Wet Gazette September 2015 1 Wet gazette USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 1110 Dunedin, Florida Commanders Corner Elaine Clark, Commander Ed Burgess, Vice Commander Larry O’Brien, Immediate Past Commander Ron Shebanek, Newsletter Editor There’s an old cliché that states “Time flies when you’re having fun”. Time does often seem to fly by when we’re engaged in Auxiliary activities, whether it’s fellowship and social gatherings or being out on the water on a safety patrol. An important thing to remember, however, is not to allow Auxiliary time to fly by without reporting it! Keeping track of the hours you spend on Auxiliary activities and reporting them has benefits for you, your flotilla, and the Auxiliary as a whole. Awards such as the Sustained Auxiliary Service Award are based on the number of hours you report. Our flotilla uses activity reports to measure our progress and growth from year to year; the Auxiliary relies on activity levels to justify budget requests and to describe the impact our service has on the Coast Guard. Right now our flotilla has over 80 members, but Walter Murray, our Flotilla Staff Officer for Information Services (FSOIS), generally receives activity reports from fewer than 40 people (less than 50% of our members). If you haven’t been reporting hours, the basic form for you to start with is the 7029, which is available as a webform (http://webforms.cgaux.org). Activities such as attending meetings, preparing for a mission, studying for class, traveling to and from an Auxiliary event, reading emails (or this newsletter!) are all reported on the 7029. There is a tutorial for the 7029 right on the website, or for personal assistance just visit the flotilla’s next Office Hours session (4 th Tuesday evening of the month). Any of our officers will be happy to set up the form for you and explain which activities fall into each category, or which other forms you may need to use. Get the credit you deserve for all of your hard work. Spending a few minutes each month to complete a 7029 and submit it is time well spent!
Elaine Clark, Commander Ed Burgess, Vice Commander
Larry O’Brien, Immediate Past Commander Ron Shebanek, Newsletter Editor
There’s an old cliché that states “Time flies when you’re having fun”. Time does often seem to fly by when we’re engaged in Auxiliary activities, whether it’s fellowship and social gatherings or being out on the water on a safety patrol. An important thing to remember, however, is not to allow Auxiliary time to fly by without reporting it! Keeping track of the hours you spend on Auxiliary activities and reporting them has benefits for you, your flotilla, and the Auxiliary as a whole. Awards such as the Sustained Auxiliary Service Award are based on the number of hours you report. Our flotilla uses activity reports to measure our progress and growth from year to year; the Auxiliary relies on activity levels to justify budget requests and to describe the impact our service has on the Coast Guard. Right now our flotilla has over 80 members, but Walter Murray, our Flotilla Staff Officer for Information Services (FSO-‐IS), generally receives activity reports from fewer than 40 people (less than 50% of our members). If you haven’t been reporting hours, the basic form for you to start with is the 7029, which is available as a webform (http://webforms.cgaux.org). Activities such as attending meetings, preparing for a mission, studying for class, traveling to and from an Auxiliary event, reading e-‐mails (or this newsletter!) are all reported on the 7029. There is a tutorial for the 7029 right on the website, or for personal assistance just visit the flotilla’s next Office Hours session (4th Tuesday evening of the month). Any of our officers will be happy to set up the form for you and explain which activities fall into each category, or which other forms you may need to use. Get the credit you deserve for all of your hard work. Spending a few minutes each month to complete a 7029 and submit it is time well spent!
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How to access webform 7029 from flotilla website
Sample Blank 7029
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July 4th AUXAIR Patrol – N28KW Assists Vessel in Distress
On July 4th, Guy and Heidi Warner were on the AUXAIR flight schedule to fly a southern coastal patrol in their Grumman Tiger aircraft, N28KW. Guy was serving as the Aircraft Commander, and Heidi was in the Crew/Observer position. Their patrol was scheduled to begin around 1600 and finish before dark. The afternoon patrols, known as Marine Observation Missions, or MOMs, main focus is to support mariners as they are coming in after a day of recreational boating. They are the “eyes in the sky” and are constantly vigilant for any signs of vessels in distress. Their flight on that day was delayed while they waited for a thunderstorm to clear out that had formed over their home base at the St. Petersburg/Clearwater airport. The delay turned out to be very fortuitous for a vessel that would need their help, although they didn’t know that at the time. As they proceeded south offshore from the coast, they heard a pan-‐pan announcement at 1649 on channel 16 on their handheld marine radio. Sector St. Pete was advising all mariners to be on the lookout for a vessel in distress that had issued one brief distress call. The pan-‐pan asked for any vessel that had heard this distress call to respond. The distress call had been picked up by the Rescue 21 antenna system and Sector was able to give a tentative position of where the vessel might be found. Almost immediately, a call came in to Sector on channel 16 from a vessel, “Too Smooth,” confirming that they too had heard the distress call. As they approached the area of the coordinates given to them, they saw a vessel on the horizon. There were no other boats in the area and they were approximately 18 miles offshore. Guy circled the vessel at 500 feet while Heidi used the binoculars. She observed that the two people on board were waving their arms, lifejackets, and white shirts to get their attention. After 45 – 50 minutes of circling, they could see a boat on the horizon heading towards their position. In a few more minutes, it became apparent that this was the CG 45 boat approaching. The rescue boat got within hailing distance of the vessel in distress and it appeared that a conversation was taking place. The CG 45 boat then pulled alongside and started rigging the lines to take the vessel into a side tow. The story ended well for the distressed vessel. Whatever capacity that we serve in, surface or air, helping to save lives and protect property is a vital mission and one in which we all are proud to play an important role
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AUXAIR Patrol photos
Flight Path and Overflying Vessel in Distress
Photos by Guy and Heidi Warner
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Psu 307 Live Fire exercises support
GULF OF MEXICO-‐-‐Thirteen members of the Dunedin Coast Guard Auxiliary (Flotilla 11-‐10) had a unique opportunity recently to support the US Coast Guard-‐-‐-‐with their annual live fire exercises. It was an extremely rare opportunity for the Coast Guard Auxiliary, the civilian component of the US Coast Guard, to participate in this type of training. The event took place over a three-‐day period. The first day began at 9:30 am when four Dunedin members reported to the Port Security Unit 307 (PSU 307) headquarters at the Coast Guard Air Station in Clearwater, FL. At the Clearwater Marina they boarded, Rovon, a 60-‐foot vessel owned and operated by Auxiliarist Harvey Prior. Prior had volunteered his vessel as the command and control platform after learning that all appropriate size Coast Guard boats were already committed to other operational requirements. After bringing the vessel to a marina near the Coast Guard Station Cortez near Sarasota, the crew (Harvey Prior, Elaine Clark, Bill Clark, Walt Murray and Tom Loughlin) were transported back to the Air Station. The second day began at 6:00 am when they boarded a government van and were transported back to Station Cortez. Once there, the four Auxiliarists and four Coast Guard members got underway and headed for the restricted live fire target range 17 miles off-‐shore. Despite heavy seas and a stiff wind, the four 32 foot Coast Guard Transportable Port Security boat (TPSB) successfully conducted live fire training exercises using not only the 50 caliber machine gun on the bow but also the 7.62 machine guns mounted on each side behind the cabin. Coast Guard LT Brian Dudley was aboard as the Officer in Charge of the Exercise (OCE) and made positive comments about the professionalism of the Auxiliary crew. A heavy rain storm hit them just as they arrived at the Station docks to off-‐load the Coast Guard members. Crew on this day were: Harvey Prior, Walt Murray, Sam Walker. Guy Warner and Roger Montembeault. Day 3 was much like Day 2 except that, upon completion of the firing exercises, again in heavy seas, Rovon transferred most Coast Guard members to their boats, however two stayed aboard for the return trip to Clearwater. While bringing in the 600 feet of anchor line, an emergency call was received regarding a civilian boat taking on water 17 miles to the south with 4 people on board. Upon securing the anchor line, Rovon immediately headed south to assist with LT Dudley skillfully conducting most of the communications with the Coast Guard. Despite going directly into heavy seas Rovon made good time but when they were about 2 miles from the scene they were told to stand down; the situation had been resolved. Rovon reversed course and headed north arriving at 6:00 pm with a very tired, but excited, crew. Because of crew time requirements, two full crews were aboard. They were: Harvey Prior, Walt Murray, Bill Clark, Tom Loughlin, Ed Burgess, Larry O’Brien, Joan Gutek, Jon Nicholls and Larry Gilbert.
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Psu 307 Live Fire exercises support photos
Aux Facility Rovon Unnamed Coasties preparing for exercise
The annual dues notice was sent out to all members on August 1 by Jack Kuhlmann, our Flotilla Staff Officer – Finance (FSO-‐FN). Many members have responded promptly but there are still some dues outstanding. If you haven’t sent your payment yet, here are some important dates: • September 30 – the last day of the fiscal year and the final date for receipt of dues by the flotilla for 2015; dues paid in September are $55 • October 1 – members who have not paid their dues will be sent certified letters; dues paid in October are $70 • November 1 – the disenrollment process begins for members who have not responded; dues paid after November 1 are $85 • December 1 – the last date that disenrollments can be processed; after that the member remains on the roster and the flotilla will be responsible for their 2016 dues Save yourself some money by avoiding the late fees that start October 1, and also save your flotilla the task and expense of sending certified letters by sending your check today. Please make your check payable to “USCGAUX Flotilla 11-‐10” Dues may be sent to our FSO-‐FN at this address: Jack Kuhlmann, FSO-‐FN 6329 Cardinal Crest Dr New Port Richey, FL 34655
Classifieds Gentle reminders Mandatory Training: This is a member training reminder that all current Auxiliarists are to complete the required mandated training courses before the end of next year. The mandated training includes the original eight courses plus the ICS 100 & ICS 700. It is recommend that you go ahead and take these courses online or signup for the classroom training session on October 25th. Uniforms: Tropical Blue uniforms and ODUs are both acceptable attire for flotilla meetings and for division meetings. Please remember the new rule regarding boots. If you choose to wear your ODU to meetings the appropriate footwear is boots, not boat shoes. Staff meetings and Office Hours are both casual dress activities -‐-‐ no uniforms required. 7029 Forms: Please report all hours for meetings, travel, education and preparation time using the 7029 form on the Flotilla web site. It is accessed from the “AUX MEMBERS” menu at the top of the home page. Contact Walter Murray, FSO-‐IS, with any questions on access. One liners Coastal Cleanup: The 30th International Coastal Cleanup 2015 from Keep Pinellas Beautiful. There are multiple events scheduled between September 19 and October 17. Unfortunately the Dunedin Causeway cleanup is on Saturday, October 17, which conflicts with the Division meeting. There are several other opportunities nearby, however, and we hope you will find a convenient date / place to participate. Change of Watch Dinner: Please plan on attending the District 7 Division 11 Change of Watch Dinner on Saturday, December 5, at the Tarpon Springs Country Club. See the information at the end of the newsletter. Facebook: Did you know Flotilla 11-‐10 has a Facebook page? Access it at https://www.facebook.com/uscgauxdunedin.
