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

Judi Bidwick, Commander            Juan Hernandez PhD, Vice-Commander
May,2008                                        Judi Bidwick, Editor                                    Judi Bidwick, Photographer
 

Flotilla Commander's Message

From the Commander

Congratulations to all of those members who won Division 8 awards this year.  Our flotilla achieved the Division 8 Outstanding Flotilla Award and the Flotilla with the most recorded hours.  We also received the First Place Flotilla Achievement Award for Public Affairs, Coast Guard Administrative Support, and Member with Most Reported Hours.  There were other awards to be proud of and they were announced at the May meeting.  Please continue to report your hours—whether on the 7030 or 7029 form.  All are important to the flotilla and to the Coast Guard.

Many of our members have left to go to north for the summer months.  Please remember to let Juan know your closest relative & phone number, your phone number locally, your time in Venice, etc., for updating the Hurricane Plan.  This is very important.

If you haven’t attended the required 1-hr TCT and Instructor’s Workshops, please make arrangements to do so.  The IT workshop is due by the end of May; the TCT must be completed for any crew, coxswain, or watchstander by December.

I want to thank all the instructors who volunteered their time at the Passport To Water Safety Program that was held for 200 Girl Scouts and their parents recently.  It was a huge success thanks to:  Karen Hillelson, Jim Sleichert, John Kandes, Al Bidwick, Fredda Smith-Hurst, Henry Reynolds, Juan Hernandez, Rick Odato, Lou Magyar, Ruth Bruno, Janet Heijens, Mike Marmion, John Dexter, Harry Bruno, Jens Westrick, Bud Beeman, and Monique Ring.  Phil Phillips, Venice Marine Police, and Kevin Deiter, Sarasota Marine Police also assisted as instructors.  Toni Borman from Fl 84 introduced our DVD and related stories of her experiences at Mote with the dolphins.  We hope to continue a similar program next year with another group.

National Safe Boating Week is in full swing for our flotilla.  Some of us met at the Venice Boat Ramp, set up a booth, and did some safety boat checks.  Other plans will follow.

Al and I had fun with two classes of pre-school youngsters recently at the Island Montessori School.  We return in June to give classes to their camp.

Flotilla 86 will host the Division 8 Flotilla Commanders at the Training Center on Saturday, June 7.

Judi Bidwick
Flotilla Commander



Judi Bidwick, FC




Information

 

 

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Flotilla
Staff Officers


               CM - Juan Hernandez
               CS -  Denis Keyes
               FN -  Janet Heijens
               IS   - Harry Bruno
               MA - Richard Markwitz
               MS - Roman Gzyl 
               MT -  Lou Magyar
               OP - Jim Sleichert
               PA - Al Bidwick
               PB - Judi Bidwick
               PE - Judi Bidwick
               PS - John Kandes
               PV - Jerry Mitchell
               SR - Ruthanne Bruno 

         
         

                 General Meeting:
              First Tuesday - 1930
                 Training Center

              On The Water Training
              Every Thursday - 0830
               Marine Max, Venice

 

 
                                                                                            May,2008
Dr. Juan Hernandez, FSO-OP


 

Vice Commander
Juan Hernandez Ph D

 

Fellow members,

I want to take this opportunity to wish those members that return home this month a safe trip and an enjoyable summer season.  Through your efforts we achieved excellent performance in all areas; in particular, we clearly demonstrated during recent months our capabilities in successfully performing SAR missions.  As we reflect on these achievements, let us continue to work toward the goals we set earlier this year and continue to prepare to meet new challenges.  I appreciate the opportunity to work with you on these endeavors.

Juan C. Hernandez, 
Vice Flotilla Commander, BC-TSW

 
                                                                                            May,2008
Henry Reynolds, FSO-VE

 

Communications Services
Henry Reynolds, FSO-CS
 

Status

Processed 75 Information Notices YTD
Processed 28 Other Notices YTD 

Started repairing the dead links on the Flotilla’s website.

Henry S Reynolds
FSO-CM
                                                                                           May,2008
Harry Bruno, FSO-IS


 

Information Services
 Harry Bruno, FSO-IS

 

I have been instructed to encourage all members to use auxinfo instead of auxdata.   The DSO-IS has made this easy for everyone in D7.  Go to http://cgaux7.org/auxinfo/ and select Division 8 and your flotilla, then whatever category they wish.  If saving instructions are needed, click on HELP at the bottom of the Division listings, on the left.

Also, those who already use an auxdata password please note new criteria:  One must log in every 30 days or your password will be locked and your account deactivated.  

For your information in a recent memo from leadership we are notified that beginning with elections in 2008, the Administrative Procedures Course (APC) is a specific election eligibility requirement for any Auxiliarist for whom this would be a first elected office (level of office does not matter).  The Elected Officers Course (EOC) and Auxiliary Administration Course (AUXMIN) are only acceptable (i.e.-"grandfathered") for Auxiliarists who have held any elected office in the past.
  

Harry Bruno

FSO-IS

 
                                                                                          May,2008
Ruth Bruno, FSO-MA


 

Materials
 Ruth Bruno, FSO-MA




The 7th District Store was closed on April 9th and is in the process of moving to its new location in Clearwater.  The store will be closed for 6-8 weeks and will not be shipping any orders until they reopen.  You can still order items from the Uniform Procurement site at http://www.uscg.mil/UNIFORMS/UDC_orders.htm, or at http://shopauxiliary.com/. 

Ruth Bruno,
FSO-PE
                                                                                           May,2008
Fred Shaneyfelt, FSO-MS

 

Marine Safety
Henry S Reynolds, FSO-MS


               Ocean Conservancy's International Coastal Cleanup

The World's Only Snapshot of Trash in the Ocean and Its Hazardous Effects on Ocean Life.

Ocean Conservancy’s International Coastal Cleanup is the world’s largest volunteer event of its kind. Thousands of volunteers participate from all over the globe, clearing tons of trash from oceans and waterways, and recording every piece of trash collected. Last year, 378,000 volunteers participated from 76 countries and 45 states. Worldwide, volunteers removed an average of 16 pounds of trash, per person.

Ocean Conservancy is looking forward to their next International Coastal Cleanup on September 20, 2008!

The Ocean Conservancy released its annual report on trash in the ocean, including new data from the 2007 International Coastal Cleanup, which the non-profit calls the “most comprehensive snapshot of the harmful impacts of marine debris.” This year, over 378,000 volunteers participated in cleanups around every major body of water across the globe, not only to remove trash from the world’s beaches and waterways, but also to identify the sources of debris found on land and underwater

“Our ocean is sick,” says Laura Capps, senior vice president at the Ocean Conservancy, in a press release “And the plain truth is that our ocean ecosystem cannot protect us unless it is healthy and resilient. Harmful impacts like trash in the ocean, pollution, climate change, and habitat destruction are taking its toll. But the good news is that hundreds of thousands of people from around the world are starting a sea change by joining together to clean up the ocean. Trash doesn’t’ fall from the sky it falls from people’s hands. With the International Coastal Cleanup, everyone has an opportunity to make a difference, not just on one day but all year long.” Marine trash kills more than one million seabirds and 100,000 marine mammals and turtles each year through ingestion and entanglement, says the Ocean Conservancy. This year, volunteers found 81 birds, 63 fish, 49 invertebrates, 30 mammals, 11 reptiles, and one amphibian entangled in debris such as plastic bags, fishing lines, fishing nets, six-pack holders, balloon and kite strings, glass bottles, and cans. The top 10 debris items collected during the 2007 event include:
 
       · Cigarettes/cigarette filters
       · Food wrappers/containers
       · Caps/lids · Bags
       · Plastic beverage bottles
       · Cups/plates/forks/knives/spoons 
       · Glass beverage bottles
       · Cigar tips
       · Straws/stirrers
       · Beverage cans

Reprint from the “Ocean Conservancy” Status:

                                                                                           May,2008
Jim Sleichert, FSO-VE


 

Operations
Jim Sleichert, FSO-OP

 

FROM THE OPERATIONS DESK: 

Orders issued for April were a total of eighteen.  Sixteen were completed and two cancelled by the coast guard.

Patrols for the month of May are right on schedule.  When completed we will have finished eighteen patrols.  June is another story.  I’m having a hard time filling safety patrol dates due to the availability of facilities.  I’m also worried about the availability of crew.  Yes, summer is here, and many of our members have gone north.

Crew, please keep an eye on the schedule and help out whenever you can.

Coxswains please do not wait until the last minute lining up your crew.  It will not be easy like in the winter.  Make sure your find crew before you ask for orders.  It is much easier to ask crew what weekends they are available and try to line up your weekends to match.  It will be most likely that we will be unable to fill all weekend safety patrols during the summer months.  But, we are not the only flotilla that has this problem. 

Starting in June the OWT will not be every Tuesday morning like in the winter.  All crew will be notified by e-mail, with at least one week’s notice, when and what type of training will be done.  We will be doing more night missions and search patterns at night.  Also we will be doing basic review for all crew and coxswain.  We will also be training for new and requalifying crew and coxswains.   Some OWT will be done on weekends when we have a second boat available from the safety patrol.    

There is also an equipment change for operational PWC.  Some equipment is no longer necessary: 

PWC Carriage Requirements Change after careful consideration by the Surface Stan Team, the following PWC OPFAC carriage requirements are changed effective immediately:
-    Type IV PFD is no longer required. 
-    Spare spark plugs are only required for 2 stroke engines. They are no longer required for 4 stroke engines. 

Have a great summer and stay healthy and safe.  For all members staying here this summer, see you on the water.

Jim Sleichert

FSO/OP    

 
                                                                                           May,2008
Ruth Bruno, FSO-MA

 

 

Public Educationon
Ruth Bruno, FSO-PE


The GPS class successfully graduated 19 students.  Thanks to all for great job, especially instructors, Juan Hernandez and Al Bidwick and the members who assisted in class.   Our upcoming schedule of classes appears on our website as well as on the Division website. We had 200 in attendance (girl scouts and parents) at our recent Passport to Water Safety event.  Other community service personnel joined with us in providing boating safety education.  We also are planning water safety education for two preschools during May and June in conjunction with the PA department. 

Ruth Bruno
FSO-PE

 
                                                                                          May,2008



 

 Vessel Safety Check Mega Week:   

                    May 17 through July 6 

Sponsored by United States Coast Guard Auxiliary & United States Power Squadrons®

The intent of this event is to focus attention on the Vessel Safety Check Program through the participation of CG Auxiliary flotillas, USPS squadrons and various partnering organizations including marine retailers, marinas and yacht clubs.

 Time Frame and Locations

Beginning with National Safe Boating Week, this event ends after the busy 4th of July weekend. During this seven week (eight weekends) time frame a focused and concentrated effort will be organized to perform VSCs at ramps, marinas, yacht clubs and other locations throughout your community.

 Planning and Advertising Efforts

The planning phase for local events should begin as soon as practical. Flotillas and Squadrons should contact their local partnering businesses to solicit their participation in supporting the event by either sponsoring a VSC station or helping to advertise the event. Printed lists of VSC station dates and sites should be made available to the partners/sponsors for distribution to the boating public. The retail partners should be encouraged to publicize not only the event but also any equipment discount program they offer to encourage obtaining a VSC. In addition, the Flotillas and Squadrons should mount a coordinated public affairs effort in their local media and should actively promote the event during National Safe Boating Week. Local CG Auxiliary flotillas and USPS squadrons are encouraged to coordinate and/or combine their efforts to eliminate duplication at the local level.

 Key For Success

By careful planning and commitment of resources, the 2008 VSC Mega Weeks will be successful. Establish a “Performance Team” to plan the local event: Program Visitors, PE Instructors, Public Affairs specialists, and Vessel Examiners. Engage ALL of your vessel examiners in the planning effort to insure their commitment to the event. And be sure to recruit and qualify vessel examiner trainees.

 Promote Our Other Boating Safety Programs

While doing VSCs be sure to promote our public education courses, maritime domain awareness, and organizational membership. The Marina/Yacht Club Safe Boater program has a template for engaging all of these activities. Consult with your RBS- Program Visitor for details of the program

USCG Auxiliary Dept of and USPS Committee for Vessel Safety Check & RBS Visitation Program

          (Reprinted from FOR SAFETY’S SAKE, the official VE Dept newsletter)

 
                                                                                           May,2008 


                        A Simple Idea That May Save Your Life

 Not long ago I had the need to purchase a medical identification bracelet. As I looked through the different types I began to think about a medical emergency on board one of the Flotilla’s facilities. What would happen if a crewmember was injured and unable to communicate to the medical responders any medical conditions that they may have. Especially if the condition could become life threatening.

I doubt if neither the coxswain nor the crewmembers could shed any light on the injured crewmember’s medical condition. This leaves the injured crewmember in rather a precarious position.

What kind of medical conditions need to be brought to the medical professional's attention? (Note: There are many more critical medical conditions that a medical provider needs to know, but I have limited the conditions to those that may be encountered with Auxiliary personnel.)

    • Allergies: Drug, Food and Insect
    • Ankylosing Spondylitis
    • Asthma
    • Blood disorders
    • Blood thinners/anticoagulants, aspirin
    • Diabetes
    • Epilepsy, seizures
    • Heart disease
    • Hearing impaired
    • Hypertension
    • Multiple medications

Emergency personnel are trained to look for a medical alert identification while administering to an unconscious person. It would appear that wearing some form of alert identification would provide the necessary information required for treatment. But, one of the first items to be checked during a mission briefing is jewelry and it is removed in order to minimize accidents. This precludes the wearing of any medical identification, except possibly around the neck. This item could cause a serious injury if caught on some portion of the vessel.  Therefore wearing an object around the neck should be avoided.

A solution to this dilemma would be to carry your medical information in or on your life preserver in a watertight container similar to the one in Figure 1.

                    

                                                                       Figure 1
                            (Note; The alert symbol has been added to the container)

This container was originally designed to carry a mariner’s vessel registration. It is therefore relatively small and watertight. The container shown in Figure 1 has a metal ring attached to the top of the lid. This can either be connected directly to the life jacket or attached to a short piece of shoelace. The shoelace is then fastened to the life jacket. Connecting the container in this method allows it to be stored in one of the life jacket’s pockets. 

Below is an example of a medical card that could be carried inside the above container. This card has the necessary information to safely treat a person that is unable to communicate with emergency medical personnel.

 

                                                                   Figure 2.

The above card was produced at MedIDs.com, http://www.medids.com/free-id.php. After the medical identification card has been printed it should be laminated in plastic to protect it from the elements. The card is then rolled and placed inside the canister depicted in Figure 1.

 Submitted by Henry S Reynolds

               

 

 
                                                                                           May,2008

 

 

 

MINUTES May 6, 2008

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

 

Commander Judi Bidwick called the meeting to order at 1930 with 33 members and guests, Fred Kermode, DCP; Braxton Ezell, VCP, new member Mary Wagner, and potential member Gei Duiguid.  Also visiting were Joe and Lorraine Young, Flotilla 82-Longboat Key.  Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation followed.   FC welcomed

FC Report, Judi Bidwick:
* Reminded members they need the TCT and IT workshops if they haven't taken them.

* Division 8 Meeting- A few members attended at which awards were presented.

* Passport to Water Safety-Thank you to Monique Ring and to all who participated for its great success.

* National Safe Boating week 5/17-24.  Keep Sarasota Beautiful 5/21.  Fellowship picnic 5/10.

* AUF missions cancelled with auxiliary.  CG needs personnel trained in tactical evasion.

* Hurricane Season-6/1-Nov. Be sure you update information with FC so we can account for everyone

MINUTES OF PREVIOUS MEETING:  A motion was made and seconded to accept the April 1, 2008 Minutes as they appear in the Fore and Aft. 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.

IN-SERVICE  Lou Magyar presented an in-service on the proper wear of uniforms.

STAFF REPORTS:

FSO-IS-Harry Bruno encouraged members to utilize auxinfo to gather their information.

FSO-MA-Ruth Bruno read a notice from DSO-MA regarding no longer using the "Boating Safety Hotline" and obliteration of the 1-800 numbers on literature.  She also reported that in reference to finalization of the Iraq Soldier Project through the support of our members we mailed 31 packages. 

FSO-PE-Ruth Bruno stated the May 3rd Passport to Water Safety for the girl scouts was a great success.  The ABS class was cancelled due to lack of registration.  The next scheduled class is BS&S in September.

FSO-MT-John Harrison stated he will try to plan one night mission per month.  Schedule will be coming.

FELLOWSHIP-John Harrison announced a fellowship picnic will be held Saturday, May 10th at 4:30 p.m. at the Nokomis location.  All are invited.  A sign up sheet will be circulated.

FSO-MDV-John Kandes stated there were 8 visits last month.  He thanked those who participated with the BAT PAK training.

FSO-OP-Jim Sleichert stated the May schedule is coming out.  He reminded those going north to please get their boating hours completed before leaving.  Boats are needed for OWT.

FSO-PA-Al Bidwick thanked everyone for their support of the PA projects during the year, especially at the St. Patrick's Parade, Sharks' Tooth Festival, Passport to Water Safety and many more events.  The National Safe Boating week is coming up.  He will be setting up a schedule and will ask for help.  The flotilla will receive a proclamation next week.

FSO-PS-Paul Corcoran announced he saw 2 new members today, will see 2 tomorrow and 1 on Thursday.

AWARDS:

 ADV NAV PART AND PART B - Ron Roth

CERTIFICATE FOR COMPLETION OF BATPAK-Al Bidwick, Judi Bidwick, John Kandes, Mike Marmion, Henry Reynolds

OPERATIONAL EXCELLENCE AWARD- Ed Stebner

SUSTAINED AUX SERVICE AWARD- 8th-Ed Stebner; 6th-Ruth Bruno

AUXILIARY MEMBERSHIP SERVICE AWARD- 10 yrs -Alfredda Smith-Hurst

AUX PERFORMANCE AWARD-

  RBSVP-Patrick Wheeler,

  OPS-Bud Beeman, Al Bidwick, Judi Bidwick, Harry Bruno, Ruth Bruno, Bill
  Cabana,   JD  Harrison, Jim Sleichert, Juan Hernandez, Walt Jennings, John
  Kandes, Ed Stebner, Mike Marmion, Henry Reynolds, Patrick Wheeler. 

  PE-Al Bidwick, Judi Bidwick, Harry Bruno, Ruth Bruno, Ed Stebner

AUX 7TH CG DIV 8

AWARD OF MERIT -1st place PA - Judi Bidwick;  1st place CGADM Support - Lou
  Magyar,  2nd Place Health Services - Patty Sperling;  2nd Place Member Training -  
  Ed Stebner;  3rd place VE - Patrick Wheeler; 3rd place CG Adm Support - Paul
  Corcoran

COMMODORE CERTIF. OF EXCELLENCE -

Multi-Directorate - Henry Reynolds.

Operational Adm Support - Ed Stebner, Jim Sleichert, Lou Magyar, Guenther Hennig, Paul Corcoran, Ruth Bruno, Harry Bruno.      

RB Safety - Al Bidwick;

Member Services- Judi Bidwick

Operational/ Marine Safety -Patrick Wheeler, Harry Bruno, Ruth Bruno

DIVISION FLOTILLA WARDS:  2nd place Aux Adm Support; 2nd place Public Education; 2nd place Health Services, 3rd place CG OPS Support;  3rd place Vessel Exams.

FLOTILLA WITH MOST RECORDED HOURS 2007

OUTSTANDING FLOTILLA AWARD 2007

FLOTILLA ACHIEVEMENT AWARD:  1st place Public Affairs; 1st place CG Adm Support,

1st place most reported hours -Judi Bidwick.

NEW BUSINESS:  Lou Magyar asked if anyone was interested in working at Diraux West.

Fred Kermode, DCP, expressed his pride in Flotilla 86 and what they have accomplished. 

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 2050.

Respectfully submitted,
Ruth Bruno, Secretary
USCG Auxiliary, Flotilla 86

 

        
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