervescent' about the Auxiliary participation in the event. Nick was very complimentary about how we provided support with three vessels and three mobile radios on the Wharf. He mentioned that during the swimmers' pre swim meeting, there were several participants who were reluctant to venture into the cold water for that long a time fearing hypothermia. Nick pointed to the Auxiliary vessels and said that we were there to support the swimmers, and if anyone needed help, we were there to bring them on board and assist. He said that when the reluctants saw our vessels, the looks on their faces immediately calmed and all made the swim! This was a terrific fund raiser for the Second Harvest Food Bank. USCG AUXILIARY DIVISION 6 4 th QUARTER, 2011 Page 4
Two of the three Aux Facilities watching over the Will Swim for Food participants near the end of the swim the Santa Cruz Beach Boardwalk is in the background. The crew with Ms. Claus. The event organizer posted the following on Face book: The kids hugging their Grandma who was getting ready to swim around the Wharf, the families that drove from the East Bay and met up with old friends, the Mom who took the time to introduce me to her Dad and two sons, my own Grandkids wanting to take a picture with me, the line of people determined to write a check for Second Harvest, looking out on the water and seeing our Coast Guard Auxiliary escort, seeing Santa on a SUP, seeing all of the kayaks and surfboards lined up on the beach, and the cheer that went up when we found out the water really was going to be COLD! Electricity reigned supreme, and nobody was in a hurry for it to end. The Face book link is below: http://www.facebook.com/pages/will Swim for Food/238795202835860#!/permalink.php?story_fbid=26899 5506482496&id=238795202835860 This was an extremely good day on the water. Bravo Zulu to the 19 Auxiliarists who participated (13 on vessels, 3 mobile radios, 2 in the Santa Cruz Radio Tower and 1 photographer). And well done to the event organizer and sponsors for raising funds for a worthy cause. New Member Academy As you already know, we are putting on a NEW MEMBER ACADEMY at the Santa Cruz Harbor Meeting Room on Saturday, 14 January. The course contains seven chapters: Introduction / Structure / Coast Guard Island Navigating the Web Protocol Uniforms Forms Qualifications & Training Awards This training is extremely beneficial in that it familiarizes members with several of the more important aspects of the Auxiliary. The course will be offered at the Past Commanders Association (PCA) training fair; however, this course is locally presented and thus will free up members to take other courses at the PCA not normally offered at the local level. The class will be limited to the first 20 enrolled and there are 12 members signed up so far. This will be a fun & interactive training, so RSVP directly to me if you wish to attend. USCG AUXILIARY DIVISION 6 4 th QUARTER, 2011 Page 5
Flotilla Meetings Flotilla 61 Morro Bay 1 st Wednesday of each month at 1900 Meet at Morro Bay Community Center 1001 Kennedy Way, Morro Bay, CA Flotilla 64 Monterey 2 nd Tuesday of each month at 1930 Meet at USCG Station Monterey 100 Lighthouse Ave, Monterey, CA Flotilla 67 Santa Cruz 3 rd Tuesday of each month at 1930 Meet at Santa Cruz Harbor Public Meeting Room 365A Lake Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA Flotilla 6 10 Capitola 1 st Tuesday of each month at 1930 Meet at Santa Cruz Harbor Public Meeting Room 365A Lake Avenue, Santa Cruz, CA Editor s Notes This newsletter is the official publication of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Division 6, District 11N. The newsletter is published about 4 times each year, and relies on articles submitted for publication by members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Please submit your photos, stories, and comments for inclusion in the newsletter to CC.CGAUX@gmail.com Cecil Claspell, SO PB USCG AUXILIARY DIVISION 6 4 th QUARTER, 2011 Page 6