FORWARD THE QUARTERLY NEWSLETTER OF DIVISION 4 Official Publication USCG Auxiliary Division 4 First District SR District 1SR Division 4 VOLUME 1, ISSUE 4 4th Quarter 2015 Features Page Commanders Message 1-3 Vice Commanders Message 4 Division Bridge 5 Seamanship Quiz 6 Flotilla Commanders Reports 8-10 Seamanship Quiz Answers 11 Staff Officers Reports 12-14 Division Photos 15 CG History 16 Staying Fit with a Cause 17 The Navesink Twin Lights 18 From the Desk of the Editor 19 Finest Hours 20 Up Coming Events 21 Commander’s Message Division Website & Disclaimer 22-23 Are you reading the newsletter? if so, in this issue there is a member ID number hidden somewhere in the articles, If you find your number you will receive a $25.00 gift certificate. To claim your prize, contact me or Vice Commander, and tell them you found your ID number. 1 I can’t believe it has been a year since your VCDR Valerie Ramsberger and I sat down in a restaurant, spread papers on the table, looked at each other and said ‘what do we do now?’ Drawing on our experience as flotilla commanders we did come up with a plan that anchored us for 2015. Valerie presented the plan at the first meeting in January and the rest is history. Division 4 has had an incredible year. We almost didn’t get started patrols, with the equipment mandate that came down, requiring us to have all our gear inspected to Coast Guard standards BEFORE we took to the water. George Rielly and Mike Rebeck stepped up and took the training and got the tools to get us inspected. Going one further, they held classes to pass the information down t the flotilla commanders and safety officers to complete the assignments. If it was not for the final waver, we would still be standing on the docks, in civies. Still we accumulated well over 225 hours on the water. And, that doesn’t include our members crewing for other Divisions which brings us up well over 400 hrs. Great job! Public Education increased this year with 90 persons taking and passing the ABS class. Although Somerville had more courses, Sewaren edged them out with 2 more participants. Union and Edison each held a course. We should easily surpass that in 2016. Well done to all! I think our attempt to bring the Division together through fellowship exceeded our expectations. Our two breakfasts were very well attended and the members were treated to relevant topics by very competent speakers. Again, thank you for supporting those functions. In the future why don’t you suggest a topic that you would want to know more about, and we (or you) can find a speaker. Remember this is your division. Our Newsletter has been a great success. Mike Rebeck started the publication this year and provided all of us with some great topics. Let us not fail to support this document. It is a window to Division 4 and our best practices for all to see. Now it is up to us to continue this publication by contributing your reports and other articles of interest as they occur. Thank you Mike! I would not be able to do my ‘job’ if it was not for the VCDR. Valerie has been the spark to the Division. Her untiring efforts, work ethic and genuine interest in representing our best interests have been outstanding. I’m looking forward having her continue to be the Chief of Staff in 2016. BZ Valerie. 2 Last but certainly not least, are the Kroks. They are there for all our meetings keeping us fed, watching the finances as well as working and supporting the District Commodore. Thank you for all you do. As this year’s activities come to a close, let us remember our fellow members who have passed over the bar and have contributed so much to our organization. For those of us that remain on watch, may your Holidays be bright, I wish all of you a healthy and happy New Year. 3 Vice Commander’s Message It is hard to believe that the year is drawing to a close! As the song says, “It was a very good year!” Staff officers have worked hard to insure that information about accomplishments was shared. Operationally, patrols came to a close having finished strong, 100% of PATONS were inspected , communications activities increased , work started on the Emergency Response Plan, public education continued through ABS classes, Vessel Exams and Program visits. Last quarter I asked you all to review the personal goals you set for yourselves. In January, we will be reviewing our Division 2015 goal accomplishments and setting the course for 2016. We are in the process of appointing staff officers so I urge all who are interested to step forward. There is much to do and we will need a strong team to accomplish it all. This quarter I have continued to mentor a new member. This has been an enlightening experience. Although I have been in the Auxiliary for 7 years, the New Member program allowed me to learn things I never knew. Admiral Papp’s Leadership videos are an example. In one of his videos he mentioned a book he keeps on his desk: The Maxwell Daily Reader : 365 Days of Insight to Develop the Leader Within You and Influence Those Around You by John C. Maxwell. As I was writing this, I randomly opened The book looking for a thought to share with all of you. Appropriately, I opened to “The Power of Recognition – Give Someone Else the Credit Today.” How true! As the Vice Division Commander there Is nothing I can do without all of you. Our successful 2015 belongs to YOU – THANK YOU!. I hope you all have enjoyed a happy holiday season and that 2016 is Healthy, Peaceful and Successful Year for Division 4. Start formulating your ideas and be ready to share them at our January meeting. CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL NEWLY ELECTED AND RETURNING FLOTILLA COMMANDERS, VICE COMMANDERS AND STAFF OFFICERS 4 2015 Division 4 Bridge Jim Dry, Division Commander DCDR Valerie Ramsberger, Division Vice Commander VCDR David Ten Broeck, Immediate Past Division Commander IPDCDR 2015 Flotilla Leadership Flotilla 4–2 This flotilla operates out of Dehart Community Center Burnett Ave. Maplewood, NJ 07040. The business meetings are the 3rd Tuesday of month at 2000. Pat Fiumara, Flotilla Commander 4-2 Mike Greenstein, Flotilla Vice Commander 4-2 Flotilla 4–3 This flotilla operates out of Franklin Park Fire House Claremont Rd. Franklin Park, NJ. The business meetings are the 4th Thursday of month at 1930. Mike Kushwarra, Flotilla Commander 4-3 Ken Cadette, Flotilla Vice Commander 4-3 Flotilla 4–4 This flotilla operates out of Aux Station Sewaren, Cliff Rd. Sewaren, NJ. The business meetings are the 3rd Thursday of month at 1930. John Eberhardt, Flotilla Commander 4-4 Sal Ruggiero, Flotilla Vice Commander 4-4 Flotilla 4–5 This flotilla operates out of Raritan Boat Club Player Ave. Edison, NJ. The business meetings are the 3rd Wednesday of month at 1930. John Abreu, Flotilla Commander 4-5 Tom Botsolas, Flotilla Vice Commander 4-5 Flotilla 4–8 This flotilla operates out of Somerset County Emergency Services Training Academy Roycefield Rd. Hillsborough, NJ. The business meetings are the 3rd Monday of month at 1930. Gary Zdan, Flotilla Commander 4-8 Joe Clapcich, Flotilla Vice Commander 4-8 5 PILOTING AND NAVAGATION (Answers on page 11) 1. Nautical charts are oriented with true north on the _____. A. right side B. left side C. bottom D. top 2. On a globe, all the lines of latitude are called _____. A. prime meridians B. meridians C. parallels D. perpendiculars 3. On a globe, the lines of longitude are called _____. A. prime meridian B. meridians C. parallels D. perpendiculars 4. The Prime Meridian is zero (0) degrees longitude and crosses ________________ A. Greenwich, England B. Washington, D.C. C. Paris, France D. Tokyo, Japan 5. The scale of a chart refers to a measurement of _____. A. distance B. time C. speed D. datum 6. One nautical mile is equal to 2,000 yards anywhere on the _________ scale A. south pole B. north pole C. longitude scale D. latitude scale 7. Charted depths on nautical chart will not be measured in _____: A. feet B. yards 6 C. fathoms D. meters 8. One fathom equals 6 _____. A. inches B. feet C. yards D. meters 9. Most of the numbers on the chart represent charted depth soundings at _____. A. high tide B. mean lower low water C. mean low water D. only noon time 10. Using the diagram above, what kind of aid to navigation is this? A. Unlighted day beacon in the Intracoastal Waterway B. Lighted day beacon in the Intracoastal Waterway C. Lighted day beacon in the Western Rivers D. Lighted range mark in International waters 7 4-2 by Pat Fiumara, FC Flotilla 42 was very busy with training as 2015 draws to a close. Everybody was trying to complete the mandatory training before January 1, 2016. We have eleven members who have completed their training at this time with three more close. We did one or two of the eight mandatory courses at each training meeting. Members were also encouraged to complete needed courses on line. The Search and Rescue Manual was also reviewed which included semi- annual inspection of crew/coxswain PFD's. We had our elections with current commander and vice commander being reelected. Valerie Ramsberger attended the Leadership Development Academy this last weekend.