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Staff OfficersIPFC Bob Hills

FSO-CM Brian Fitzpatrick

FSO-CS George Berger (Interim)

FSO-FN Denny Kahler

FSO-HR Jeff Bronsing & Bob Hills

FSO-IS Betty Bullock

FSO-MA Dave Gross

FSO-MS Doug Moore

FSO-MT Bob Hoffman

FSO-NS Dewey Jackson

FSO-OP Conrad Sankpill

FSO-PA Janet Wood

FSO-PB George Berger

FSO-PE Patricia Fincannon

FSO-PV Jim Marcotte

FSO-SR Janet Wood

FSO-VE Joe Penar &

Denise Hudson

Commander’s CornerIt is a vote of confidence that you have re-elected me and Dennis Kahler to the respective positions of Flotilla Commander and Vice Flotilla Commander. It seems like just yesterday we were elected for the first time. However, with your support we have accomplished many things this past year.

To name a few, Joe Penar and Jim Marcotte have added several new

Vice Commander’s CornerI think I started off last quarters column with WOW where has the year gone ? ....... but that was an understatement ..... it's gone into Hyperspeed ...... we're ready for elections in a couple of weeks and we're being asked by Sector Key West for more and more help ...... and the GREAT news is 13-08 continues to set the pace for everyone in Division 13. As you know, we're being asked to qualify

Continued on page 9 Continued on page 9

District 7 Division 13 Flotilla 08 Upper Keys Official Publication Nov 19, 2011 Quarter IV

FC Claude Bullock http://a0701308.uscgaux.info/ VFC Denny Kahler cbullockaux@aol.com 888-470-5566 dennisjkahler@aol.com

Upper Keys Breeze

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Recent EventsA Message from Station Islamorada Commander Mr Christopher Acklin

Well it is hard to believe that another summer has come and gone. As we approach the winter season, I would like to take a moment to both welcome back our seasonal Auxiliary members and thank Flotilla 13-08 for your efforts in patrolling the waters of the upper keys, performing vessel examinations, and assisting eight newly reported members of Station Islamorada with area familiarization. We look forward to again working with Flotilla 13-08’s full complement throughout the months to come.

Between the months of July and October, Flotilla 13-08 conducted 41missions totaling 176 underway hours, including 15 hours transporting Coast Guard boarding teams during the busy July Mini-Lobster Season.

It was our pleasure to assist the October qualification examinations for several flotilla members. Congratulations to those flotilla members who successfully completed initial or re-certifications. We look forward to integrating more active duty members into the qualification process in the future, as we work towards certifying our members as Qualification Examiners in an effort to better assistance Flotilla 13-08 in this critical aspect of strengthening its capabilities.

We are greatly appreciative for Flotilla 13-08’s dedication in regards volunteering personal time in serve alongside our active duty and reserve component members. Station Islamorada owes a great deal of thanks to Mr. Brian Fitzpatrick who routinely stands watch in our communications center. Since July, Mr. Fitzpatrick has accumulated 56 hours of communications watch monitoring our area of responsibility for distress calls, maintaining the radio guard of our underway boat crews, and providing our active duty members with a welcomed weekend break. Mr. Fitzpatrick’s watch standing greatly eased the burden of our duty section personnel and we are greatly appreciative of his service.

I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate the importance of risk assessment and operational safety. Active duty, reserve, and auxiliary members of Station Islamorada must view operational safety as the highest priority. As the industry leaders of public boating safety, it is imperative that we operate safely ourselves. Once again, thank you Flotilla 13-08 for all the dedicated service you provide the Florida Keys boating public, Coast Guard Station Islamorada, and the United States Coast Guard. Enjoy a safe and happy holiday season this winter.

Christopher W. Acklin, CWO3Commanding OfficerCoast Guard Station Islamorada, FL.

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Flotilla 13-08 QE SessionWritten by George Berger FSO-PB

After several weeks of planning, preparation and training, the second 2011 on-the-water QE certification and re-certification session was conducted on 5 Nov 2011 in Snake Creek and Cotton Key Basin. Due to potential poor weather the location of the on-the-water QE session was changed from Blackwater Sound to Snake Creak and Cotton Key Basin. The dock work for qualification was done on the 3rd at the Key Largo Sailing Club. Everyone passed the dock work. In the absence of Bob Hoffman, our Member Training Officer, extensive training missions were scheduled and supervised by Dennis Kahler, our Vice Flotilla Commander and Conrad Sankpill, our Operations Officer. Bob Hoffman is due to return to the Keys soon to resume as Member Training Officer. Several 13-08 member facilities and coxswains participated in the training exercises several times a week to prepare everyone for the tests. Three Coxswains and two Crew where certified and re-certified. They are:

Coxswains Crew

Bob Hills 13-08 (Re-qual) Walt Kostyk 13-08 (Initial Qual)

Jeff Peters 13-08 (Re-qual) Lu Zelinsky13-08 (Re-qual)

Al Zelinsky 13-08 (Re-qual)

Two vessels participated in the on-the-water QE session. They were:

1. Dewey Jackson’s Vessel “NoName”2. Jeff Peters’s Vessel “Sharon Time”

Dennis Kahler and George Berger served as supplemental crew on NoName. Ed Miller served as supplemental crew on Sharon Time. The Qualification Examiners were Dewey Jackson on NoName and Jim Maloney on Sharon Time. BM1 Will Balcereski, Station Islamorada QE candidate, also participated as an observer and advisor. Conrad Sankpill and Dave Gross provided QE support dockside.

Sharon Time prepares to get underway with Dave Gross looking on

“NoName” gets underway with a boat full of Coxswains - Left to Right: George Berger, Dewey Jackson, BM1 Will Balcereski, Al Zelinski, Bob Hills, and Denny Kahler.

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The qualification exercises included:

1. Pre-underway Check and Brief2. Stern Towing3. Side Towing4. Search Patterns5. MOB Drill6. Anchoring7. Mooring the vessel

All the exercises with the two vessels and 5 candidates were done within four hours. Thank You Denny Kahler and Conrad Sankpill for your diligent training efforts. Everyone passed the exams. After the exercises, BM1 Will Balcereski and Dewey Jackson provided a constructive critique of the QE session with recommendations for future training to further improve our seamanship skills. Bravo Zulu to All!

The International Side Of The U.S. Coast Guard AuxiliaryIf you attended the recently held National Conference in Charlotte, you may have noticed a number of guests in different uniforms around. A large contingent of guests from the volunteer SAR organizations of other nations attended this year’s conference and participated in an International Roundtable session. “This was a great opportunity to share ideas from Search and Rescue organizations from around the world,” commented Auxiliarist John Cooper DIR-I, Director of International Affairs. “We all learned so much from one another and it resulted in each organization picking up some new ideas to incorporate into their programs back home.”

Of particular interest to our international guests was the myriad of workshops that were offered including Leadership, Navigation Systems Programs, Boot Camp for Vessel Examiners, Mass Rescues and much more. “Each of our guests came with a good idea of what he wanted to learn about and take home”, stated Arthur von Pieschel, Branch Chief, International Affairs. “The National Training Commodore from Australia even had

arranged to visit the National Leadership Development Center, but unfortunately, the visit had to be cancelled due to Hurricane Irene.”

In addition, a formal signing ceremony was held with José Antonio Najri, National Commodore of the Dominican Naval Auxiliary and James E. Vass, Jr., National Commodore, USCG Auxiliary. The signing was a Memorandum of Intent to foster bilateral cooperation between the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Naval Auxiliary of the Dominican Republic. With the signing of this agreement, the Dominican Republic became the seventh international volunteer SAR organization to have such an agreement with the USCG Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Bob Hills assesses situation during the towing evolution, left picture; Lu Zelinsky retrieves MOB marker

John Cooper DIR-I Member of Upper Keys Flotilla 13-08

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The International guests found the interaction and exchange of ideas offered by the three hour International Roundtable extremely rewarding. They requested that it be extended by another two hours for the NACON 2012 to be held in San Antonio, Texas. That request has already been submitted to conference organizers.

“Several guests have expressed their thanks for a wonderful experience and for the way in which they were made to feel welcome by everyone at the conference. All are looking forward to next year’s “Fiesta” in San Antonio and we look forward to welcoming them there,” added Cooper. James E. Voss Jr (USCG Aux) and José Antonio

Najri (AND), signing letter of intent.

Participants in the International Roundtable included:

Australia: Bob Mellor; British Virgin Islands: Cris Ruffell Smith; Canada: Ted Smith, Krista Kendal; Curacao: Frans Versteeg, Adriaan van der Hoeven, Curd Evertesz; Dominican Repuplic: Jose Antonio Najri, Juan Carlos Porcella; Jamaica: Robert Scott; Philippines: CDR Joeven L. Fabul, Harold Wolf, Edward Libranda, Pablito Tolentini, Estanislao Suerte; United States: Frank Dvorak, John Alter - Chief Commander and Vice Commander of United States Power Squadron; USCG: Capt. Tom Hale - Deputy Director (DCO-I); USCG International Affairs, Lt Joe Raymond - USCG Atlantic Area (LANT-53); USCG Auxiliary: John Cooper, John VanOsdol, Klaus Baumann, Brigette Baumann, Felix Lopez, Al Verdi, Arthur Von Pieschel, Steven Wang.

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Staff ReportsStaff Reports, articles of accomplishments and future plans from our Flotilla Staff Officers follow:

Operations - Conrad Sankpill

A new Facility (Copa Cat) has been added to the Flotilla 13-08 fleet.

Copa Cat made her first training mission on September 22, 2011. With Coxswain Conrad Sankpill in command, along with crew members David Gross and Dennis Kahler, Facility Copa Cat took to the water.

Our mission included running search patterns in the morning and spending the afternoon doing two boat exercises with the Coast Guard.

Facility Copa Cat is owned by flotilla members David and Patti Gross and is a 2012-29’ World Cat 290 DC with twin Yamaha 250 hp outboards.

Public Education - Patricia Fincannon

This was our class for Aug 20-21 at Zane Grey. We impacted at least four people and maybe their experience will promote safe boating. Hope your trip home will be uneventful. I will not be at the October meeting or the November Meeting. I will be back in town after Nov 29, 2011. Respectfully submittedPatricia Fincannon, FSO-PE

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Public Affairs - Janet WoodNow that the Summer is over, our meetings are growing, with all our Auxiliary members returning from their Summer Homes and Vacations. This Summer has been far from Slow.

I have had the opportunity to go with Auxiliary Sector Coordinator, Dewey Jackson, on several oil spill investigations. After quite a few incidents, Conrad took us by boat up and down the Canals .... We met with the Gold Members from Key West who rode with us to look by water and take samples ... On our way back to the Station, we received another call and responded to that ...

Attending the USS Spruance commissioning, in my tropical blue uniform, representing our Flotilla was an exciting event .. Humbling, Exciting, Proud of our country, and the most amazing ship I have ever seen.

Recruiting Dr. Bernard Ginsberg is a wonderful addition to our Flotilla. He has been sworn in and has not missed a meeting. I believe we have Coxswain Material.

This year will be better than ever ... We have all experienced the radio shows and are quite good at it ... We will continue this. Any Officer who would like to

promote an event, let me know, and we will put you on. Also, let's not forget that we have PSA's (recorded Public Service Announcements) at Clear Channel which we should utilize. Doug and I did them before .... We can advertise Vessel Examination, Boating safety classes, and any other information we want the community to know.

In January, we have State Attorney Dennis Ward as our Guest Speaker.

Here's to the best year ever!

Publications - George BergerThis is our fourth quarterly newsletter for calendar year 2011 and my second year as your FSO-PB. The Flotilla Newsletter is a very important communication tool for our flotilla. Our website is another excellent communication tool for our flotilla. Visit http://a0701308.uscgaux.info/ and get familiar with the site. It has a lot of good information. The Newsletter highlights coming events, important issues, and includes feature articles from time to time. Commander’s and Vice Commander’s corners are included for messages from our elected officers. All members and staff are encouraged to submit articles for publishing. Both Community and Auxiliary events should be considered when writing your articles. Your input is critical to help me publish a good useful newsletter. Again, thanx for all your help. Previous Newsletters can be found at:

http://a0701308.uscgaux.info/KeysBreeze_new_gb2.htmlGeorge Berger FSO-PB, SO-CS and his wife Ingrid

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Information Systems - Betty BullockNo job is complete until the paperwork is done. In order to get credit for the work you do in the flotilla there is some paperwork. If you have any questions feel free to call me 305-790-9519 or e-mail bullock_aux@bellsouth.net. There are many forms for different activities and when several of you participate together only one person needs to send a form with everyone listed.

The Vessel Examiner if not using a form that lists paddle craft needs to put that in the notes. Also, in the high focus column you note the number of vessels under 26’ that you inspected.

The reason this paperwork is so important is that it shows how active the Flotilla is and from the records support is offered to us. Another words the paper trail leads to allocation of funds. If you attend a membership meeting that is 7029 form time. The

clock starts when you leave home and ends when you return home. You can also report the miles you drove to attend the meeting which means I expect everyone in attendance to send paperwork to me.

Secretary/Records - Janet Wood

Thanks so much to Pat Fincannon and Sue Heim, who covered for me this summer, while I was spending time with my Daughter.

I am thrilled to be back and am looking forward to another Great Year.

It would be so helpful if all Flotilla Staff Officers would give me reports at the Staff Meeting before the General Meeting.

Please give me some speakers and topics you would like to hear this season !

Thanks so much!

Janet Wood with Demetrious Efstratiou at Coast Guard Station Key West

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vessel examiners to our roster and Joe promises more next year. Pat Fincannon has added new instructors to help the already qualified instructors to further public education. Jim Marcotte and David Gross have increased our presence with dealer visits and are always happy to add more businesses. Conrad Sankpill has kept our marine operations going all year in spite of a big drop in coxswains and crew members during the summer. Brian Fitzpatrick has donated many hours manning the coms at the Station relieving the regular Coasties. George Berger has worked from his home doing the award winning newsletter and maintaining the flotilla web site. John Cooper has received international recognition for his work with the Auxiliary in the Caribbean Basin. Betty Bullock has done a good job of keeping the records in Auxdata. Bob Hoffman assumed the job of POMS and in addition spent many hours updating records and getting members trained for the flotilla and the division level. Janet Wood did a great job of coordinating radio programs and the media to promote boating safety. Dennis Kahler did an outstanding job of running the show while I was away. Bob Hills, Dewey Jackson, George Berger, and Jeff Bronsing have been a great source of information when it was necessary.

If you are new, be sure and ask for a mentor and remember we do not always ask for your help so volunteer in your area of expertise.

Our mission for the coming year is to increase the number of vessel examiners and qualified marine pollution investigators.

Commander’s Corner - Continued from Page 1

Vice Commander’s Corner - Continued from Page 1

more Vessel Examiners and Pollution Investigators so we can be prepared to help with upcoming potential issues we may face here in the Keys. So now's your chance to step forward and become even more engaged than we were last year. I know our members will step up to the challenge. Switching gears a little, I would like to Thank Pat Fincannon for her excellent leadership with our PE program in the past, and thank Jim Marcotte for stepping up to take over this very important job for the Flotilla and our community. I look forward to working together with Jim and the team he's planning to put together to pull PE, PV, PA, VSC's and our instructors into a cohesive force. I would also like to thank Brian Fitzpatrick who we infrequently see but is doing an outstanding job as watchstander at the Station each weekend ....... the Station definitely needs more help in this area and I know Brian would appreciate more and more people stepping into this role ......... opportunities abound !!! On the Financial side, we're in better shape membership wise than we've been in for the last three years. Anyone wanna take over the SO-FN staff position for next year? ..... I need a break ....................... Dat's all for now.....looking forward to everyone's continuing support in 2012 ............ and Thanks to Everyone for your great work this past year !!! DennyFC 13-08

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2011 Calendar of EventsEvent Day Time Location

Blessing of Fleet Jan 1, 2011 900 Whale Harbor Bridge

Staff/Member Meeting Second Tues 1800-2100 U.S. Coast Guard Station Islamorada

Two Boat Training Every Thurs 1000-1600 U.S. Coast Guard Station Islamorada

Air Ops Weekly Variable To be announced - Call 888-470-5566

BS&S Weekender Jan 22 & 23 0800 - 1700 St James Episcopal Church, Islamorada

Caribee Open House Jan 25 & 26 0830 - 1700 Islamorada, Fl, MM87

BS&S Weekender Feb 12 & 13 0800 - 1700 Silver Shores Club House

Nautical Flea Market Feb 26 & 27 0830 - 1700 Space #199 at Founders Park, Islamorada

St Patrick Day Mar 17, 2011 All Day Pick Your Place to Celebrate

GPS&Nav for Mariners Mar 19, 2011 0830 - 1700 Harborage Club House

GPS&Nav for Mariners Apr 9, 2011 0830 - 1700 St James Episcopal Church, Islamorada

BS&S Weekender May 7 & 8 0830 - 1700 Coconut Restaurant, Key Largo

Dolphin Rodeo May 8, 2011 0800 - 1700 USCG Station Islamorada

Safe Boating Week May 22-28 All Week Various events including radio interviews

GPS&Nav for Mariners Jul 16, 2011 0830 - 1700 St James Episcopal Church, Islamorada

BS&S Weekender Jul 9 & 10 0830 - 1700 Founders Park, Islamorada

Lobster Mini Season Jul 28 & 29 Weekend Florida Keys

BS&S Weekender Aug 20 & 21 0800 - 1700 Zane Grey (WWS) Islamorada

BS&S Weekender Sept 24 & 25 0800 - 1700 Boy Scout Sea Base, Lower Matecombe

GPS&Nav for Mariners Oct 8, 2011 0830 - 1700 St James Episcopal Church, Islamorada

Division 13 COW Dec 3, 2011 1800-2100 Key Colony Inn, Marathon

Flotilla 13-08 COW 12/`13/2011 1730-2100 Pilot House, Key Largo

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Pollution Investigators are Needed

As most of you know, Key West is interested in getting as many interested Coxswains, Crew, and anyone else interested in becoming a Pollution Investigator qualified as such. Phil Goodman spoke about the need for pollution investigators in the Keys at our Nov 8th Flotilla meeting. To get started, take the IMSEP on-line course (see below) Here's the initial plan: 1. All interested persons should first print out a copy of the Pollution Investigator PQS online. Be sure this is the newest edition of AUX ED Revised 2008. You can GOOGLE this at:

pdept.cgaux.org/Documents/Active/MPRO/training/AuxPollutionInvestigator.pdf They should note the training prerequisites section. This includes the usual ICS courses for Coxswain but lists the ICS 300 to replace the 210. Sector has said if they have the 210, the 300 will be waived at least temporarily until they can take the 300. Not having the 300 will not prevent them from getting this Qual. They also should complete the DO PSI and send it in to complete this prerequisite. They also will need to take the 8 hr HAZWOPER and not the 24 hr version. Sector has agreed to this substitution. The 8 hr HAZWOPER will be arranged soon by Sector for the Auxiliary. There will be a class in Islamorada in the near future. The Resident Training Course in A is optional and is not available to auxiliarists and is therefore not required. 1. All interested persons should take the IMSEP on line. I suggest that Conrad tell them about this course and test as he completed it most recently. This is a good background course. 2. They will need some practical application training of the PI qual. I suggest Dewey instruct them in the procedures and techniques needed when they respond to a reported sheen. Dewey is most experienced in this, completing the forms, taking samples, photographs, communicating with Sector, etc. I can provide all the needed forms if Dewey needs them. 3. Once the above has been completed, I can hold a 5 hour class and sign their PQS and have them ready for their boards. I suggest they take their boards shortly after I hold the class. 4. They can contact MST-1 William Winegar at Sector Key West for a board review. Conrad has his boards soon and he will also be a good person to coach them on this. This seems like a lot but Each Coxswain is most of the way there. After each of you review the above, I would appreciate any comments. Again ... to get a headstart let's see how many of us can get through the IMSEP before the next meeting on Nov. 8th .... Conrad says it's the typical on-line course .... read the PQI, then READ test carefully, take notes, and take it again. The rest we can start after the next meeting ................ It's just like eating an Elephant....one bite at a time....let's take the 1st bite !!! Denny

Feature Articles

Compiled by Denny Kahler VFC;

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Marine Safety and Environmental Protection

Marine Safety and Environmental Protection (MS-EP) are a main focus of today's USCG. This MS focus is especially important to Sector Key West due to the sensitive environment of the Paradise in which we live. This MS discipline spans elements of both the Prevention and Response Departments of the USCG and can be applied to most of the duties we currently perform in the Auxiliary. Because of this increasing importance to Sector Key West, MS is rapidly increasing in importance to the USCG Auxiliary Division 13. There were many lessons learned from Deepwater Horizon and one was to be better prepared in advance of the need. As a first step to meet the MS needs of Sector, Div 13 is placing a high emphasis on significantly increasing the number of certified Assistant Pollution Investigators (PI) we have in our ranks. Div 13 goal is to increase our number of PIs from our historical level of 7 to more than 30 before the end of 2012. With this PI qualification, the auxiliarist will be qualified to be a major contributor to Sector in the case of a pollution response, large or small. Our first step toward achieving this goal is to get PI certification for as many of our coxswains and crew members as possible because they already have most of the needed prerequisites and can quickly gain certification. Mr. Conrad Sankpill just completed all his PI qualifications and passed his boards. This brings us up to 8 certified PIs in Div 13; we have a long way to go and need your help. Div 13 and Sector have worked together to significantly reduced the complexity required to achieve this qualification. If you are currently a coxswain, crew or just interested to achieve this important qualification, please contact FSO-MS 13-8 Doug Moore to obtain the information on how to begin. Just ask Conrad; it is not that difficult. Also, you can call or email me at any time. Thanks for your interest to be ready to assist Sector in case we have to protect our shores.

Phil Goodman talks about Marine Safety and Environmental Protection

Phil Goodman and George Berger talk about article for Flotilla Newsletter

Written By Phil Goodman, ADSO-MS Pollution Control, D7 USCG Auxiliary

Addressee Name

1234 Main Street

Anytown, State 54321

USCG AuxiliaryUSCG Station Islamorada183 Palermo DrPO Box 1009, Islamorada FL 33036