America's Volunteer
Lifesavers

            

Flotilla 8-6 Venice, FL             www.cgauxvenice.org           7th District

Denis Keyes, Commander            Judi Bidwick, Vice-Commander

Flotilla Commander's Message

 

The Dog Days of Summer have hit our area and activity is slow. Many of our permanent members including Judi and I are away from the Venice area for extended periods of time. For those who remain, be prepared for the hurricane season and expect a call if a storm gets close.

At the August meeting we'll have the Division Captain and Vice Captain as well as Rear Commodore West, Casey Jankowski as guest. They will address the membership and answer any questions. Please make every effort to be there and show support for the Flotilla.

The Flotilla is running a 50-50 on Float coats just like last year. If you're interested and haven't contacted me yet, send an E Mail with your size to deniskeyes@comcast.net. We expect to place the order within the next several weeks.

If you have not sent in your 2007 dues, please do so as soon as possible. We still keep our annual dues at $40.00 and ask that you send your check to Lou Magyar.
.
As long as we're taking your money, why not send you sent in your check for this years COW. The affair will be Saturday November 11th and it will be on the Marina Jack's Dinner Cruise. The price is $55.00 per person and it will include a pre-Dinner Cocktail Party. Please make your checks payable to Flotilla 86 and send them to Lou Magyar FSO-FN. Reservations will be on a first paid first served basis. When we have 80 people including those we invite, we will no longer take reservations.
Denis Keyes
FC

Denis Keyes, FC

Contents

 

Important Notice No Notices Flotilla Staff Officers  AN - Ed Stebner  AV - Al Bidwick  CM - Garlan Russ  CS - Henry Reynolds  FN - Janet Heijens  IS -   Harry Bruno  MA - Ruthanne Bruno  MS - Henry Reynolds  MT - John Harrison  OP - Jim Sleichert  PA - Al Bidwick  PB - Monique Ring  PE - Ruthanne Bruno  PS - Paul Corcoran  PV - John Kandes  SR - Ruthanne Bruno  VE - Denis Keyes General Meeting: First Tuesday - 1930 Training Center On The Water Training Every Tuesday - 0830 Moorings

Vice Commander's Message
Judi Bidwick, VFC

Many of you will want to purchase uniforms at the Coast Guard base in St. Petersburg or other bases this fall. Please remember that you need a temporary pass or a permanent USCG sticker in order to enter the base. To qualify for a temporary visitor pass you must show proof of insurance, driver's license, your USCG Auxiliary membership card, and explain your need to enter the base. The CG Exchange is on Coast Guard property so it is subject to these requirements. The security guard is under orders to refuse access to those who do not meet these requirements.

The Servicing Personnel Office issues CG decals and it is adjacent to the exchange and medical clinic. Decals are issued from 0800 to 1400. Obtaining these decals takes about 15 minutes and will enable you to have access to any USCG facility. To obtain a decal, you need to provide driver's license, proof of insurance, and Auxiliary membership card. Knowing this will prevent misunderstandings or a long drive for naught.

Please remember that each of you is a good-will ambassador for the Auxiliary.
In that role, you need to wear your uniform appropriately and with head cover suitable for the situation. In addition, you should not miss any opportunity to educate the public about boating safety, vessel exams, and the possibility of joining our ranks. Although everyone is not suited for the Auxiliary, it behooves us to spread the word and work of our flotilla.

I have designed various posters, leaflets, and brochures that you are welcome to take and share with your neighbors, social organizations, or boaters whom you see. Please make yourself aware of these items and don't hesitate to ask for copies as you need them.

We have an excellent flotilla made up of friendly, dedicated members who are very capable of "spreading the word."

Judi Bidwick
VFC

Marine Safety
Fred Shaneyfelt, FSO-MS

 

SAFETY has always been our major concern with boaters, fisherman, and the public around or in the water. We must continue to remind our self and others of the dangers when SAFETY is overlooked and replaced with thoughtlessness and rushing.

REMINDER for all doing VE checks or contact with boater's of the fire extinguisher recall:

Fire Extinguisher Recall
PRODUCT SAFETY RECALLSTRIKE FIRST CORPORATION OF AMERICA SERVICE BULLETIN #002 Strike First has determined that the valve stem seat in a number of its 2.5 and 5 lb. fire extinguishers assembled between December 2002 and February 2004 may prevent the extinguisher from discharging properly when the lever is activated. As a result of this condition, Strike First has initiated a fire extinguisher retrofit program for these units. RETROFIT KITS ARE AVAILABLE FREE OF CHARGE BY CONTACTING YOUR LOCAL STRIKE FIRST DISTRIBUTOR, OR BY CONTACTING STRIKE FIRST DIRECTLY. For details visit; http://www.strikefirstusa.com/serv_bull_002.htm
 

The FACTS

The U.S. Coast Guard's most recent boating-related accident statistics show:

• 703 fatalities - 3,888 injuries - nearly $40.5 million in property damage.

• Eighty-six percent of drowning victims were not wearing life jackets.

• Alcohol was involved in close to 40 percent of all boating fatalities.

• About 80 percent of all boating fatalities occurred on boats where the operator had not completed a boating safety education course.

• The most reported types of accidents are collisions with other vessels. However, capsizing and falls overboard are the most reported types of fatal accidents, which account for over half of all boating fatalities.

• Overall, operator inattention, carelessness/reckless operation, operator inexperience, and excessive speed are the leading contributing factors of all reported accidents.

Recreation boating accidents are tragic because the great majority of accidents are preventable!

Fred Shaneyfelt
FSO-MS

Member Training
Bud Beeman, FSO-MT

Member Training continues through the summer, with particular emphasis now on Coxswain qualification, following a spring Crew program.

August 8 and 15 will continue the navigation, SAR, and search pattern classes. These classes are useful for any members participating in patrols, and serve to refresh members who have previously qualified.

September will be starting Crew training, and bring the Coxswain training to a conclusion with QE exams when possible. Presently no TCT, (Team Coordination Training) is offered in the Division until November, but attempts will be made to have an earlier date, both for new coxswains and for members due to repeat the course.

I hope to have an Asst MTO for Coxswain training and another Asst MTO for Crew training by September.

Also, Asst MTO Bob High will have a schedule for the AUXOPS courses to be offered this fall. Anyone needing any of the six required courses for the AUXOPS designation should contact Bob or me, soon, so a schedule can be developed. Any member interested in achieving the Instructor qualification should also contact either of us.

Bud Beeman,
FSO/MT

Operations
Juan Hernandez, FSO-OP

 

I hope you are enjoying the summer with your loved ones. Fall will be here before too long and I want to take this opportunity to ask you to check the following items in preparation for the start of the next season:

1. Review your AUXDATA records to determine if you have any qualifications you need to complete by the end of the year, such as Annual Currency Maintenance (ACM);

2. Check your personal and facility equipment to make sure all items in working order and current, e.g., batteries and flares. Let me know if you need supplies;

3. Identify any coursework/training you need to complete this year, such as the Incident Command System courses or Team Coordination Training (TCT) and notify Bud Beeman or me if you need assistance to satisfy these requirements.

4. Finally, this is a good time to share your ideas for enhancing the Operations function in our Flotilla, both internally and the services we provide to our community. I encourage you to contact me and share your thoughts and suggestions.

Juan C. Hernandez,
FSO/OP

Public Education
Judi Bidwick, FSO-PE

In the months ahead, you will see new, exciting courses emerge that you will be hearing more about:

• An Introduction to Piloting - An expansion of Lesson 9 of BS&S

• Sailing Skills & Seamanship

• The 13th edition of Boating Skills & Seamanship

• Weekend Navigator - A course for the public that will replace our traditional BCN/ACN course and will enable recreational boaters to learn both electronic and traditional navigation in the same course

In the past year, the Auxiliary National Public Education Department has joined forces with McGraw-Hill Publishing in order to create state-of-the-art teaching materials for you to use.

A new course is being developed to teach those members who wish to become instructors how to do so effectively. The Auxiliary Instructor Development Course will be modeled after the Coast Guard's Instructor Development Course taught at Petaluma and instead of a series of written examinations will employ PQS (Personal Qualification Standards) to demonstrate competency…actually demonstrating what is learned rather than just writing or talking about it.


Judi Bidwick
VFC

 

MINUTES-APRIL 4, 2006
USCG AUXILIARY, FLOTILLA 8-6
(These are abbreviated Minutes- full Minutes available in Secretary's Manual)
 

Flotilla Commander, Denis Keyes called the meeting to order at 1930 with 39 members in attendance. He introduced Richard Putnam, new member.

I. FC Denis Keyes announced Bud Hines is appointed Chairman of the Nominating Committee. Any member interested in running for office should let Bud know. Denis reminded members to submit their 7029 forms as our hours benefit the auxiliary.

II. VFC Judi Bidwick reviewed her experiences at the recent District conference. She noted that our Division received more awards than any other Division, of which Flotilla 86 received 21. Awards will be given on April 8 at Division meeting. All invited to attend.

III. Minutes approved as they appear in the Fore and Aft. The Finance Report was approved.

IV. STAFF OFFICERS' REPORTS:

FSO-PA: Al Bidwick reviewed plans for the Sharks' Tooth Festival this Saturday.

FSO-CM; Walter Jennings reminded everyone to use 5 numerals when communicating with our boats, as well as reporting direction of travel, landmark locations and ops normal.

FSO-IS: Harry Bruno reminded membership to submit their 7029 forms.

FSO-MS: Fred Shaneyfelt asked for volunteers to help distribute AWW on Saturdays at the Venice Train Station.

FSO-MT: Bud Beeman announced SAR course begins 4/6 and Weather on 5/11. QE qualification is April 25 and two boats available on 416 and 4/23 for training.

FSO;OP: Juan Hernandez that an ICS training workshop will be held in May. He plans for an operation excellence training day the second weekend in May.

FSO:PE: Judi Bidwick stated the BS&S and ACN courses are complete. She may plan a three day boating course for the summer. GPS course scheduled for May 17.

FSO:VE: Henry Reynolds reported 205 vessel inspection completed with 63% passing rate. Henry asked for volunteers for National Safe Boating week at end of May. He also reported he and his assistants have processed many new/renewal captains and masters licenses in support of the Regional Examination Center. Henry thanked members for the good wishes sent to his wife.

FSO;CS: Bill Cabana announced that he has added links to current information on the website.

MENTOR: Jerry Hopfengardner noted some updates to the program and said it was going well.

V. AWARDS:
Auxiliary Annual Service Award (10 years):

• John Meyer

Auxiliary Annual Service Performance Award:

• VE:  Judi Bidwick, Patrick Wheeler

• PE:  Lou Magyar, Bill Cabana, Harry Bruno, Denis Keyes, Al Bidwick, Julia Bidwick, Paul Corcoran.

• OP:  Bud Beeman, Al Bidwick, Julia Bidwick, Harry Bruno, Ruth Bruno, Bill Cabana,  Charlie Dulany, Bob High, Walt Jennings, Lou Magyar, Mike Marmion, Henry Reynolds, Art Sperling, Patrick Wheeler.

VI. NEW BUSINESS: A motion was made and seconded that at our next meeting, May 2, we will have a fellowship meeting with covered dish at 6 pm. All members agreed. More details to follow.

There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 2005.

Respectfully submitted,
Ruthanne Bruno, Secretary