America's Volunteer
Lifesavers

            

Flotilla 86 Venice, FL             www.cgauxvenice.org           7th District

Judi Bidwick, Commander            Juan Hernandez PhD, Vice-Commander

Flotilla Commander's Message

From the Commander

Over the past month our flotilla participated in a number of public affairs missions that brought us much positive publicity and recognition.  I am proud of those who took part in each of these experiences.  Without members who are willing to give their time to meet people and share our cornerstones, we would not be the flotilla we are today. 

Most important are the many awards our flotilla achieved in hours and duties over the past year.  Members should be proud of each hour they gave to gain this recognition.

The following are just a few of the many awards we received at the recent Division 8 meeting:

 DIVISION 8, FLOTILLA ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, 1^ST PLACE, MEMBER TRAINING

DIVISION 8, FLOTILLA ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, 1^ST PLACE, OPERATIONS

DIVISION 8, FLOTILLA ACHIEVEMENT AWARD, 1^ST PLACE, ADMINISTRATIVE SUPPORT

 We were also recognized by receiving:

 DIVISION 8, FLOTILLA WITH MOST REPORTED HOURS, 2006

DIVISION 8, OUTSTANDING FLOTILLA AWARD, 2006

DIVISION 8, MEMBER WITH MOST REPORTED HOURS, 2006

 In addition, there were many individual Division 8 awards given to our flotilla members.  I will hand these out at our next general meeting.  Without the time and effort given by our members, our flotilla wouldn’t stand as tall as it does today.  I thank all of you who continue to put the word out to our community by supporting the Operations, Member Training, Public Education, Marine Safety, Vessel Examination, and Aides To Navigation Programs.  I appreciate the work each one of you does.

 Each year we take part in the Shark’s Tooth Festival.  This year was no exception.  Hundreds of people visited our booth and received information about our programs and the Auxiliary.  Our participating members answered questions, gave stickers out to children, displayed proper life jackets, and gave bulletins and class schedules to those who needed them.  It was a successful two days.

 The Girl Scout Easter Fair held at the Venice-Nokomis Elks Club grounds gave us a chance to meet children and parents at our booth where the Fred and Betty Shaneyfelt and Al Bidwick gave out material and talked about water safety.

 Some of our members took part in afternoon and evening QE experience earlier this month.  Congratulations are in order for Bill Cabana, our newest coxswain, and Richard Putnam, our newest member who achieved his crew status.  Those who re-qualified for crew are Diana and Joseph Floyd, and John Dexter.  Each of them was well prepared and we’re proud of their successes.

Eleven of our members joined other flotillas and Division 8 officers in thanking the Station Cortez Chief and Coasties for the great support and good work they did over the past year.  The picnic held in their honor was a great success—good food, friendly conversation, and fun games.

 National Safe Boating Week is nearly upon us and plans are in place for activities supporting that effort.  Please volunteer your time to support our officers—Al Bidwick, Henry Reynolds, John Kandes, Fred Shaneyfelt as they participate in the weekly activities.

 I wish our members who are heading north a hearty farewell and a safe trip until they return.

Judi Bidwick  

Judi Bidwick, FC

Information

 

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
Juan Hernandez Ph D

 

 I want to take this opportunity to extend a warm farewell to our fellow members who are going north for the season.  We thank you for your work efforts and contributions, especially helping us renovate the Nokomis station.

 Most members will still be here to participate in National Safe Boating Week (NSBW), May 19th to May 25^th.  Again, this year's theme is "Wear It" and we can make a point to bring it to every boater's mind during this period.  NSBW programs allow us to advertise our courses and promote the services we offer the community; this is a great event to close the season and I encourage everyone to get involved.  Other programs that we can promote during this time are America's Waterway Watch and Sea Partners, a wonderful program that teaches children to respect nature.  The Division plans to offer awards for these programs.

 Finally, my goal over the next couple of months is to work with every Flotilla Staff Officer to determine options for moving forward in each of the functional areas.  I would like to see every member enthusiastically working on a program of interest in these areas.  With your support and leadership we can achieve these goals and maintain our momentum.  I welcome your ideas and suggestions and wish those of you that are traveling a safe trip.

 Juan Hernandez

 

 

 

Aids To Navigation
Ed Stebner, FSO-AN

I did an evening & night Atons-Mission, verifying & looking for discrepancies on Atons,Patons and Bridges.  I had hoped more crews would participate in the APRIL Atons-Reporting month. April is our only opportunity to verify Atons, Patons and Bridges.

Remember, May 5th is the Aid-Verifiers workshop at Flotilla 84 Sarasota, beginning at 0900.

If you do any Aid-Verifying, report it on a 7030 one-minute after your Patrol is over.

Ed Stebner

 

Communications
Walt Jennings, FSO-CM

 


BOATING AND FISHING ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE WORLD

I recently returned from a fishing trip to the Seychelles Islands (enter "Seychelles Islands" in the Google search engine to find the islands on a map), located in the Indian Ocean off of the southeastern Africa coast, north of Madagascar, and south of India (remember your geography class? - I didn't). A friend from Seattle called in September saying he was going on his fourth fishing trip to the Seychelles and asked me to go?  I had heard of these islands as they are currently a "hot" destination for recreational anglers, and I soon obtained an assignment to do a magazine story, after which I Googled "Seychelles Islands" to see where I was going. Tourism is the number one industry in the Seychelles Islands, with copra (coconut meat) production second.

 THE ROUTE

I flew Tampa to Atlanta to Paris (8 hr flight from Atlanta to Paris) where I overnighted and met up with my friend from Seattle. The next day we cleared back into Charles de Gaulle airport for our Air France flight to Mahe, the capital city in the Seychelles Islands where we would overnight and meet up with 10 other anglers for a flight the next day in a small plane to one of the out islands in the Seychelles, 400 miles from Mahe. I found it interesting that in spite of hearing horror stories about security at Charles de Gaulle airport in Paris, I found security there less severe than many major airports in the US. I was however impressed to see French security personnel in plain clothes standing discretely in out of the way locations in the airport; also discretely carrying sub-machine guns under their coats. Our daily flight from Paris to the Seychelles Islands was comprised mainly of French citizens, but there are also flights to the Seychelles from Munich (Germany), Rome (Italy), Moscow, and London, making the Seychelles primarily a European vacation destination. Once we arrived on Mahe and had a day and night to kill, the European tourist population was obvious on the beaches, as we could not help but notice that many bathing suit tops had been left at home (sorry guys but I cannot publish those pictures). Our 400 mile flight from Mahe to Farquar Island the next morning took 1 1/2 hrs in a small twin engine plane.

 THE BOAT

At the small landing field on Farquar Island we were met by a farm tractor with attached wagon that would transport us to the other side of the island where small boats would then ferry us out to our home for the next 8 days. The "Sea Pearl" is a 115 ft steel hulled sailboat built in Denmark that served as a commercial fishing boat in the North Sea in it's previous life. Converted in 1992 to a passenger carrying pleasure boat, with its crew of eight, the boat was a miniature version of a cruise ship. There were eight nice cabins that would sleep 22 passengers, but since we were only 13, we had a little extra room in each cabin to make living onboard comfortable. The Sea Pearl pulled/towed three 16 ft fiberglass outboard boats that would serve as our transportation from the Sea Pearl to wade fishing in shallow water.

 THE ANGLERS

This was truly an international group of anglers with three from the US, three from France, four from Great Britain, one from Belgium, and one from Argentina. The guy from Belgium brought his wife (the 13th person) who stayed on the "Sea Pearl" and sunbathed, read books, snorkeled, and generally rested.  Many fishing trips like this allow you to bring a "non-angling" passenger, often at a reduced price.

 THE FISH

Our primary target on this trip was the Giant Trevally, known in the international angling world as "GT's." Found only in the south Pacific and Indian Ocean, GT's are a difficult species to find and equally difficult to catch, but we found them, and a few other species as well - see pictures.

Communications Services
Henry Reynolds, FSO-CS

 

No Report

Henry Reynolds
FSO-CS

Information Services
 Harry Bruno, FSO-IS

 

* Update--Coxswains no longer need to note "coxswain serving as crew" in the remarks section of 7030 forms for patrols.  AUXDATA now automatically records all coxswain crew hours. 

* Members are being asked to submit 7030 forms for mission hours on a weekly basis, especially when performing the same activity each week.  By doing so, the flotilla and the Coast Guard Auxiliary will receive proper mission count in AUXDATA. 

* Be sure when completing forms that you are using the most up-to-date form (check the revision date in the upper left box on the form).

Harry Bruno
FSO-IS

 

 

Materials
Ruth Bruno, FSO-MA

Explore the "Shop Auxiliary" button at the bottom of the Venice Auxiliary website (cgauxvenice.org).  Help the Auxiliary Association support USCG programs by shopping online with special vendors.  Some of the vendors listed offer "direct discounts" to CGAUX members on the "Member Benefit Page."

Remember, some items can only be ordered by your Materials Officer, so if you have difficulty locating an item please contact me for assistance. 

Ruth Bruno
FSO-MA

 

 

Marine Safety
Fred Shaneyfelt, FSO-MS

FROM THE EDGE OF THE WATER

On March 31^st, Marine Safety participated in The First Annual Fun Day that was being held at South Venice Ferry/Boat ramp. This was sponsored by the South Venice Beach Association.  Vessel Examinations were performed along with materials on Americas Waterway Watch Program being passed out. One of the Sea Pups, NIKKI was present and made a big hit with all the kids and adults. Lots of pictures were taken by parents and each kid along with parents was presented with a Land And Sea Help –Whistle. 

April 7, Flotilla 86 was invited to participate in a Food Drive to support the Salvation Army.  The Food Drive was sponsored by Monique Ring (Auxiliary Member and Girl Scout Leader) and Girl Scout Troop 169 at the Elks Club in Venice. A Safety Booth was manned by Marine Safety and Public Affairs.  Posters, coloring materials, AWW and LASH-Whistles were given out.  NIKKI, the Sea Pup, was present and made a big hit with all the kids and parents. An Easter egg hunt took place for all the kids and everyone had a great time.  Lots of can goods (food) were donated for this good cause.

This is the time of the year that snow birds head back to the northlands and I am no exception. I had proposed and it was approved that John Harrison (JD), (jdharrisonjr@verizon.net), be appointed to take over Marine Safety during our northern vacation. 

Fred Shanefyelt
FSO-MS

Keeping MS on the move      

Member Training
Bud Beeman, FSO-MT

 

Member Training Report

Congratulations to a new coxswain, Bill Cabana, and a new crewman, Richard Putnam. They were examined and approved by the QEs on April 17.   

Crew requalification was achieved by Diana and Joe Floyd, and John Dexter. 

Thanks to Garland Russ and his Double Deuce II and Bob High and his BOMAR, for their extended use in On the Water Training of their boats, and particularly for their instruction and patience working with the candidates. 

Lunch and dinner were served to the 19 participants in the QE events.  QEs present were Roy Bellas and Ed Stebner. 

The newly remodeled and expanded meeting room at the Nokomis Moorings was a great benefit throughout the training sessions.

May OWT will include a navigation refresher and a continuation of the Navigation Rules, Operation Exam and Seamanship studies, in addition to a SAR exercise.

 Bud Beeman,
FSO-MT FL86

 

Operations
Jim Sleichert, FSO-OP

Public Affairs
Al Bidwick, FSO-PA

 

Fred, Betty, and Nikki Shaneyfelt, joined me at the Easter Carnival sponsored by Monique Ring’s Girl Scout Troop to raise food and funds for the Salvation Army.  The Carnival, which was held at the new Venice-Nokomis Elks Lodge, attracted well over one thousand parents and children.

On Friday, October 20, Jim Sleichert, Stan Ozimek, Garland Russ, Judi and I set up our tent and organized materials in preparation for the Sharks Tooth Festival in Venice.  Early Saturday morning, Guenther Hennig, John Kandes, Jim Sleichert, Harry Bruno and I opened the booth.  We were joined later by Henry Reynolds, Judi Bidwick, and Ruth Bruno.  In the past, our booth was located next to the Marine Max exhibit.  However, this year, because of a conflict with a boat show in Sarasota, Marine Max did not participate.  At first we were concerned that our newly assigned location might not attract many visitors.  That concern vanished immediately when we learned we were situated next to the beer wagon.  As fate would have it, we probably attracted more visitors than at any time in the past.  

 On Sunday, Harry, Ruth and I opened the booth and held forth until the Shaneyfelts joined us with Nikki, who attracted a lot of attention and licked a lot of faces.  Did I tell you that Nikki is their puppy, an irresistible Yorkshire Terrier?  Harry and Ruth hung in there with me all day on Sunday.  We broke down our exhibit at the end of the festival and returned everything to the training center before we headed home feeling tired and gritty.  But it was all worth it.

 We distributed lots of boating information, obtained names of people who wanted vessel exams, provided schedules of coming classes, recruited potential members, and made new friends.  The time was well spent because our volunteers selflessly donated their time and talents to support our flotilla’s public affairs activity.

 We are now in the midst of planning for National Safe Boating Week, May 19-25, which will involve several of our staff officers, who will concentrate their efforts to promote boating safety.  Look for more information and how you can help at our meeting in May.

Al Bidwick, FSO-PA

 

Public Education
Ruth Bruno, FSO-PE

 

We recently graduated 18 students from the GPS program.  Thank you to instructor, Juan Hernandez, and to Guenther Hennig, Al Bidwick, and Judi Bidwick who assisted in the classes.  An OWT-PE class is scheduled for May as well as an ABC (America’s Boating Course) course on May 11-12.  The fall schedule of classes will soon be released.  If instructors have preferences for teaching assignments, please let me know as soon as possible.

Ruth Bruno
FSO-PE

Personnel Services
Paul F. Corcoran, FSO-PS

 

I have five persons in the pipeline and am working on meeting with them.

Paul Corcoran
FSO-PS

 

Vessel Examiner
Henry Reynolds, FSO-VE

 

Vessel Examiner as an Educator

Many of us, when we first began as a Vessel Examiner, believed that the only purpose of a Vessel Safety Check (VSC) was to ensure that the mariner’s vessel complied with federal and state safety regulations. Even after years of examining vessels many examiners will tell you that this is still their only responsibility when conducting a VSC.  

 “The VSC is much more than a compliance-oriented certification. First and foremost,  the VSC offers a one-on-one education opportunity for the boater.” ¹

Some examiners have lost this vision. Don’t get me wrong. Compliance for safety is still why we conduct vessel examinations. Vessel Examiners (VE) also have an obligation to help each mariner become a more informed boater. To accomplish this they must become a Safety Educator. It’s not the lack of experience or knowledge that keeps the VE from being an educator at the boat ramp. It’s that there has never been an emphasis placed on this aspect of being a VE. Remember, if your knowledge saves just one life it has all been worthwhile. So when possible make sure to pass along your knowledge. You never know when it just might make the difference between a safe voyage or one that ends in disaster.       

                         Be a Safe Boater……..Have a Vessel Safety Check   

 

April Status:

 1. 3 April the Annual VE workshop was conducted.
 2. Working with MS and PA on National Safe Boating Week Activities.
 3. 149 vessels² have been examined to date.

Notes: 

^”Vessel Safety Check Manual” ^1
"AUXDATA^{" 2}

Henry Reynolds
FSO-VE

 

 

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

 

5 May:                 ATON Workshop and Training Session

                             Flotilla 84, 0900-1600

 

7 May:                 Fellowship Picnic/Meeting

 

19-25 May:         National Safe Boating Week, different events

                             to support the flotilla