The U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | 2013 Annual • Annual 2013

NATIONAL BRIDGE National Commodore, Tomas Mallison THE OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF THE Vice National Commodore, Mark Simoni UNITED STATES COAST GUARD AUXILIARY Deputy National Commodore, CGAUX.ORG Information Technology and Planning, Bruce Miller Deputy National Commodore, Mission Support, Richard Washburn EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE Deputy National Commodore, Operations, Angelo Perata NATIONAL COMMODORE Deputy National Commodore, Tomas C. Mallison Recreational Boating Safety, Harold Marschall VICE NATIONAL COMMODORE Immediate Past National Commodore, James Vass, Jr. Mark Simoni District One-North, Commodore, Dennis DeGabriele DEPUTY NATIONAL COMMODORE, INFORMATION TECH- NOLOGY AND PLANNING District One-South, Commodore, Vincent Pica Bruce L. Miller District Five-North, Commodore, Kenneth Brown, Sr. DEPUTY NATIONAL COMMODORE, MISSION SUPPORT District Five-South, Commodore, Teodore Potter Richard A. Washburn District Seven, Commodore, John Tyson DEPUTY NATIONAL COMMODORE, OPERATIONS District Eight-Coastal, Commodore, Larry King Angelo A. Perata District Eight-East, Commodore, Joseph McGonigal DEPUTY NATIONAL COMMODORE, RECREATIONAL BOAT- District Eight-Western Rivers, Commodore, Richard Lawrence ING SAFETY District Nine-East, Commodore, Robert Laurer Harold M. Marschall District Nine-Central, Commodore, Llorens Chenevert IMMEDIATE PAST NATIONAL COMMODORE District Nine-West, Commodore, Maureen Van Dinter James E. Vass, Jr. District 11-North, Commodore, Rodney Collins CHIEF DIRECTOR OF AUXILIARY District 11-South, Commodore, Alfred Verdi Captain F. Tomas Boross District 13, Commodore, Dean Wimer District 14, Commodore, Roger Johnson DIRECTORATE OF PUBLIC AFFAIRS District 17, Commodore, Michael Morris DIRECTOR, GOVERNMENT AND PUBLIC AFFAIRS Barry S. Novakoff Assistant National Commodore, Chief Counsel, Douglas Cream DEPUTY DIRECTOR, PUBLIC AFFAIRS Assistant National Commodore, FORCECOM, Sigurd Murphy Patricia P. Fritchie Assistant National Commodore, Diversity, Nancy Rudiger DIVISION CHIEF, MEMBER COMMUNICATIONS Assistant National Commodore, Planning and Performance, Fred Gates Rande J. Wilson Assistant National Commodore, Recreational Boating, L. Daniel Maxim NAVIGATOR, EDITOR Assistant National Commodore, Response and Prevention, David Elliot Judy M. Darby Director, Response, Robert Shafer

Director, Prevention, Greg Kester LIBRARY OF CONGRESS Director, Incident Management and Preparedness, John Ellis, III ISSN - (PRINT) Director, International Affairs, Brian McArdle ISSN -X (ONLINE) Director, Vessel Examination, Michael Klacik Director, Public Education, Daniel Maresh U.S. GOVERNMENT PRINTING OFFICE, ART DIRECTOR Director, Recreational Boating Safety Outreach, Kelly Townsend Marco Marchegiani Director, Public Affairs, Barry Novakoff Director, Training, Dale Fajardo Director, Human Resources, Harry Jacobs Director, Strategic Planning, Robert Nelson Director, Performance Management, Nora Watson Director, Computer Software and Systems, Paul Charlton Director, User Support and Services, Jan Munroe National Association of Commodores, President, Stephen Ream c2 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Table of Contents • Annual 2013 Table of Contents

Up Front Focused Lens ...... 69 From the Bridge ...... 2 Six-pack Examiners ...... 72 At NACON with Admiral Papp ...... 3 Skills Bank ...... 74 Foreword...... 5 Tradewinds 2013 ...... 75 Common Interests ...... 76 Cornerstone One: Member Services The Successful Use of the Telling the Auxiliary in the Sector ...... 77 Coast Guard Story ...... 8 The Band Played On ...... 10 Cornerstone Four: on the cover: Fellowship National Safe Boating Week, Saving the Memories ...... 82 July 25, 2013, Jeff Pielet, Flotilla 12-4, Los May 18-24, 2013 ...... 11 Angeles, team commander of the Division Chris W. Bandy, National Public Affairs 12 helicopter/fixed-wing training team, Auxiliarist of the Year ...... 84 Contest Winners ...... 23 controls the trail line as Moe Macarow, Meet the new Chief Director ...... 85 Flotilla 12-7, Marina del Rey, prepares to Auxiliary University Programs ...... 26 Flotilla of the Year discharge static electricity with the dead- Surveying the Membership ...... 31 Cottonwood Cove Marina man stick. Crew aboard Air Station San Finding Your Course...... 32 Flotilla 97, Lake Mohave, Nevada . . . . 89 Diego’s helicopter 6041 lowered the basket during the team’s 1,000th individual train- AUXLAMS in the USVI ...... 36 ing hoist in Santa Monica Bay. Rendezvous in Tawas ...... 37 In Back AUX in Action ...... 90 Cover photo by Angelika P. Harris, Flotilla Have Knives, Will Travel ...... 38 12-7, Marina del Rey, California. Wear Your Uniform with Pride...... 41

Cornerstone Two: Recreational Boating Safety RBS Reaches Out...... 44 Do They “Wear It?” ...... 46 Paddle to Quinault ...... 48 In the Classroom ...... 49 Virtual VE...... 51

Cornerstone Three: Operations & Marine Safety The AIRSTA Hoist Team ...... 54 America’s Cup ...... 55 Harborfest ...... 57 Aux-Operated Boat Stations ...... 58 Responder ‘12...... 60 Tall Ships Celebration ...... 62 Above It All...... 63 Joe Dicenza, used with permission. Playing the Part ...... 65 Tom Nunes, Flotilla 10-8, East Valley, Arizona, was a graduate of the Academy, a career Coast Guard officer and director of public affairs for the Auxiliary. His burial with full honors at Arlington National Not So Meagher Results ...... 67 Cemetery in February was attended by Auxiliarists and active duty members.

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 1 OperationsFrom the Bridge & Marine . . . Safety • Prevention From the Bridge . . .

we could spend on travel and reimbursed commodores and their chiefs of staff, travel expenses. We experienced some have up-to-date information rather significant changes to our plans. than periodic reports. Te resilience and brainpower of the • Memorandums of Understanding members came into play. District com- signed with various agencies improve modores and their staffs understood the our partnerships include: paradigm shift. Te vice commandant helped within the constraints imposed  Advertising which places recre- by the Congress and the Department of ational boating safety displays in Homeland Security by approving scaled- major airports; back spring conferences. We adjusted our  Orion Safety Products incentive plans to the new rules. My hat is off to the for vessel safety checks; district commodores for their leadership in conducting spring conferences under  Connecticut Department of Ener- adverse conditions. gy and Environmental Protection Reasoned discussions with Coast to conduct vessel safety checks by Guard leadership at the highest levels non-law enforcement state staffers; recognized the need for face-to-face meet-  A partnership with the U.S. ings and training conferences at district Power Squadron to conduct a and national levels. Progress is being made recreational boating safety visitor and policies are being adjusted to better program; e had our plans. Everything was respond to our funding needs. While we • A skills bank enables the Coast Wpublished. Budgets were in place. are not likely to see all the funding we saw Guard and Auxiliary to quickly find We were well underway to experiencing a in the past, we do expect that the severe members with the skills they need; great Auxiliary year of service to the recre- cutbacks first communicated will be less- • Local flotilla instructors will give ational boating public and the Coast Guard. ened to a more workable level. team coordination training rather It is interesting how things change when Te Coast Guard Auxiliary Association than the active duty; you learn what a new word really means. Se- is focusing on fundraising efforts to enhance questration. Perhaps it is no coincidence that our ability to deliver a high level of service to • A new civil rights awareness course; this unfortunate word has 13 letters. When the recreational boating community. • Te learning management system applied to the federal budget, it means that Although there was some disappoint- beginning with ICS 210 and man- certain money will no longer be available for ment regarding funding, the national staff dated training courses; its planned or expected purpose. has not wavered in building a better Auxil- • Communication throughout the Funding cuts hit the Coast Guard just iary. Many projects came to fruition in 2013: Auxiliary is enhanced by video and as they did all the nooks and crannies of • Realigning public education by add- audio teleconferencing; the federal government. Tere is many a ing enhanced e-books and electronic • A survey compiled members’ slip “twixt the cup and the lip.” Part of our courses to existing printed course opinions on various aspects of their planned funding was no longer available offerings enables better communica- experiences. and a set of Byzantine rules for conducting tion with students. our business came to be. I stand in awe of the excellent work by • Improved communication among We all experienced the angst and, members throughout the organization. Te staff directorates with a system of indeed, the personal cost of the impact of Auxiliary is a team sport. Tanks to each trackers gives visibility to work done sequestration on our training conferences, member for being part of the team. our meetings, and the ordinary functions at national so directorates and the national leadership are aware of each we take for granted. Not only were the Semper Paratus. project and its status as it moves total dollars less than expected, but a set of TOM MALLISON through the development stages. rules came about setting caps on how much National Commodore Te trackers, available to district

2 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Operations & Marine Safety • Prevention Foreword

At NACON with Admiral Papp

Barry Novakoff, director of Auxiliary public affairs, Flotilla 79, Point Judith, Rhode Island, interviews Admiral Robert J. Papp, Jr., Commandant of the Coast Guard.

here is no better way to understand Thow the Auxiliary is viewed by the Coast Guard and how we fit into its future than to talk with the Commandant. We had such an opportunity at the 2013 National Conference in San Diego. Admi- ral Papp’s admiration and respect for the Auxiliary are evident in his comments.

NOVAKOFF: It’s easy to get bogged Petty Officer 2nd Class Annie R. B. Elis. Petty down with budget issues and immediate On a visit to Air Station Los Angeles, Adm. Bob Papp greets Don Hetticher, Flotilla 12-5, Beach Cities, day-to-day crises, but looking long-term, who stands watch at the station. say 10 years out, where do you see the Auxiliary going and what do we need to towards the Pacific. As a result, most of our our operational tempo increasing at the do now to prepare? armed forces, particularly the Navy, are for- same time our budget is reduced, I think Commandant: I think it’s probably of value ward deployed, leaving the question open the Auxiliary is a proven tool for the Coast as to who has responsibility for security Guard. I don’t see a lot of deviation in to look at where I think the Coast Guard is going to be 10 years from now. I’m hopeful and other issues in the off-shore regions terms of what we are doing already, but that the economy is going to turn around closer to our own shores? Clearly it’s the look at the numbers. We’re up to about and the federal budget will start gaining Coast Guard. Te Coast Guard does 32,000 Auxiliarists right now. Does ev- some revenue, start buying down the deficit have a role supporting engagement with eryone have an opportunity to contribute? and getting our budgets a bit healthier. But, countries in the region. However, rather Perhaps we need a better catalog of skills if we’re confronted with reductions, then than trying to be a second Navy, and push to see where Auxiliarists might augment I think all bets are off. Whatever happens a significant amount of forces out there as the active duty in the decade ahead. on the active duty side of the Coast Guard well, we are going to focus the majority of there will be a reflexive action within the our efforts on current and emerging threats NOVAKOFF: What is your most Auxiliary. Right now we’re formed up, I in the Western Hemisphere. significant or memorable experience as think optimally, on both sides so that over Considering the scarce resources we Commandant? the next five to ten years, maybe out to 15 get, we’re assessing where we are really Commandant: Well, foremost, being years, we can keep the organization firmly in needed and how we continue to carry Commandant is a tremendous honor and a place and focus on other challenges. out the duties we’re assigned. Specifically privilege. I am humbled every day to be the Part of our focus is on the Arctic for the Auxiliary, we need a force that’s leader of this organization with 42,000 ac- and I’m very proud that just recently focused on recreational boating safety and tive duty people, 32,000 Auxiliarists, 8,000 we published the Coast Guard’s Arctic I think that will continue to be the bread civilians, and nearly 8,000 Reserves. I can Strategy which is a first for any agency in and butter for our volunteer force. Despite recite those numbers because each one of the government. I think it’s fitting since the our efforts, we still have too many recre- them is valuable. Coast Guard has been in Alaska for 150 ational boating deaths every year. As much It’s hard to isolate any one significant in- years or so. as we tell people to put on a life jacket, cident that is most memorable, because the Within the next couple of months, don’t drink before boating, we continue to last three-plus years have all been memora- we will publish our Western Hemisphere lose a lot of people. We will also continue ble. Clearly, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill Strategy. Te President has talked about taking advantage of the special skills that was very significant. Seeing the entire Coast the Department of Defense refocusing Auxiliarists bring to the table. As we find Guard rallying to take on that very unique

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 3 Operations & Marine Safety • Prevention

challenge in the Gulf of Mexico was gratify- NOVAKOFF: Stressing the Coast Guard NOVAKOFF: Very nice, I like that, ing as well as memorable and exciting. partnership is one of your guiding prin- thank you. Te 9/11 terrorist attacks Hurricane Sandy was another memo- ciples. Auxiliary members have business moved the Coast Guard into new mission rable event, because it was the culmination and personal relationships with U.S. and areas requiring more personnel. However, of reorganizing efforts, particularly on the international leaders and organizations. personnel are expensive, while Auxilia- mission support side, to make sure we are Do you see those relationships contribut- rists volunteer their time and expertise able to respond adroitly and effectively ing to the strength of the Coast Guard? with no pay or health cost and have the when a disaster, whether man-made or ability and skills to perform many non- Commandant: I don’t see why not. natural, hits. It worked marvelously at Anytime we can leverage relationships we military, non-law enforcement missions. every step along the line. Wherever I met should. I mean most of what we get done is Do you see Auxiliarists freeing up some with all hands to congratulate them and based upon relationships. Let me give you of the Coast Guard resources so you can cheer them on, there was that contingent of an example that happened in Alaska. Sec- concentrate on more specific tasks? Auxiliarists raising their hands to volun- tor Anchorage was in an office building it Commandant: It’s hard to quantify where teer. Tat never fails to bring a smile to my had outgrown. It did not have the technol- and when, because you never know exactly face. Just getting to see all our Coast Guard ogy we needed and the command center what sort of skill set or talent might be people in my travels has been rewarding. was crowded. We would never have been needed. But, wherever I go I see Auxiliarists able to buy new space with our budget, freeing up traditional things like communi- : Tat’s very good, thank NOVAKOFF so we entered into a partnership with the cations watch standers or our food service you. Will the Auxiliary be part of the Alaska National Guard. Tey built a new specialists. I don’t think freeing up people Coast Guard Museum when it moves to its building on property where the National in order to get more accomplished is the new facility in New London, Connecticut? Guard has its headquarters with a wing answer, but where we can economize, where Commandant: Well, I am tremendously that will house Sector Anchorage. Te rent we can be more efficient, I think one of the excited about the museum. I just made two is less than we were paying downtown. I best uses of the Auxiliary is taking a little calls yesterday morning looking for honor- encourage our leaders to reach out within bit of the burden off our active duty people. ary directors. You might have heard the the community, get to know all the various name John David Power, J.D. Power and federal, state and locals, but also talk to NOVAKOFF: What would you like every Associates [a global marketing informa- Auxiliarists who provide continuity in their Auxiliarist to know about being a mem- tion services company]. Not many people communities and a base for relationships. ber of Team Coast Guard? know he was a Coast Guardsman. He Another example. . .I met an Auxilia- Commandant: I’d like every Auxiliarist to served in the 1950s for about four years on rist named George White [New London know that we value every member of the an icebreaker and credits the Coast Guard Flotilla 25-5] up in Waterford, Connecti- Coast Guard family equally. I often talk with teaching him very strong life skills cut, as I was becoming commanding officer about what the term “shipmates” means to that made him successful. Another person of Eagle. He worked in the theater in New me. It’s very important, because “shipmates” I spoke with was John Amos, the actor who York City and is, or was at the time, the to me, a sailor, are like family. It includes was in the movie Roots. He has a strong president of the Eugene O’Neill Teater active duty, Auxiliary, Reserve and civilian. connection with Vince Patton, a former in Waterford and he knew we were going master chief petty officer of the Coast to Russia. Here’s this guy I’ve just met NOVAKOFF: Final question. Are there Guard. We’re hoping Arnold Palmer, who who comes up and starts telling me all the any special events within the Coast Guard served as a yeoman during the Korean War things he’s set up for me in St. Petersburg, next year that will support the Auxiliary’s might be enticed to join us as an honorary Russia. And I’m thinking, ‘Yeah, sure.’ So, I 75th anniversary? director. We hope to break ground before I get to Russia and every one of these things am relieved sometime next year. comes true. Te point is, I didn’t know his Commandant: I’m going to make sure that To get to your direct question, I don’t background. I didn’t know he had taken our public affairs people work this into see how you can tell the story of the Coast Broadway plays to Russia, while it was everything that we do over the next year. Guard without having a portion of the mu- still the Soviet Union through a program By the way, you’ve got a great logo—I really seum devoted to the Coast Guard Auxiliary. with the State Department to encourage like that. I don’t know how much out of the 54,000 relationships as the Cold War was ending. square feet, but clearly, the Auxiliary is going It taught me that Auxiliarists are treasures NOVAKOFF: Tank you, Sir. to be in there and, I would hope it provides and inside each and every one of them Commandant: It’s my pleasure. some opportunities in the New London there is some relationship, or some skill, area for docents. Perhaps our Auxiliarists in some talent that can be of valuable service the New London area will help us. to us in the active duty.

4 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Operations & Marine Safety • Prevention Foreword Foreword

he Public Affairs Directorate and Our story is organized around the “Te purpose of the Auxiliary is to TNAVIGATOR editor are proud to Four Cornerstones of the Auxiliary. . . assist the Coast Guard: * present the 2013 Coast Guard Auxiliary • Member Services (1) to promote safety and to effect NAVIGATOR magazine. Many hours rescues on and over the high seas and on went into assigning stories, gathering • Recreational Boating Safety navigable waters; news, editing the stories and choosing • Operations & Marine Safety (2) to promote efficiency in the opera- the photos you are about to enjoy. Te • Fellowship tion of motorboats and yachts; talented writers and photographers whose (3) to foster a wider knowledge of, and work appears here must be congratulated In 1939, the Congress established better compliance with, the laws, rules, for their diligence and determination to the “United States Coast Guard Reserve,” and regulations governing the operation of get the facts and present them in a way administered by the Commandant of the motorboats and yachts; that demonstrates the energy, focus, Coast Guard. Tis contingent of unpaid, (4) to facilitate other operations of the and devotion to mission all Auxiliarists volunteer citizens who owned motorboats Coast Guard.” and yachts was chartered to foster boating share. NAVIGATOR’s importance to the *Title 14, United States Code (U.S.C.) Auxiliary as a print publication cannot safety. In 1941, another congressional act be overstated and for the Coast Guard’s created the Coast Guard military reserve; support, we thank them most humbly. the original volunteer reserve was renamed the Coast Guard Auxiliary.

Original district map created by Steve Minutolo, Flotilla 25-6, Fairfax, Virginia, chief of administration branch, Coast Guard Office of Auxiliary and Boating Safety. Area designations by Cheryl Nowell, Flotilla 21, Seattle, Washington.

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 5 Cornerstone One: Member Services Member training, public affairs, human resources, planning and performance--Cornerstone One includes the services and benefits members need to perform their mission. At the Coast Guard Training Center, Yorktown, Virginia, the next generation of Auxiliarists learn from Andrew Welch, division chief, Auxiliary University Programs, Flotilla 25-12, Arlington/Northern Virginia. Jonathan Roth, Flotilla 67, Williamsburg, Virginia. Member Services • Public Affairs

Tom Ceniglio, Flotilla 25-5, New London, Connecticut, explains to his children, Joseph Aleksey and Maria Ceniglio, the equipment used by Coast Guard members years ago. Bob Carlson, Flotilla 25-6, South Windsor, Connecticut. Bob Carlson, Flotilla 25-6, South Windsor, Telling the Coast Guard Story Auxiliarists volunteer at the Academy museum.

Story by Navigator Staff

he Coast Guard Academy Museum McHugh and John Ouderkirk, Flotilla 79, who will stand watch for a few hours. Tis located on the grounds of the Point Judith, Rhode Island; Tom Ceniglio, Typically, we meet 30-50 visitors a day and Coast Guard Academy in New London, Flotilla 25-5, New London, Connecticut; special tours with reservations are always Connecticut. Te museum is open to the and Bob Carlson and Richard Pummell, welcome,” said Ceniglio. “Te best thing public throughout the year. During the Flotilla 25-6, South Windsor, Connecticut, about the museum for me is its treasure summer months when the cadets are away assist visitors by giving directions and ex- trove of artifacts, photos, and depictions training, the museum is open on the first plaining the history of Team Coast Guard in canvas that help visitors piece together and third Saturdays of each month. (including the Auxiliary). parts of history that are overlooked in Tere are currently six Auxiliary Ceniglio organizes the watchstanders school and the movies. volunteers that rotate duty tours through- and serves at the museum’s visitor desk. “For me it’s the lighthouse service. I out the summer. Barry Novakoff, Tomas “We are always looking for Auxiliarists read about the haunted lighthouses along

8 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Member Services • Public Affairs

Bob Carlson, 25-6 of South Windsor, Connecticut, explains early Flotilla Coast Guard steamships. Tom Ceniglio, Flotilla 25-5, New London, Connecticut. Ceniglio, Flotilla 25-5, New London, Tom

the east coast of America. Te families typically went mad from boredom, harsh weather, and isolation. Te work was hard and constant—getting oil, cleaning the lenses, repairing the bricks, battling the cold salty air, high seas and storms, all the while knowing their lighthouse was the only thing keeping mariners from crashing on the rocks. When you see a Fresnel lens up close you start to appreciate the work of lighthouse keepers who constantly cleaned, repaired, and used these items.” Children, accompanied by an adult, are welcome. “Tey learn that the Coast Guard saves lives and teaches people about boating and how to have fun on the water safely. Te museum is a place they can

wander, ask questions, and read the ac- Connecticut. Bob Carlson, Flotilla 25-6, South Windsor, counts of heroism and bravery that Coast Tom Ceniglio, Flotilla 25-5, New London, Connecticut, points out the historical significance of the Guardsmen have displayed throughout Fresnel lighthouse lens on display at the Coast Guard Academy Museum. history,” said Ceniglio. Te museum has a from the tall ship Eagle. Cannon, paintings, Admission to the museum is free. For fine collection featuring a display of models uniforms, and medals are also featured. hours of operation, or to schedule a group of Coast Guard cutters from steamships Te museum recently completed a $4 mil- tour, call (860) 443-4200. Additional to the 270-footers of today. Of special lion improvement to the displays. Tere information is available at http://www. interest are carved figureheads from under is a plan to move the museum to a new coastguardmuseum.org and http://www. the bowsprits of historic Coast Guard state-of-the-art facility at the New London uscg.mil/hq/cg092/museum/. vessels, including an immense gold eagle wharf near the Long Island ferry terminal.

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 9 Member Services • Public Affairs

Members of the Flotilla 22-7 (Fort Salonga, New York) band perform at the Port Jefferson Marine Festival on May 4, 2013, in front of the renovated Shipyard Building along the Port Jefferson waterfront. Band members (seated L to R): John Sasso, William Baldwin, Bud Cooper, Gail Alberti, Adam Bolender, Tom Butterfield, Lee Dash, Steve Dejuri. Standing (L to R) David Altemose, Walter

Whelan, and John Doyle. New York. Totten, Flotilla 12-8, Fort Hope Wright, The Band Played On

he U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla mission that the band contributes to the ing boat crew, vessel examination, program T22-7 (Fort Salonga) Band, made its Coast Guard,” said Vincent Pica, Flotilla visitation, Auxiliary food service, public debut in 2007 at the Cow Harbor Day Pa- 18-6, district commodore. “Te public education and member training. rade in Northport, Long Island, New York. affairs mission and visibility the band “Besides the full concert band, we have It is the first all-volunteer brass/woodwind provides is critical in supporting all of our smaller groups,” Dejuri said, “that perform band in the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Almost other missions from member recruitment as needed, such as a brass ensemble, a saxo- 40 Auxiliarists serve in the band and to recreational boating safety.” phone trio and we are working on a jazz volunteer thousands of hours in rehearsal According to Steven Dejuri, flotilla group. We also welcome members of other and performances from concerts to changes commander and trumpet player, members flotillas to march and play with us.” of watch, parades and special events such record their hours normally and receive as Fleet Week, Memorial Day and ceremo- non-reimbursable orders by the Coast Te author, Louis DiGiusto, is nies aboard the USS Intrepid in New York Guard for some events that take place district public affairs officer, Flotilla Harbor. Te band is under the direction of during the week. “For parades in New York 78, Cos Cob, Connecticut. Lee Dash, a trumpeter, music director and City or changes of command, transporta- educator by profession. Its public affairs tion is sometimes provided. While we officer is saxophonist John Sasso. focus our attention on public affairs, “Here in District One, South, we are several members also participate in other very proud of the important and unique programs within the Auxiliary, includ-

10 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Member Services • Public Affairs

Ann and Robert Olenio, Flotilla 41, Beverly, Massachusetts, discuss recreational boating safety with a visitor to the open house at Station Gloucester. Philip H. Karwowski, Flotilla 41, Beverly, Massachusetts. Massachusetts. Flotilla 41, Beverly, Philip H. Karwowski, National Safe Boating Week, May 18-24, 2013

rom Coast to Coast and in the Islands, New Hampshire, and at Eastern Mountain and environmental organizations for the Fthe Auxiliary was everywhere in 2013 Sports in Salem, Massachusetts and joined first Family Safe Boating Expo, at the Cold spreading the Wear It! message and pro- the district color guard in the Patriots Day Spring Harbor Library. An About Boating moting the Coast Guard Auxiliary brand. parade, Lexington, Massachusetts. Safety class and a condensed version of Here’s a wrapup of events. Contributed by Robert Amiro, Flotilla Suddenly in Command were offered dur- 41, Beverly, Massachusetts. ing the day. District One – North Huntington Safe Boating Week At Essex (Massachusetts) Race Day, District One –South included members from Huntington, Paddle Smart volunteers in Flotillas 41 and Te Eatons Neck, Division 22, band Northport, and Oyster Bay flotillas, in 46, North Shore division, gave “If Found” played at events across Long Island and coordination with the Greater Huntington stickers to paddlers. Tey set up public af- in New York City. Cold Spring Harbor Council of boating and yacht clubs, Town fairs booths at L.L. Bean in West Lebanon, Flotilla 22-3 partnered with local marine

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 11 National Safe Boating Week, May 18-24, 2013 Allison Revy, Jr., Flotilla 72, Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey. New Jersey. Flotilla 72, Little Egg Harbor, Jr., Allison Revy, Barnegat Township municipal boat ramp. Despite damage to the ramp by Hurricane Sandy, Division Seven conducted drive-through vessel safety checks as a part of its effort. Judi Bidwick, Flotilla 86, Venice, Florida. Flotilla 86, Venice, Judi Bidwick, Flotilla 86, Venice, Florida, vessel examiners Patrick Wheeler and R. Jim Sleichert are in front; in the doorway is Richard Markwitz, flotilla commander, with Henry Reynolds in the window.

12 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR National Safe Boating Week, May 18-24, 2013 Linda Jones, Flotilla 15-1, Crystal River, Florida. Linda Jones, Flotilla 15-1, Crystal River, Crystal River, Florida, Flotilla 15-1 members Vince Maida, Ed Hattenback, Thomas McMaken and Don Jones at West Marine. of Huntington, and the Neptune Sail and up visitation efforts to local marinas and Flotilla 7-12, Barnegat Light, con- Power Squadron. A media blitz reached marine supply dealers. ducted a series of vessel safety checks at ½ million people and attracted 3,500 hits Flotilla 74, Manahawkin, set up safety local marinas throughout the NSBW to the website. More than 1,000 flyers and check stations, held safe boating classes and campaign period. posters were distributed. Te result was program visitations, and provided boat- Contributed by Al Revy, Jr., Flotilla 72, an enrollment of 250 students in About ing safety information booths at Walmart, Tuckerton/Little Egg Harbor, New Jersey. Boating Safety classes and 72 vessel safety Dick’s Sporting Goods and the Fort Dix checks performed in one day. Armed Forces Day open house. Tey also Flotilla 83, Wildwood, New Jersey, Contributed by Celeste Morrissey, Flotilla placed public service announcements on added two events to the annual open 22-3, Cold Springs Harbor, New York. radio station WBNJ-FM. house and vessel check blitz it tradition- Despite having been impacted by ally holds at Schooner Island Marina. Bill District Five – North Hurricane Sandy, Flotilla 77, Mystic Holmes, served at a public affairs table at Southern Ocean County, New Jersey Island, was able to maintain an abbreviated the Sea Isle City Community Day festival, Flotilla 72, Tuckerton/Little Egg Harbor, schedule of safe boating classes, program while several miles south Bill Hartley and provided a marching unit, flag bearers and visitations and safety checks. other members served at an open house an Auxiliary vessel at the American Legion Flotilla 7-11, Bayville/Glen Cove, set at Station Townsends Inlet. In addition Memorial Day parade. A proclamation up safety information displays in Berke- to promoting boating safety, these events from the Little Egg Harbor Township ley, Beachwood, and Ortley Beach. Tey provided the members with an opportunity mayor was received. Members offered sev- worked with municipal groups in Bayville for fellowship with the active duty. eral vessel check stations, held safe boating and Beachwood to provide boating classes Contributed by Howard classes, participated in open house events and vessel checks. Friedman, Flotilla 83. at local maritime businesses and stepped

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 13 National Safe Boating Week, May 18-24, 2013

Flotilla 98, Punta Gorda, Florida, public affairs booth (l-r) Coastie, Sue Bareither, Renee Plant and Tom Gramza. Mitch Schlitt, Flotilla 98, Punta Gorda, Florida. Flotilla 98, Punta Schlitt, Mitch

Flotillas 12-8 and 12-2, Seaford and Flotilla 12-9, Indian River, brought and environmental pollution literature and Lewes, respectively, provided a public af- “Coastie” to an open house at Station viewed a video of Inky the Whale. fairs booth and completed 24 vessel checks Indian River where members helped with Te 10th Horseshoe Crab Festival at the boat ramp at Roosevelt inlet on tours of the buildings and boats and gave in Milton, Delaware, had an Auxiliary Saturday, May 18. Joining the Auxiliary vessel checks. public affairs booth with boating safety were Sea Scouts and the maritime unit of A media blitz by the Delaware River information, coloring books for children, the Delaware state police. and Bay Authority produced a large turn- the federal and state boating laws, and Flotillas 12-5 and 12-8, Dover and out for Maritime Day at the Lewes Ferry information about the proper wearing of Seaford respectively, set up a boating safety Terminal, Lewes, Delaware on May 18. life jackets. booth and vessel check station at the Buc- Maritime Day is an annual event and the Contributed by Cindi Chaimowitz, caneer’s Bash at Bowers Beach, Delaware. Auxiliary. A public affairs booth drew a Flotilla 12-8, Seaford, Delaware. Auxiliary vessels patrolled on Delaware Bay. large crowd that received boating safety

14 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR National Safe Boating Week, May 18-24, 2013

Members of Flotilla 16-1, U.S. Virgin Islands, worked a Auxiliary public affairs booth. Robert A. Fabich, Sr., Flotilla 16-1, Christiansted, St. Croix. Sr., Robert A. Fabich,

District Five –South the proper use of PFDs to children. Te lamation and toured the Coast Guard’s Flotilla 22-8, Joppatown, Maryland, pro- flotilla partnered with the Tybee Power 25-foot response vessel. A heaving line vided vessel checks at various boat ramps in Squadron for Boating Savannah, at the toss competition was held with the active Baltimore and Harford counties during Na- Atlantic Armstrong University Center. duty members winning for accuracy and tional Safe Boating Week. Seven marina’s Kent Shockey and Carr Williams gave in- distance. Vivian McLellan provided snacks. also requested public information booths struction on boating safety. Kent Shockey, Members made program visits and gave with boating education opportunities, safety assisted by Ed Lavish gave a boating safety vessel safety checks at Granada boat ramp, brochures, and vessel safety inspections. workshop for members of the 3-17 Air Halifax Harbor Marina, Dunlawton boat Contributed by Tomas Ruby, Flotilla 22-8. Squadron at Hunter Army Air Force base. ramp, Inlet Harbor and Down the Hatch. Contributed by Ed Lavish, Flotilla 10-2. Contributed by Judi Bacon, Flotilla 44. Flotilla 20-4, New Bern, South Caroli- na, gave an About Boating Safety class and While wearing inflatable PFDs, the Flotilla 16-1, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin performed vessel checks at West Marine in Hernando County board of commissioners Islands, gave out boating safety materials downtown New Bern. Public service an- issued a proclamation received by Flotilla at partner events throughout the year. Te nouncements appeared in the Sun Journal 15-8, Hernando Beach, Florida. Te com- flotilla teamed up with the “All Hazards promoting the event. Boaters were invited missioners signed cards pledging to wear Preparedness Expo” in Frederiksted where to attend an Auxiliary meeting. their life jackets while boating or fishing, the cutter Farallon docked and gave tours Contributed by Dale Petrangelo, Flotilla 20-4. to encourage others, and to boat safely and for the public. Between May 2012 and responsibly at all times. May 2013 members set up public affairs District Seven Contributed by Kitty Dolan, Flotilla 15-8. booths at Jump Up, the Auxiliary pancake Flotilla 10-2, Savannah, Georgia, partici- breakfast and the National Park Service pated in Make a Splash, an event spon- Daytona Beach Flotilla 44, kicked off Reef Day. Tey participated in Red Ribbon sored by Safe Kids Savannah. Organized National Safe Boating Week with a booth Week with a helo from Station Bournquen, by James Glenn Sr, James Glenn Jr., Rachel and “Wear It!” event at the Halifax Harbor presented the Inky Te Whale program Glenn, and Kent Shockey, members gave Marina. Mayor Derrick Henry read a proc- and About Boating Safety courses, con- out boating information and demonstrated

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 15 National Safe Boating Week, May 18-24, 2013

Flotilla 42 vessel examiners Phil Topper and Stephen Suter performed vessel checks at West Marine in Mandeville, Louisiana. William Bennett, Northshore Flotilla 42, Covington, Louisiana. William

ducted regular vessel check days, and held District Eight – East boating safety from members of the Coast a youth boating safety training. Tey also Division Seven public affairs and vessel Guard who visited the school as part of its participated in Wendy’s create-a-ticket check teams were at the Greater Pittsburgh community outreach and promotion for program (whenever a child is seen wearing Aquatic Club on Neville Island. National Safe Boating Week. Jeff Gilmore, a life jacket he receives a ticket for a free On Saturday, May 18 the public affairs Flotilla 39-6, Wilmette Harbor, provided Wendy’s treat.) team set up a booth at Cabela’s in Wheeling, water safety education to the students Contributed by Robert A. Fabich, West Virginia, where “Coastie” entertained. on topics such as safe swimming habits, Sr., Flotilla 16-1, St. Croix. On Sunday at Fox Chapel Yacht Club, wearing life jackets, boat safety, littering the public affairs and vessel exam teams gave and protecting our waterways, what to do District Eight – Coastal out safety information and performed free if a boating accident occurs, and general Lou Manganiello, Flotilla 74, San Antonio, vessel checks for club members. Te ambi- familiarity with the Coast Guard functions division commander; Richland Chambers tious program was initiated by Dan Beahm, on the water. Lake Flotilla 5-16, District Eight chief of Flotilla 72, with Robert Brandenstein, and Contributed by Jeff Gilmore, Flotilla staff, Allan Harding and Duke Stevens, Josh Langford. 39-6, Wilmette Harbor, Illinois. commander, Flotilla 7-11, received a proc- Contributed by Norman C. Arbes, lamation from Texas Governor Rick Perry Flotilla 72, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. District Nine –East personally in the state house. Doug Hamernik, Flotilla 32, Hamburg Contributed by Duke Stevens, Flotilla 7-11. District Nine – West New York, discussed safe boating on radio First graders at Winkelman Elementary station WDOE. Members performed vessel School, Glenview, Illinois, learned some checks at the small boat harbor in Buffalo, important information about water and Barcelona Harbor, Westfield, and Dunkirk

16 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR National Safe Boating Week, May 18-24, 2013 Sharon Ellershaw, Flotilla 10-2, West Texoma, Texas. Texoma, Flotilla 10-2, West Sharon Ellershaw, Flotilla 10-2 marched in the local Medal of Honor Parade for WWII veterans.

Harbor, New York. Te flotilla’s Dunkirk Showcase of Indian Lake, detachment sponsored a “Ready, Set, Wear a “Wear it Ohio” event. It!” day on the city pier in Dunkirk, hoping to set the new world’s record. Contributed by Judith Hafner, Flotilla 32.

District 11 – North Flotilla 3-10, Elk Grove, California, set up a public affairs booth with a life jacket display and communications trailer at the Galt Safety Fair. “Sea-More,” a small remote boat had water safety conversations with kids and adults. Te unit also participated in a safe boating event at Discovery Park in Sacramento, and were at two locations in Elk Grove for a life jacket exchange. A total of 104 life jackets were exchanged and 169 were passed to the Elk Grove Fire Depart- ment for its life jacket loaner program. On May 25 the flotilla participated in the Sac- ramento Jubilee Parade. Contributed by Carl Pierce, Flotilla

39, Redding, California. Ohio. Center, Steven Daniel, Flotilla 68, Jackson

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 17 National Safe Boating Week, May 18-24, 2013 Norman Arbes, Flotilla 72, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Robert Brandenstein, Air Sea Flotilla 78, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, walks a recreational boater through the vessel safety check process. Norman Arbes, Flotilla 72, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Dan Beahm, Flotilla 72, Pittsburgh, mentors Ray Nagey, a vessel examiner trainee from Flotilla 73, Butler, Pennsylvania, during a vessel safety check.

18 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR National Safe Boating Week, May 18-24, 2013

San Ramon Art & Wind Festival Georgie Scheuerman, Flotilla 12-91, San Ramon Valley, California, used a diorama to explain to a young visitor at the San Ramon Art & Wind Festival where drink- ing water comes from—how it travels from the mountains, through the local community down to the bay, some of the ways water can become polluted and how to prevent that from happening. “We pump water through the diorama and then add pollution (food coloring) along the way so the kids can see how it works,” said Rick Scheuerman, flotilla commander. “Te festival is a two-day event held annually on Sunday and Monday of Memorial Day Weekend that draws over 50,000 people. Local flotillas have had a large presence at

the festival for almost 15 years. Lake, Tennessee. Don Edmunds, Flotilla 12-2, Tellico Tellico Lake (Tennessee) Flotilla 12-2’s informational exhibit at the Lenoir City WalMart. Left to right: WalMart assistant store manager Mark Engle, Art Pelka and Jane Masterson. Ken Stroebel, Flotilla 76, Fairport Harbor, Ohio. Harbor, Stroebel, Flotilla 76, Fairport Ken Tony Ruque, Flotilla 76, Fairport Harbor, Ohio, reviews the requirements for an uninspected passenger vessel (UPV) with shipmate Jim O’Donnell, a charter sailboat captain. Flotilla 76 conducted 45 vessel examinations during National Safe Boating Week, ending with a blitz at the Mentor Lagoons on May 26.

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 19 National Safe Boating Week, May 18-24, 2013 Rick Pisio, Flotilla 12-91, San Ramon Valley, California. Pisio, Flotilla 12-91, San Ramon Valley, Rick Georgie Scheuerman, Flotilla 12-91, San Ramon Valley, California, uses a diorama to explain to a young visitor at the San Ramon Art & Wind Festival where drinking water comes from and how it can become polluted. Phil Magdirila, Flotilla 97, Cottonwood Cove Marina, Arizona. Safe Boating Week at the Cottonwood Cove Marina, Arizona, left to right, are Doug Colvin, Flotilla, 94; Barbara Sherman, Flotilla 97; and Ben Lewis and Dodie Gullick, Flotilla 94.

20 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR National Safe Boating Week, May 18-24, 2013 Chuck Gehle, Flotilla 78, Vancouver, Washington. Gehle, Flotilla 78, Vancouver, Chuck Flotilla 78 members Gay Sipes and Dana Bergdahl assisted the Port of Camas/Washougal in creating a Life Jacket Zone at the port’s launch ramp. They sprayed five permanent stencils each four-feet square directly on the pavement of the ramps. Flotilla 78 purchased the stencil for this event, and hopes to use it in other areas around Clark County. The yellow pavement spray should last several years before fading and the flotilla will maintain the messages. A life jacket loaner station is nearby.

“Te diorama is an amazing thing,” huge draw. Wearing our life jackets makes Big Bear Lake Flotilla 11-12 par- said Scheuerman. “In this day and age of us highly visible.” ticipated in an annual life jacket trade-in computerized displays, that this mostly Contributed by Brigitte Nicolai, Flotilla sponsored by the California Department static model attracts children like a magnet. 12-91, San Ramon Valley, California. of Boating and Waterways with a public Quite often there are lines of children affairs booth and vessel safety checks set waiting to get up close to it and some of District 11 – South up by Lowell and Sharon Gytri and Jim them even come back later in the day to see Flotilla 96, Las Vegas, received six procla- Miller. Tey distributed child, youth and it again. At the same time, we have the op- mations from various federal, county, and universal adult-sized jackets. Left-over portunity to talk with their parents about local officials. Te flotilla set up a public jackets were distributed at the east ramp safe boating. affairs booth, with Auxiliary patrol vessels and on the lake by flotilla members during “We often have a Coast Guard re- on display, a life jacket exchange and they the boating season. Local radio station sponse boat, an Auxiliary vessel or an Aux performed vessel checks at a Lake Mead KBHR 93.9 did on-site radio announce- Air helicopter on display next to our public event. A barbeque with Coast Guard ments from a booth next to the flotilla. affairs booth,” Scheuerman added. “As you recruiters rounded out the day. Contributed by Sharon Gytri, Flotilla 11-12. can imagine, the helicopters and boats are a Contributed by Mark Hines, Flotilla 96, Las Vegas, Nevada.

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 21 National Safe Boating Week, May 18-24, 2013 Jim Smeal, Flotilla 74, Oxnard Maritime, California. Henry Goldman, Channel Islands Harbor Safe Boating Expo producer, helps two young visitors to the Safe Boating Expo find a proper life jacket. The Expo was held at Coast Guard Station Channel Islands Harbor in Oxnard, California. The free event hosted over 800 attendees who enjoyed exciting search and rescue demonstrations, booths offering a variety of safety and educational exhibits and harbor tours aboard the station’s cutters. A flare inspection and dis- posal by the California Department of Waterways, monitored by the Ventura sheriff’s bomb squad, resulted in the collection of hundreds of unusable flares.

Members of Flotilla 16, Oceanside At Camp Pendleton, Flotilla 16’s marine demonstrations and life jacket information Harbor, California, kicked off NSBWeek safety volunteers briefed nearly 650 ma- at the KidsFest Safety Fair in Sequim. An with a range of public activities, includ- rines on boating safety and the importance Auxiliary vessel carrying three Auxiliarists ing vessel checks, dock walking, and a of wearing a life jacket. was towed in the Irrigation Festival parade. demonstration of enhanced technology Contributed by Angelo Skiparnias, Over 106 vessel safety checks and 150 for marine radios. In the parking lot of Flotilla 16, Oceanside, California. program visits were completed. Oceanside’s West Marine shopping center, Contributed by Marilyn Leonard, Flotilla vessel examiners offered free safety checks District 13 42, Sequim/Port Angeles, Washington. to trailer boaters while new members got Flotilla 42, Sequim/Port Angeles, Wash- the hands-on training they need to become ington, gave the About Boating Safety qualified examiners. Other members course to 114 members of the Naval Junior staffed an information booth promoting Reserve Officer Corps at Port Angeles public education courses and demonstrated High School and to the active duty at digital selective calling (DSC). Nearby, Boat Station Neah Bay. Over 400 stu- at Oceanside Harbor, other Flotilla 16 dents received life jacket instruction at an members distributed oil pads absorption elementary school that serves, among oth- for the bilge and discussed hazardous ma- ers, children of the Elwha Tribe. Over 500 terials and waste oil recycling with boaters. children and adults received safe boating

22 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Member Services • Public Affairs

National Public Affairs Contest Winners

National Photo Contest Award Winners Te Photo Award recognizes Auxiliary photographers who have successfully captured interesting and compelling images of members and assets in action across specified program categories. Te photographs that receive awards demonstrate excellence in telling the Auxiliary story about members, missions and boating safety.

Fellowship Winner: Photo by Christopher Todd, Flotilla 6-11, Miami, Florida. Members of the Auxiliary serve as actors aboard a cruise ship lifeboat safety drill on April 2, 2013, during Exercise Black Swan as the cutter Diamondback stands watch in the waters off Lucaya, Grand Bahama Island. This was the largest use of Coast Guard Auxiliary members in a exercise in the history of the Coast Guard. editor’s note: Auxiliary members are wearing a uniform specially authorized for Black Swan.

Marine Safety Winner: Photo by Daren Lewis, Flotilla 76, Swan Island, Oregon. Don Verkest (right), Pacific Flotilla 73, Portland, Oregon, briefs Peter Raiswell, Dis- trict 13 commodore, and Chief Warrant Officer Chris- topher Brown, District 13 operational training officer, on the safety and security zones for Portland’s Rose Festival Fleet Week, June 6, 2012. Verkest serves as the unit coordinator for the U.S. Coast Guard Marine Safety Unit Portland and plays a key role in coordinat- ing Auxiliary assistance with the security and safety zones. The Auxiliary provides twenty operational facili- ties, assistance with the incident command post, and a variety of services to visiting Coast Guard cutters.

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 23 National Pubilc Affairs Contest Winners

Member Services Winner: Photo by Scott Dittberner, Flotilla 24, Seattle/Elliott Bay, Washington. Speed knotting done right - operational rodeo competition. How fast can you tie the requisite knots for keeping your crew qualification?

Operations Winner: Photo by Linda Vetter, Flotilla 19, Coyote Point, California. An Auxiliary vessel owned and coxswained by Rae Kleinen, Flotilla 12, Sausalito/Tiburon, California, performs helo/boat hoist operations in San Francisco Bay, February 1, 2013, with an MH-65 helicopter based at Air Station San Francisco.

Public Affairs Winner: Photo by David Lau, Flotilla 26, Huntington, Pennsylvania. An Auxiliary Color Guard presents the colors at the commissioning ceremony of the Auxiliary training center at Marcus Hook.

24 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR National Pubilc Affairs Contest Winners

Public Education Winner: Photo by Dennis Morelli, Flotilla 21, Casco Bay, Maine. Vessel Examination Winner: Photo by Albert Bidwick, Flotilla Dick Robichaud, Flotilla 21, Casco Bay, Maine, shows a boater the proper way to 86, Venice, Florida. Patrick Wheeler, vessel examiner, Flotilla 86, hold a flare. The event was part of the 2012 Boating Safety Day and Open House at Venice, Florida, checks the date on flares to make sure the owner USCG Station South Portland. is in compliance with federal requirements.

Newsletter Award Winners Tis contest recognizes Auxiliary units that successfully published three or more issues of a unit publication during the specified time. Te publications that won the 2013 awards demonstrated excellence in design, layout, writing quality, photojournalism, use of Associ- ated Press Style Book, Coast Guard Style Guide, Coast Guard Auxiliary Public Affairs Publications Officers Guide and USCG Auxiliary Public Affairs Guide.

Flotilla Newsletter Winner: “MidPoint” Division Newsletter Winner: “Daymark 7” District Newsletter Winner: “Mainstream” Stephanie Hutton, editor; Flotilla 62, Gary Bell, editor; Flotilla 76, Swan Island, John Socha, editor, Flotilla 20-14, New Deltaville, Virginia. Oregon Baltimore, Michigan.

Public Affairs Award Te Public Affairs Award recognizes Auxiliary units which successfully execute a robust public affairs program telling the Auxiliary’s story to the media and the public. Flotilla Winner: Deriek Clemmons, Flotilla 64, Monterey, California Division Winner: J. D. Anderson, Flotilla 10-3, Lake Ray Roberts, Texas District Winner: Craig C. Hall, Flotilla 12-3, Point Allerton, Massachusetts

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 25 Member Services • Planning & Performance

Cole Ashcraft (Washington, D.C., Flotilla 25-12), Robert Meekins and Chris Weber (William and Mary, Flotilla 67), pass a line to another Auxiliary vessel on the York River, October 14, 2012. Meekins and other AUP boat crew trainees trained at a Fall 2012 Operations Weekend. Jonathan Roth, AUP intern public affairs officer, Flotilla 67, Williamsburg, Virginia Flotilla 67, Williamsburg, Jonathan Roth, AUP intern public affairs officer, Auxiliary University Programs Impact Beyond Recreational Boating Safety

ver a span of four weekends from to be one of the program’s most significant sity, University of Maryland, University of O2012–2013, thirty-four Auxiliary milestones of the last twelve months. Bor- North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Penn State, University Programs (AUP) shipmates rowing from the model long established by and Shippensburg University met at Coast logged nearly 1,000 hours on patrol, the Coast Guard Reserve, AUP launched Guard Training Center Yorktown and in providing vessel safety checks, conduct- this signature event for students from Washington, DC. By the end of the event, ing search and rescue exercises, operating schools across the country. Members from they had contributed nearly 1,000 wholly radios, and going to class—a lot of class. Auburn University, Te Citadel, Te Col- volunteer hours across core mission areas “Ops Weekend,” as it is familiarly lege of William and Mary, George Wash- of small boat operations, communications, known to AUP members and staff, proved ington University, James Madison Univer- marine safety, vessel inspection, and public

26 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Member Services • Planning & Performance Jonathan Roth, AUP intern public affairs officer, Flotilla 67, Williamsburg, Virginia. Flotilla 67, Williamsburg, Jonathan Roth, AUP intern public affairs officer, Bob Zucker (Washington, DC, Flotilla 25-12), receives marlinspike seamanship instruction from Greg Reese, Flotilla 63, Poquoson, Virginia, while underway on the York River, October 14, 2013.

affairs. “In short, it’s a great Coast Guard police, and national parks responders to bers to serve aboard cutters, while others opportunity,” said Christopher Weber, class assist over twenty people on three boats checked in at small boat stations and sec- of 2015. “Ops Weekends have been really over a two-mile stretch of the Potomac tors. John DeCastra, Flotilla 8-12 (Auburn successful in getting students operational.” River. A month later, as Hurricane Sandy University ‘12), reported to Coast Guard Weighty topics dominated the Ops approached the mid-Atlantic, AUP mem- Officer Candidate School in New Lon- Weekend agenda in March 2013 when bers applied their knowledge of recre- don, Connecticut, just months after Mike AUP members gathered in Washington, ational boating safety and environmental Piantedosi became the first student to D.C. Among them was the need to rise to protection to help ensure that waterfront graduate from the Coast Guard Academy future challenges while maintaining the facilities, boats, piers, hazardous materi- after having started out in AUP. Garrett organization’s roots in the fundamentals of als, and related equipment were properly Hendrickson, Flotilla 67, Williamsburg, seamanship and commitment to the values secured for the oncoming storm. In the Virginia (William and Mary ‘15) assisted that have made the Auxiliary the great aftermath, Allison Outwater, Flotilla 21, in flight operations at a Coast Guard Air organization it is today. Said Josh Kingett, Sayreville, New Jersey (Stevens Institute of Station while his shipmate, Ben Silliman Flotilla 25-12, Arlington/Northern Vir- Technology), organized and led hundreds (also of Flotilla 67 and Te College of Wil- ginia (James Madison University ‘14), Ops of volunteers helping clean up the mess. liam and Mary ‘15), was awarded a Com- Weekends are a great opportunity “to see Summer 2013 found students split mandant’s Letter of Commendation for his the overall vision and get everyone on the between Ops Weekends, internships, work focused on oil sands in the Office of same page in terms of long-term planning and daily activities within the Auxiliary’s Marine Environmental Response. and strategic direction.” core missions. Lauren Crawford, Flotilla Less than two months after one such 98, Chapel Hill, North Carolina (UNC- A New Generation weekend, one of these crews was called on Chapel Hill ‘15) and Owen Mims, Flotilla AUP members are most often members of to support three simultaneous search and 8-12, Auburn, Alabama (Maine Maritime the “Millennial Generation.” Jacob Tayer, rescue cases as they worked alongside fire, Academy ‘15) became the first AUP mem- Flotilla 75, Austin, Texas, a 2013 AUP

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 27 Auxiliary University Programs Jonathan Roth, AUP intern public affairs officer, Flotilla 67, Williamsburg, Virginia. Flotilla 67, Williamsburg, Jonathan Roth, AUP intern public affairs officer, James Clark, Daniel Burns, and Christopher Papas (William and Mary, Flotilla 67), and Lauren Crawford (Piedmont, North Carolina, Flotilla 98), prepare for a tow- ing evolution with another Auxiliary vessel on the York River as the schooner Alliance sails past. The training exercise was part of Auxiliary University Programs’ Fall Operations Weekend, where members of the Auxiliary from colleges across the East Coast gathered at TRACEN Yorktown, Virginia, October 14, 2012. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Officer Alan Haraf. Coast Guard photo by Chief Petty Jonathan Roth, (William and Mary, Flotilla 67), provides NFL player Israel Idonije with a stopwatch during the taping of a public service announcement at the Chicago Marine Safety Station, July 10, 2013. Indonije teamed up with the Coast Guard to provide tips on beach safety.

28 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Auxiliary University Programs Frank Spruill, Outer Banks Flotilla 16-7, North Carolina. Frank Lauren Crawford, Flotilla 98, UNC-Chapel Hill ‘15, handles the grounding rod during hoist exercises with Outer Banks Flotilla 16-7 assisting a helicopter air crew from Air Station Elizabeth City. She is aboard coxswain Jim Fordham’s Auxiliary vessel with crew Frank Spruill, John O’Brien, Keith Berntsen, and Jerry Kaputa. graduate from Te George Washington will move quickly. Te AUP leadership Growing Impact University now serving as project manager has focused strategically on operations Te Auxiliary’s first units on college cam- on the AUP national staff explains that, that provide ready crews in the form of puses took root in 2007 at Auburn Univer- “Students are motivated by the opportu- AUP units distributed around the country, sity, Te Citadel and Te College of Wil- nity for meaningful experiences that will unique programming, such as internship or liam and Mary. Tese units merged to form set them apart from their peers.” research and development, and an increas- AUP several years later. AUP now includes With hundreds of professional and ingly rigorous academics program. 150 participants in 13 units representing social options on today’s college campus, Tese members seem not to waste 30 different colleges and universities across competition for their investment of time any such chance. Te leadership speaks the United States. Students complete a and talent is often fierce. As a result, AUP of using modern technology to build an four-year program of study focused on members often seek out work with active organization of operational excellence, one basic Auxiliary knowledge, operational duty members through internships or aug- that, according to the AUP strategic plan, proficiency, and leadership. Tose entering mentation. Tey look for ways to connect genuinely contributes to solving some of in 2013 will graduate with coursework in the work they do in the Auxiliary to the the country’s big challenges of innovation, Seamanship, Weather, Communications, topics they are studying in school. Teir education, professional opportunity, and Incident Management, an elective specialty technological savvy and their schedules, public safety. Te Auxiliary’s millenni- of their choice, and a “Maritime Leadership organized around semesters and school als make clear a desire to work hard and Capstone.” Each graduate also completes breaks, creates an expectation that things dream big. at least one qualification from Boat Crew,

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 29 Auxiliary University Programs

Telecommunications Operator, Vessel Ex- Nobody knows more about “telling Portage Des Sioux, Missouri; and Colleen aminer, Public Affairs Specialist I, and Air the story” than Jonathan Roth, Flotilla 67 Monahan, Flotilla 41-4, Fox Lake, Illinois, Observer, or, completes the requirements (William and Mary ‘15), who began taking along with their staffs, have their work cut for a marine safety training ribbon. pictures and promoting the Auxiliary on out for them. AUP’s overall contribution to the active his campus. Tat led him to a summer AUP succeeds by saying “yes” to good duty and the Auxiliary far exceeds its total 2013 assignment at the Coast Guard ideas that challenge the status quo and by number of members. Te CGAUXNET public affairs detachment in Chicago where encouraging creativity through empower- computer system, now used by the entire he was awarded the Auxiliary Achievement ment, so that everyone from top to bottom Auxiliary national staff, began in 2008 as an Medal for his service helping to tell the understands that his or her ideas—no AUP project. Student members and staff story of recreational boating safety (and matter how unconventional—have a place are building on that success as they explore everything else the Coast Guard does) on the drawing board. Ask, and they will new opportunities for knowledge man- through a video public safety announce- say they, “succeed in the mission through agement technology in the Coast Guard. ment starring a player from the National respect for fellow shipmates, a passion for Another team conducted community out- Football League; he assisted in a boating operational excellence, precise focus, a fa- reach in conjunction with search and rescue safety media event aboard the Chicago natical commitment to quality, and shared exercises. Te result was masters-level Blackhawks’ yacht; and he supported the devotion to duty. AUP is where the most research concerning citizen involvement in national public affairs campaign “A Week in dedicated students come to serve their the protection of critical inland infrastruc- the Life of the Coast Guard.” communities and country.” ture. Yet another spent the last 18 months Program alumni are imbued with a pioneering the use of new technology in the Meaningful Experiences strong commitment to service. Nearly 70 development and delivery of training, creat- While student members and staff at AUP percent of all graduates serve in the active ing new courses that are increasingly used units volunteer for patrol, stand radio watch, duty or with the Auxiliary or Reserve. Oth- by Auxiliarists outside of AUP. and perform vessel safety checks, they aim ers embark on a civilian career or service Te University of Maryland’s Jesse to attract more members by offering an with the Department of Defense. AUP’s Trift, Flotilla 25-12 (‘13), became the increasingly meaningful experience. In the class of 2013 produced a federal law en- first student to complete a full, four-year, coming years they expect the program to in- forcement agent, a police officer, a firefighter, nationally prescribed Auxiliary program of clude 500 students at over 30 units by ask- a boatswains mate Reservist, an active duty study on a college campus. Now serving as ing “how can we help the Auxiliary answer officer, and a graduate student focused on both a radio watchstander at Coast Guard tomorrow’s challenges,” and by continuing public administration. Station Washington and as the campus to offer high quality courses with a strong liaison officer to his alma mater, Trift is link to local flotilla missions—some even Te author, Andrew Welch, Flotilla 25-12, committing hundreds of hours in contin- for college credit. Branch chiefs Anthony Arlington/Northern Virginia, is division ued Auxiliary service where recreational Marzano, Flotilla 10-5, Southport, North chief of the Auxiliary University Programs. boaters and his more junior shipmates Carolina; Jake Shaw, Flotilla 8-12, Auburn, need him most. Alabama; Todd Richardson, Flotilla 3-15,

Coast Guard Mutual Assistance "We Look After Our Own" To all Coast Guard Auxiliary members who donated to Coast Guard the National Foundation for Mutual Assistance (CGMA) this year, whether individually or through Credit Counseling (NFCC) your district, region, or flotilla…THANK YOU! If you find yourself find yourself The Coast Guard’s own financial assistance organization, CGMA is a facing an emergency financial donor-supported non-profit. True to its motto, “We Look After our Own,” need or are looking for some CGMA does not solicit funds outside the Coast Guard community— assistance with education your donations are key to helping CGMA meet the financial challenges expenses for yourself or facing Coast Guard and Coast Guard Auxiliary families and individuals. dependent children, check out CGMA online at www.cgmahq. From its beginning in 1924, CGMA has been there to lend a helping org, or call 800-881-2462. hand to shipmates who are weathering a season of unexpected financial hardship. CGMA offers: • Financial assistance to prevent privation (food, shelter, clothing, loss of utilities) and to meet other emergency needs • Help with post-secondary education costs • Free financial counseling and debt management services through

30 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Member Services • Planning & Performance Surveying the Membership

ccording to members who responded concern addressed in the current strategic Ato an All Hands survey last April plan. Respondents also called for more and May, the Auxiliary is a growing or- online courses. ganization, showing few differences from Te survey data reinforces the notion surveys conducted over the past decade. that comprehensive national programs dif- Te survey was a goal for the national fer from one district to another depending commodore’s strategic plan. It drew 4,265 on their geography and special needs. An responses, or 14 percent of the member- example is that while members in south- ship; 86 percent did not respond either ern waters might still be doing on-water because they chose not to respond or were missions in winter, members in the north unaware of the survey. Respondents were switch to education classes. among the most active and accomplished Survey respondents were also given Auxiliarists, the majority having been a chance to express their opinions. “Teir members for at least six years. Tey were comments would fill a 700-page book,” mostly engaged in the operations programs said Tony Morris, chief of re- and a relatively high proportion were search in strategic planning, elected or appointed officers. who ran the survey. Respondents said they felt their flotil- For a more detailed las were doing a good job over all, earning report on the survey a B to B-minus score. Further, communica- visit the Strategic tion is seen as good at the flotilla level. In Planning website written responses to the question, “What at http://sdept. aspect of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary cgaux.org/. do you find the most rewarding?” most mentioned the Four Cornerstones. In Authors within the decreasing order of importance, they were Strategic Planning operations, public education, all aspects Directorate. of recreational boating safety, and fellow- ship. Te second most frequent answer to the question of most rewarding aspect was supporting the Coast Guard as a force multiplier and working with the active duty. Training came in third—both training received and the opportunity to train others. Service to the community was mentioned last. “Te survey identified some areas for improvement and that’s good information to have,” said COMO Tomas Mallison, national commodore. “We will use it to plan a course of action addressing those concerns.” Member training given by the flotillas was scored lower by respondents in surveys from 2002 until 2009, when the scores began to go up. In the 2013 survey, they dropped below the 2009 score. Tis is a

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 31 Member Services • Member Training Judy Darby, Flotilla 42, Covington, LA Judy Darby, Finding Your Course Tune in to online learning

n establishing the priorities for the AUXOP: Then and Now tion that required the member to perform Itraining directorate, Dr. Dale Fajardo, When AUXOP (Operational Auxiliarist associated tasks. For the Weather test, a director, Oyster Point Flotilla 15, San Specialty Program) was initially developed trainee was required to prepare a forecast Francisco, recognized the challenge of in the 1950s, each member was expected to for a 24-hour period. For the Communica- providing the best member training even identify his or her own needs and sources tions test, the trainee needed to memorize to the most remote corners of the country. for training. A single test covering all seven the international signal flags and draft a He emphasized that learning through specialties was administered by active duty message for transmission by voice. online education could shrink the distance officers. No study guides were available. Te leadership began to distribute between students and instructors and In the 1960s the AUXOP test was sepa- study guides through the materials system ensure the member training function of rated into seven separate tests. A member in the 1970s. Today, study material and ref- the Auxiliary will meet the needs of its could receive credit for any of the special- erences are available on the web at http:// members even as new programs are devel- ties without having to complete them all. wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=T- oped and technology evolves. Each specialty (except the administration DEPT&category=auxop-courses. Slide specialty) also had a practical demonstra- presentations are also available for class-

32 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Member Services • Member Training James Emken, Flotilla 17-6, Central Brevard, Florida. One of the major tasks in the Auxiliary Operational Excellence program is mastery of the Coast Guard’s P-6 dewatering pump. Members from two flotillas gathered for a pump training exercise on a hot Florida afternoon. Left to right are: Richard Knapp, Flotilla 17-11, Orlando Winter Park; Nevin Lantry, Flotilla 17-11; Terry Riley, trainer, Flotilla 17-6, Central Brevard; Kimberle Zimmerman, Flotilla 17-11; George Peek, trainer, Flotilla 17-6, George Coleman, Flotilla 17-6, and James Parker, Flotilla 17-11.

room instructors. Units are encouraged to TINST M16114.5 series) is intended to AUXOP credits, and instructions on work together to share their expertise and be a starting outline upon which to build how to access some of the password- increase their knowledge and abilities. more advanced training as the variety of protected training websites e.g. AUXLMS Testing for specialty courses has facilities found in the Auxiliary and the (the Auxiliary learning management evolved from paper to electronic form. Te diverse operating areas provide a wealth of system). Te link to the Compendium technical challenges are being overcome as resource material. In addition, new mate- is http://tdept.cgaux.org/documents/ pools of suitable questions are developed rial on boat handling and rescue techniques NATIONAL_MEMBER_TRAINING_ for each course. Authorized proctors can is being developed based on discussions COMPENDIUM.pdf. access and administer the tests via the In- with the Coast Guard’s Office of Auxiliary ternet and students receive immediate feed- and Boating Safety. Distance Learning through Online back. When the examination is complete, A request for practical training led to Education the score and a summary of questions the Member Training Compendium, also Tree years ago, Ralph Tomlinson, Flotilla missed are available for review. developed by Holm. Te Compendium 33-1, Omaha, Nebraska, currently the Te advanced training division under is a portable, single source for all member deputy director of training, and his wife the leadership of Robert Holm, Flotilla training information. Now available Suzanne, Flotilla 33-1, began offering 74, Oxnard Maritime, recently revised the on the Member Training website, the operational specialty courses using web con- current set of AUXOP courses and de- Compendium has active links for: manuals, ferencing tools called “webinars.” Te Tom- veloped new courses intended to increase exams, personal qualification standards, linsons use a team approach using video, live the proficiency of coxswains and crew. Te and slide presentations. It includes links to audio/chat, cameras and other presenta- Boat Crew Seamanship Manual (COMD- online courses and includes pre-requisites, tion tools to engage their remote audience.

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 33 Finding Your Course

Te Auxiliary online classroom offers training for the Public Affairs, Prevention and Human Resources Directorates. It is based on the MOODLE Learning Man- agement System, an open source platform installed on over 80,000 websites and used by over 72 million people. Te link is http://classroom.cgaux.org/. Te logon is the same as that used for AUXOFFICER, the Auxiliary directory. Presentations from from NACON and N-train are available. A “new member boot camp” is being developed. Training materials for vessel ex- aminers and instructors are scheduled for the future. Tese materials may be used by individuals or flotillas. One recent posting helps members learn how to update their personal information in AUXDATA using the web-based 7028 form. AUXLMS while having some similar- ity to the online classroom, is a distinct and separate entity. It was developed for the Coast Guard learning portal (https:// auxlearning.uscg.mil/) to present training mandated in the Auxiliary Manual (Chapter 8.E). Tese presentations are controlled by the Coast Guard, not the Auxiliary. Details are reviewed on the Chief Director’s web site at (http://www.uscg.mil/auxiliary/train- ing/auxlms.asp). Since its launch in January 2013, over 20,000 courses have been started with over 3,000 members completing one or more training activities in the AUXLMS.

Strengthening Communication Another priority of the training directorate Jonathan Ahlbrand, Flotilla 22-6, Lansing, Michigan. is strengthening communication between Crew training aboard Bill Church’s 44-foot motor life boat involves real-world offshore adventure. On a recent training rendezvous in Tawas, Michigan, Larry Leighton, Flotilla 24-2, Flint, Michigan, practices the national and district levels, which in with the skiff hook before hooking up to a Tawas patrol vessel. turn will strengthen the connection with our members. District staff officers for Each session lasts about 90 minutes and is termined presentation schedule. Jonathan member training are invited to participate recorded so students can replay the sessions Ahlbrand, Flotilla 22-6, Lansing, Michigan, in quarterly meetings via web conferenc- as needed. Te program solves the problem division chief for advanced distance learning, ing, where they are briefed on upcoming of an Auxiliarist finding a subject matter has twelve years of practical experience in developments and program changes and expert or knowledgeable instructor within a developing web-based instructional pro- have the opportunity to present questions reasonable commuting distance. grams. Ahlbrand’s goal is providing a “quality and concerns and share best practices. Advanced distance learning is another learning experience to the member” working training opportunity available to members. across directorates and divisions. Advanced Te author, Michael Scott, Flotilla 35-12, Te Auxiliary online classroom, also known distance learning provides creative interac- Twelve Chicago, Illinois, is a coxswain as the virtual classroom, helps staff officers tive presentations based on content from the and qualification examiner, AUXOP, and provide compelling, interesting training originating directorates, including “drag and member of the Auxiliary for 44 years. He content online. Tese opportunities are drop” responses (such as an exercise where is a branch assistant in the support division available for students to access at their the student would place various insignia on of the Member Training Directorate. convenience and are not limited to a prede- a pictured uniform) and video clips.

34 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Finding Your Course June Wingert, Flotilla 69, Lake Conroe, Texas. June Wingert, Colin Shannon, Flotilla 62, Air Station Houston, plots the coordinates of a vessel in distress during a simulated search and rescue exercise. Operation Redfish is an annual training event involving all flotillas in Division Six of District Eight-Coastal. An incident command center was established and GPS coordinates were given to coxswains taking part in the search and rescue operation in Galveston Bay. June Wingert, Flotilla 69, Lake Conroe, Texas. June Wingert, Pat Cooney, Flotilla 6-12, Air Station Houston, prepares his boat for Operation Redfish on June 22, 2013. To the right is Captain Brian Penyoer, Sector Houston/Galveston. The annual mock search and rescue exercise takes place in the Upper Galveston Bay.

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 35 Member Services • Member Training

Left to right, AUXLAMS Instructor Fred Germann role plays as a non-compliant Auxiliary member during AUXLAMS training held at the Palms At Pelican Cove June 1, 2013. Miguel Ramos, vice commander and student, Flotilla 16-1 Christiansted, responds with corrective management methods to control the situation. Robert A. Fabich, Sr., Flotilla 16-1, Christensted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands. Flotilla 16-1, Christensted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Sr., Robert A. Fabich, AUXLAMS in the USVI

uxiliary members from across the Interactive training includes instructional ACE and the only one with a college credit AU.S. descended on St. Croix for the modules for self awareness, motivation, recommendation. Auxiliary Leadership and Management strategic leadership, team building, ethics, During the week-long training, (AUXLAMS) course held at the Palms conflict management and performance students had an opportunity to meet At Pelican Cove May 29 - June 2, 2013. problem solving. Senator Nereida “Nellie” Rivera O’Reilly, Te event marked the first time the AUX- AUXLAMS is one of the courses St. Croix District USVI 30th Legislature, LAMS or any other Auxiliary “C” School within the leadership category of courses and enjoyed a Caribbean lobster feast in has been held in a U.S. territory. for the Auxiliary Operations (AUXOP) recognition of Rear Admiral William D. AUXLAMS is a Coast Guard active qualification. It is also a prerequisite for flo- Baumgartner, commander, Seventh Coast duty course, adapted for the Auxiliary and tilla commanders to attend the Mid-Level Guard District. taught by Coast Guard-trained instruc- Officers course. tors. It is the foundation course of the AUXLAMS recently received a Te author, Robert A. Fabich, Flotilla Auxiliary Leadership Continuum and is favorable review by the Accreditation 16-1, Christiansted, St. Croix, USVI, based on the Leadership Competencies, Council on Education (ACE) and has been is a public affairs specialist III. which lay the foundation for all manage- recommended for three upper-division ment skills necessary for successful leader- undergraduate college credits. Tis is the ship in the Coast Guard and Auxiliary. first Auxiliary course to be reviewed by

36 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Member Services • Member Training

Ken Williams, Flotilla 24-1, Bay City, Michigan, holds up warning signs to advise recreational vessels of the closed area around the Heritage Offshore powerboat race course on Lake Huron near Tawas, Michigan. Walt Kline, Flotilla

24-1, keeps a watch. Jonathan Ahlbrand, Flotilla 22-6, Lansing, Michigan. Rendezvous in Tawas Crews meet to train and serve

By Navigator Staff Photo by Jonathan Ahlbrand, Flotilla 22-6, Lansing, Michigan.

very year Michigan members from var- Dan Guiett, David Stokes, and Robert position and two qualified members set Eious flotillas rendezvous in Tawas, for Campbell, Flotilla 24-1; Jonathan Ahlbrand up a search pattern and began training the a weekend of crew training at Coast Guard and Mike Orris, Flotilla 22-6, Lansing; and new members on plotting it. Station Tawas. Tis year’s run happened to Larry Leighton, Flotilla 24-2, Flint. “In three- to four-foot waves and coincide with the Offshore Powerboat As- “We took the 44—about 40nm, six 15kts offshore wind,” Church continued, sociation’s Heritage Offshore Boat Races, hours—,” said Church, “and, on the way, “we started our search pattern. Watching June 14-16, and the crews were tasked the crew and trainees experienced real- the crew looking for someone in the water with supporting a safety zone around the world offshore navigation. We enjoy the drives home the need for good training. In race course. It’s a big event with members challenges that come up from time to real life situations like this it shows what from Lansing, Bay City, Flint, Tawas, even time and the experience of sharing our skills need more work and what we do well. North Carolina, all meeting at Tawas knowledge. Our mission at Tawas was to We were unable to locate the vessel, or its flotilla commander, Mike Heger’s, home. provide traffic control and assist with the operator—a big let down for the crew—but Trow in a camp fire, dinner, breakfast, offshore race, but once you cast off the it was real life. You don’t always get the and fellowship among the members from dock lines you never know what lies ahead. prize. Te operator was picked up by a different flotillas, and you have a weekend “While working the race, the station good samaritan; the kayak is probably still members look forward to on Lake Huron. advised that a kayak was spotted about six floating somewhere on Lake Huron. We Bill Church, coxswain, Flotilla 24-1, nautical miles away with no one on board. strive for great training, safety and lots of Bay City, headed out aboard his 44-foot mo- In the blink of an eye, the mission changed opportunity for fun. We bring to the table tor life boat, a retired Coast Guard response from race course traffic control to search different ideas based on our various experi- boat, with crew and trainees Ken Williams, and rescue. We took down the last known ences, and we complete our mission.”

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 37 Member Services • Human Resources

Patti Kuhn, Flotilla 14-2, York, Pennsylvania, prepares a noon meal aboard the Buoy Tender Oak while underway in the Caribbean. Jerry Hottinger, Flotilla 85, Palmetto, Florida. Flotilla 85, Palmetto, Jerry Hottinger, Have Knives, Will Travel Auxiliary food service specialists serve in galleys everywhere

UXFS (Auxiliary Food Service), first and a Reservist in preparing morning and commodore, Flotilla 12-3, Glen Cove, the Aknown as AUXCHEF, is a national noon meals at Station Fire Island. Soon he program was approved for the district with program designed to provide trained food was a Sunday regular at the station. “I saw Richichi as chairman. specialists to backfill at small boat sta- it as a morale booster for them to have a A program guide with rules and tions, on cutters, at VIP events, changes home-cooked meal, rather than standard regulations was written and, in early 2002, of commands and fellowship events—any- galley fare,” he said. the first six food service volunteers were where there’s a hungry crew and a well- Richichi saw a need to expand the certified in District One-South. Lau- stocked galley. Auxiliary mission to include food service rino, human resources national director, In the aftermath of the World Trade and with the support of Dante Laurino, spearheaded the program and in 2006 Center disaster, Paul Richichi, Flotilla Flotilla 12, Commander John Felker, direc- Gene Seibert, then-national commodore, 12, Amityville, New York, served for two tor of the Auxiliary in District One-South; approved AUXCHEF as a national pilot weeks alongside an active duty member and Nick Kerigan, then-vice national program.

38 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Member Services • Human Resources

Ron Ellis, Flotilla 87, Lake Anna, Virginia, was appointed Fifth South- ern chairman, and in January 2006 he attended the Coast Guard’s food service school in Petaluma, California, for 12 weeks of training. Ellis, who is currently Atlantic Area branch chief, and his wife Ginger designed and wrote the training and qualifications guide and companion slide presentation in consultation with the Coast Guard. Te first class of eight AUXCHEFS in Fifth Southern graduated in May 2007. Te Ellises traveled to other districts teach- ing their initial classes and training new instructors. In February 2010, the Coast Guard approved the AUXCHEF training and qualifications guide. In 2007, Russ Venti, division chief, Flotilla 19, Coronado, California, and one of the original six trained at Station Fire Island, expanded the program to the Pacific area. “Our volunteers work almost any shift, from breakfast to midnight rations, almost anywhere—from the fully-equipped kitchen at Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach to the closet-sized galley aboard an 87-foot patrol boat,” said Venti. Te first five members in District 11-North also became instructors and taught throughout the district,” said Linda Haynes, Pacific Area branch chief, who was one of those students. “Our 30 active specialists serve on cutters and for many changes of command,” she said. AUXCHEF was approved as a national program in January 2009, within Bill Giers, Flotilla 17-6, Central Brevard, Florida. the department of human resources. Food AUXFS instructor George Peek, Flotilla 17-6, Central Brevard, Florida, prepares the noon meal for active, Reserve and Auxiliary on patrol assignment at Station Ponce de Leon. service specialists qualify to the same standards as their active duty counter- tary conditions can shut down an entire cutter in the middle of the ocean to be an parts and accept assignments that vary in station or boat crew,” he said. Annual AUXCHEF at sea!” Her wish came true length, whether one day or 30. Training sanitation training, four hours of team in July 2013 when Kuhn, Flotilla 14-2, consists of 18 to 22 hours of classroom coordination training every two years, and York, Pennsylvania, and Jerry Hottinger, and hands-on galley time, plus comple- a hepatitis A inoculation (two injections Flotilla 85, Palmetto, Florida, served on tion of a series of personal qualification six months apart) are also required for the cutter Oak, a 225-foot buoy tender in standards. Te course emphasizes safety AUXFS certification. the Caribbean for 30 days. “We wanted to and sanitation, working in a galley and When instructors Paulette Parent, learn everything we could about a buoy basic food preparation. Joseph Villafane, Flotilla 83, Manatee, Florida, and Toni tender,” said Kuhn. Te two participated Flotilla 13-6, Freeport, New York, Atlan- Borman, Flotilla 84, Sarasota, asked Patti in training sessions, served as lookout and tic Area West branch chief, knew early on Kuhn why she wanted to be an Auxil- learned to find their way from their berths that training meant more than just how iary food service specialist her answer to the deck blindfolded. “Our shipmates to fix a quick meal. “Sanitation and food was clear: “I want to be lowered from a were happy to take us on their rounds and safety are number one issues. Unsani- helicopter to the deck of a Coast Guard teach us their skills.”

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 39 Have Knives, Will Travel Charles Truthan, Flotilla 15-3, Ocala, Florida. Charles Truthan, Richard Belanger, left, Flotilla 59, Stuart, Florida, chops chicken on the poultry cutting board as Robert A. Fabich, Flotilla 16-1, St. Croix, USVI, supervises multiple students.

“Among many AUXFS volunteers who have served aboard cutters,” said Ron Ellis, “Lorraine Colletta, Flotilla 22-1, Rock Creek, Maryland, was named Sailor of the Quarter aboard the cutter James Rankin.” Bill Giers, Flotilla 17-6, Central Bre- vard, Florida, was the first Auxiliary food service specialist to be qualified and the first instructor in District Seven. In various kitchens, he has served the active duty, Reserve, Coast Guard civilian employees, and members of the Auxiliary. His galleys are everywhere: an admiral’s home, NASA launches, underway on security patrols, fel- lowship events, at boat stations, the training facility at Yorktown, Virginia, and under- way on cutters in the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic Oceans. He even accompanied an ice breaker science expedition. “I have served as far south as Miami, east to Cape Canaveral, west to Dutch Harbor, Unalaska, in the Pennsylvania. Flotilla 14-2, York, Kuhn, Patti Aleutian Islands, in Canadian waters and AUXFS Jerry Hottinger, Flotilla 85, Palmetto, Florida, prepping for a noon meal aboard CG Buoy Tender Oak while underway in the Caribbean. the polar ice region, all under Coast Guard orders,” said Giers who believes a good every day.” Although the job can be difficult, Te author, Kathleen Dolan, Flotilla meal can make a bad or difficult day better. Giers says it is fun, and one of the most 15-8, Hernando Beach, Florida, became “Chef ’s are also morale creators,” he said, exciting, challenging and creative positions an Auxiliary food service specialist in “but food service is one of the most difficult requiring discipline, planning, organization- April 2013 and serves at Coast Guard positions in the Coast Guard. No other bil- al skills, sanitation routines. “Name another Station Yankeetown (Florida). let involves being publicly evaluated by every Auxiliary program where you can experi- person in the unit up to four times a day, ence all that,” he added.

40 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Member Services • Human Resources Wear Your Uniform with Pride

WEAR YOUR OPERATIONAL DRESS UNIFORM WEAR YOUR TROPICAL BLUE UNIFORM PROPERLY & WITH PRIDE PROPERLY & WITH PRIDE

Authorized Ball Cap Authorized Combination Cap covers: covers: or Garrison Cap Office insignia: Sew-on collar insignia Office insignia: Enhanced Shoulder Boards

Shirt: ODU blouse Shirt: Short sleeve CG light blue shirt

Undershirt: CG Blue crew neck Undershirt: White v-neck

(optional for women) SMITH t-shirt SMITH USCG AUXILIARY U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY Sew on name and Auxiliary Name tag, ribbons & devices tapes - one qualification device and AUXOP device if earned Belt: Basic Riggers Belt cotton Belt: Black web belt, silver belt belt with subdued buckle tip & silver buckle

Trousers: ODU trousers Outwear: Foul Weather Parka Trousers: CG Trousers, Dress or Outwear: Windbreaker, trench coat CG Skirt, Dress* Foul Weather Parka (limited)

Footwear: Eight-Ten inch well blackened Socks: Black socks Footwear: Oxfords, pumps*, or flats* Socks/Hosiery: Socks are worn with oxfords, safety boots - shined for office shined or optional synthetic hosiery with pumps or flats. wear. Specified boat shoe is authorized for Auxiliarists * optional for women

WEAR YOUR SERVICE DRESS BLUE UNIFORM WEAR YOUR WINTER DRESS BLUE UNIFORM PROPERLY & WITH PRIDE PROPERLY & WITH PRIDE Graphics by Daren Lewis, Flotilla 76, Swan Island, Oregon.

Authorized Combination Cap Authorized Combination Cap covers: covers: or Garrison Cap Office insignia: Sleeve lace & shoulder Office insignia: Collar insignia boards on light blue shirt

Shirt: CG light blue shirt Jacket: Service Dress Blue Shirt: Winter Dress Blue shirt short or long sleeve jacket

Undershirt: White v-neck Undershirt: White v-neck SMITH U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY SMITH (optional for women) (optional for women) U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY Name tag, ribbons & devices Name tag, ribbons & devices SMITH U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY Tie: Tie: Belt: Black web belt, silver Men: CG Four-in-hand Belt: Black web belt, silver belt CG Four-in-hand for men & belt tip & silver buckle Women: Blue tab tie tip & silver buckle women Outwear: Outwear: Trousers: CG Trousers, Dress or Windbreaker, trench coat Trousers: CG Trousers, Dress or Windbreaker, trench coat CG Skirt, Dress* CG Skirt, Dress* Foul Weather Parka (limited)

Socks/Hosiery: Socks/Hosiery: Footwear: Oxfords, pumps*, or Socks are worn with oxfords, Footwear: Oxfords, pumps*, or flats* Socks are worn with oxfords, flats* shined or hosiery with pumps or flats. shined or optional synthetic hosiery with pumps or flats. optional synthetic

* optional for women * optional for women

UNIFORMS OF THE DAY SERVICE TROPICAL WINTER OPERATIONAL DRESS BLUE BLUE DRESS BLUE DRESS UNIFORM (ODU)

SMITH SMITH SMITH U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY SMITH USCG AUXILIARY

SMITH U.S. COAST GUARD AUXILIARY

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 41 Members of Flotilla 74, Oxnard Maritime, California, teach knot tying to visitors at Station Channel Islands Harbor safe boating expo. Jim Smeal, Flotilla 74, Oxnard, California. Cornerstone Two: Recreational Boating Safety Recreational Boating Safety • Outreach

Craig Miller, Flotilla 29, Lake Lanier, Georgia, teaches the Auxiliary public education course to members of the Army Corps of Engineers and contract employees at the project manager’s office in Oakman, Georgia. David Joyce, Flotilla 29, Lake Lanier, Georgia. David Joyce, Flotilla 29, Lake Lanier, RBS Reaches Out

hen the Coast Guard looks for a Eighth Coastal led an Auxiliary team to the works with scouts to enhance the scouting W“force multiplier” they reach out to 2013 national meeting of the Boy Scouts program.” For example, scouts can use Aux- the Auxiliary. When the Auxiliary wants of America (BSA) in Grapevine, Texas. iliary RBS literature to train for advanced to multiply its own force effectiveness, to Te Auxiliary booth featured the Water- merit badges. Te Auxiliary also offers whom does it reach out? way Waste game, videos of the Auxiliary scouts volunteer and community service op- Te primary task of the Recreational in action, literature and crowd pleasers portunities, such as Sea Partners, a shoreline Boating Safety Outreach Directorate is to “Sammy the Sea Otter” and “Coastie.” clean-up and fishing line recycling project. engage select organizations that share with Te booth was beside that of the Johnson encouraged scouts and their the Auxiliary a commitment to improving Sea Scouts, emphasizing the partnership leaders to promote Auxiliary public educa- recreational boating safety (RBS). Over the between the two organizations. Te 2009 tion courses and guided them to the RBS years the national leadership has negotiated memorandum of agreement between the Outreach website for more ways the Auxil- memorandums that authorize flotillas, divi- Boy Scouts of America and the Auxiliary iary can support the Boy Scouts. sions and districts to work locally with these (available at http://bdept.cgaux.org/pdf/ organizations that together, with the Auxil- BSAUSCGAuxMOA23Feb09.pdf ) pro- Scouting Outreach in South Miami iary, make the RBS mission more effective. vides a basis for that collaboration. Flotilla 65 in South Miami gave scouts Tis spring, for example, Bruce “Attending the conference gave us a a free youth boating safety class during Johnson, branch chief for youth partners, chance to speak with hundreds of scout National Safe Boating Week. Elena Cohan, Flotilla 22-2, Pikesville, Maryland, with leaders from across the country,” Johnson Flotilla 65, Cutler Ridge, Florida, and a local members of Divisions Five and Ten of said. “We reminded them how the Auxiliary former scoutmaster led the class of 99

44 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Recreational Boating Safety • Outreach

youths and 68 adult chaperones. Ninety- New Program Visitors one scouts passed the test and received Meanwhile, Kelly Townsend, director, their certificate. RBS-Outreach, North Carolina Western To enhance the appeal, Cohan added a Foothills Flotilla, 26-5, and Mike Klacik, hands-on outdoor session with skills that director, vessel exam and RBS visitation, seemed a “natural” for scouting, such as line Flotilla 10-13, Wycoff, New Jersey, host handling and heaving, radio communica- a monthly webinar with project leaders tion and visual distress signaling. Members from the USPS government partners and of the flotilla even showed scouts the basics relations committee. Together, this team of conducting a vessel safety check and gave is integrating the USPS into the marine them a tour of a flotilla vessel, highlighting dealer visitor program. To implement the special equipment the Auxiliary uses to the program, Joe Reichal, branch chief, assist boaters. program visitor, Flotilla 14, Destin/Fort Walton, Florida, and Stephen Ellerin, divi- Coalition of Partners sion chief, liaison, RBS-Outreach, Flotilla Te National Safe Boating Council 82, Longboat Key, Florida, will attend the (NSBC) is a coalition of organizations USPS national conference in January 2014 committed to promoting safe boating to train and certify the first USPS program Georgia. Flotilla 29, Lake Lanier, Bruce Lindsey, and Bill Griswold, liaison to the NSBC, visitor leaders who will return home to David Joyce, Flotilla 29, Lake Lanier, Georgia, Lake County Flotilla 43, Florida, sits on train interested squadron members. teaches boating safety to Cub Scounts. their board of directors. In 2013, they are USPS members will pass basically the Read About It developing a year-round national boating same qualifying exam as Auxiliary program Magazines and other publications that safety awareness campaign administered visitors and local Auxiliary program target the RBS community offer another by the Coast Guard. Earlier this year, the visitors will supervise their two required venue to get the RBS message before Council offered items to help promote marine dealer visits to complete their certi- the eyes and minds of boaters. “We have National Safe Boating Week (NSBW) and fication process. partnerships with a number of these the Ready Set Wear It event. publications,” explains Manny Alfaro, Meanwhile, in District 13, Craig Recreational Boats Come in All safety partners branch chief, Flotilla 69, Brown, Flotilla 32 commander, Des Sizes/Manual Propulsion Opalocka, Florida. “Tese publications can Moines, Washington, keeps communi- Fifty million is a big number, but that’s help us explain and reinforce our message, cations flowing between his local U.S. how many people in the U.S. go canoeing so it’s important to stay in touch with them Power Squadron (USPS) and the Auxil- or kayaking each year. Paddlecraft is the to make sure that their information is up- iary. “When I attend USPS events,” Brown fastest-growing segment of the recreational to-date.” says, “I am asked questions about vessel boating community. safety checks (VSC) and program visitor In June, Don Goff, liaison to the Ameri- Non-Swimmers (PV) requirements. One of the things we can Canoe Association (ACA), Flotilla Most non-boating, recreational, on-the-wa- do is build cooperation between the Aux- 25-6, Occoquan/Fairfax, Virginia, met ter deaths are drownings of non-swimmers, iliary and the Power Squadrons on VSCs,” with Joe Moore, ACA director of training often in a family or community swimming he says. and outreach, and Greg Rolf, who manages pool. Atul Uchil, liaison to U.S. Army Ken Link, Flotilla 20-2 in Morehead their stewardship program. In turn, Moore Corps of Engineers, Flotilla 57, Lynnhaven, City, South Carolina, is a member of the and colleague Chris Stec traveled to the Virginia, is working with the Corps and the U.S. Power Squadron and their liaison to Auxiliary’s national conference (NACON) Diversity Directorate to disseminate post- the Auxiliary. In July, he chaired a meeting in San Diego, California, to lead a session ers and literature produced by the Corps in New Bern, North Carolina, with mem- emphasizing the growing importance of that encourage a respect for the water bers of the Auxiliary and counterparts paddle craft to the RBS mission. by non-swimmers. “By tapping into the from the USPS. Te group now meets “Te Auxiliary and the ACA work resources of our partner,” he said, “we can regularly to talk about ways to implement together at a number of levels to reduce greatly multiply our effectiveness.” the existing memorandums of agreement fatalities,” Goff said. “Tese national pro- between the organizations in South Caro- grams are important, but local activities get Te author, Stephen Ellerin, Flotilla 82, lina. “It makes sense to work as partners,” directly to the padding public. Our flotilla Long Boat Key, Florida, is division chief Link says. “Together we can reach more and division officers should reach out to of liaison, recreational boating outreach boaters than either organization can reach” our RBS partners to get our message to their members.”

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 45 Recreational Boating Safety • Outreach

Left to right: Ian Mosley, Flotilla 13-3, Haddon Heights, New Jer- sey; Bob Martone (filling in the data form), Flotilla 10-13, Wyck- off, New York; James Bemiss, Flotilla 16-8, Shark River, New Jersey; and Mike Klacik, Flotilla 10-13, observing life jacket wear at Manasquan Inlet, New Jersey. The Auxiliarists were instructed to wear casual clothes so as not to appear to the people in the boats as being involved in a law

enforcement activity. New Jersey. L. Daniel Maxim, Flotilla 66, Central Trenton, Do They "Wear It?" Measuring life jacket wear rates - a pilot program in First Southern and Fifth Northern

n 2012, drownings accounted for tary initiatives to get recreational boaters ing a life jacket, and other relevant data. I459 recreational boating fatalities; 71 to wear life jackets, such as the “Wear it” Tese data recording forms are scanned, percent of the total of 651 recreational program. Although few question the po- the results tabulated and analyzed statisti- boating fatalities in that year. Tese data tential benefits of wearing a life jacket, it is cally to determine trends and summarized reflect the fact that the majority of fatali- important to determine the effectiveness in an annual report submitted to the Coast ties result from capsizes and falls over- of outreach activities designed to increase Guard (see e.g., http://www.uscgboating. board—events that unexpectedly dump life jacket wear. org/statistics/pfd.aspx). To date the trends boaters in the water, allowing little or no For the past fifteen years, the Coast have been mixed: time for the victim to find and put on a Guard has awarded a grant to the non- • On the plus side: Life jacket wear life jacket. Not surprisingly, in cases where profit firm, JSI Research & Training rates for those 17 years or younger it was known whether the victim was Institute of Boston, Massachusetts, to have increased over the years as have wearing a life jacket, 84 percent were not. conduct an observational study measuring life jacket wear rates for adults in sail- Although total recreational boating fatali- and documenting life jacket wear rates. boats, and wear rates for PWC users ties in 2013 were down compared to years Rather than relying on self-reporting (with have remained high, but -- past, the relative proportion of fatalities the potential for bias), JSI conducts a field • On the minus side: Life jacket caused by drowning and the percentage of survey using direct observation of recre- wear rates for adults in powerboats drowning victims not wearing a life jacket ational boats by specially trained observers (excluding PWC) have been stuck in were close to historical averages. Tese using binoculars from defined shore obser- the four- to five-percent range since statistics underscore the importance of vation points in 30 states. Observers record 1999. wearing (rather than just carrying) a life the type of vessel, approximate length, the jacket when boating. Te Coast Guard number (and approximate ages) of the Positive or negative, these results are endorses and sponsors extensive volun- persons on board, whether each was wear- used in assessing the overall effectiveness

46 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Recreational Boating Safety • Outreach

of various policies designed to increase life Te observation locations in New York jacket wear rates. To date, the observations were originally selected by JSI, whereas have been carried out by JSI’s professional those in New Jersey were selected jointly observers who are required to travel to the by JSI and the recreational boating out- locations where measurements are taken reach leadership. Observation sites were in each of the survey states. Observations chosen to include a variety of recreational were limited to only one weekend per year boating activity, from canoes and kayaks on at each location. Desiring the program to be lakes and rivers to larger recreational boats expanded to all 50 states with multiple ob- heading offshore for fishing. Selection servation times, the Coast Guard is promot- criteria for sites included the likely boat ing a pilot program to determine whether traffic, availability of benches/chairs, shade an Auxiliary observer corps is feasible. from the sun by trees or structures, and access to toilet facilities. Observer Corps? Te Auxiliarists learned how to Te pilot program was conducted in First conduct the observations and to develop Southern and Fifth Northern during the a “rhythm” to fill-in the forms rapidly and months of July and August of 2013 with accurately. After a little practice those 12 Auxiliarists participating. From New observing through binoculars would sing York, Bob Martone and Mike Klacik, out the observations such as “cabin cruiser, Flotilla 10-13, Wyckoff; Vinny Porsella, 26-45.9-feet, inboard, cruising, pleasure, Flotilla 13-11, Point Lookout; Rick Teufel, two adult couples, male operator, no Flotilla 13-6, Freeport; and from New life jackets” to the person recording the Jersey, James Bemiss, Flotilla 16-8, Shark observations. And the person handling River; Marcus Carroll, L. Daniel Maxim the recording duties would enter these on and Gary Christopher, Flotilla 66, Central special machine-readable sheets. Trenton; Lawrence Galiano, Ian Mosley Although there were some dead times New Jersey. L. Daniel Maxim, Flotilla 66, Central Trenton, and Kathleen Kunyczka, Flotilla 13-3, with little boat traffic, things could get very At the observation site opposite Manasquan Inlet, Haddon Heights; and Robert Myers, Flo- hectic in the target-rich environment of Dr. Thomas Mangione from JSI (standing) offers Robert Myers, Flotilla 16-5, Brick, New Jersey, tilla 16-5, Brick, were trained as observers some sites. For example, Bob Myers said suggestions on filling in the observation form. The by Dr. Tomas Mangione and his col- that “boats leaving the Manasquan Inlet Auxiliarists were instructed to wear casual clothes leagues from JSI at Coast Guard Stations so as not to appear to the people in the boats as intent on fishing resembled the chariot rac- being involved in a law enforcement activity. Jones Beach (for New York observers) and ing scene from the movie Ben-Hur in the Manasquan Inlet (for New Jersey observ- early morning hours.” JSI had observation Te outreach leadership is in the ers). Te training included a slide presen- teams at nearby sites also collecting data process of interviewing the Auxiliarists who tation explaining the overall program, in- as a quality control check on the Auxiliary participated in the observation program to struction in how to take observations and observations. Te results were similar, ex- draft an after-action report and distill les- fill out the data collection forms, followed cept that some of the JSI teams were faster sons to be learned—what went right? What by a practice observation session in which and able to record more observations. After could be improved? How could the training two-person teams conducted the observa- a few hours, however, the Auxiliary teams be optimized? Did you enjoy the experi- tion sessions. Most teams observed from became more proficient. ence? A careful analysis is necessary before one location from 8:00 a.m. until noon “Tis collaboration between the Aux- making any decision to expand the number and at a second location from 1:00 p.m. iliary and the Coast Guard’s boating safety of states included in the program. to 4:00 p.m. on the same day. Each team division is important to the Coast Guard would rotate the duties of looking through in this era of constrained resources,” said Te authors are L. Daniel Maxim and binoculars and recording observations on Jeff Hoedt, chief of the division at Coast Gary Christopher, both Flotilla 66, a special collection form to avoid eyestrain, Guard headquarters. “By providing a trained Central Trenton, New Jersey. Maxim boredom, and writer’s cramp. observer corps, the Auxiliary is able to make is assistant national commodore for To avoid the impression that these a valuable contribution to the recreational recreational boating and Christopher is observations might be related to any boating safety mission, which allows the division chief, Coast Guard support. law enforcement activity, observers were national RBS program to make better- dressed in casual civilian clothes. (And, informed decisions on how to increase life of course, vessel registration numbers and jacket wear,” Hoedt went on to say. names were not recorded on the forms.)

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 47 Recreational Boating Safety • Outreach

Tom Murphy, Flotilla 53, Depoe Bay, Oregon, performs a vessel safety check on a carved wooden training canoe and discusses life jackets with Doug Barrette, tribal alcohol and drug prevention coordinator of the Confed- erated Tribes of Coos, Lower Umpqua and Siuslaw. In the center is Christina

Hyde, tribal education specialist. Oregon. Flotilla 53 Depoe Bay, Lawrence C. Cox, Paddle to Quinault Depoe Bay supports the northwest tribal canoe journey

Story by the Navigator staff

n July 17, 2013, instructors Larry information, communication, and the pants in this six-day event come together OCox and Tom Murphy, Flotilla 53, maintenance of wooden boats. by invitation from a different tribe each Depoe Bay, Oregon, taught the Auxiliary After the class, Murphy, who is also a year to share traditional songs and dance, Paddlesports America course to mem- vessel examiner, conducted a safety check cultural knowledge and spirituality. bers of the Confederated Tribes of Coos, of the tribe’s training vessel, a 1,200 pound, In advocating for paddlesports safety Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians. Te 21-foot dugout canoe which was carved by and education, Flotilla 53 has taught the tribal members were preparing for “Paddle a tribal member. Paddlesports America class eight times, to Quinault,” the 2013 Tribal Canoe Te first Tribal Canoe Journey, and on four of these occasions the class Journey to Point Grenville on the Pacific “Paddle to Seattle” coincided with the was held as a training event for District side of Washington’s Olympic Peninsula. Washington state centennial in 1989. Tis 13 members in Washington, Idaho and Class participants included youth and year’s event drew about 70 canoes and Oregon. During the past 18 months the staff members involved in tribal cultural 12,000 participants from 60 U.S. tribes, flotilla has conducted 230 paddle craft education, family services and prevention Canadian First Nations, and even New vessel safety checks and distributed over programs. Zealand. Starting from tribal villages 500 paddle craft “If Found” stickers. Four Te Paddlesports America class served throughout the Pacific Northwest, canoes vessel examiners provided safety checks for as the core of the participant’s pre-paddle such as those originating from Oregon participants in an offshore kayak fishing safety training which also included infor- tribes, journeyed more than 300 miles to tournament involving over 80 kayaks. mation on equipment, sources of waterway reach this year’s final Quinault destination at Point Grenville on August 1. Partici-

48 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Recreational Boating Safety • Public Education

At the Flotilla 86 training center in Venice, Florida, instructor Lou Magyar challenges the Boating Skills and Seamanship class to find life jackets that fit correctly. Judi Bidwick, Flotilla 86, Venice, Florida. Flotilla 86, Venice, Judi Bidwick, In the Classroom Boating safety classes for everyone

EXCOM (the national executive State Boating Law Administrators for at least the next three years. Cor- Ncommittee) recently approved a (NASBLA) will be taught, as is, for rections and updates will be issued new plan for public education intended the next three years (the length of as necessary. A major revision of the to improve the effectiveness of both live the NASBLA approval cycle). Ten supporting slide presentation is tar- classroom and Internet courses and e- it will be decided whether to reduce geted for release early in 2014. Some books. Elements of the plan also include the content to only what is needed of the content of this course will be the creation of a professional development to comply with NASBLA require- used in upcoming electronic courses, program for instructors and a new out- ments—about a 16-page reduction. as well as short classroom courses. reach publication called Waypoints. • Navegando America. Te Span- • Sailing Skills and Seamanship. In Live classroom instruction will ish edition of About Boating Safely content, this NASBLA-approved include the following courses and changes is being reviewed by members of course for sailors is similar to the to those courses: the Auxiliary’s interpreter corps to BS&S course and will continue. Te • About Boating Safely. Te Auxil- ensure the translation is suitable. Auxiliary is seeking a promotions iary’s eight-hour course approved • Boating Skills and Seamanship partner within the sailing community. th by the National Association of (BS&S). Te 14 edition of this • Paddlesports America. Tis four- course is now approved by NASBLA hour, five-chapter course is for

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 49 In the Classroom Judi Bidwick, Flotilla 86, Venice, Florida. Flotilla 86, Venice, Judi Bidwick, Lawrence Sherwood, Flotilla 12, Bangor, Maine, presents the navigation session of Boating Safety & Seamanship to a class at Bangor High School.

paddle craft enthusiasts. A search is and remains in the e-library. Te lic education website (wow.uscgaux. underway for an organization with current textbook will be replaced info/content.php?unit=e-dept). whom to partner for a co-branded with an Auxiliary-produced text • Personal Watercraft. Tis course course, which would have the Aux- when present inventory is depleted. will be discontinued at year’s end iliary conducting the classroom por- • How to Read a Nautical Chart. Tis 2013. Textbooks will be distributed tion, and the partnering organization specialized course was designed as to flotillas at reduced cost. conducting the on-water component. a gateway for more advanced study. • Weekend Navigator. Tis naviga- At the current sales rate, the present Electronic courses tion course is being re-written. Te inventory will be exhausted at the Internet delivery of courses and e-books is present textbook will be used as a end of 2013, which would be an ap- soon expected to be 50 percent of total de- reference. A new navigation suite propriate time to drop the course. livery. Tis technology has appeal for many to replace Weekend Navigator and • Suddenly in Command. Tis short tech-savvy boaters. Currently, the Auxiliary How to Read a Nautical Chart is course teaches those who do not is negotiating to produce an enhanced e- planned. It will contain some of normally operate the boat (e.g., book and an online short navigation course same material. Delivery is expected spouses or significant others) how to for introduction early in 2014. in 2014 and 2015. do so in an emergency that incapaci- • GPS for Mariners. Course is up- tates the operator. A major re-write Te author, John VanOsdol, Flotilla graded with a new slide presentation is available for download on the pub- 21, Augusta, Florida, is deputy director of public education.

50 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Recreational Boating Safety • Vessel Examination

Virtual VE There are two kinds of knowledge: knowing the answer and knowing where to find the answer.

o help vessel examiners (VEs) and Trecreational boating safety program visitors (PVs) find the answers to unfamil- iar questions, Mike Klacik, director of vessel examinations, Flotilla 10-13, Wyckoff, New Jersey, challenged his staff to design an interactive online information repository. “Although people who grew up with computers are well-versed in searching the Michael S. Klacik, Flotilla 10-13, Wyckoff, New Jersey. S. Klacik, Flotilla 10-13, Wyckoff, Michael Internet for answers to questions,” John Kerry R. DelCorso (center) and Michael Barouch (left) Flotilla 10-13, Wyckoff, New Jersey, educate Yskamp, division chief-technical support, an unidentified boater during a vessel safety check at the Round Valley Reservoir, Lebanon, New Jersey. Flotilla 10-13, says, “many of our members are not. Te new online information center additional menu choice appears. Clicking on Any of the five can respond and schedule lets any Auxiliarist who can use email get “Ask Question” opens a new window with a safety check with the owner, copying answers to questions about recreational a dialog box. “A dialog box is just what the the other four who got the notice to avoid boating requirements—twenty-four hours name describes,” said Paul Mayer, divi- duplicate replies. a day, seven days a week.” sion chief, V-directorage communications, However, some vessel examiners Any boater can use the tabs along the Flotilla 72, St. Petersburg, Florida. “You belong to one flotilla, but spend certain left margin of the V-directorage webpage can begin a personal email dialog with the seasons in another part of the country. “If to schedule a vessel safety check (VSC) answer team.” you’re a snowbird,” Yskamp says, “you can by clicking, “I Want a VSC,” or to prepare “For example,” Yskamp says, “a vessel ‘opt out’ of the VSC notification list while for one by clicking “Virtual Safety Check.” examiner recently found himself inspecting away from your home flotilla, and then However, by logging into the site as a his first jet-drive boat. A question about reactivate your status when you return.” member, the website becomes an Auxilia- the drive came up that he could not answer. To “opt out” or “in” from any approved rist’s “job aid.” However, he was able to send us his ques- Auxiliary website, click the AUX MEM- Once an Auxiliarist logs into “Member tion using his mobile device.” Because the BERS tab at the top of the page and select Zone,” a box with a blue border appears at examiner logged on as a member, Yskamp “Auxiliary Directory” from the choices. the top of the web page advising the user saw it immediately and moved it to the top Once logged in, click in the search box, near that additional links tabs have appeared in of his queue. “We try to get back to every the top, right-hand side of the webpage and the left margin. Te “Member-only” version question as soon as we can,” Yskamp con- enter your name, member number, email, of the left-margin tabs will jump to parts of tinued, “and, in this case, we were able to do or phone number. When “Search Results” the site not available to the public, includ- so in time for the volunteer to complete his appear, click your name to open your data ing the knowledge base. exam and award the boater his decal.” Ys- file. In your Member Data section, click the While the standard “Questions & An- kamp and his team can’t promise an instant “Opt Out” radio button, and the system swers” tab (fourth from top) lets any boater turn-around to every question. “We try, but automatically updates your record. ask the “V” team a boating question, an after all,” he says, “sometimes we have to While the directorage new information Auxiliarist who clicks the previously hidden look things up, too.” center isn’t quite ready for a boat owner “Job Aid Kits” sees additional menu choices Perhaps the most frequently used tab to say, “Beam me over a vessel examiner, appear in red. For example, the “Member on the V-directorage site allows a boater to Scotty,” they’re working to get there. Q & A” tab gives VEs and PVs access to a request a VSC. Once the boater properly database of answers to previously posted completes the online form, the system Te author, Stephen Ellerin, Flotilla 82, questions (such as, “Are LEDs approved as automatically emails that request to five Longboat Key, Florida, is division chief navigation lights?”). Once on that page, an examiners in or near the boater’s zip code. for recreational boating safety liaison.

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 51 Cornerstone Three: Operations & Marine Safety

Randy Moritz (photo) patrols Sarasota/Tampa Bay conducting ATON verifications, safety patrols and active crew training. “We recently participated in the Republican National Convention, the Sarasota Offshore Grand Prix, and the Gasparilla Pirate Invasion of Tampa Bay,” he reported. “We also team up with local police and fire to conduct on-the-water flare/ smoke demonstrations. Crew member Bill Gerst is certified as a pollution investigator so our patrols also include a scan of local marinas where we stop and speak with the harbor masters. When not on the water Moritz offers his Auxiliary vessel as a static display at school safety days. Petty Officer 1st Class Crystalynn A Kneen.

Operations & Marine Safety • Response

In Santa Monica Bay, Jeff Pielet, team commander, Division 12 helicopter/ fixed-wing training team aboard owner/coxswain Ron Miller’s Auxiliary vessel stands by during rescue swimmer drills with a Sector San Diego Air Station helicopter. During each hoist mission, the coxswain, helm and deck safety wear handheld radios with headsets for clear communications with the aircraft. The coxswain is the only one who communicates with the aircraft. The other two can hear the communications and what type of specific hoist evolution is going to be done and have the ability to call out if there is an emergency aboard the boat. On board crew are Geli Harris and Mary Elsom, Flotilla 12-7, Marina del Rey; Steve Lee and Pielet, Flotilla 12-4, Los Angeles; and Miller, Flotilla

12-42, Santa Monica Bay. Angeles, California. Flotilla 12-4, Los Steve Lee, The AIRSTA Hoist Team 1,000 hoists

o effectively train its rotary wing air Flotilla 12-42 Santa Monica Bay was team devoted 995 hours during its 44 Tcrews for rescues at sea, the Coast coxswain and at the helm of his Auxiliary hoist missions: 853 hoist hours with Air Guard relies upon Auxiliary surface crews vessel and Gary Olson, Flotilla 12-5 Beach Station Los Angeles and 142 hours with for support. Te exercise involves hoisting Cities was perched on the flybridge as the San Diego. Tese hours ensure the profi- a rescue basket from a boat to a helicop- overall safety lookout. Geli Harris and ciency and qualifications of every aviation ter and the discharge of static electricity Mary Elsom, Flotilla 12-7, shot still photos crew—pilots, flight mechanics, and rescue generated during the procedure. and video from inside the cabin. swimmers. Te team feels great pride when For the past four years, the Division Te NAVIGATOR featured the team members of an air crew that they’ve helped 12 helicopter/fixed-wing training team has in its 2012 issue where Pielet talked about train performs an actual rescue. tracked the number of individual hoists the high winds beneath the helicopter, say- Air Stations Los Angeles, San Diego with which it assisted. On Tursday, July ing, “If it’s San Diego’s MH-60T Jayhawk and Sacramento depend on the team’s 25, 2013, at 10:15 a.m. a milestone was long-range search and rescue helicopter, assistance to effectively train and qualify reached when the team performed its it’s like a mini 130-knot hurricane that every air crew. “It will always be a challenge 1,000th individual hoist with an aircraft. can knock your boat off-course or spin it to replicate real-life mission scenarios, Te actual 1,000th hoist was the first 360 degrees in less than 15 seconds. It can but in Southern California, the training is hoist with Sector San Diego Air Station’s also knock you off your feet if you’re not always as real as the Coast Guard and the aircraft #6041 that morning. careful!” Auxiliary can make it,” said Pielet. Te deck crew for the event was Robin As of September 26, 2013, the team Neuman and and Jeff Pielet from Flotilla had participated in 1,052 individual hoists Te author, Julia Dye, Flotilla 41, 12-4 Los Angeles and Moe Macarow, and 213 patrol-ordered hoist training Northridge, California, is publications Flotilla 12-7 Marina del Rey. Ron Miller, missions. During fiscal year 2013, the officer for District 11-South.

54 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Operations & Marine Safety • Response

America's Cup

he America’s Cup (AC34), on scenic T(and windy) San Francisco Bay, col- lectively includes top-level international sail racing events daily from July 4, 2013, through September 24, 2013. Te event in- volves a series of races to select a challenger to the current holder of the cup, Oracle USA. Te Louis Vuitton Cup pitting winged 72-foot catamarans from Italy, New Zealand and Sweden against one another at speeds capable of reaching greater than 40 knots; the Red Bull Youth America’s Cup, in which race 42-foot catamarans with youth teams from many countries; and the America’s Cup 34 finals in which the Louis Vuitton challenger winner races against Oracle USA. International high-speed sailboat racing takes up approximately half of the days, with reserve and practice on most of the other days. Te America’s Cup race management, not the Coast Guard, is responsible for event safety such as the establishment and maintenance of the race area. Tere is one large race area with coordinates laid out and published by the Coast Guard in Local Notice to Mariners and other publica- tions. Te race course for a given race can An Auxiliary vessel coxswained by Linda be moved around inside that larger area, Vetter, Flotilla 19, San Francisco Bay, is passed by a boat from the defender of the depending on winds, tide, etc. (only one at 34th America’s Cup Oracle Team USA while a time, of course). Deployed are dozens of on patrol along the San Francisco waterfront. America’s Cup yachts have a hull length of high-speed chase boats, racing committee 72.2 feet and a mast height of 131.2 feet and boats, course marshal boats, and others are sailed with a crew of 11. whose primary task it is to provide safety California. Pisio, Flotilla 12-91, San Ramon Valley, Rick and security of the race course and the participants. Te Coast Guard and other foot patrol boat, some maritime safety and environmental impact, and ensuring the law enforcement agencies assist in specta- security team boats, and some from local continuation of other operations, such as tor management, in the event of search small boat stations. Te buoy tender Aspen station training and search and rescue. and rescue, and in helping maintain special assisted race management with setting a Te greater San Francisco Bay area local regulations and safety zones such as number of marker buoys. Auxiliary responded with over 80 patrols restricted anchoring or transit areas. To extend their coverage, the Coast involving a dozen boats, many dozens of With sequestration and the Coast Guard requested the Auxiliary provide crew members, and hundreds of operation- Guard’s limited responsibility for event two to four surface assets daily to assist al hours on the water. All while continuing safety, its on-the-water assets for the with monitoring and directing spectator a full schedule of summertime training extended two-and-one-half months of boats, helping ensure the smooth flow assistance to the stations and normal safety racing were limited. Tey included an 87- of maritime commerce, mitigating the patrols. In fact, there were over 160 non-

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 55 America’s Cup Rick Pisio, Flotilla 12-91, San Ramon Valley, California. Pisio, Flotilla 12-91, San Ramon Valley, Rick

Coxswain Roger Haynes, Flotilla 12-91, San Ramon, California, discusses patrol responsibilities with his division leader prior to a 2013 America’s Cup semifinal race on San Francisco Bay. The Coast Guard members are from Station San Francisco.

Most days proceeded very smoothly for the patrols, although the race manage- ment had its issues with normal compe- tition politics, schedule changes due to weather, and even a number of “one-boat” matches. Crashes during last year’s World Cup series and more recently led to safety changes such that now inflatable buoys are

Linda L. Vetter, Flotilla 19, San Francisco Bay. Flotilla 19, San Francisco Linda L. Vetter, used for the race course gates, the course An Auxiliary vessel owned by Bob Brown, Flotilla 49, Silicon Valley, and coxswained by Roger Haynes, is pre-checked by a Corps of Engineers Flotilla 12-91, San Ramon Valley, patrols the safety zone in San Francisco Bay while America’s Cup yachts race. debris removal boat, and the boats are limited to racing when the winds do not AC34 Auxiliary surface patrols in Sector tilla 12-91, and Wally Smith, Flotilla 6-10, exceed 20-plus knots (even that lets the San Francisco’s area of responsibility dur- coxswains; Nancy Schimmelmann, Flotilla boats travel almost 50 mph!). ing the month of July 2013 alone. 12-1; Wil Sumner, Flotilla 55; Dave Nau- Crews from seven of the ten divisions mann, Flotilla 41; Bob Coackley, Flotilla 12- Te author, Linda L. Vetter, Flotilla in District 11-North had Auxiliary vessels 91; Bob Golden, Flotilla 12, Angelo Perata, 19, is the Auxiliary patrol area helping with the America’s Cup. Tey Flotilla 11-1; Tom Maxson, Flotilla 55; Paul coordinator for San Francisco Bay. included those of Sue Fry, Flotilla 17, Bob Verveniotis, Flotilla 43; Tommy Holtzman, Brown, Flotilla 49, with Roger Haynes, Flo- Flotilla 35; and Linda Vetter, Flotilla 19.

56 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Operations & Marine Safety • Response Harborfest The dragon vs. the inflatable

oxswain Gaye Blind, Flotilla 31-4, that would determine first CHolland, Michigan, and her crewman and second place of the Arthur Adcock, Flotilla 33-10, St. Joseph, competition. Michigan, were able to avert a possible Adcock was at the collision between racing dragon boats and helm when a small inflat- a disabled pleasure boat while patrolling on able boat lost engine power June 23, 2013, during Harborfest in South and was seen crossing near Haven, Michigan. Te incident came while the area of the channel Blind and Adcock were maintaining a safety designated as a safety zone. zone to protect both the race participants In describing the situation, and the several hundred recreational boaters Blind said the disabled boat navigating around the marked race zone. was “quickly drifting into Now in its twenty-first year, Har- the race lane; the oncoming borfest annually serves as the unofficial dragon boats were at fifty kickoff for the summer season in the Lake feet and quickly approach- Robert Kent, Flotilla 33-8, Kalamazoo, Michigan. Flotilla 33-8, Kalamazoo, Robert Kent, Michigan community of South Haven. De- ing the finish line where the Coxswain Gaye Blind, Flotilla 31-4, Holland, Michigan, and crew Pat- scribed by its sponsors as “a celebration of inflatable vessel was adrift. rick Poziwilko, Flotilla 33-10, St. Joseph, Michigan, patrol the safety Southwestern Michigan’s quaint maritime Tere wasn’t much time to zone for the dragon boat race during the 2013 Harborfest in South Haven, Michigan. The mission of the Auxiliary vessel was to keep the history,” attendance in 2013 during the avert a collision.” boating lane in the Black River channel safe for dragon boat paddlers four day festival was estimated by organiz- At a length of almost 30 and inbound and outbound vessels who shared the divided space. ers at 20,000 people. feet and carrying a crew of For the past several years, dragon boat 10 paddlers, a dragon boat is similar to a In comparing that situation to this races have been a featured event on the Sat- very large canoe. With the crew paddling year’s experience, Blind said, “Once again, urday and Sunday of the festival. Each year, furiously trying to get to the finish line and we were able to take the vessel in tow, spin Auxiliary volunteers are called upon to no way of stopping in a short distance, a her around in the channel and get her help control boat traffic in South Haven’s collision between the dragon boat and the back into the slip before she collided with Black River channel during the races. Coast much smaller inflatable could have resulted any of a dozen vessels. Tat maneuver in Guard Station St. Joseph oversees the in significant injury to the crew of the the middle of the busy channel was much event and their 25-foot response boat and inflatable boat and damage to both vessels. trickier as the boat was twice my vessel’s crew are also on the water to monitor boat Blind said she and her crewman were weight and caught in the wind and current, traffic during the dragon boat races. able to help move the adrift vessel “out of as inbound and outbound vessels parted Blind says she has pulled “picket boat the lane into an area near the rip rap wall around us.” duty” for the dragon boat races for at least west of the municipal marina. With the During the weekend of the 2013 Har- the last five years. According to her, the race ending safely, we slipped around be- borfest, two additional Auxiliary vessels mission of the Auxiliary vessel is to “keep hind the disabled vessel and took her into patrolled the South Haven waters of Lake the lane safe for dragon boat paddlers and a side tow, after which we navigated the Michigan. Ben Plachta, coxswain, Flotilla inbound and outbound vessels who share busy channel, wind and currents to take 33-1, South Haven, Michigan, had Dan the divided space.” the stranded vessel to its berth near the city King and Ross McNicholas Flotilla 33-1, Blind and her crewman for the day, ramp; all parties unharmed.” as crew on his facility, while Pam Morrison, Patrick Poziwilko, Flotilla 33-10, St. Tis was not the first year that Blind Flotilla 31-4, Holland, Michigan, served Joseph, Michigan, patrolled the race course was involved in rescuing a disabled boat as crew for Randy Morrison, coxswain, without incident on Saturday during the during the dragon boat races. On a previ- Flotilla 31-4, aboard the second facility. first day’s competition. She returned for ous occasion, a vessel pulling out from a patrol duty on Sunday with Arthur Ad- slip on the north side of the channel lost Te author, Robert Kent, Flotilla 33-8, cock, Flotilla 33-10, St. Joseph, Michigan, its engine power and was drifting near the Kalamazoo, Michigan, is public affairs serving as crew. Te day went smoothly line of vessels moored along that side of officer for his flotilla and division. until midway in one of the final race heats the channel.

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 57 Operations & Marine Safety • Response Petty Officer 2nd Class Levi Read. Officer 2nd Class Levi Petty Dave Linder and Bob Meddaugh, Flotilla 44 qualified boat crew members on the 25-foot response boat at Station Sodus Point, New York, and Chief Petty Officer Carey Jung, the officer-in-charge of Station Sodus Point, disconnect a towline from a Wayne County, sheriff’s boat during a training exercise in Lake Ontario in the vicinity of Sodus Point, July 26, 2013. Aux-Operated Boat Stations Where they are needed the most

oast Guard stations operated by the often staffed with two additional Coast sponse boat. At Station Sodus Point, there CAuxiliary are just that – they are sta- Guard Reservists. A fully-staffed rescue are three qualified crew members and two tions that can only operate at full capability boat crew has two qualified crew members break-in crew members. with the help of volunteers. Tere are five and a coxswain, so if any two of these four Station Sackets Harbor’s area of Auxiliary-operated stations and 42 other people are not available, the Coast Guard responsibility sits almost directly between small boat stations in the Coast Guard is not capable of responding to a distressed full-time stations at Alexandria Bay and Ninth District, which comprise the entire boater without the help of its volunteers Oswego, New York. Both full-time stations Great Lakes region. Stations Sackets Har- from the Coast Guard Auxiliary. are at least a 45-minute boat ride away bor and Sodus Point, New York, are two of from the center of Station Sackets Har- the five Auxiliary-operated stations and are Station Sackets Harbor bor’s area of responsibility. staffed year-round by only two active-duty Among the Auxiliarists at Station Sackets “We are at the mercy of the availability Coast Guardsmen. Between Memorial Day Harbor, there is one qualified coxswain of our qualified Auxiliary members,” said and Labor Day, the peak boating season and three qualified boat crew members Chief Petty Officer Joshua Martin, officer- in northern New York, these two units are assigned to the unit with one 25-foot re- in-charge of Station Sackets Harbor. “Even

58 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Operations & Marine Safety • Response

Station Oswego is one of the stations that benefits from the Auxiliary food servic- es position. Tere is only one Coast Guard food service specialist assigned to the unit. Te Cummings come in during surge operations like Oswego Fest or when the food service specialist takes leave. “We saw a need, so we stepped in,” said Helen. We cooked a Tanksgiving Day meal for the unit a few years back, and we decided that there is nothing better than seeing the face of a new Coast Guardsman receiving a home-cooked meal for the first time away from home during a holiday.” Other Auxiliarists serve as communi- Petty Officer 2nd Class Levi Read. Officer 2nd Class Levi Petty cations watchstanders at various stations in Bill and Helen Cummings, Flotilla 26, Sylvan Beach, New York, prepare to serve the crew of Station Oswego. the Great Lakes. “I am enjoying my second when we have a couple extra bodies during active-duty members,” said Dave Linder, an stint in the Coast Guard, after some 34 the summer – if one of us gets sick or hurt, Auxiliarist for 20 years and a current vol- years at the University of Rochester,” said we are done without the Auxiliary.” unteer at Station Sodus Point. “We become John Braund, Rochester Flotilla 42, and a friends and care about each other.” communications watchstander at Station Station Sodus Point Te Auxiliary is more than 3,000 Rochester. “I joined the Auxiliary about 15 Station Sodus Point is also an Auxiliary- strong in the Great Lakes, experienced in years ago, seeing it as the best venue for me operated station that lies between stations multiple areas of maritime expertise, but to offer support for Coast Guard missions Oswego and Rochester, New York. In they keep the message pretty simple – wear of varying focus.” 1971, the Coast Guard budget was slashed your life jacket. “During my 1,700 hours An Auxiliary-operated station may and many stations had to be closed includ- per year service time, I have learned that not be a perfect solution, but the men and ing Sodus Point. When there was a boat in nothing is more important than wearing women who staff these stations volunteer trouble, it would take an hour for a Coast your life jacket,” said Linder. their time to keep the Coast Guard active Guard boat crew to transit from either “In the beginning I just wanted some in these remote areas. Tey are every bit Rochester or Oswego to Sodus Point. water time, but I ended up doing some- the experts that active-duty Coast Guards- “Being an Auxiliary member of Flotilla thing useful,” said Ray Walty, Flotilla 12, men are, and sometimes even more so. For 44, and living on Sodus Bay, I decided an Auxiliarist at Station Sackets Harbor. their efforts to teach others how to operate to organize a flotilla,” said Vic Lupo, the Being a boat crew member is an added a boat safely, rescue a person in distress, first flotilla commander of the Auxiliary- responsibility on top of their other efforts examine a boat before it hits the water, or operated Station Sodus Point. “Rochester as Auxiliarists. cook and serve a much needed meal, we Flotilla was enthusiastic about the idea salute you — the Coast Guard Auxiliary. and acted as our sponsoring flotilla.” Te Station Oswego All volunteers are special, but what sets the station has two full-time active-duty mem- Bill and Helen Cummings, of Utica, New Auxiliarists apart from the rest is their love bers. “I wouldn’t say we are understaffed, York, Auxiliarists with Flotilla 26, Sylvan for what they do. Tey all have a great de- but we are definitely minimally staffed,” Beach, have been active members since just sire to support the Coast Guard mission. said Chief Petty Officer Carey Jung, after the terrorists’ attacks on 9/11. “We officer-in-charge of Station Sodus Point. wanted to do something for our coun- Te author, Petty Officer 2nd Class Except for the physical fitness stan- try,” said Bill. “Te Auxiliary food service Levi Read, is a public affairs specialist dards, an Auxiliarist has to meet the same position has been a beneficial experience with the Coast Guard Ninth District. requirements as an active-duty member to for us, as we have achieved an expertise in be a qualified boat crew member and has something,” said Helen. “You are never too three months to earn the qualification. “I old to learn.” enjoy participating in the station life and the

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 59 Operations & Marine Safety • Response Robert Young, Flotilla 12, Bangor, Maine. Flotilla 12, Bangor, Robert Young, Crew of Charles Foote’s Auxiliary vessel, Flotilla 15, Penobscot Bay, Maine, toss a rescue line to a pair of state police divers posing as survivors of a plane crash in Penobscot Bay during Responder ‘12 exercises which tested regional incident command system training in a Responder '12 simulated plane crash. A full-scale incident command system exercise on Penobscot Bay.

n the freezing temperatures of October nobscot Bay, with crew Joan Foote, Kevin I13, 2012, Auxiliarists from Divi- Taylor, and Sidney Lindsley, Flotilla 15; sion One in northern Maine supported and the other coxswained by Tom Sawyer, federal and state agencies in Responder Flotilla 12, Bangor, with crew Bob Young, ’12, a multi-agency simulation exercise in and Tom and Alice Lambert, Flotilla 12; Penobscot Bay which tested the incident Nancy Plunkett and Steve Makrecky, Flo- command system (ICS) in response to a tilla 18, Belfast; and Al Eggleston Flotilla passenger aircraft making an emergency 14, Mt. Desert Island. water landing with multiple casual- Auxiliary participation began with ties near Lasell Island, east of Camden a planning meeting of the unified com- Harbor. Two Auxiliary vessels, one, cox- mand at the Waldo County emergency swained by Charlie Foote, Flotilla 15, Pe- management offices in Belfast. Tere, they

60 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Operations & Marine Safety • Response W. Tom Sawyer, Flotilla 12, Bangor, Maine. Flotilla 12, Bangor, Sawyer, Tom W. Al Eggleston, Flotilla 14, Maine and Steve Makrecky, Flotilla 18, Belfast, Maine, along with W. Tom Sawyer, Flotilla 12, Bangor, Maine. Flotilla 12, Bangor, Sawyer, Tom W. active duty members aboard a Coast Guard At sunrise on Penobscot Bay, Maine, Nancy Plunkett, Flotilla 18, Belfast, searches for “survivors” of a 47-footer, maintain a watch for “survivors” of a simulated plane crash during Responder ‘12, a full-scale incident command system exercise. simulated plane crash on Penobscot Bay, Maine.

worked with county and local respond- ers in addition to the Coast Guard active duty, Maine marine patrol, state police, the Rockport harbormaster, members of the U.S. Forest Service, Red Cross, local Ham radio operators, the Department of Environmental Protection and regional emergency medical services. At dawn, more than a dozen “victims” of the crash were transported out to their assigned locations to await rescue. Some were located on Lasell Island, two “bod- ies” were in the water, and another pair were adrift in a life raft. With air tem- peratures hovering just above freezing and ocean temperatures averaging 50-degrees throughout Penobscot Bay, all Auxiliarists wore float suits as they set out to join the Coast Guard’s 47-footer, and others. Sawyer’s crew was initially tasked as safety vessel supporting a pair of state po- lice divers who were bobbing about the bay W. Tom Sawyer, Flotilla 12, Bangor, Maine. Flotilla 12, Bangor, Sawyer, Tom W. awaiting “rescue” by Foote’s crew. Ultimate- At sunrise on a chilly October morning, ly, they served more as a free safety boat were taken with VHF to assure the boat- Auxiliarists from Division One, First Northern, helping out smaller vessels when needed. ing public the event was simply an exercise prepare to depart the dock aboard Tom Sawyer’s Auxiliary vessel. The event was a simulated Rescuers arrived from multiple locations and not a real emergency. Seven hours after plane crash on Penobscot Bay, Maine, a full- and took the “victims” to shore for triage departure the Auxiliary crews returned to scale incident command system exercise. and transport out of Rockland Harbor to their homeports a bit chilled, but excited to regional trauma centers. have played their roles well and practiced Responder ‘12 was a full-scale exercise ICS training in an important exercise. which put the Auxiliarists’ ICS training into practice. Te teams maintained com- Te author, W. Tom Sawyer, Jr., munications with Coast Guard Station Flotilla 12 Bangor, Maine, is division Rockland via cell phone and precautions commander and public affairs officer.

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 61 Operations & Marine Safety • Response

Tall Ships Celebration

uly 11, 2013, dawned sunny and bright Jin Bay City, Michigan, for the Tall Ships Celebration Parade of Sail. Plan- ning for the event started months earlier, with the prevention staff at Sector Detroit taking the lead. An incident command post was set up at a waterfront hotel adjacent to the tall ship moorings. On the morning of the 11th there was a final meet- ing at Station Saginaw River. Te boat crews were briefed as to communications and escort plans. Twelve tall ships congregated six miles offshore on Saginaw Bay, where they were met with escort vessels representing Coast Guard Station Saginaw River, Coast Guard Station Harbor Beach, state police, Department of Natural Resources, Bay County marine patrol, and of course, the Auxiliary. Offshore, hundreds of recre- ational vessels made up the spectator fleet. Te tall ships included the Denis Sul- livan, Niagara, Lynx, Madeline, Pathfinder, Peacemaker, Playfair, Pride of Baltimore II, Sorlandet, Unicorn and the Appledore IV. Four flights of three ships each were to enter the harbor under escort. Te shipping channel was closed for the transit from Saginaw Bay to down- Bill Church’s 44-foot motor life boat town Bay City. Numerous notices to mari- escorts a tall ship off Saginaw Bay.

ners were broadcast detailing the closure, Jonathan Ahlbrand, Flotilla 22-6, Lansing, Michigan. but, of course, not everyone got the word. As spectator boats jockeyed for positions Once downtown the tall ships moored Stoke’s 26-foot surf boat. Auxiliarists from up close for a better view, maintaining a on both sides of the Saginaw River where not only the Ninth District-Central, but safety zone around each tall ship became a they stayed for three days of public tours, others as well crewed on Church’s vessel. real challenge. concerts and other events. Safety zones Boats provided by COMO Smith, Ted Overall, things went well. But, when a were maintained around the ships for 12 Billy and COMO Mark Simoni repre- traffic accident occurred on a drawbridge hours each day. Five Auxiliary vessels and sented Flotilla 24-5, Saginaw, Michigan. preventing it from opening for one of two Auxiliary personal watercraft patrolled Te personal watercraft were operated by the flights, incident command and the the area to make sure everyone stayed safe Don and Nancy Pryjmak of Flotilla 20-9, patrol commander immediately called for and enjoyed viewing the spectacular ships. Harrison Township, Michigan. everyone to throttle back to bare steerage- Commodore Jerri Smith, Flotilla way. Eventually, police, emergency medical 24-5, division commander and operations Te author, COMO Mark Simoni, services, and a towing company cleared staff officer, led Auxiliary planning. Boats Flotilla 24-5, Saginaw, Michigan, the bridge and the flight passed safely from Flotilla 24-1, Bay City, included Bill is vice national commodore. through. Church’s 44-foot motor life boat and David

62 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Operations & Marine Safety • Response

Observer’s view of San Francisco skyline from the cockpit, patrolling the San Francisco shoreline, August 10, 2013. Debra Kerr, Flotilla 12-5, Fremont, California. Flotilla 12-5, Fremont, Debra Kerr, Above It All Auxiliary Aviation

By the Navigator Staff

hen Debra and Doug Kerr joined fishermen, containing about 1,000 miles rating in February 2003, and in April 2012, WFlotilla 12-5 in Fremont, Califor- of waterways large and small including received her air crew wings.” nia, with Dr. Carol Simpson in November two major shipping routes, the Sacramen- 2002, Doug held Federal Aviation Ad- to Deepwater Channel and the Stockton Search and Rescue ministration (FAA) private pilot ratings Deepwater Channel. Over two-thirds Te aircraft is an important asset of the for fixed-wing aircraft and helicopters. of District 11-North’s search and rescue Coast Guard and the Auxiliary aviation pro- Simpson, a commercial pilot for helicop- hours are spent working cases in the San gram. Kerr explained their aircraft “has very ters and private pilot for fixed-wing land Francisco Bay and California Delta. good forward, side and downward visibility,” and sea aircraft, was his partner in a 1955 Doug Kerr related, “Shortly after I making it an excellent observation platform Bell-47 G2 helicopter. Today, the three joined the Auxiliary, I began training to be for patrolling. “Deb and I have assisted boat- members patrol an area known to Auxil- an (AUXAIR) pilot, and received my First ers in trouble several times in the Delta,” he iary aviation (AUXAIR)as Delta sector Pilot qualification in June, 2003. Carol, also said, “but our most memorable assist was that extends roughly from the upper half an Auxiliary First Pilot, and I equipped helping to save the life of a woman who of San Francisco Bay to Sacramento to the helicopter to be an (AUXAIR) facility became separated from her sailboat after it Stockton. It includes the California Delta, and began flying patrols in late 2003. In capsized in San Francisco Bay in September very popular for recreational boaters and the meantime, Deb earned her observer 2011. After we landed and talked to Sector

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 63 Above It All

Auxiliary Aviation In 2004, Kerr became the squadron opera- tions officer, which means that he handles all the requests for flights from within and outside of the Auxiliary, and puts together the weekly AUXAIR flight schedule for District 11-North. He supports the vari- ous order management systems, assembles an annual budget for the district’s Auxiliary flight activities, and monitors the spending throughout the year. “District 11-North has a very active air program,” said Kerr, “consisting of ap- proximately 13 pilots, 25 observers and trainees and 10 aircraft ranging from Piper

Rick Pisio, Flotilla 12-91, San Ramon Valley, California. Pisio, Flotilla 12-91, San Ramon Valley, Rick Cubs and Cessnas to a Piper Cheyenne Doug Kerr, Flotilla 12-5, Fremont, California, lands his 1955 Bell Model 47 helicopter at the 2013 San twin-turboprop. Air Station San Francisco Ramon Art Wind Festival where it was on public display as an Auxiliary aircraft. is the squadron’s order issuing authority, the realization that we had assisted in what Simpson has, for the past eight years, and members fly approximately 110 mis- was likely a life-saving event was over- honored veterans by flying the helo into the sions per year. Te district’s air squadron whelming.” Te Kerrs received the Auxiliary Lone Tree Cemetery for Memorial Day. handles many different types of missions Achievement Award for this mission. “Te Bell-47, military designation OH- including VIP transport, specific photo- On June 4, 2007, Simpson, as pilot, and 13, demonstrated helicopters’ utility to the graphic requests from the Coast Guard Randy Parent, (district flight safety officer, Army by transporting the wounded in the (e.g, damage to ports and navigational Flotilla 12-91, San Ramon, California) as Korean War, saving many lives by shortening aids in the wake of the Japan tsunami), observer, found a crew of four stranded the transport time to medical help,” she said. observation flights for NOAA personnel, boaters on Kimball Island, who had spent logistics missions for the Coast Guard, the night on the island after their boat took Safety location and photography of derelict ves- on water. Tey were unable to visually hail Simpson, her late husband Dr. Douglas sels, along with the fundamental maritime any passing boats, but Parent and Simpson Williams, and Kerr purchased the heli- observation missions.” found them the next morning, exhausted, copter in 1991. According to Kerr, the first and called in Sector San Francisco for the owner of their helicopter was the County Bios rescue. “Te rescue was an outstanding of Los Angeles Sheriff ’s Department. “Te Kerr’s career was in software engineering example of teamwork among AUXAIR, Bell 47 was the first helicopter certified for in Silicon Valley. He received his FAA Station Rio Vista, Air Station San Fran- civilian use,” said Kerr. “We chose the Bell private pilot rating in 1975 and in 1993 cisco, and Sector,” said Simpson. Parent and 47 over newer aircraft due to its long his- completed his initial training which earned Simpson received the Award of Operational tory of reliable service, its historical value him a helicopter rating. In 2006 and 2007 Merit for this mission. and the fact that it was a very forgiving he trained to be a commercial pilot and ship to fly.” received a commercial helicopter rating in Public Affairs Kerr explained some of the special April 2007. He retired professionally in Te local flotillas also benefit from the safety concerns for helicopter pilots. “He- 2009 which “gives me much more time for AUXAIR helicopter. “Deb and I have licopters can land almost anywhere there the Auxiliary,” he added. flown into the San Ramon Art and Wind is a clear, level area. However, in the event Simpson and husband Williams Festival for the past three years on Memo- of an engine failure, the gliding distance founded their own aviation human factors rial Day weekend,” said Kerr. “We do this from patrol altitude is short, and the pilot research and development (R&D) firm in at the request of the San Ramon flotilla, must be prepared to handle whatever ter- 1976 and conducted R&D on pilot-vehicle which runs a public affairs booth at the fes- rain is immediately at hand. As part of the interface design for airline fixed-wing and tival each year. We attract a good crowd of safety briefing prior to flight, we instruct military helicopters over a period of 36 people filled with questions about the he- crew members on emergency procedures, years. She has flown fixed-wing since 1971, licopter and how we use it in the Auxiliary. as well as normal air and ground opera- helicopters since 1990, and still consults We have a great time answering questions tions. AUXAIR also requires that crew and conducts test and evaluation for new and are proud to represent the Auxiliary members wear flight helmets any time the cockpit technology. and the Coast Guard at this event.” rotors are turning.”

64 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Operations & Marine Safety • Response

Chief Nicole Sullivan of the command center training school briefing Ron Simon, Flotilla 63, Poquoson, Virginia, and Ollie Knight, Flotilla 3-10, Callao, Virginia, before running the first scenario of the day. Brian McArdle, Flotilla 33, Kilmarnock, Virginia. Brian McArdle, Flotilla 33, Kilmarnock, Playing the Part Helping Coast Guard members become watchstanders

atchstanders at Coast Guard com- ing school in Yorktown, Virginia. Sixteen simulated emergency as it unfolds and is Wmand centers in the U.S. Puerto Coast Guard members attend each three resolved. Located in a separate room an Rico and Guam stand a 24-hour guard on week class. Te first week is classroom Auxiliarist will use the phone or radio to VHF radio channel 16 taking emergency instruction in which they learn the relevant call the simulated command center and calls by phone and marine radio from law and the regulations and policies related initiate a problem based upon a script. Te boaters, both recreational and commercial. to command center missions. Afterwards, problem might be a whale strike, explosive Tese calls for assistance are for problems the students break into four teams and devices found, a suspicious package under a such as taking on water, pollution, missing for two weeks put their instruction into bridge, a fight on charter boat, a boat colli- boaters or any other number of problems practical use in increasingly-complicated sion, a tug sinking, terrorist activity, or even boaters encounter on a daily basis. Tey scenarios based on real situations and in a beached whale. Te problems are endless. are directly responsible for all search and real time. Auxiliarists play the roles of recreational rescue cases in their area of responsibility. Assisting in their training are 22 Fifth or commercial mariners, law enforcement, Watchstanders develop their skills at Southern Auxiliarists who play the role and Coast Guard and other emergency the Coast Guard command center train- of people who become involved in the responders depending on the scenario,

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 65 Playing the Part

“Coast Guard! Coast Guard! This is the Reel Lucky, we just had a PWC crash into us and we are taking on water,” radioed Gary Palsgrove, Flotilla 3-10, Callao, Virginia. “We are five miles offshore and need help fast.”

get intense. One minute I could be the pilot of a rescue helicopter hoisting an injured person, then the coxswain of a 25-foot Coast Guard response boat in pursuit of suspected drug dealers, and the next minute I’m calling in as Marine Police One setting up a security zone at the port.” “Its not often that we get a chance to

Brian McArdle, Flotilla 33, Kilmarnock, Virginia. Brian McArdle, Flotilla 33, Kilmarnock, work alongside Auxiliarist from other flo- Ian Duncan, Flotilla 33, Kilmarnock, Virginia, and Michelle Thornton, Flotilla 59, Smithfield, Virginia, tillas and divisions, said Robin Wells, Flo- review information after a case. tilla 62, Deltaville, Virginia. “In addition to assisting in Coast Guard training, we share a lot of ideas around the lunch table.” Te command center school began in 2009 and over 500 students have success- fully completed the Watchstander course. Standardization is a key ingredient of the course. Although most of the students have some experience at a sector com- mand center, it is important to have ev- eryone working emergency cases the same way. Using the right forms and checklists insures that cases get resolved in the best and quickest methods. Auxiliarists who serve at the school are: Fred Angelo, Jim Ball, Jim Clark, Carl Pearson, and Fred Siegel, Flotilla 67, Williamsburg, Virginia; Ian Duncan, Wal- ter Jachimski, Brian McArdle, Howard Montgomery, and Frans Kasteel, Flotilla 33, Kilmarnock, Virginia; Oliver Knight, Gary Palsgrove and Fred Woodward, Flotilla 3-10, Callao, Virginia; Gaylord Lockett, Gregory Reese, Ernie Ruf, Ralph Brian McArdle, Flotilla 33, Kilmarnock, Virginia. Brian McArdle, Flotilla 33, Kilmarnock, Simmons and Ron Simon Flotilla 63, Wally Jachimski (foreground), Flotilla 33, Kilmarnock, Virginia, on radio call with role playing partner MST1 Chris Champeau. Poquoson, Virginia; Robin Wells and Bill Gieg Flotilla 62, Deltaville, Virginia; while the trainees must show proficiency same time both in the morning and again Michelle Tornton Flotilla 59, Smithfield, in the positions of command duty officer, in the afternoon, by the end of the day I am Virginia; and George Wasenius, Flotilla operations unit, situation unit, and com- exhausted,” said Ian Duncan, Flotilla 33, 57, Lynnhaven, Virginia. munications unit. Kilmarnock, Virginia. “Tere is a lot of ad- As the trainees get more experienced, libbing; depending on the way the scenario Te author, Brian McArdle, Flotilla multiple scenarios are run at the same time. develops. Keeping track of three different 33, Kilmarnock, Virginia, is “On the days we run three scenarios at the scenarios and the roles you are playing can director of international affairs.

66 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Operations & Marine Safety • Prevention

Tools the team uses in their ATON survey are a sextant, binoculars a laptop with charts, a spreadsheet of the ATONs with their coordinates and a navigation calculator; a GPS and a range finder. Dimitris Savalas, Flotilla 41, Beverly, Massachusetts. Dimitris Savalas, Flotilla 41, Beverly, Not So Meagher Results

Story by the Navigator Staff

evin Meagher’s sextant had been sit- “My local Auxiliary leadership laid bility. Sixty-two are lit and 219 are floating. Kting in the corner collecting dust for out the geographic scope of our division Some are fixed daymarks, some are private over 20 years when he accepted the posi- survey area which includes the well-known (PATON), many are seasonal. “With only tion of staff officer, navigation systems, for harbors of Salem, Gloucester and Marble- a few exceptions, all are visible from shore,” Flotilla 41, Beverly, Massachusetts. As a head,” said Meagher. “Using the coordinates he said. “A navigation chart of the area new member of the Auxiliary, he had only of each ATON and its characteristics, offered possible locations where I could a rough idea what the aids to navigation found in USCG Volume 1, Light List, stand and look for the ATON. I grabbed a (ATON) volunteer was supposed to do. (http://www.navcen.uscg.gov/pdf/light- handheld GPS, dusted off my sextant and However, as a former merchant marine Lists/LightList%20V1.pdf ), I created a decided my route by car.” tanker captain, he liked the idea of serving ‘pilotage’ spreadsheet listing each ATON, Meagher suggests that calculating the Coast Guard whose lights, buoys, its coordinates and a shore location at the position of a buoy from a distance is a daymarks, bells, whistles and other aids which it could be observed.” simple matter and well within the capa- kept him from running into things year Meagher learned there are 263 bility of any Auxiliarist qualified in basic after year. ATONs in the division’s area of responsi- navigation. “Arriving at a location,” he said,

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 67 Not So Meagher Results Dimitris Savalas, Flotilla 41, Beverly, Massachusetts. Dimitris Savalas, Flotilla 41, Beverly, The First Northern Division Four ATON/Waterways survey team working Gloucester Harbor, Gloucester, Massachusetts, in April 2013. Left to right are Ken Wilson, Flotilla 41, Beverly, waterways scanning; John Keyes, Flotilla 46, Cape Ann, taking the horizontal angles with a sextant; Mike Bergmann, Flotilla 46, entering the data; Kevin Meagher, Flotilla 41, with the laser range finder.

“my GPS identifies my coordinates. Te the buoy is on station, the numbers will be “Definitely,” he said. “I am visible when on coordinates of each ATON on the Light close, allowing for a swing circle. It won’t these missions, mixing with people at all List are on my spreadsheet. A sextant be exact, but close. Our job is to identify times who are interested in what I’m do- ($100 plastic is sufficient) provides true discrepancies and provide sufficient reason ing, and I’m happy to talk to them, often bearings and a laser range finder (mine is for the Coast Guard to investigate what we pitching people to join us. A Korean War a golf gadget) provides distance. I plug my find. Typical discrepancies are lights that veteran was practicing ‘See Something, observation data into a navigation calcula- are out, flashing improperly or have some Say Something’ when he approached me. tor such as http://www.csgnetwork.com/ other improper characteristic; dayboards We had coffee in his house and he offered gpsdistcalc.html, or http://williams.best. that have fallen off their daymarks; buoy me a parking spot there. Local police stop vwh.net/gccalc.htm (free on the Internet) numbers that are no longer legible and a me often, as well they should. Once, I which triangulates the readings and pro- host of other issues. Occasionally, a buoy was shown an excellent waterfront access duces a set of coordinates for the ATON is off station due to ice, storms or heavy point that I would never have found on based on my readings. I then compare the vessel traffic.” my own.” coordinates given by my readings and the Meagher says his nighttime survey on In 2012, Meagher completed 18 mis- software to the coordinates given by the the Massachusetts coastline requires 96 auto sions, involving over 600 ATONs. Tir- Light List. If a discrepancy is noted, I can miles, 12 stops and six hours to verify the teen he reported on Form 7030 and the recheck it on the spot for errors.” light characteristics of all ATONs. “My pilot- others were follow up missions or scouting What about accuracy? “Te Coast age spreadsheet provides the checkoff list,” he trips to find better places from which to Guard deals with position data at a level of said. “Our division team does it in two hours.” work. Tere were only 21 discrepancies to degrees, minutes, and seconds carried out Are there other benefits from report to the Coast Guard. to three decimal places,” he explained. “If performing survey missions like this?

68 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Operations & Marine Safety • Prevention

Mort Mullins, (left) Flotilla 54, Cincinnati, Ohio, and Dennis Mullins, Flotilla 21-5, Chesapeake City, Maryland, patrol the Ohio River near Cincinnati in search of boat ramps to be included in a site survey. Ruth Tudor, Four Cinn Flotilla 54, Cincinnati, Ohio. Four Ruth Tudor, Focused Lens

f you attended the Eighth District- ers with information regarding small boat where the Auxiliary will be used. FL will IEastern and Western Rivers training marinas and boat ramps within their areas rely heavily upon Auxiliarists to facilitate conferences in Louisville or Denver this of responsibility, sites that might be used to the program. “Auxiliary members with local past winter you might have sat in on the launch a waterborne attack. Te informa- knowledge and frequent access to surveyed presentation by representatives of the tion is designed to improve risk-informed sites are critical to the program’s success,” Eighth District U.S. Coast Guard who decision making and focusing of resources said Lieutenant Daniel McMahon, Eighth outlined the objectives of a new operational to improve security at these locations. District coordinator, who presented the mission called Focused Lens (FL) and the program in Louisville and Denver. Auxiliary’s role in surveying the boat ramps Background in the Eighth District. Focused Lens was initiated in 2008 by Three Phases of Focused Lens Focused Lens is an information-gath- Coast Guard District 11 (California) and Phase 1: Auxiliary, active duty and Reserv- ering program designed to better inform is now expanding on a non-mandated ists help sectors identify and collect data and enhance the effectiveness of the Coast basis. Conducting marina and launch ramp on marinas and boat ramps using a survey Guard’s ports, waterways and coastal secu- surveys and promoting Americas Water- form on which specific information about rity mission. It provides sector command- way Watch (AWW) are just two areas the sites is entered. Flotillas throughout

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 69 Operation Focused Lens

manders can use the reports to prioritize the use of resources such as the Auxiliary for further activities such as America’s Waterway Watch visits, vessel safety checks and boating safety or training patrols. Ac- tive duty participation may include patrols, boardings and local law enforcement pres- ence at high priority boat ramps.

Boat Ramp Surveys Te Focused Lens survey form was created by Auxiliary representatives and further customized for Western Rivers mem- bers. Auxiliary survey-taking falls within Auxiliary policy/legal parameters and is an information gathering function that serves in direct support of Coast Guard efforts. However, it is NOT intelligence collec- tion, surveillance, a security function or law enforcement activity. No photos, videos or interviews are taken. Information collected

Glenda Berg, used with permission. on the form includes: Barry Berg, Flotilla 11-2, Twin Cities South, St. Paul, Minnesota, enters Focused Lens survey information • Latitude and longitude of site, street into the program’s database for evaluation and scoring. address and body of water, mile marker; • Description – presence of lodging, a restaurant or boat ramp; • Isolation – remoteness, infrequent use or obscured from public eye; • Services – boat rental, transient slips or seaboards; • Security features – fences with locked gates, cameras, flood lights, America’s Waterway Watch, etc.

Auxiliary Coordinator Auxiliary coordinators for Eighth Coastal are Barry Fox, Flotilla 38, Gautier, Missis- sippi (Sector Mobile); Richard McConnell, Flotilla 49, New Orleans (Sector New Orleans); Jonathan Leason, Flotilla 62, Houston (Sector Houston Galveston); and Judy Darby, Flotilla 42, Covington, Louisiana. Judy Darby, Lou Manganiello, Flotilla 74, San Antonio At the double boat ramp, fishing pier and sheds at the end of Lake Road in Madisonville, Louisiana, Lt. Daniel McMahon instructs surveyors Donald Perio and Tim Wright, Flotilla 42, Covington, Louisiana, (Sector Corpus Christi). how to describe a site for Focused Lens and what features to look for as they fill out a survey form. For the Eighth Western Rivers, Neil The ramps, on the Tchefuncte River where it empties into Lake Pontchartrain, are a popular launch for McMillin, Twin Cities South Flotilla 11-2, fishermen, hunters and recreational boaters although there are no commercial services available. St. Paul, Minnesota, spearheads the efforts. the Eighth District are currently in this tor level who scores the sites and creates Te coordinator for Eighth Eastern phase with several units using ramp and a report for the sector based upon the is Mort Mullins, Four Cinn Flotilla 54, marina locations provided by sector port probability of a particular site becoming a Cincinnati, Ohio. “We have completed just security specialists. launch site. under a thousand surveys,” he said, “and I Phase 2: Survey forms are sent to a Phase 3: Sector conducts optional ac- believe we’re about 95 percent complete. designated data entry specialist at the sec- tivities at select marinas and ramps. Com- Dozens of boat crews worked Focused

70 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Operation Focused Lens

Lens in with their normal missions. Te operation gave us an opportunity to do what we signed up for—deliver on a re- quest from the Gold Side.” Te job of Auxiliary coordinators is: • To coordinate with district and/or the sector Focused Lens coordina- tor; • To provide a handbook and FL sur- vey requirements to local Auxiliary teams; • To delegate and distribute boat ramp and marina data to Auxiliary team members; • To seek and train Auxiliarists to conduct surveys and enter the data into the input module; • To conduct surveys coinciden- tal with routine activity such as maritime patrols, vessel safety checks program visits and AWW checks, and provide feedback to sector in a monthly report on program status.

Where We Are Since FL’s initial implementation in May 2013, the Auxiliary team in the Eighth District has completed almost 2,000 boat ramp surveys in 11 states. Nearly 100 members joined in the Focused Lens initiative, including Donald Garvey, Twin Cities Metro North Flotilla 11-8, Brooklyn Lee Harrison, Flotilla 7-11, Flour Bluff, Texas. Lee Center, Minnesota, who is also qualified Duke Stevens, Flotilla 7-11 commander, discusses Operation Focused Lens with Seaman Emma as crew on the Coast Guard’s 25-foot re- Wyrick (L) and MK3 Zach Norman of Coast Guard Station Port Aransas. sponse boat and was able to conduct many surveys while underway with his active Sigurd Murphy, Flotilla 79, Rockport, Texas, assistant national commodore, duty shipmates. FORCECOM (force readiness command) “Te collaborative efforts of the Eighth District Focused Lens Implementa- Coastal Texas - The tragic 9/11 terror- being implemented throughout the tion Team has been truly awsome,” said ist attacks moved the nation’s oldest Eighth District. The essence of the pro- McMahon of his experience working with continuous seagoing service, the gram is interrupting the planning cycle Coast Guard, into new anti-terrorist of terrorists by preventing them from the Auxiliary. “Tese volunteer shipmates missions. Based on lessons learned using small vessels launched from our embody the very spirit of devotion and from the attack on the U.S.S. Cole coastlines or waterways for attacks. selfless service. Words don’t do justice to in Yemen’s port of Aden, a terrorist the honor it has been to engage in a new act could originate from our nation’s The Auxiliary’s mission of assisting mission with them.” harbors and marinas by the launch of sectors with the implementation of small boats loaded with explosives Focused Lens is being achieved by trained members who document ma- Te author, Neil McMillin, Flotilla 11-2, targeting vessels such as military ships, cruise ships and tankers. rinas and boat ramps. Because Auxil- St. Paul, Minnesota, is Eighth Western iary members live and work in an area, Rivers coordinator for Focused Lens. This realistic concern has led to the they have superior knowledge of local development of a new Coast Guard marinas, boat ramps and waterways program—Focused Lens, which is now that is indispensable to this mission.

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 71 Operations & Marine Safety • Prevention

Uninspected passenger vessel examiner, Thomas Phil Hampton, Flotilla 68, Dana Point, California, goes over some of the Coast Guard-required equipment for a “vessel for hire.” Items include fire extinguisher, life jackets, throwable life ring and verification that the electrical panel is operational with the wiring in good order. Norma E. Lococo, Flotilla 68, Dana Point, California. Flotilla 68, Dana Point, Norma E. Lococo, Six-pack Examiners

n uninspected passenger vessel (UPV) ers for no-fault, no-penalty exams just like and Title 46 (Shipping), falls within the Ais a machine-powered vessel less than the free recreational vessel checks per- Prevention Directorate vessel activities 100-tons whose owner/operator, common- formed by Auxiliarists at dockside. In the division. Personal qualification standards ly called a “six-pack operator,” is credentialed case of a UPV, there are more requirements are developed in conjunction with program by the Coast Guard to carry six or fewer for equipment, crew, registration and licens- managers at Coast Guard headquarters paying passengers with at least one person ing because it is a vessel for hire and the and TRACEN Yorktown. Marine safety for hire. Te typical operator of a UPV is a penalty for non-compliance if boarded by qualifications are based on the needs of the charter fishing boat guide or tour operator the Coast Guard carries a criminal charge. individual sector. using a state-registered boat who is licensed Vessels passing the UPV exam are issued a Currently, there are 243 qualified to run his boat for hire not more than 100 safety decal for one year. uninspected passenger vessel examiners in miles offshore, in the Great Lakes and the Te Auxiliary-supported UPV ex- the Auxiliary, all of whom have undergone inland waterways of the U.S. Unlike larger amination program, with rules established rigorous training acquiring knowledge commercial vessels which are inspected by the Coast Guard and found in the U.S. of CFR rules. Tese rules change from by the Coast Guard, UPV operators offer Code of Federal Regulations (CFR) Title time to time and it is encumbant upon their vessels to qualified Auxiliary examin- 33 (Navigation and Navigable Waters) examiners that they be able to look up and

72 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Operations & Marine Safety • Prevention

interpret the rules as they are updated and published by the Coast Guard. Training may take 10 to 15 months to complete. Each prospective examiner must also pass a Coast Guard oral board before a Letter of Designation is issued. In 2007 Sector Los Angeles/Long Beach (LA/LB) began UPV qualification training of Auxiliarists, and today there are ten active, qualified examiners from Flotil- las 5-13 (Angels Gate), 66 (North Orange Country), 68 (Dana Point), 71 (Santa Barbara), 72 (Channel Islands Harbor), and 77 (Ventura), with two members in training from 68 and 77. In 2012 over 850 UPV examinations were conducted across the nation. Approxi- mately 25 percent of those examinations were accomplished by District 11-South Auxiliarists working with Sector LA/LB. Tey conduct outreach visits and voluntary UPV safety examinations on approxi- mately 120 known UPV operators and 220 known UPVs (many owner/operators have several vessels in their fleet). Tese totals show minor changes almost weekly as some operators and vessels cease UPV operations and new operators and vessels commence operations. Trough mid-2013 the District 11-South UPV team has had outreach discussions with over 80 percent of the known UPV operators with more than 70 percent of the total numbers of known

UPVs displaying safety decals signifying Compton, North Orange County Flotilla 66, California. Valli passage of a current UPV safety exam. Members of North Orange County California, Flotilla 66, went to Howland’s Landing on Catalina Island to give VSC examinations to sailboats and a UPV examination to a rigid inflatable owned by Catalina Island Camps. The sailboats are used by students and rented out for recreational use. The inflatable Te author, Norma Lococo, Flotilla is used by the Camp to ferry people from boat to shore and to other locations on Catalina. From left 68, Dana Point, California, is Pacific to right are Frank Boise, Terry Rouch, Don Flynn, and Jim Scherler completing VSCs on the sailboats. Ramon and Anne Evans completed the UPV on the inflatable. Flotilla 66 has three qualified UPV branch chief for vessel activities. examiners and completed 112 of the 855 UPV examinations completed nationally in 2012.

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 73 Operations & Marine Safety • Incident Management & Preparedness

Skills Bank

he skills bank is a database of Auxilia- Trists who possess specific skill sets, in- cluding professional expertise and life skills not otherwise captured in AUXDATA. It was released to all districts in May 2013. As a resource used in contingency planning by the Coast Guard and Auxiliary, it would have been helpful in incidents such as the 2010 Deepwater Horizon oil spill that brought about the need for members with specific professional skills and resources to be deployed to the Gulf Coast for extended periods of service. Skills bank is also a useful tool in non-emergency situations. Does a unit, whether active duty or Auxiliary, need a programmer, a carpenter or electrician for a Coast Guard project? Search the skills bank. Chances are there is a shipmate Kelley. Officer 3rd Class Patrick Petty Skills bank can help locate members with media close by who can help. Skills bank can be expertise, animal rescue experience or a hazard- accessed by anyone with a Coast Guard ID ous waste cleanup professional. or Auxiliary member number. In practice, skills bank is a five-step process fully complies with the comman- process: dant’s equal opportunity policy statement, 1. Members edit their AuxDirectory and/or the commandant’s anti-discrimina- listing by adding their skills and tion and anti-harassment policy statement occupational information using (see COMDTINST M16790.1G AUX- the online 7028 form. MAN, Chapter 7, pages 7-10). Candi- dates should be evaluated based upon the 2. When the need arises to identify concepts of suitability, availability and Auxiliarists for a special assignment,

compatibility. Ralph Bathelt, Flotilla 11, Massena, New York. the skills bank is queried to identify Te requirements are: those specific Auxiliarists with the Te Auxiliary is a multi-mission skills needed. 1. Suitability for assignment – Does organization, served by a multi-talented 3. Te list of Auxiliarists identified as the candidate possess the necessary education, training, expertise and membership. Skills bank makes it re- having the particular skills needed sponse ready by putting the right people is vetted by the district commo- security clearance requirements? Is the candidate’s health and physical in the right place at the right time with dore and director of the Auxiliary the right equipment. (DIRAUX). ability sufficient to perform the task? 2. Availability for assignment – Can 4. Candidates are contacted, inter- Te author, John Ellis, Flotilla 4-10, the candidate accept the duration of viewed and offered the opportunity Louisville, Indiana, is deputy director the assignment, hardships or other to accept the assignment. management and preparedness. likely demands, related to distance, 5. Te order issuing authority (OIA) is lodging and transportation? the final authority as to selection and assignment of any member to the 3. Compatibility for assignment – how contemplated duty. well will the candidate fit into the team or operating environment? Te district commodore and director of the Auxiliary ensure that the selection

74 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Operations & Marine Safety • International Affairs Brian McArdle, Flotilla 33, Kilmarnock, Virginia. Brian McArdle, Flotilla 33, Kilmarnock, Raul Fernandez-Calienes, Flotilla 63, Coconut Grove, Florida, conducting domestic violence awareness training. Tradewinds 2013 St. Lucia, Caribbean

ssisting the U.S. military in the Caban, Corrales and Fernandez- ATradewinds 2013 training exercise Calienes served as Spanish interpreters in held in St. Lucia for 15 days in May were classroom and hands-on training. Tey José Caban, Flotilla 1-10, San Juan, Puerto provided simultaneous translation which Rico; Julian Corrales, Flotilla 67, Coral assisted in all participants receiving the Gables, Florida; Raul Fernandez-Calienes, same lessons and instructions in real time. Flotilla 63, Coconut Grove, Florida; and Fernandez-Calienes was also the instruc- Brian McArdle, Flotilla 33, Kilmarnock, tor for required sessions in human rights Virginia. and domestic violence awareness. McArdle, Tradewinds, in its 29 th year, is a U.S. who is also the director of international Brian McArdle, Flotilla 33, Kilmarnock, Virginia. Brian McArdle, Flotilla 33, Kilmarnock, Southern Command-sponsored annual affairs, supported the administrative team Julian Corrales, Flotilla 67, Coral Gables, Florida, exercise designed to improve responses while Grace Hirigoyen, Flotilla 63, Coco- interpreting in the operations center final exercise. to regional security threats in the Ca- nut Grove, assisted with orders, scheduling ribbean Basin. Te security coopera- and expenses in Miami. service for our military, while intermingling tion exercise focused on peace keeping Among the topics conducted in the with our partners in the Caribbean.” operations, cooperation among Caribbean classroom, in the field and on the water nations and counter illicit-trafficking were: coxswain training, weapons, engi- Te author, Brian McArdle, Flotilla operations through law enforcement and neering, operations center, communica- 33, Kilmarnock, Virginia, is basic maritime operations. More than tions, international law fundamentals, director of international affairs. 200 participants from the United States boarding procedures, damage control, and 14 partner nations from the Carib- volumetrics, pursuit tactics, search and bean took part. In addition, cutters from rescue and incident command systems. the Dominican Republic, Trinidad and “Tis was a great event for the Aux- Tobago and the United States participated iliary,” said Fernandez-Calienes. “It was in the exercises. an opportunity to provide a worthwhile

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 75 Operations & Marine Safety • ResponseInternational Affairs

Wally Dawson, Flotilla 33, Kilmarnock, Virginia, monitors students in the International Maritime Officers School taking their final exam. Brian McArdle, Flotilla 33, Kilmarnock, Virginia. Brian McArdle, Flotilla 33, Kilmarnock, Common Interests

he International Maritime Officers Auxiliarists were entirely responsible for Caribbean, Egypt, Georgia, Indonesia, Ivo- TCourse (IMOC) resides within the instructing the search and rescue train- ry Coast, Jamaica, Kazakhstan, Maldives, international resident training branch ing module of the international course. Mauritania, Mauritius, Mexico, Serbia, at TRACEN (Coast Guard Training “Maritime search and rescue organiza- Seychelles, Solomon Islands, Sri Lanka, Center Yorktown). Te school provides an tions around the world operate within a Tanzania and Tunisia. in-depth overview of U.S. Coast Guard framework established by the International “‘Shared missions, common interests’ is organization, planning and management Maritime Organization (IMO),” said one of the themes of the IMOC. Tis was of its missions to senior and mid-grade Dawson. “Tat standardization fosters a unique experience,” said Campbell. “It coast guard, navy, maritime police and cooperation, saves lives, and is especially was rewarding to see all these people from civilian-equivalent personnel from around important when multiple countries are around the world working together and the world. involved or there is a large incident.” Te developing friendships.” Jim Campbell, Flotilla 31, Richmond, same search and rescue training is received Virginia, and Wally Dawson, Flotilla 33, by Auxiliarists and active duty members of Te author, Brian McArdle, Flotilla Kilmarnock, Virginia, regularly contribute the Coast Guard. 33, Kilmarnock, Virginia, is their time at the Coast Guard’s national Campbell and Dawson’s class included director of international affairs. search and rescue school at TRACEN, 30 military officers from Albania, Bahrain, but March 18, 2013, marked the first time Cambodia, Cameroon, Djibouti, Dutch

76 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Operations & Marine Safety • Aligning People, Partners & Proficiency

Lee Elvins, left, and Gregory Worrell II, center, AUXAIR crew from Flotilla 16-1, St. Croix, prepare for a transport mission with Rear Admiral John H. Korn. Robert A. Fabich, Sr., Flotilla 16-1, Christiansted, St. Croix. Sr., Robert A. Fabich, The successful use of the Auxiliary in the sector Aligning People, Partners and Proficiency St. Croix sets sights on Rear Admiral John H. Korn's Areas of Emphasis

Editor’s Introduction— Coast Guard operates a resident inspection How does a flotilla categorically implement command principles to accomplish missions on a office (RIO) along with boat forces as a tighter budget, building sustainability in augmenting direct Coast Guard operations? In a con- detachment of Sector San Juan. tinuing series of articles we explore what it is that makes a successful partnership between the active duty and the Auxiliary, by looking in-depth at units that stand out in that respect. Robert Recognizing The Trend A. Fabich, Sr., Flotilla 16-1, Christiansted, St. Croix, U.S. Virgin Islands, explains what is Over the past few years, the Auxiliary has indispensable to complementing Gold side air and surface operations. realized new challenges beyond its most important mission, recreational boating he last Coast Guard post to the south island with 1,000-foot mountains and a safety. Budget reductions have increased Tand eastern-most point of the United rain forest surrounded by the Caribbean demands for support with surface and air States, Flotilla One, St. Croix, is the only Sea, is a U.S. territory. Christiansted, the operations, food services, technology, radio place in the U.S. where Christopher Co- north harbor, is host to commercial fishing, communications, incident management, lumbus actually landed in 1493 and where dive excursions, shopping and dining. Te administration and port state control. Alexander Hamilton, founder of the Coast west side, Frederiksted Harbor, supports [Note: Port State Control (PSC) is the in- Guard grew up. Te beautiful 28-mile-long docking for the cruise ship industry. Te spection of foreign ships in national ports

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 77 Te successful use of the Auxiliary in the sector

Charles “Chuck” Fischer, Flotilla 16-1, Christiansted, Auxiliary aviation coordina- tor and pilot, directed the operation using 44 members and 10 Auxiliary aircraft. “One capability the Auxiliary brings to the fight is local knowledge of these smaller areas. Tey know what is typical and what is not,” said Rear Admiral Korn. “Tis helps the Coast Guard with operational intelligence, identifying abnormalities, and discovering trends that may be developing.” Recently, AUXAIR identified 62 bales of marijuana with a street value of five million dollars floating unattended. It observed boats carrying 70 immigrants, a vessel with 145 pounds of illegally caught conch, and provided aerial photography aiding incident

Robert A. Fabich, Sr., Flotilla 16-1, Christiansted, St. Croix. Sr., Robert A. Fabich, commanders involved with a grounded Douglas Armstrong, Flotilla 16-1, Christiansted, St. Croix, pilots a flight from Air Station Borinquen, freight vessel. Auxiliary aircraft cost, on Puerto Rico. Armstrong has over 270 mission hours flown in direct support of the Coast Guard in five years of Auxiliary aviation. He holds two district offices, one division, one AUXAIR and one flotilla of- average, $210.00 per flight hour to operate, fice. He flies one of two jet aircraft in the entire Auxiliary, a Citation Mustang. whereas Coast Guard helicopters and fixed- winged aircraft range between three and five to verify that the condition of the ship and winged aircraft permanently assigned, now thousand dollars per flight hour. its equipment complies with the require- has four helicopters. “Te ability to have Recognizing long term economic and ments of international regulations and that the Auxiliary augment the Coast Guard in performance capability, St. Croix initiated the ship is manned and operated in compli- this area, and the Virgin Islands as well, is positive changes making sustainability ance with these rules and regulations.] important,” added Korn. an integral part of their air and surface Maintaining the core values and AUXAIR crews conduct long overwa- programs by interaction with the Gold meeting command principles requires the ter missions supporting search and rescue, side and focusing on the District Seven Auxiliary to modify its approach. St. Croix logistics, incident management, transports commander’s areas of emphasis: People, Auxiliarists are innovators in finding ways and maritime domain awareness. Tey fly Partners, Proficiency. to accommodate the growing needs of the observation missions in assistance of activi- Coast Guard. ties such as fishing vessel violations. People “Te vast amount of territory and wa- Performing surface missions, Auxil- Lieutenant Roger Bogert, supervisor of ter we have to cover in the Seventh District iary members execute search and rescue, the Coast Guard’s Resident Inspection is such that the Auxiliary is even more establish safety zones for marine events, Office in St. Croix, oversees marine safety important than in other areas,” explained check navigational aids, conduct foreign operations, which includes examinations Rear Admiral John Korn, commander, vessel targeting (administrative screening of small passenger vessels, cruise ships, Seventh Coast Guard District, on a recent of foreign flag vessels using a system matrix Caribbean cargo ships, commercial fishing visit to St. Croix. Operating from Sector for security, safety and environmental pro- vessels and foreign vessels. Coast Guard San Juan, Air Station Borinquen (BQN), tection compliance) and port state control members also conduct port state control the Auxiliary aviation (AUXAIR), located vessel examinations. boardings for safety and security inspec- in Division 16, the Virgin Islands and During a 12-month period, August tions, respond to and investigate pollution Division One, Puerto Rico, has an area of 2012 to August 2013, AUXAIR pilots and marine casualty cases, and deep-draft responsibility of one million square miles. from Station Borinquen recorded 750 air boardings concentrating on crude, product Borinquen, which previously had fixed- hours, completing nearly 300 missions. and chemical tankers that off-load and load at the HOVENSA oil refinery. “Now, “There is so much volunteer time put forth by the Auxiliary to the active duty that more than in the past three decades, Aux- it is incredible. It has definitely helped operations. I hear from sector and air sta- iliary presence is embraced here at RIO tion commanders that they really couldn’t do the job well without the Auxiliary.” St. Croix,” stressed Chief Warrant Officer Brian Hennessey, RIO assistant supervi- Rear Admiral John H. Korn, USCG, commander, sor. “With the unexpected closure of the Seventh Coast Guard District, Miami, Florida. refinery and the reduction of active duty

78 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Te successful use of the Auxiliary in the sector officers, having Auxiliary members quali- fied to supplement the port state control team reduces the burden on our active duty force.” Auxiliary members do no law enforcement activity, but rather fill active duty vacancies conducting vessel targeting, examinations and trainings at the RIO. It has been the identification of specific skills and talents among the volunteers and the development of those skills that has made it possible for the Auxiliary to support the Gold side in new areas of need. “Te Auxiliary brings a commitment, capability and desire that is special and unique among volunteer organizations,” said Rear Admiral Korn. “Auxiliarists are eager to do, often at their own cost, whatever is needed to help

the active duty, and are incredibly generous Flotilla 16-1, Christiansted, St. Croix. Sr., Robert A. Fabich, with their time and talent.” Aligning the Boat crew member Gregory Worrell II, Flotilla 16-1, Christiansted, St. Croix, secures a bumper dock- right members in the right job assignment is side on a 33-foot Auxiliary vessel in preparation for a surface mission February 23, 2013. an important aspect of accomplishing short Juan and Air Station Borinquen, officers vironmental prerequisites for undertaking term sustainable change and long term assigned to Sector San Juan cutters; and ordered missions, operational risk man- responsibility and accountability. District Seven AUXAIR (Auxiliary Avia- agement, equipment and materials, safety, Partners tion Leadership Management Officers), pre-mission checklists, patrol boat opera- division and flotilla commanders. tions, civil air patrol operations, aerial and Embracing collaboration reinforces the Partnerships were also established surface photography, standard operating essential organizational framework, mak- with local print media, radio and social procedures, technology implementations ing the skills of the Auxiliary visible and networks to increase public awareness and facility security. accessible to the Gold side and external of both the Coast Guard and Auxiliary, “Recreational boating safety is the agencies. Establishing effective working recreational boating safety programs, strategic focus and core competency of the relationships between active duty, Auxiliary and emergency readiness throughout the Auxiliary,” Admiral Korn emphasized. “I and the business world is absolutely crucial Virgin Islands. think the additional capabilities leverage for AUXAIR and RIO to sustain opera- the diverse skills of individual Auxiliarists tional missions. Communicating what is Proficiency and add value to other Coast Guard mis- needed for Auxiliary members to do their Ensuring that Auxiliary support meets sions.” Staying on track with augmenting jobs and to put their roles into context Coast Guard operational standards, goals of the Coast Guard, establishing started with direct meetings at the station members aligned facilities and people, an environment that supports working and sector level. Discussions led to train- establishing new performance criteria. Tis relationships and principles where people ing, the development of new programs, and began with a clarification of joint manage- can count on each other, and mutual the identification of partners. ment philosophy. Together, active duty motivation and mentoring has been proven Partners include (among others): non- and Auxiliarists addressed the needs and sustainable. As expectations continue to be profits such as Te American Red Cross, challenges. Determined not to react to last redefined, it is clear that the Caribbean flo- Civil Air Patrol, amateur radio operators; minute problems in the field, they created tillas, divisions, stations and the sector have federal agencies such as customs, the Drug clear expectations and realistic leadership implemented the Commandant’s Auxiliary Enforcement Agency, Federal Emergency goals, as well as position responsibilities, Policy Statement, enhancing the Silver Management Agency, and the National while strengthening communication. A and Gold partnership, and have created a Park Service; local government agen- better sense of the district’s agenda and the model that can be shared. cies such as U.S. Virgin Islands Office way to move forward was accomplished of the Governor, San Juan Enforcement through mutual trust gained from work Te author, Robert A. Fabich, Sr., and Intel, Dominican naval auxiliary and and fellowship activities. police and fire departments; Coast Guard Flotilla 16-1, Christiansted, St. Croix, Proficiency was accomplished through is a public affairs specialist III. command, executive, response, preven- goal alignment, visibility, and sharing tion and liaison officers from Sector San innovative procedures which covered en-

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 79 Cornerstone Four: Fellowship

80 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR A Coast Guard response boat holds position during Taps honoring Robert Marcy at a dockside memorial service in Fort Christiansted February 23, 2013. Marcy, Flotilla 16-1, Christiansted, St. Croix, served in two division and three flotilla officer positions. A burial at sea, escorted by Coast Guard and Auxiliary boats, followed the service. NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 Robert A. Fabich, Sr., Flotilla 16-1, Christiansted, St. Croix.81 Fellowship

Doug Kroll, Flotilla 11-10, Palm Desert, California, interviews Coast Guard WWII veteran Bud Lisle at his home in Indian Wells, California. Lana Kroll. Used with permission. Lana Kroll. Saving the Memories Oral history with Doug Kroll, Ph.D., Flotilla 11-10, Palm Desert, California.

By the Navigator staff

here are many World War II veter- graduate studies for my Ph.D. in history basically topical and focused on a specific Tans living in the Coachella Valley of included oral history,” Kroll said. “I have subject (their WWII experiences in the southern California. In 2012 a columnist written numerous articles and a few books Coast Guard). To find veterans, he contact- for Te Desert Sun newspaper in Palm dealing with Coast Guard history. Because ed the newspaper columnist and obtained Springs profiled a number of veterans it is estimated that less than 10 percent of contact information for the Coast Guard who served in the Army, Navy and Marine WWII veterans are still living and over veterans she had profiled. He found other Corps for a series of articles on those a thousand die each day, the Library of veterans in his immediate area by referrals veterans. After a Coast Guard veteran Congress Veterans History Project has from the Coast Guard historian, from the was profiled, Doug Kroll, a former Coast said there is an urgent need to capture the Coast Guard Combat Veterans Associa- Guard officer, a member of Palm Desert memories of our veterans.” tion and by asking around at gatherings flotilla, and a college-level history teacher, An oral history is essentially a tran- that include retired members. Since June decided to collect oral histories of Coast scription of a recorded conversation with of 2012, he has completed a dozen oral Guard WWII veterans living nearby for an individual who experienced or wit- histories of Coast Guard WWII veterans. the Coast Guard history archives. “My nessed specific events. Kroll’s interviews are Te histories include one with a SPAR

82 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Fellowship

(the women’s reserve of the Coast Guard and people with whom the veteran was tion. “When the text is edited and corrected during WWII took its name from the involved. “Historians love oral histories it should be submitted to the Coast Guard Coast Guard’s motto “Semper Paratus”) since subjects often provide lively, insight- historian at Coast Guard headquarters if and another with an African-American ful quotes suitable for insertion into a text,” it’s an oral history of a Coast Guard mem- veteran of the Normandy invasion who he added. “I always ask what led them to ber, or to the Auxiliary historian if an oral was severely wounded in the action of June join the Coast Guard. Every individual has history of an Auxiliarist,” he added. “It then 6, 1944. According to Kroll, the latter is a different story. I ask them what they re- becomes a primary source for historians to the only oral history interview on record member about basic training (boot camp), use in their research.” from an African-American Coast Guard the food, the classes, the other recruits.” Kroll says he does not submit the au- veteran of D-Day. Kroll suggests making questions as specific dio recording because technology changes, Kroll says that preparation is key when as possible, and says always asks follow-up and odds are there will be a time when no doing an interview and good recording questions when something new comes up. one is able to access that audio recording. equipment is essential. “Portable recorders “I try to get them to share how they felt Whatever technology is used to record the are the tools of the trade,” he said. “Video is during different experiences, why they interview—vinyl records, eight-track tape, very difficult for transcribers to work with made certain decisions, how they viewed floppy disk, etc., it will eventually become and the tapes have a limited shelf life. An events or the persons involved. If the obsolete and unreadable, but text docu- audio transcription can be made from a interviewee recalls an experience I haven’t ments can be printed and saved forever digital recording if you have the appropriate prepared for, I encourage him to explain as electronically. Once the transcription is software. Instead, I use a cassette recorder fully as possible. But, if he loses focus and received and posted by the Coast Guard and high-density, 60- or 90-minute tapes.” drifts onto something totally unrelated to historian, he recycles the audio tape for a Other essential gear may include spare his WWII experiences, I let him finish, future interview. batteries for a battery-powered recorder or then return to my planned questions.” Kroll says that oral history takes a an extension cord if it plugs into an outlet. Kroll says that a topical oral his- great deal of effort, however, he believes Kroll suggests making a test recording tory (such as WWII experiences) can be the end result more than compensates for before starting the interview to see that the conducted during one recording session, hours spent conducting research, typing volume is properly adjusted. “Always begin usually in one to three hours. If the inter- and reviewing transcripts. “You will enrich each tape by stating your name, the inter- view is biographical it might take several your life as you take in the experiences viewee’s name, office and title, if appropriate, multi-hour sessions. of those individuals,” he said. “You also and the date and location of the interview. After the interview is completed, it is provide a measure of immortality for the If a second tape is needed, repeat the above transcribed into a computer. Once the tran- person by making their recollections avail- and state, ‘Tis is the second tape.’” scription is printed, Kroll suggests having able to future generations. Finally, you do Preparation includes research and the interviewee read it to check the accuracy a great service for Team Coast Guard in question writing. Kroll’s first oral histories of dates, names, places, and other informa- preserving its great heritage.” took little preparation since he had already read a profile of the subject’s WWII service in the local paper. “Others I contact a few days in advance and asked if he/she is willing to be interviewed about his/her WWII experiences. Tis gives a subject a chance to refresh his memory.” Kroll Join explains to the veteran why the interview is important, about how long the interview should take (1-2 hours normally), and how the oral history will be used. “I suggest the subject choose a quiet, comfortable setting, with few distractions, especially audio Us! distractions, and we decide on a mutually CGAUX.org agreeable time to meet for the interview. Te interviewee also needs to sign a release form allowing researchers to read and use the oral history,” he said. Kroll suggests writing a list of spe- cific questions that focus on the events

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 83 Fellowship

Chris W. Bandy, Auxiliarist of the Year

hris W. Bandy, Apostle Islands Flotilla C28-1, in the Ninth Central district received the Auxiliarist of the Year award at the national conference in San Diego, Saturday, August 24, 2013. Bandy was cited for “significantly promoting and championing a program launched in 2011 to curb the rising number of kayaking fatalities in and around the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, National Park Service, near Bayfield, Wisconsin.” Te citation noted that “Mr. Bandy … devoted over 700 hours working alongside the National Park Service, the U.S. Coast Guard, and local kayak outfitters to increase kayaking safety awareness.” His interaction with kayakers included more than 3,000 enthusiasts go- also part of the drill took this photo with Chris’ camera. An unknown kayaker, ing out on Lake Superior. BM3 Cody Thompson and FN Spencer Stout of Station Bayfield, Wisconsin, prepare to hoist Chris Chris Bandy joined Flotilla 28-1 in Bandy aboard a Coast Guard response boat as part of a simulated kayak mass casualty drill in the waters of Lake Superior and the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore near Bayfield, Wisconsin. The 2010 and brought with him more than event took place in the “north channel,” Apostle Islands, which are located between the north end of thirty years of kayaking experience and Madeline Island and the southeast end of Hermit Island. formal training. He has traveled to many parts of the globe, kayaking in the South Bandy planned and expertly executed Meritorious Team Commendations, and China Sea/Gulf of Tonkin, the west coast a kayak mass casualty drill in the wa- the Sustained Auxiliary Service Award. of Greenland and off Iceland. ters of Lake Superior in the summer of Concurrent with the Auxiliarist of the An excellent example of the Auxiliary 2012. Enlisting the help of several local Year presentation, Bandy was awarded the matching skills with need, he took over the outfitters, he provided platforms for the Auxiliary Commendation Medal. paddlecraft program in 2012 and immedi- first responders at Station Bayfield and ately enhanced the relationship of paddlers the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore Te author, Richard Carver, Apostle and the National Park Service (NPS) at to search for and assist the simulated Islands Flotilla 28-1, Bayfield, Wisconsin, the Apostle Islands National Lakeshore, distressed kayakers. Te result of this drill is immediate past flotilla commander. improving Auxiliary and NPS safety was significantly enhanced response capa- initiatives based upon the Paddle Smart bilities and improved communications. program. He was one of twelve people Bandy is also qualified as a public to receive specialized training from the education instructor, a vessel examiner American Canoe Association, sponsored and as crew on the Coast Guard’s 25-foot by the Coast Guard. response boat at Station Bayfield. He His dedication and commitment to recently completed the Auxiliary public strengthening partnerships and advancing affairs specialist course. Te citation also kayak safety were instrumental in the pre- noted that “he selflessly devoted over 1,300 vention of kayaking fatalities and the low- hours of Auxiliary service to the advance- est number of Coast Guard paddle sport- ment of recreational boating safety and the related search and rescue cases within the professional development of others.” Apostle Island National Lakeshore area in Bandy previously received the Auxil- more than four years. iary Achievement Medal, two Coast Guard

84 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR OperationsFellowship & Marine Safety • Prevention Meet the new Chief Director

NAVIGATOR: How did you come to because we helped save three middle-aged serve in the Coast Guard? mariners who lost their boat in a thunder- storm while sailing from Newport, Rhode Capt. Boross: I transferred from the world’s finest navy to the world’s best coast Island, to Bermuda. guard back in 1991 via the Direct Com- We launched late on a Saturday night mission Aviator (DCA) program along out of Cape Cod on a registered EPIRB with nine other naval aviators. Our DCA after the District One command center class had just completed Navy flight train- had received multiple SARSAT hits. Ap- ing, or were about to, when we were told by proximately 150 nm southeast of Martha’s the Navy that it was downsizing aviation Vineyard, three mariners had abandoned assets and no longer needed our services. their sinking sailboat and were in a life raft. Of the 150 student aviators the Navy let District One had diverted the 600-ft Japa- go, the Coast Guard hired ten of us. nese-flagged merchant vessel (M/V) Shin While it was a shock initially to my Maru to the sailboat’s last known position family and myself, it turned out to be one to provide assistance. Te HU-25, with of the best opportunities, not only for our crew of five, encountered significant me, but for my DCA classmates as well. turbulence and St. Elmo’s fire on the wind- Instead of becoming a Navy P3 Orion screen while transiting through the frontal pilot assigned to VP-8 in Brunswick, passage weather to get on scene. While orbiting 300 feet over the liferaft’s position, Members of the Auxiliary welcome Maine, I was ordered to Coast Guard Air Captain F. Thomas Boross who as- Station Cape Cod, as an HU-25 Falcon we were immersed in rain and black of sumed the duties of Chief, Auxil- fanjet pilot. night, but for frequent bursts of lighten- iary and Boating Safety on July 29, ing and thunder. We could see two strobe 2013. He is a career HU-25 fixed- lights bobbing in the blackness which the NAVIGATOR: What are some of your wing aviator with broad operation- most memorable experiences? mariners had strapped to their raft, and al and aeronautical engineering the massive Shin Maru’s running lights officer experience. Capt. Boross is Capt. Boross: My crew and I are blessed to while we vectored the vessel on Channel 16 a Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, native have prosecuted so many dramatic search towards the strobe lights. We caught mo- married to the former Sandra and rescue cases, it would fill the maga- Whitney of Munhall, Pennsylvania, mentary glimpses illuminated by lightening and father of Ensign Jacob Boross, zine. Tey include the 1991 mission flown flashes of the Shin Maru’s crew skillfully a 2013 USCG Academy graduate, during the Coast Guard’s response to the navigating the ship towards the raft, taking and daughter Whitney, a junior at “Perfect Storm” made famous by Sebastian care not to swamp it. We listened intently Belmont University in Nashville, Junger’s book and movie of the same name, on channel 16 to the Japanese sailor, in Tennessee. our response to the 1996 crash of TWA very broken English, state how they would Flight 800 just south of Long Island, In the following recent intervew throw a cargo net over the side in hopes with the Navigator staff the Cap- multiple deliveries of dewatering pumps of plucking the three mariners from the tain provides insight into his love to vessels taking on water during night- violent Atlantic ocean. for the Coast Guard and respect time thunderstorms in the Florida straits, Te Shin Maru’s first pass at the for its members. He is enthusiastic and law enforcement cases, including the raft failed, and they slowly maneuvered about the future of the Auxiliary as largest pollution bust ever in the history around and came back on the raft for a “smarter, larger, younger.” If you are of Costa Rica when we caught a foreign wondering what a career aviator second attempt. We were riveted overhead, flagged fishing trawler pumping its bilges in brings to an organization whose witnessing this awesome sight, all the while core mission is boating safety, read the pristine Pacific Ocean fishing grounds paying close to attention to our burning on. If you are thinking about mak- just off the coast of Liberia. fuel while being buffeted by turbulence ing the Coast Guard a career, this But the one case which I flew on and at constant risk of a lightening strike. man will convince you. in 1993 stands out above all the others We listened to the excited Japanese crew

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 85 Meet the new Chief Director articulate over the static-filled radio their ing strikes, and were unnerved by the front of us was dark blue ocean and no attempts to save these men by using a cargo conditions that we could now see. One skies. We were headed nose down. Fortu- net, in driving rain, in 10-foot seas, to have important thing we had going for us was nately, we slammed the throttles instanta- these imperiled sailors abandon their raft that the Japanese Master of the Shin Maru neously forward and pulled back the nose, and clutch hold of a wet cargo net, and relinquished his radio microphone to one and were able to fly through the windshear, trust that the M/V crew would have the of the three American sailors, so we were just like the simulator instructors trained strength and ability to pull that wet cargo able to communicate clearly with the ship, us at ATC Mobile. We climbed up, gained net, heavy with three human beings, up the and were able to get their course and speed, altitude, explained to our crew what hap- four stories height to the top deck of the and on-scene weather conditions. pened, talked amongst ourselves about pitching freighter. We arrived on scene and prepared departing scene, or proceeding to attempt On the Shin Maru’s second pass, all our pre-ops checklists, but the weather the final delivery. We decided to go back went well enough for the three sailors to be was intermittently clear and then ob- and attempt one more delivery. saved. Te elated Japanese Master, in his scured. Flying a racetrack pattern 500 feet Flying with increased speed on this broken English, was so proud and excited to over the 600-foot tanker, we were amazed pass just in case we were hit by another report they had all three souls aboard, and by the tossing of the vessel, and at times we microburst, we flew directly at the pilot their lives were saved. We were high fiving lost visual contact with the ship as it was house for a third and final time. As soon one another in the air, so excited that those consumed by one rain squall after another. as we made the drop, the excited American mariners were alive, and we departed scene We orbited overhead until we could orient sailor shouted over the radio: “Home run, just as we approached our minimum fuel the aircraft into the wind, and have enough Coast Guard, home run!! You guys did it needed to transit back to Otis. But the real “clear of clouds” and rain-free airspace to this time. We got the medicine!!!” excitement for our crew was yet to come. maintain VFR conditions. We opened the We were needless to say thrilled, and Once we landed at Otis, and while we drop hatch and oriented the aircraft to so happy to have done our jobs and safely were completing our SITREP, we were fly directly at the ship and into the wind climb up and away from the angry ocean informed by the operations duty officer because we needed to get the medicine and the Shin Maru with our drop hatch that we would be launched at first light delivered onto the deck via the aerial de- secured. Having come so close that day to to return to the Shin Maru. As it turned livery system parachute drop and trail line. tragedy ourselves, we were bonded by both out, one of the three rescued sailors had Compounding the challenge was the wind the elation of helping to save those mari- glaucoma, but his glaucoma medicine was and sea state, and all the Shin Maru crew ners’ lives and then the sailor’s eyesight, and lost at sea when they abandoned their sail- were taking shelter inside from the storm relieved for our own safety and that of our ing vessel. Te Shin Maru, with the rescue for fear of being blown overboard. shipmates. Yes, that was a memorable duty effected, was now back on course steaming Our first pass we dropped the medi- night and day. towards Ireland, and the transit to Ireland cine and it landed on the ship, but before would take eight days. If those eight days a crewman could safely retrieve it the NAVIGATOR: Why did you choose lapsed without the sailor receiving his box, parachute and trail line were blown aviation as your career? glaucoma medicine, he was at risk for overboard. Te American sailor on the Capt. Boross: I chose aviation because I going blind. So off we went to grab a few radio exhorted us to try again. We oriented wanted to fly for my country and see more hours sleep so that we could launch in the ourselves for another pass, flew right at the of the world. I gave up being a certified safer daylight hours, but we could not wait pilot house and air dropped the second public accountant and chief financial officer too long because the Shin Maru was now box. Tis delivery, too, was successful, but in San Diego because, after working at the making way and would sail beyond our jet’s again the medicine was blown overboard paragon of the public accounting profes- maximum range. before a crewman could rush out on deck sion for a couple years and then computer- While we slept, the air station medical and retrieve it. We were down to our last izing the accounting system and running personnel hurriedly prepared three air box and our last chance to save the mari- the books for a start up manufacturing and droppable boxes of enough medicine and ner’s eyesight. aviation services company, I knew there delivered it to our jet. We launched at Just as we were turning downwind had to be more out of life than just making first light, and had to fly over 250 nautical to get oriented for our third and final air money and meeting payroll. A chance en- miles to catch the Shin Maru. But it was drop attempt, we encountered severe wind counter on a transcontinental commercial now daylight, and the clouds and rain that shear, and a strong downdraft micro burst. flight with a Navy F-14 Top Gun flight in- we could not see in the black darkness of Normally, when we fly in daylight condi- structor and his radar intercept officer led night, were now apparent and all around tions, you see blue skies above and dark to an F-14 jet simulator ride a week later. us, and the turbulence and buffeting could water below, both being beautiful, albeit My application was off to the Navy’s Avia- not be flown around or avoided. We were different shades of blue. When we hit that tion Officer Candidate School a month witnesses to the cloud to cloud lighten- microburst, all we had in our windows in

86 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Meet the new Chief Director after that. Te encounter reminds and commanders. Best practices, or as I like has repeatedly articulated that capability illustrates the positive, inspirational impact to refer to them “universal truths,” abound ensures relevancy. We will continue to add that service men and women can have on a between the Coast Guard’s two operational and replace our assets/capabilities, to en- civilian at any time, in any location, leading mediums, surface ops and air ops. Te sure relevancy. Te Coast Guard’s need for to life-altering events and changes. rules of the road are obviously different American citizens with facilities, boat and because the mediums, technology and aircraft owners especially, that can provide NAVIGATOR: When did you first tools are different, but the objectives are augmented capabilities when needed, is become aware of the Auxiliary and what the same: train the human capital and only going to grow as budgetary pressures was your initial impression? maintain your assets and equipment to intensify. Savvy, accomplished citizens that Boross: After graduating from West Vir- ensure safe, efficient, predictable, affordable want to be networked and increase their ginia University in 1985 and working as a readiness that produces operational excel- relevancy within their community, state CPA in San Diego, I was blessed when one lence. My aviation career was focused on and country in these austere budget times of my sisters and her husband purchased conducting safe operations and providing will recognize and seize the opportunity to a motor boat. My brother-in-law arranged aviation fleet readiness. By concentrating serve their Coast Guard. for an Auxiliarist to conduct a vessel safety my team’s energies on ensuring requisite In addition to the recreational boat- check on a weekend before we went boat- and robust policies are in place to account ing safety mission, credentialed and ing and water skiing in Mission Bay. Te for situations which arise while Auxiliarists smart citizens that possess in-demand authority and professional presence that augment Coast Guard operations, we will information-age based, mission support the Auxiliarist exuded in helping us that enhance both mission effectiveness and knowledge such as software programming, day has stayed with me since. efficiency. database integration and management, I was introduced to the Auxiliary’s I’d like to add that long before I earned speaking and writing fluency in multiple aviation force during my first tour as a duty my living as a CPA and then as a military languages, organizational risk manage- standing aviator at Air Station Cape Cod. I aviator, I was and still am a recreational ment skills, etc., will also be needed. For had the pleasure of helping to organize and boater and paddle craft owner. My family example, Deepwater Horizon oil spill stage the first CGAS Cape Cod Auxiliary is originally from Pittsburgh and although response was not a recreational boating Fly-In while serving as unit collateral duty my parents never owned a pleasure craft, safety event, but hundreds of Auxiliarists public affairs officer. I was impressed by we had numerous relatives and friends that were used in various capacities to provide the professionalism, dedication and com- did, and my parents ensured I was taught critical support services throughout the mitment that each of the aircraft-owning boating safety and exposed to the pleasures sustained response effort. Auxiliarists and their safety observers of boating and water skiing. demonstrated and learned to appreciate NAVIGATOR: To what extent are their significant contributions to our SAR NAVIGATOR: Looking forward five current budgetary constraints affecting mission, especially with their frequent as- years, how do you think the Auxiliary will decisions by the sectors in authoriz- sistance conducting first-light searches for evolve? What, besides recreational boat- ing routine patrols, training, AUXAIR nighttime flare sighting launches after our ing, will be important mission areas for us flights, and other reimbursed missions by ready aircrews were bagged. to support? the Auxiliary? Capt. Boross: Sixty months from now, due Capt. Boross: First off please allow me to NAVIGATOR: How does your experi- to inexorable supply and demand pressures, make a point. Tere is nothing “routine” ence in aviation prepare you to lead an our Auxiliary will be smarter, larger and about what we ask our Auxiliarists to do. organization whose chief mission is younger because national challenges will Every single mission our active duty and recreational boating safety? mandate it. Fiscal constraints confronting Auxiliary forces perform possesses various Capt. Boross: Military aviation is first our nation merit we aggressively pursue degrees of risk, and we need to heighten and foremost comprised of highly moti- all value-adding propositions. While the awareness of the acceptable and unaccept- vated, mission focused professionals with Coast Guard’s infrastructure and assets able levels of risk that our active duty and unparalleled safety vigilance and a vibrant continue to provide significant operational Auxiliary forces manage on a daily basis. safety culture. Anyone who has ever come returns to taxpayers, our well-publicized Characterizing missions as “routine” can in contact with Auxiliarists know that they recapitalization efforts require flexibility lead to a false sense of security, diminished are standard bearers for boating safety and in both resource allocations and schedule situational awareness and underestimation maritime domain awareness, but many compromises. While sources of supply of inherent mission risks. people are unaware that Auxiliarists also are constrained and variable, demands for Decrements to the budget have forced fly approximately 10,000 program flight Coast Guard services are unrelenting and the sector resource chiefs to do an even hours annually in support of operational constantly evolving. Te Commandant better job of making prioritized objec-

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 87 Meet the new Chief Director tives clear. Training and proficiency sorties launched to intercept and identify, and our NAVIGATOR: How does an organiza- should not be cancelled for the sake of pilots and sensor system operators would tion whose average member is nearing or non-operational meeting or training practice jumping the aircraft using both at retirement, better recruit and retain requirements. Te Commandant and Vice visual cues and sensor detections. Tere is college-age people looking for exciting op- Commandant have articulated numer- nothing benign about we what do in Coast portunities that can enhance their career ous times the importance of disciplined Guard aviation, and on February 1, 2001, choices? initiative to ensure that operational profi- during a late afternoon training sortie, two Capt. Boross: By increasing our physical ciency is maintained. Reduced operational Auxiliary aircrew were killed in the line presence and literature on college campuses funding dictates that asset scheduling be of duty when their plane crashed in the and online and by publicizing the initiative optimized, but the decentralized chain Everglades while they were flying a train- and accomplishments of the rapidly grow- of leadership characteristic of the Auxil- ing mission in support of an HU-25. Te ing “millenials” that are currently enrolled iary continues to be challenged by limits HU-25 had broken off and turned away in colleges and universities and participat- on their ability to convene meetings and from the Aux aircraft to gain horizontal ing in the Auxiliary University Program conduct non-operational training. Re- separation of approximately 10 miles to set (AUP). COMO Mallison has this strategic cent memos authorizing non-operational up for another intercept run when the Aux objective as one of his highest priorities, training and meetings signed by PAC and pilot inadvertently flew into a cloud while and my staff and I will champion this AUP LANT should help ameliorate some of conducting a turn and applied a control in- initiative as much as possible. Admiral the frustration Auxiliarists were experienc- put which led to the aircraft impacting the Papp has publicly lauded the AUP initia- ing due to sequestration. Going forward, water inverted at a high rate of speed. Te tive and encouraged widespread implemen- we will have less money to spend. It is loss of those two brave Auxiliarists was tation of it. Tis represents an ideal way incumbent on our Auxiliary coxswains and tragic. We need to remember their sacrifice, to increase visibility with the demographic aircraft commanders to achieve multiple understand why it happened, and endeavor cluster we prioritize and will concentrate operational objectives during each sched- to prevent that from ever happening again. recruitment efforts upon. uled asset utilization. Patrols have to be Ergo, I encourage Aux Air to be as diligent leveraged as proficiency-enhancing training and robust in their training and flight ex- NAVIGATOR: What do you say to sorties. aminer duties and operational risk manage- young members who might be thinking of ment posture as possible, to be ever vigilant making the Coast Guard a career? NAVIGATOR: Coast Guard aviation is in maintaining their situational awareness an important part of readiness and the at all times, and understand fully there is Capt. Boross: If you love our country, want Auxiliary has an outstanding Aux Air de- nothing benign about what we do in Coast to see more of it and desire to serve in a partment. Are you aware of our aviation Guard aviation. challenging, fast-paced, dynamic, competi- program and how would you encourage tive and rewarding environment, stand up their service? NAVIGATOR: Tere are a lot of rela- and take the oath. If you want your name tively young members retiring from active written in the line-up for the team filled Capt. Boross: I am keenly aware and very with great people who are dedicated to proud of the contributions that Aux Air duty. What can we do to recruit more of them? Is there any way we can be more safely navigating and saving lives in the continues to make to Coast Guard avia- maritime domain, who protect the environ- tion. As I stated earlier, many people would visible to the active duty? ment and defend coastal shores and water- be surprised to learn the Coast Guard Capt. Boross: To attract qualified and ways from forces that either shun our laws Auxiliary flies approximately 10,000 experienced members into the Auxiliary or want to do us harm, stand up and take program flight hours annually in support we have to model the behavior and be the the oath. If you want to be on the smart- of operational commanders. Tey are flying type of people that others want to join. Te money team where inherent rewards of hazardous missions to augment air stations more I am exposed to the Auxiliary, the responding to people in need or peril regu- and sectors wherever and however they are more awestruck I become. Our Auxiliary larly eclipse monetary or material rewards, needed, and they are doing so safely and is filled with accomplished, professional then stand up, take the oath. Answer the effectively. One reason why I emphasized people of purpose, bonded in their desire call to serve the world’s greatest country in the point about characterizing any mission to live as life-long learners in service to the world’s best Coast Guard! as “routine” is because while I was stationed others and quite simply, the epitome of as CGAS Miami from 1996 to 2001, we servant leaders. Increasing the visibility of regularly relied upon Aux Air pilots to fly the Auxiliary is job #1 for me and my staff, and train with our HU-25 aircrews. Te and we will endeavor to raise awareness of Aux aircraft would simulate the uniden- the Auxiliary in everything we do, by all tified aircraft that we were frequently Commandant-authorized means possible.

88 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR OperationsFellowship & Marine Safety • Prevention

2012 Flotilla of the Year Cottonwood Cove Marina Flotilla 97 Lake Mohave, Nevada

By the Navigator Staff

ocated on the west bank of Lake Mo- Lhave on the Colorado river in Nevada, Cottonwood Cove Marina Flotilla 97 is only 10 members strong, but averages 99 percent attendance at flotilla meetings. Bar- bara Sherman, current flotilla commander, recently provided a roundup of activities that led to the honor of being named Flo- tilla of the Year in 2012. Te circumstances are unique. In such a remote location teamwork is essential and Sherman’s story is an inspiration to other leaders trying to organize a cooperative effort within divi- sion boundaries. Flotillas 92, Lake Havasu City; 94, Bullhead City; 96, Central Las Vegas; 97, Cottonwood Cove; and 98 Kingman, comprise Division Nine. “Our area of responsibility is the Colorado River from the Mexico border to Lake Mead,” she explained. “It covers hundreds of miles. All members of Flotilla 97 participate in public education, vessel examination, patrols and environmental clean-ups at our marina. We are a team, but our players are not just the 10 mem- Phil Magdirila, Flotilla 97, Cottonwood Cove Marina, Nevada. bers of Flotilla 97. Te award of Flotilla Phil Sherman, coxswain, and Barb Sherman, crew, Cottonwood Cove Marina Flotilla 97, Lake Mohave, of the Year was possible because of the Nevada, patrol a safety zone during the Hobie Cat races on Lake Mohave. mutual support of all the other flotillas in our division: Lake Havasu brings an there is a poker run, a personal watercraft facilities and radio protection. Te Nevada Auxiliary vessel up the river to help us get race or high performance water ski event Department of Wildlife, Arizona Fish and the ATONS done. Las Vegas does our hu- on Lake Havasu, a sailing regatta on Lake Game and California Boating and Safety man resources work and organizes public Mohave or an Iron Man competition on call on us for help with search and rescue. affairs events. Bullhead City, operating on Lake Mead, members from all of Division In return they are our main source for the lower end of Lake Mohave, helps at our Nine show up to help. boating education and safety handouts at marina events and offers the About Boat- “Auxiliary members do vessel exams our public affairs, public education and ma- ing Safely classes in court-mandated cases. at all three Forever Resorts on Mohave rine safety events. Kingman instructors are always ready to and Mead. Vessel exams are Bruce Rowe’s “Our division members work and play travel and also organize fellowships every specialty in Flotilla 97 and he does hun- in the hot sun with temperatures reaching month so members stay informed on all dreds every year. He is the man behind our 120 degrees in the summer along the Colo- the happenings. numbers. We partner with the National rado River—a river known as one of the “Our division members travel a great Park Service for patrols, search and rescue, most dangerous playgrounds in the U.S. distance to help with vessel exams at ma- environmental clean ups and event safety. Our goal is to have fun while supporting rinas on Lakes Mead and Mohave. When In return, they supply us with additional the mission of the Coast Guard.”

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 89 AUX in Action AUX in Action Rick Pisio, Flotilla 12-91, San Ramon Valley, California. Pisio, Flotilla 12-91, San Ramon Valley, Rick “The District 11-North Honor Guard was formed about a year and a half ago with help and training from the base honor guard at Alameda and later from the Coast Guard ceremonial honor guard when they were here for the commissioning of the cutter Stratton,” said Rick Scheuerman, flotilla commander and honor guard member. “We purchased all our own equipment and created a personal qualification stan- dard, a website (http://cghg.weebly.com/index.html), a unique challenge coin, and an honor guard creed. We spend many hours practicing. “We presented colors at the dedication of the Auxiliary memorial on Coast Guard Island, the retirement ceremony for a Coast Guard officer, at district meetings and changes of watch and for the reunion of the most highly decorated air squadron of the Vietnam War. We recently marched in the Alameda Indepen- dence Day Parade and are scheduled to do colors at the christening of a new tug which will work San Francisco Bay.” Members left to right are Duane Blackwell, East Bay Flotilla 12-1, Alameda, rifle; Tracy Schultz, Flotilla 64, Monterey, national flag; Jim Dufley, Flotilla 12-1, Coast Guard flag; Rick Scheuerman, Flotilla 12-91, San Ramon Valley, Auxiliary flag; Don Maiden, Flotilla 51, Vallejo, District 11-North flag; Georgie Scheuerman, Flotilla 12-91, rifle. Most of the members have prior military experience.

90 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR AUX in Action

An Auxiliary vessel (left) cox- swained by Tom Sawyer, Flotilla 12, Bangor, Maine, is taken in a side tow by Steve Makrecky’s vessel, Flotilla 18, Belfast, Maine, with assistance from the crew: (left to right) Al Eggleston, Flotilla 14, Mt. Desert Island; Eleanor Sawyer, Flotilla 12; and Nancy Plunkett, Flotilla 18, during member training exercises on Penobscot Bay. W. Tom Sawyer, Flotilla 12, Bangor, Maine. Flotilla 12, Bangor, Sawyer, Tom W.

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 91 AUX in Action Sharon Ellershaw, Flotilla 10-2, West Texoma, Texas. Texoma, Flotilla 10-2, West Sharon Ellershaw, Members from Eighth Coastal’s Division 10 partnered with local first-responder agencies for Striper Hook, an operational training exercise on May 25, 2013. The exercise featured a simulated a large vessel fire. Here, a “victim” is removed from an Auxiliary vessel and administered aid while a crew from Channel 12 reports the news. Ed Beakey, Red River Flotilla 10-5, is on the far right in the light blue shirt.

Auxiliary vessel examiner Kerry R. DelCorso (right) Flotilla 10-13, Wyckoff, New Jersey, mentors vessel examiner trainee, James B. Wright, Flotilla 48, Somerville, New Jersey, during a safety check day at the Round Valley

Reservoir, Lebanon, New Jersey. New Jersey. S. Klacik, Flotilla 10-13, Wyckoff, Michael

92 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR AUX in Action Morrie Bishop, Flotilla 4-10, Baton Rouge, Louisiana. Marty R. LeJeune, a medical student and member of Flotilla 4-10, Baton Rouge, Louisiana, served as a medic aboard a Coast Guard response boat on September 1. The event was a stand-up paddle board race on the Mississippi River sponsored by the World Paddle Association. The race began in downtown Baton Rouge and passed under the iconic Huey P. Long bridge before ending 14 miles downstream at the L’Auberge casino. There were no injuries or mishaps and all completed the course safely. This was the first such event to happen on this stretch of the Mississippi River. All commercial river traffic was halted for three hours by the Coast Guard while paddlers were on the river. Petty Officer 1st Class Brandyn Hill. Petty James A Branch, Jr., Flotilla 57, Lynnhaven, Virginia, assists in training support during an exercise in placing oil containment boom. Hosted by the Coast Guard and Virginia Port Authority, the five-day event in Hampton, Virginia, included maritime search and rescue exercises and classroom discussion among numerous state and local law enforcement agency first responders.

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 93 AUX in Action Tom Sawyer, Flotilla 12, Bangor, Maine. Flotilla 12, Bangor, Sawyer, Tom The cutter, Bridle, breaks ice on the Penobscot River near Brewer, Maine, on a frigid February day. Aboard were Alex Lachiatto and John Dempsey, Flotilla 24, Saco Bay, along with invited dignitaries representing the Maine Army National Guard, Coast Guard Rear Admiral Abel, the Maine Department of Environmental Protection, Maine Emergency Management Agency, Marine Patrol as well as representatives of U.S. Senators Susan Collins, Olympia Snowe and Representative Mike Michaud.

94 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR AUX in Action Jonathan Ahlbrand, Flotilla 22-6, Lansing, Michigan. Mike Heger, Flotilla 24-8, Tawas, Michigan, coxswain, gets underway from Station Tawas with crew John Penne, Flotilla 20-4, New Bern, North Carolina. Crews from flotillas around Lake Huron rendezvoused in Tawas for boat crew training and to support a security zone around the Heritage Offshore powerboat race course.

At a public affairs booth set up at the Texas Boating & Saltwater Expo, Cindy Vail, Flotilla 7-11, Flour Bluff, explained the various dangers

to marine protected species. Harrison, Flotilla 7-11, Flour Bluff, Texas. Lee

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 95 AUX in Action

On February 21, 2013, Flotilla 16-7 members Asher Edelman (L) and Met Lewis (R) aboard Ted Chatham’s Auxiliary vessel, prepare to deploy a radar reflective target buoy for a C-130 rescue equipment drop exercise. The Auxiliary team performs this support duty out of Martin’s Point, North Carolina several days per week, year round, day and night, in the waters of Albemarle Sound in support of both C-130 and MH-60 missions launched from Air Station Elizabeth City.

Lee Harrison, Flotilla 7-11, shows a visitor to the flotilla’s public af- fairs booth how a Turtle Excluder Device (TED) operates. The Marine Protected Species Outreach pro- gram was launched at the Texas Coastal Boating & Saltwater Expo Ted Chatham, Flotilla 25, Boothbay Harbor, Maine. Chatham, Flotilla 25, Boothbay Harbor, Ted in July in Corpus Christi, Texas. Walter Laas, Flotilla 79, Rockport, Texas. Laas, Flotilla 79, Rockport, Walter

96 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR AUX in Action Ted Chatham, Flotilla 25, Boothbay Harbor, Maine. Chatham, Flotilla 25, Boothbay Harbor, Ted Gordon Nash aboard David Eastwood’s Auxiliary vessel, sends the heaving line to Ted Chatham’s “dis- abled” Auxiliary vessel during two-boat towing drills in Linekin Bay. Bob Crink, on the foredeck readies to intercept the incoming line. Flotilla 25, Boothbay Harbor, Maine, schedules weekly two-boat exer- cises, often in conjunction with boats from Station Boothbay Harbor, in a continuous effort to maintain the high level of proficiency required to operate in the always-challenging Maine waters where reduced visibility, strong tides and unforgiving terrain are the norm. Coxswains and crews regularly operate in near limit sea and wind conditions in support of the sta- tion and its missions.

An Auxiliary vessel coxswained by Tom Sawyer, Flotilla 12, Bangor, Maine, patrols the Penobscot River above the Hollywood Casino during the annual American Folk

Festival held each summer in Bangor. Maine. Flotilla 12, Bangor, Robert Young,

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 97 AUX in Action

Jonathan Ahlbrand, Flotilla 22-6, Lansing, Michigan, takes a group photo of the crew and trainees aboard Bill Church’s 44-foot motor life boat underway in Lake Huron. Church and his crew use every opportunity to invite trainees from all parts of the district aboard. Left to right are Bill Church, Flotilla 24-1, Bay City, Ken Wil- liams, Flotilla 24-1, Larry Leighton, Flotilla 24-2, Flint; Dan Guiett, Flotilla 24-1, Robert Campbell, Flotilla 24-1 and Mike Orris, Flotilla 22-6, Lansing. Not shown, David Stokes, Flotilla 24-1.

Leslie Pelosi, a personal watercraft operator in District 11 South explains the administration and qualification process for operators and demonstrates the func- tionality of personal protection equipment

required for personal watercraft facilities. New Jersey. Joseph Giannattasio, Flotilla 82, Cape May,

98 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR AUX in Action Gloria Edelen, Flotilla 64, Monterey, California. Gloria Edelen, Flotilla 64, Monterey, Thomas Phil Hampton, Flotilla 68, Dana Point, California, an examiner qualified by the Coast Guard for uninspected pas- senger vessels and commercial fishing vessels affixes a decal indicating the boat’s passing of the examination.

On March 23, 2013, an 11th District, North, U.S. Coast Guard Running Team consisting of an active duty Coast Guard officer and four Auxiliarists competed in the Big Sur International Marathon Mud Run on the Monterey Peninsula. Team Coast Guard survived to tell the tale˜muddied; but unbowed! Foreground to background, participants are: Jerry Edelen, Deriek Clemmons and Jim Duf- fley, Flotilla 64, Monterey, California. Not shown are LTJG Noah Hudson, executive officer, Coast Guard Station Monterey; and Tracy Schultz, commander, 11th

Norma Lococo, Flotilla 68, Dana Point, California. Flotilla 68, Dana Point, Norma Lococo, District, North, honor guard.

NAVIGATOR • Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine | Annual 2013 99 Auxiliarists Help Deliver CGX Online Shopping

ust like Auxiliary support with other JCoast Guard missions, Auxiliarists were ready to assist the Coast Guard Mo- rale, Well-being, and Recreation (MWR) programs when its online shopping site needed to create a secure verification system using AUXDATA to quickly identify and authorize Auxiliarists. www. shopCGX.com contributors Bruce Miller, Flotilla 21, Seattle Northshore; Bill Blandy, Flotilla 52, Jupiter, Florida, a pro- grammer/developer; and members of the commandant’s staff, Lt. Mark Unpingco and Steve Minutolo, Flotilla 25-6, Oc- coquan/Fairfax, Virginia, system adminis- trator, helped set up the secure authoriza- tion where your privacy is protected. Te CGX online store at www.shop- CGX.com brings its savings and tax-free values as close as your computer, tablet or smart phone! It’s more than just tax-free shopping; price comparisons show that CGX offers an average savings of 20% or more when compared to retail stores. To place orders online, a welcome win- dow will appear inquiring if you are a Coast Guard Auxiliarist. Check the box “If you are a USCG Auxiliarist, please check this box.” Te window will display two fields in which you are to enter your member I.D. number in one box and your Auxiliary ing. Contact us directly on Facebook www. services, bowling centers, and even food member password (the same password that facebook.com/coastguardexchange or by and beverage operations are available. Te is utilized for AuxDirectory/AuxOfficer) email at [email protected]. options vary at each Coast Guard installa- in the other. After your identification and We want to hear from you. tion. To find out what is available through membership have been verified, you are free When you shop online at shopCGX. your local MWR program, visit www. to start shopping and saving. com, a portion of every sale supports uscg.mil/mwr. Hundreds of products are available Coast Guard MWR programs. In fact, You are part of the Coast Guard fam- at www.shopcgx.com including comput- over the last 10 years CGX has contrib- ily, and the benefits of the Coast Guard ers, tablets, headphones, iPods® and other uted over $22.7M to the programs that MWR programs and the Coast Guard small electronics, sunglasses, fragrances, offer a variety of activities to help meet the Exchange are available to you at 67 stores and of course lots of Coast Guard apparel mission readiness, retention and resiliency in the U.S. and Puerto Rico under the ban- and gifts. Products are continuously added, of our members. Fitness centers, gymna- ners CGX, CGX MarketPlace, CGXpress but we need your feedback to keep grow- siums, picnic areas, movie theaters, travel and online at shopCGX.com.

100 Annual 2013 | Te U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Magazine • NAVIGATOR Zeroed In! Irene Mead, Flotilla 82, Cape May, New Jersey, practices retrieving a person in the water during a man overboard training evolution with fellow crew from Flotilla 82. Joseph Giannattasio, Flotilla 82, Cape May, New Jersey. Join Us! CGAUX.ORG Coxswain Walter Kline, Flotilla 24-1 with crew members Daniel Guiett, Bill Rosenberg, and crew trainee Dawn Rosenberg aboard David Stokes’ 26-foot motor surfboat prepare to escort the tall ship Unicorn into Bay City during the 2013 Great Lakes Tall Ship Celebration. All are members of Flotilla 24-1, Bay City, Michigan. Prior to its service as an Auxiliary vessel, the 26 served on the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter Resolute. The Unicorn is a sail training ship that offers programs specifically for young girls and women. Jonathan Ahlbrand, Flotilla 22-6, Lansing, Michigan.