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

Our flotilla had good publicity this past month with all the Public Affairs ventures we had.  There was good participation in each event.  If you’re looking for a way to become involved or you want to renew your commitment to our flotilla, please join us in future PA events.  Thanks to Walt Jennings, Jean Ozimek, John Kandes, Jim Sleichert, Patrick Wheeler, Bill Cabana, Al Bidwick, Ron Roth, and Maddy for participating in the Sun Fiesta Parade…in the rain!

Another QE mission was set up for the first part of this month for Bud Beeman, John Kandes, and Monique Ring.  This will be our last one before the new year. 

Our required one-hour TCT workshop will be held on Tuesday evening, November 13 at 1900 at the Training Facility on Harbor Drive.  Anyone in operations—coxswain, crew, radiowatch—must take this workshop.  In addition, we will have the Instructor’s workshop that night too.  This is for all instructors or those who will soon qualify.

 We’re all looking forward to a grand night at the Venice Golf and Country Club on Saturday, November 11 from 1800 to 2200, celebrating our Change of Watch.  Dress is appropriate uniform or cocktail attire.  Joining us that evening are John Kockritz from the Power Squadron, Chief William Bennett from Station Cortez, Raymond Paysour, Division 8 Captain, and Fred Kermode, Division 8 Captain, Elect, and each of their wives.

Don’t forget to plan for the Venice Boat Parade on Saturday, December 1.  We will gather at the moorings for our yearly winter picnic/cookout prior to watching the parade.  The Ozimeks have offered their boat to represent our flotilla.  We do need folks to work on decorating the boat.  If you’re interested in volunteering, please let Jean or Stan know.

 By the time this newsletter reaches you, we should have the projector and screen installed at the member training center at the moorings.  This should make for a more comfortable teaching situation for instructors and members.

I hope you all have a great Thanksgiving.

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

 
Fellow Members,

As we get ready to close another successful year I want to thank each of you for your continued support for our Flotilla and the fellowship activities. 

We are planning some new and challenging events for the New Year, such as developing and implementing new advanced training modules for on-the-water training (OWT) and deploying Digital Selective Calling (DSC) tracking of our facilities on patrol.  Nine of our facilities already have DSC radios; a recent transmissions test with DSC radios for three of our facilities worked well. 

The table below shows the facilities that have a DSC radio.  You can use this list to program the Maritime Mobile Service Identity (MMSI) number for your fellow members in your radio using the designated call sign, which is with the first letter of the first name of the facility owner (except mine, which is my middle initial).  I will present this project at out next general meeting in November. 

Owners Name	Designated Call Signs	Boat Name	Registration	MMSI No.
Russ, Garland E.	R	Double Deuce II	FL 6553 HN	338053986
Bud Beeman	B	Whoop-D-Do	FL 2042 MS	338056074
Bidwick/Sleichert	A	Partnership	FL 8333 MP	338054369
Harrison, John D.	J	Kingfish II	FL 6490 MJ	338054236
Hernandez, Juan C.	C	Sea Angel	FL 9150 MD	338059648
Jennings, Walt	W	First Light	FL 1343 LW	338010617
Ozimek, Stan & Jean	S	Rumbline		338054121
Magyar , Lou	L	MOMI  KAI	FL 3689 LX	338058195
Reynolds , Henry	H	SEA NOTE II	FL 4261 NC	338041251

Finally, we will install a projector and screen at the Nokomis location next week to support training activities.

 I am looking forward to working with you during the coming year and welcome your suggestions for sustaining continued growth in fellowship and operational activities in our Flotilla.

Juan C. Hernandez
Vice Flotilla Commander

 

Information Services
 Harry Bruno, FSO-IS

Message from FSO-IS:  Submitting forms in a timely manner:  Many of our members submit their forms in a timely manner (either right after a mission or within a two week period) and I thank you for that consideration.  However, there are still quite a few members who are not sending in their forms regularly and then send a large group (month or more back) at one time.  Why is it so difficult to submit forms on time????  Here are the reasons I hear:

 

1. I forgot: ---why not mark your calendar at the beginning of each month a reminder to submit your forms every other week.  Then when the reminder appears—Do It!

      

2. I don’t know how: --If you don’t know how to complete a form I would be happy to help you.  I am an email or phone call away.  You can always do a paper form if you don’t know how to use the computer.  If the form you send me is wrong I will explain to you the error but at least it will be submitted in a timely manner.

     

    3,  I’m too busy: --It only takes a few minutes to do a form if you make it a regular

         habit, either at the end of the mission or within the week while the information
         is still fresh in your mind.  Suggestion: mark the mission info on a calendar or

         paper immediately so it is there to refer to.   Also on the computer  download

         the form to your desktop so that each time you can complete and forward 

         shortly after your mission.  If you use paper forms, get a bunch and complete

         the top info that never changes and have them ready to complete right after a

         mission and then hand them in.

 

    4,  My computer is down: --Do paper forms every other week.  You can mail them

         to me or put them in my mailbox at the training center or hand them to me if you

         see me regularly.  Even when you are up North your paper forms could be

         mailed or emailed and your credit will be up to date and timely.

 

Please understand that for each form I receive there are 3 entries in auxdata, plus 2 other entries in excel, for a total of 5 entries per form.  If you send me 10 forms that is 50 entries for one person for one form.  That counts as 10 missions.  If I combine your forms (as I sometimes have to do when they are late) the mission count of 10 now becomes 1 (although I still must make 5 entries).  Our flotilla now loses out on mission count.  The loss of mission count is serious to the Coast Guard Auxiliary as a whole, as our member contributions are no longer properly reflected and the Coast Guard will ultimately lose funding. 

 

Completing forms in a timely manner is such a simple matter that it is hard to understand why everyone cannot find a way to do it.  It is for the support of the Coast Guard Auxiliary that I am appealing to those who have not been doing this, to please make an effort to comply.  Again, thanks to those of you who have been sending them in.

 

REMINDER:  We are near the end of the year don’t forget to complete all qualification requirements (i.e.: ICS, hours, etc) so you don’t go REYR!     

 

Harry Bruno,

FSO-IS

Marine Safety
Fred Shaneyfelt, FSO-MS

FROM THE EDGE OF THE WATER:

With fall upon us and winter close by it would be a good time to check things out. I know that we must make sure all our equipment is in tip-top shape but sometimes we overlook the little things like batteries. When was the last time you emptied out all the pockets of your PFD? How about a total shake down on your boat? As we add more things and push others to the side we just might not be able to find that certain thing when the time comes.

This also applies to our certifications and re-certification. As time flies by sometimes we lose track of what we need to get a class in to stay up to date. Sometimes these classes are few and far between, so check out your things and stay on top of safety.

Fred Shaneyfelt
FSO-MS

Member Training
Bud Beeman, FSO-MT

All members participating in operations need to take part in the one-hour TCT workshop.  Also given on that day is the Instructor Workshop for those who are currently or will be instructors. This workshop will be held on Tuesday evening, Nov 13, 1900 hours, at the Venice Training Center.  The TCT is the one-hour class required for everyone who didn't take the eight-hour class this year.

Member Training has attempted to get everyone qualified for 2007 as much as possible.  If you haven't completed the ICS courses required, you still have time to do that.  We won't have any classes, but contact me if you need more info.

There will be no more QE events until 2008, and possibly some returning members will need requalifying.

Bud Beeman,
FSO-MT

Operations
Jim Sleichert, FSO-OP

PFD Survival Equipment Requirements

Auxiliarists must equip their PFDs, worn while conducting a mission or evolution, with certain survival equipment identified below.
E.14.a. Required PFD Equipment	The following survival equipment must be attached to each PFD during surface operations: • Whistle • Reflective tape • Personal marker light (PML) – a cyalume light stick, a flashlight, or a strobe light • A signal mirror
E.14.b. Optional Equipment	The following equipment is recommended, but optional for each PFD: • Transceiver • Knife • Dye marker or other manual person in water (PIW) locator
E.15. Hypothermia Protective Clothing	Hypothermia protective clothing permits personnel to function in cold weather and to reduce the loss of body heat in cold water. The four types of clothing are: • Wet suits • Survival (exposure) suits • Dry suits • Anti-exposure coveralls

Public Affairs
Al Bidwick, FSO-PA

October was a busy month for Public Affairs.  Home Depot sponsored a Health and Safety Day on Saturday, October 13 and invited us to participate.  We accepted the invitation and arrived well in advance of the start time of 1000.  I had a Division Meeting to attend.  Nevertheless, we were well represented, and no one seemed to miss my presence.  They did well without me.  Patrick arrived early and set up his PWC, all decked out in the usual CGAUX signs and equipment.  He was joined by Jim Sleichert, Jeanne Ozimek, and Guenther Hennig and Mike Marmion.  Mike came even though he was scheduled for patrol later in the day.  By the time I arrived, folks had figured out where to get free food.  Home Depot provided us with banana muffins, pizza, and soft drinks.  Quite a few people visited our booth, giving us an opportunity to interest them in classes and vessel exams.

Talk about dedication---after leaving Home Depot, Patrick Wheeler and Bill Cabana traveled to the Venice-Nokomis Elks Lodge and set up a booth as part of their Elktoberfest.  Judi and I joined them later on.  Unfortunately, the event was not well attended on Saturday due to another fair in the area.  Garland Russ volunteered to work with Judi and me on Sunday, but after speaking with Monique Ring who was working there with Girl Scouts and informed us of the poor attendance, we decided not to go. 

We had a lot of fun the following week at the Sun Fiesta Parade in spite of the rain.  Ron Roth made the mistake of letting Judi know that he was back in town, and she quickly recruited him to help me carry the banner in front of our boats.  I’m just kidding, of course.  Ron is always willing to help out when he is needed.   Walt Jennings towed his boat in back of us while Judi Bidwick, Jeanne Ozimek, John Kandes, and Jim Sleichert, and Maddy rode proudly aboard First Light, all wearing life jackets and waving to their adoring fans who lined the parade route.  Patrick Wheeler, riding aboard Union Jack, and trailered by Bill Cabana brought up the rear.

I can’t say enough about the great members in our flotilla who repeatedly turn out to help with Public Affairs Missions whenever occasions arise.  Certain individuals are always there to assist me to promote the Auxiliary and our purposes, and help community members realize the contributions we make to keep our waterways safe.  I am so proud to work with you.

Al Bidwick,
FSO-PA

Public Education
Ruth Bruno, FSO-PE

The Public Education Program has successfully completed one Boating Safety and Seamanship class this fall and the second BSS is underway now.

A GPS class begins October 31 and will continue for three more sessions, ending the Wednesday before Thanksgiving.

Our program for the new year is posted on our website front page with links to descriptions for each of the courses we teach.

At the present time, we have students interested in our On The Water Program from both classes and we plan at least four sessions before January.

Thanks to those members—Jim Sleichert, Garland Russ, JD Harrison, Bill Cabana, Art Sperling, John Kandes, and Mike Marmion-- who assisted either with registration or in classes while the Brunos are away. 

Judi Bidwick,
AFSO-PE

 

Vessel Examiner
Henry Reynolds, FSO-VE

 

We are coming to the end of yet another year and also to the end of my time as the FSO-VE. The last two years, if you base your evaluation on the Vessel Safety Checks conducted, have not been particularly impressive. Combining the last two years, the Flotilla’s Vessel Examiners have given approximately 750 examinations.

 

Yes, if we were to base our evaluation solely on the number of examinations the Flotilla would be given an average mark; especially since one Flotilla in the Division has performed more VSCs in one year then we have done in two years. Success or failure based upon numbers alone doesn’t tell the complete story. Doing a large number of examinations is nice for the record but are these examiners conveying vital boating safety information to the mariner during the examination? I don’t think so.

 

One of this year’s strategies for the Flotilla’s examiners was to take more time with each mariner. This would enable them to educate the mariner in different aspects of boating safety. Many of the mariners the examiner meets on the docks have never been to a boating safety class. Therefore this is an ideal opportune time to increase their boating knowledge. The Flotilla’s examiners have a wealth of knowledge and experience that would be invaluable to the mariner. What better time to pass this knowledge on the individual then during a VSC.

 

It is not necessarily bad to have low vessel examination numbers. Providing we do more than just check the mariner’s safety equipment. My hope is that the examiner did and will continue to provide education to the boating public during VSCs.

 

“The primary thrust for the V-Dept is to develop the image that VEs and PVs are in fact EDUCATORS.”

 

The above is a quote from the VE/PV 2007 Workshop Presentation. I think we have met this objective for 2007.

  

New Certifications for the Year:

 

Henry S Reynolds            USCG UPV Inspector

 

 

I would like to thank all of the Vessel Examiners for their support these past two years.

 

Remember….

 

  Be a safe boater

                   Have a Vessel Safety Check

 

Henry S Reynolds,

FSO-VE

 

 

 

 

 

NOVEMBER / DECEMBER EVENTS

 

 

 FLOTILLA MEETING……………………..….NOV 6, 1930

                                                                             TRAINING FACILITY
 

CHANGE OF WATCH………………………..NOV 10, 1800,
                                                                              VENICE GOLF and COUNTRY CLUB

                                                                              

RBSV WORKSHOP………………………….NOV 17, 0900, FL84, 10^TH STREET,

                                                                             SARASOTA

 

TCT/INSTRUCTOR WORKSHOP………….. NOV 13, 1900

                                                                             TRAINING FACILITY
  

GPS CLASS………………………..………....NOV 7, 14, 21, 1900-2100

                                                                             TRAINING FACILITY
 

BSS CLASS…..................................................NOV 5, 8, 12, 15, 21, 1830-2100

                                                                             TRAINING FACILITY
 

VENICE BOAT PARADE/FL PICNIC……….DEC 1, 1600,

                                                                              MOORINGS

 

DIVISION CHANGE OF WATCH……………DEC 1, 1130,

                                                                             BIRD KEY YACHT CLUB

 

 

NO DECEMBER FLOTILLA MEETING

 

UPCOMING IN JANUARY-----

 

DIVISION & FLOTILLA STAFF ORIENTATION….JAN 5, O830

     KEATING CTR, MOTE MARINE, SARASOTA

 (ALL FLOTILLA STAFF OFFICERS ARE EXPECTED TO ATTEND)