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

As I set objectives and plan for 2008, I reflect on the past year and the many accomplishments members of our flotilla have made. 

Six of our members achieved AUXOP, making thirty-five active AUXOPs to date in our flotilla.  We have an inordinate number of self-motivated members who took the opportunity to study and move ahead into an elite group who value higher education and the chance to advance their learning and skills.

We brought in two new Coxswains this year, making a total of twenty to stand at the helm of our twelve operational facilities and one personal watercraft.  Four members made Crew status.  To complement those in operations, we trained three new Watchstanders three new Instructors, four new Aid Verifiers, one more Fingerprint Technician, and one new Vessel Examiner.

Not only do those who achieved a new status deserve congratulations, but those mentors who worked so diligently to teach and act as role models deserve kudos for their efforts and many hours of work.  We are privileged to have so many who are willing to share their skills and mentor others.

A team of workers, skilled in construction, turned a crude garage into a finished training center for our members who frequent the Member Training sessions each Tuesday.  This was not an easy task to install air conditioning, put up walls and windows, disassemble garage doors, rewire, rebuild, redo a watchstander area, paint inside and out, and otherwise made this garage into a functional, comfortable room with tables and chairs, refrigerator, ice maker, and the usual needs for an instructional area.  Approval also came to these members from DIRAUX in the form of a Team Commendation Award.

Two of our members distinguished themselves and the flotilla by being awarded the new Recreational Boating Safety Visitor (RBS) medal and certificate for earning points in Public Affairs, Public Education, Vessel Safety Checks, Legislative Outreach, State RBS Outreach, and RBS Program Visits.  It took two years to accrue these points.

The latest and most demanding objective involves installing and using our new MMSI (Maritime Mobile Service Identity) numbers on our OPFACs and developing a method of tracking our facilities electronically using a newly installed base radio with the same capability.  This effort will be shared with Division 8 and Station Cortez and training and further development will continue into 2008.

Last but not least, the team of Coxswain Garland Russ and crew Ed Stebner, Jean Ozimek and Stan Ozimek successfully completed the tasks for Project Excellence recently.  Casey Jankowski, QE for the day, rated the team on their tasks-- everything from communications and the phonetic alphabet to engineering the rescue of OSCAR in the Gulf of Mexico and performing a gulf tow. We are proud of each member of this successful “A” team!

I welcome three new flotilla members and four transfers this year as well as our new staff officers who recently came onboard.  I look forward to renewing our efforts toward accomplishing new objectives and improving our skills in all areas in the coming year.

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,

 We realized significant accomplishments this year through your commitment and dedication, to date a total of 20,030 mission hours were recorded by our Flotilla.  We thank you for your contributions and look forward to equally impressive performance and new developments in 2008.

 There are some goals I would like to bring to your attention for 2008: 

1. This year our Flotilla qualified the first crew in the Division for the Operational Excellence Program; let’s institutionalize this program and qualify additional crews in 2008;
2. The Digital Selective Calling (DSC) vessel tracking system is ready to be deployed in our Flotilla; a presentation will be made at the Flotilla and Division meetings in January, followed by a presentation to the staff at Station Cortez.  We are excited about this system available to the Division and Station Cortez during 2008; this project is new and unique within the Auxiliary and it meshes perfectly with RESCUE 21 and the goals the Coast Guard has set for communications.
3. The challenge for every staff officer in 2008 is to develop projects that would stimulate member participation and new contributions to their functions.  Every member should feel our Flotilla offers a niche for everyone where they make regular contributions.
4. A critical goal for 2008 is to continue to portray a professional image all organizational communications.  It is essential for all staff officers to prepare timely and substantial periodic reports for the Newsletter and the Division.  All members can contribute to these reports by communicating interesting items and events to the staff officers.
5. We want Member Training activities to include plans for On-the-Water Training (OWT) and classroom instruction at the basic and advance levels.  The objective is to development opportunities for all members, whether they are part of Operations or not.

 As you can see, we have a challenging and exciting year ahead and we look forward for your suggestions and contributions to help you reach these and other goals for our Flotilla.

Sincerely,

Juan C. Hernandez
Vice Flotilla Commander

 

 

Aids To Navigation
Ed Stebner, FSO-AN

Happy New Year

We are starting the New Year and another navigation season. With that being said, let’s make a dedicated effort to cover our flotilla’s AOR Navigational Aids and Bridges.

Our number of aids to report are: 76 ATONS [Federal]--89 PATONS--[Private]and 6 BRIDGES which are Blackburn, the swing-bridge at the north AOR and Manasota Bridge at the south AOR. Also remember the proper form to fill out is the AIDS TO NAVIGATION REPORT Form number 7054; only discrepancies can be reported unless permission is granted by Station Cortez to do verifications. Any Auxiliarists may report a discrepancy that can be observed from land or by boat. Only Qualified Aid-Verifiers can report verifications on ATONS & PATONS & BRIDGES. Aids-Verifiers and Auxiliarists report only ONE discrepancy on the 7054 Form. Lattitude and longitude must be reported in degrees, minutes and seconds. Remember to convert from tenths. Let me know if you need help with this. Remember any discrepancy should be called in as soon as possible to Station-Cortez.

Final item to all Aid-Verifiers--remember to use NOAA Form 77-5 for Small Craft Facilities Chart Updates; these should be updated each year.

I will stop for now; this is enough for everybody to digest. I hope to add this program to member training in the future.

One last item that needs mentioning: don’t forget to fill out a 7030 for your mission time.

Happy & Safe Boating

Ed Stebner
FSO-AN 86

Communications
Garland Russ, FSO-CM

 
 

I am happy to announce that we will be introducing some new and exciting changes in the Radio Shack for 2008.

Juan Hernandez and Henry Reynolds completed the set up of the tracking software, enabling DSC radio equipped boats, connected to their GPS, to be tracked on our computer.

 Our newly installed Digital Selective Calling (DSC) capable radio allows us to page a boat on patrol, even if they are on a different channel.

 Some time in early January, Juan and Henry will give a presentation to Division 8 and Flotilla 86. In order to bring everyone current on all the DSC features, we plan to provide training in early 2008.

Recently, Ed Stebner, John Harrison and I made a trip to Station Cortez and met with Ron Touchton of Flotilla 85. Ron trains most of the radio watch candidates for Station Cortez. We learned much about the way station Cortez and the Coast Guard manage their radio room. We may wish to incorporate some of their procedures into our Radio Watch guidelines making us more in line with Coast Guard procedures. Ed Stebner and John Harrison have continued to go to Station Cortez working with Ron to become qualified for Station Cortez Radio watchstanders. 

Garland Russ
FSO-CM

 

 

Communications Services
Henry Reynolds, FSO-CS

 

Welcome to the Auxiliary Electronic Directory
http://www.auxedirectory.org

The e-Directory is a powerful search tool that you can use to find other Auxiliarists. You can find other members based on:

 Name (first, middle, last, nick name, or any combination thereof)

 Unit Information, such as District, Division or Flotilla

Offices Held, such as FSO-IS Competencies, such as Coxswain and many other types of information

 If you are an Auxiliarist and have a record in AUXDATA, then you automatically have an account in the e-Directory. If you are not sure if you are in AUXDATA, please contact your Flotilla's Information Systems officer (FSO-IS).

In order to use the e-Directory, you will need to "activate" your account. Activation means that we verify you are who you say you are, and you set a password for your e-Directory account. You only need to activate your account one time. You do not need to reactivate (unless you forget your password).

The e-Directory is completely automated, and retrieves all of it's data from AUXDATA in the form of an offline, read-only copy that is updated several times per month. Because the data is read-only and comes from AUXDATA, changes to the data in the e-Directory can only be done in AUXDATA.

Please make sure that you have a correct e-mail address in the e-directory. Email addresses change often and it’s easy to forget to make the change in Auxdata. If your e-mail address is incorrect in the e-directory please use the 7028 form to update it through your IS officer. 

Brett Grooms, DC-I

Reprinted from “Bits and Bytes” Volume 5 Issue 1

Submitted by
Henry Reynolds
FSO-CS

 

Information Services
 Harry Bruno, FSO-IS

 

AUXINFO:  The new District 7 AUXINFO Quick Access Reports are basic reports that have been set up on the District Webpage (http://www.cgaux7.org/auxinfo). These basic reports will help members get information without accessing AUXDATA.  The more people we have in AUXDATA, the slower the system becomes...So utilize AUXINFO!

 

REMINDER:  Anyone changing any information, i.e. email, address or any other personal information, please complete a 7028 form or notify me so Auxdata can be updated.

 

 ICS Courses:  Anyone taking the ICS course from FEMA should submit their certificate, either electronically or via hard copy to me. 

 

As of January 1, 2008 there will be a new 7030 form.  I encourage all members to go to the Forms page on the National website and download the new form.  Keep one copy of the Instructions and read the descriptions to mark the ones you will be using on a regular basis.  (do not send me instructions pages).  More information will follow after the first of the year.

 

Also, there are many members who do not submit a 7029 form for credit but put in many legitimate hours for the auxiliary.   The 7029 Member Activity Log Form is the form where most auxiliary hours are reported during the year.  If you are one of the members who does not submit a 7029, just remember that if it's not in AUXDATA it never happened!   But, please remember to be accurate with your hours when completing the form.  If you have any question about what are countable hours, or how to report them, please contact me by email or phone.  The more that we actually do in a year, means we can expect more support from the Coast Guard.   You can refer to the National Training Department's updated value-added article, "Reporting MT hours" for guidance.  This tells you how to report and which form to use for various member training activities and explains the correct use of the 7029, 7030, and 7039.    The address is:  http://www.auxtdept.org/ Once you access the site, click +Value Added Training on the left and then click on "Reporting MT hours."  

 

That's it for now.  Hope everyone has a wonderful New Year!

 

Harry Bruno

FSO-IS

 

Materials
Ruth Bruno, FSO-MA

 

 

FSO-MA:  At our January flotilla meeting, we will have a display of a few items available to our members in relation to uniforms.  We will have available new ball caps for purchase.  Check our stock to see if you can use anything.  There are two new float coats at a real bargain.  We also will have available some uniform shirts and trousers that have been donated---if the size is right for you ---you will be in luck!!!! 

Ruth Bruno
FSO-PE

 

 

Marine Safety
Henry S Reynolds, FSO-MS

 

Very few members of the Flotilla have come in contact with the MS Trident Program. Since this is the first news letter article for me as FSO-MS I thought it would interesting to explain the Trident Program. The following is a portion of the Trident Program article presented on the "Marine Safety (Prevention) Department's web site.

The Trident Program and Augmentation

The Trident Program is a key program of "M" -- with its operation impacting just about every Division and Branch of the Department. There are several ways for Auxiliarists to augment in Coast Guard billets. This includes meeting minimum Personal Qualification Standards (PQS) such as those described in the various specialties in Operations and covered by the AUXOP Program), and may include additional PQS requirements determined by a local command. 

In the areas of Prevention and Response the most common way to become qualified to augment and provide direct support to Coast Guard personnel in marine safety units is through completion of Trident Program PQS requirements in a particular specialty and being assigned to work in that specialty at a marine safety unit. The Trident Program PQS requirements for a particular specialty may be a prerequisite to any such assignment, and local commands may require additional qualifications (See Trident Update Bulletin 010.) This includes, if determined necessary by the assignment, gaining DO status through the PSI process. 

To be awarded the right to wear the Trident "Marine Safety Device" on the Auxiliary uniform Auxiliarists must qualify in at least four of the specialties, have at least four years service in M Missions with at least 96 hours documented in AUXDATA in each calendar year, and complete the prerequisite educational courses (Introduction to Marine Safety and Environmental Protection, Initial Indoctrination to Marine Safety, Good Mate and ICS 100).  Application for the device is submitted through the DSO-MS who will verify all requirements have been met.  Individuals who have met this requirement are considered experts in Auxiliary Marine Safety programs.

These requirements are more fully described in the "Marine Safety Device Application and Check-off Sheet" and in a 2004 PowerPoint presentation entitled The Trident Program, Today and into the Future. (.ppt format)

Step by step instructions on the application process for the Marine Safety Device are contained in Trident Update Bulletin 005. Provisions for a "Conditional Award" of the Marine Safety Device for Auxiliarists who have met all requirements except the four consecutive years of service are contained in Trident Update Bulletin 008.

Becoming qualified to wear the Marine Safety Device is independent of actual assignment to a position covered by one or more of the 16 specialties . An Auxiliarist could conceivably meet this requirement, and maintain the right to wear the device whether or not they are currently assigned to work with the Coast Guard in any of the associated specialties.

However, to initially qualify in any of the specialties, an Auxiliarist must not only meet the published PQS requirements for the specialty, but also with any other requirements set by the particular unit taking on the responsibility of signing off on each PQS, and which are determined by the unit as meeting its needs. (See Trident Update Bulletin 010.) In short, the Trident Marine Safety Device is awarded in recognition of the knowledge and skills the Auxiliarist has attained in the area of marine safety.

Trident PQS Specialities

  AUX-ACP - Assistant Contingency Preparedness Specialist

  AUX-AEI - Port State Control Boarding Team Assistant

  AUX-CI - Assistant Container Inspector

  AUX-ED - Assistant Pollution Investigator

  AUX-EK - Assistant Harbor Safety Officer

  AUX-ET - Assistant Pollution Response Specialist

  AUX-EU - Assistant Facilities Inspector

  AUX-LDEV - Assistant License & Document Evaluator

  AUX-LDEX - Assistant License & Document Examiner

  AUX-LR - Assistant Liferaft Inspector

  AUX-MEES - Marine Environmental Education Specialist

  AUX-MSAM - Marine Safety Administrative & Management Specialist

  AUX-MSW - Marine Safety Watchstander

  AUX-PSC - Port State Control Dispatcher

  AUX-UPV - Uninspected Passenger Vessel Examiner

  AUX-UTV - Uninspected Towing Vessel Examiner

   CFVE - Commercial Fishing Vessel Safety Examiner

For additional information on the Trident Program contact

 Henry S Reynolds
 FSO-MS

 

 

Member Training
John Harrison Jr, FSO-MT

I would like to thank everyone for their support as I transition into the Member Training position.

Our first OWT, Jan 8th, will be devoted to getting everyone up to speed on what they need for 2008, as well as training on the new DCS radio and how to transition to the computer log vs. the hand written log for radio watch standers.

Please write down at least one suggestion concerning how we can improve an already excellent training program.  I will try to incorporate as many suggestions as possible into the regular Tuesday OWT as possible.

The  rest of Januarys OWT  we should have at least 2 boats on the water.  

J.D Harrison, Jr
FSO-MT

 

Operations
Jim Sleichert, FSO-OP

Public Affairs
Al Bidwick, FSO-PA

 

PUBLIC AFFAIRS

When most people think about Public Affairs, events like parades, public appearances, newspaper/magazine articles, and special events such as the Sharks Tooth Festival come to mind.  For those members who volunteer to assist with these endeavors, I am truly thankful. 

But Public Affairs encompasses a great deal more that we often take for granted.  Not many people think about other publications like the monthly newspaper or the directory, each of which takes countless hours to produce.  I want to call these publications to your attention and publicly thank the people who make them possible.   

Let’s start with the Fore and Aft.  Judi Bidwick usually spends the equivalent of four or more working days taking and organizing photographs, writing and editing articles, assembling the newspaper and forwarding it to Henry Reynolds who then devotes many hours putting it on our website.  Do you know that Monique Ring is also involved in the process?  Working with her son, Schuylar, Monique creates a newsletter from the website which they send to our retired flotilla members and those members who do not have computers.  Schuylar earns community service hours for his part in this effort.

 I know that each year you are asked to verify the information that appears in our directory, but do you know what happens with that information after that?  For years, we contracted with a printer and paid well over $500 each year for a directory.  Even though we read the proofs and made corrections, somehow mistakes continued to appear in the final product.  Two years ago, Denis and Judi felt they could save the flotilla a good deal of money and produce a better product by compiling the directory and printing it themselves.  You can imagine how much time and effort this involves, especially with Denis living in New York and Judi in Florida.  Most of their transactions were through email and the U.S. Mail.  This year, though, they spread the work out to include Maureen Keyes, one of our newest members.  Judi has now received the last of the pages from Maureen and Denis and will soon begin the process of collating everything.  I suppose that’s where I’ll come in to assist with the stapling.  We have a newly designed cover, and the prototype looks great. 

 When you get your directory, if you like what you see, be sure to thank Judi, Denis, and Maureen for their efforts, and don’t forget about Henry and Monique.

AL BIDWICK
FSO-PA

Public Educationon
Ruth Bruno, FSO-PE

Our public education classes will begin in January.  Registration for ACN (public or AUX members) is January 2nd from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.  Registration for BS&S is January 3rd from 6:00 to 7:00 p.m.   We plan a GPS course in March and will announce our ABC and on the water courses in the new year.  Our yearly schedule will appear on our website.

Ruth Bruno
FSO-PE

 

Personnel Services
Paul F. Corcoran, FSO-PS

 

I met with two applicants recently who are interested in joining our flotilla.

Mr Soloman will get back to me when he has completed the student study guide sometime in January and will attend our monthly meeting on the 8th.

Mr Brennan did not have enough time to finish and will contact me when he gets back in March.

Paul Corcoran
FSO-PS

Vessel Examiner
Denis Keyes, FSO-VE
 

 
It may sound strange reading about Vessel Exams from the FSO-VE who’s more than a thousand miles away. I’ll be doing this job by remote control with the help of anyone who offers.

When I joined the Auxiliary, Vessel Examiner was the first job offered and it was an easy way to learn about boats, the good things and the bad. The VE has the opportunity to board and inspect all types of boats and water craft from a simple Kayak to a 60’ live- aboard-Sea Ray. For anyone wanting to become a VE, please contact me by E Mail at deniskeyes@verizon.net.  

Denis Keyes
FSO-VE