HOW CAN I TELL IF A THUNDERSTORM IS HEADED FOR MY BOAT?

One way is to take a bearing on the storm with a hand-bearing compass. If the bearing does not change, assume the storm is headed in your direction!

You can also count the seconds between the lightning flash and the thunder, then divide by five to determine the storm's distance from the boat in miles. If that distance shrinks with successive flashes, the storm is moving toward you. Keep in mind that flashes often strike at an angle from the storm, so lightning can hit a boat while the storm is still quite distant--the proverbial "bolt out of the blue."

Reprinted from Soundings Supplement

August-September,2008

USCGC POINT COUNTESS
When the Point Countess was stationed at the Nokomis moorings, it cruised the Gulf of Mexico off Venice, Florida. The US Coast Guard Station there maintained the cutter until it was sold to the independent country of Georgia and transferred to the Black Sea.

In the recent skirmish between Russia and Georgia, the Point Countess was bombed and sunk.

Many Auxilarists from Flotilla 86 took part in training and crewing on this cutter. Those of us who were lucky enough to see her appreciate her timeliness and history.

Judi Bidwick
Flotilla 86

August-September,2008

MINUTES August 5, 2008

U.S.C.G. AUXILIARY, FLOTILLA 86

Vice-Commander Juan Hernandez called the meeting to order at 1930 with 26 members present. Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation followed.

Guenther Hennig thanked everyone for their prayers and concerns for his wife, Marion, during her illness. She is home and doing much better.

VFC Report, Juan Hernandez:
* The June/July Newsletter and August/September Newsletter will be on line in a few
days.
* Fellowship: reminded members of the 4 day cruise in November and 10 day cruise
in December.
* Hurricane Season: requested members update their personal information for the
hurricane season.
* Diraux West: gave an update of the move to the training center. Work parties to be
set up.
* Radio station: making preliminary plans should the radio have to be moved.
* OWT training on hold until dock work is complete.
* Elections to be held in October. Nominating committee: John Susek, Paul
Corcoran and Lou  Magyar
* Juan Hernandez and Henry Reynolds to make presentation of tracking system at
   NACON.
* Members wishing to replace their radios with DSC radios may do so under a 50/50
grant.   Receipts must be in to Judi Bidwick or Denis Keyes before August 31.
* The new PE Weekend Navigator course is ready for purchase. It will be taught in
January.

Lou Magyar spoke about the plans for moving Diraux West to the training Center. He asked for assistance for Wednesday at 1:00 p.m. at which time the out building will be emptied. He also requested volunteers for Thursday morning 8:00 a.m. to clean out the training center. Lou will pick up the materials needed on Monday and work will begin.

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING: A motion was made and seconded to accept the June 3, 2008 Minutes as they appear in the Fore and Aft.   (July meeting was cancelled). Motions were made and all voted in favor.

FINANCE REPORT: Janet Heijens presented the Finance Report. Motion made, seconded and all voted in favor to approve, subject to audit. She reminded everyone dues are due and they are now $50.

IN SERVICE: Henry Reynolds made a presentation on "Boating on the Norfolk Broads." He and his wife recently completed this trip in southeast United Kingdom.

STAFF REPORTS:

FSO-IS:    Harry Bruno announced all coxswains must take the ICS 210 before March 2009, once it is available. It is a 4 hour classroom course.

FSO-MA: Ruth Bruno announced the 7th District Store is up and running. She will post the address and phone numbers. It is available at cgaux7.org/d7store. Their hours are Monday and Thursday 10am-1800.

FSO-MT: J.D. Harrison stated OWT is on hold until the dockage is completed. Art Sperling gave a CPR course on July 15th.

FSO-PE: The public education course Weekend Navigator will be taught in January 2009.

FSO-OP: Jim Sleichert stated July was not a good month for patrols. This month is looking better. We will try to get some training in on weekends for those who need to qualify. He hopes to have a QE by November. Some coxswains, scheduled to qualify next year, may do so this year.

FSO-PS: Paul Corcoran is working with a new candidate.

AWARDS:

SAR COURSE: Charlotte Clouston, Janet Heijens and Art Sperling

VE CERTIFICATION: Garland Russ

Old Business: VFC Juan Hernandez told members as soon as there is word on the status of the Moorings, it will be passed on to membership. He is hoping we will have some news in a few weeks.

New Business: John Susek, Chairman, Nominating Committee read the election guidelines as required by the Standing Rules.

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 2030.

Respectfully submitted,

Ruth Bruno, Secretary
USCG Auxiliary, Flotilla