Several members are having difficulty opening E Mail distributions that contain files with a .docx extension. If you plan to send out a WORD file, please make sure the extension is .doc.

Thanks

Denis Keyes
FSO-CS

An operations meeting was held prior to the November Flotilla meeting.  A number of items were discussed concerning coxswain/boat owner requirements and appropriate ODU dress.

The chart above provides information necessary for boat owners who wish to pay their crew for meals in lieu of providing a meal when on patrols.

The boat owner is paid for meals during the hours from 0400--0800, from 1000--1400, and from 1600--2000.  If a boat is on patrol during those hours, it is expected that the owner/coxswain will provide a meal to the crew or pay the crew member for the specific meal(s) cost at the particular time they are on patrol.

Water and snacks should be available on your boat when you have patrols or training.

Patrols are to be done 4 to 6 hours prior to sunset; both St. Petersburg and Station Cortez have requested that we stay on call until at least 30 minutes prior to dark.

The coxswain decides the uniform of the day; all uniforms aboard should be the same.

Judi Bidwick,
FSO-OP 

Public Affairs
Al Bidwick, FSO-PA

 

 

For the past several weeks, the Herald Tribune has run a weekly announcement on the Community Events page announcing the availability of vessel exams by Flotilla 86 at the Train Station Boat Ramp.  To our surprise, a reporter from the newspaper arrived unannounced to interview Patrick and his crew.  As fate would have it, the men decided to skip that one Saturday to enable them to attend the Change of Watch luncheon.  When Patrick learned that the reporter failed to connect with him, I wrote a letter to the editor who gave me the contact information for the reporter and encouraged us to make arrangements to meet with him at a mutually convenient time.  Patrick met with him and shared information about the auxiliary and our boating safety program.  Hopefully, an article will appear in the near future.

Roman Gzyl volunteered his truck, trailer and boat to enable our flotilla to participate in the annual Christmas Parade in downtown Venice on November 28 and also in the boat parade on the Intracoastal Waterway on December 5.  Roman is busy decorating his boat with colorful lights and holiday displays.  Anyone interested in riding on the boat in one or both parades should contact me as soon as possible.

Al Bidwick
FSO-PA

Public Education
Ruth Bruno, FSO-PE

 

 

Nine students graduated recently in the GPS course taught by Al and Judi Bidwick. This course will be taught again in the spring. 

We will register students for the upcoming Boating Skills and Seamanship Course on Monday, January 4 at 1800 at the Training Center.

Plans are underway to teach a Personal Watercraft Course in the spring.  It will be designed for teens and young adults.

Our three Public Education students who are braving the Advanced Coastal Navigation Course are working hard and doing well.  This course will go until mid January.

We are always looking for aides to support our classes--please learn our PE schedule and plan to assist whenever you can.

 

Judi Bidwick
AFSO-PE

Meeting Minutes
Ruth Bruno, FSO-SR

                                        U.S.C.G. AUXILIARY, FLOTILLA 86, November 3, 2009

 

Commander Juan Hernandez called the meeting to order at 1930 with 24 members present plus guests,

U.S. Coast Guard Petty Officers, Madden and Engler, and Officer Phil Phillips, Venice Police Department.  Also present were new member applicants, Dan O’Connor and Paul King.   Returning after a long absence was member Jerry Mitchell.   The Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation followed.   

 

Commander’s report:

Juan Hernandez, FC, announced that J.D. Harrison and Robert High completed successful QE evaluations.

Reminded everyone November 14^th is our Change of Watch at Pelican Pointe

Reminded everyone November 21 is the Division Change of Watch at Marina Jack. 

 

Venice Police Officer Phil Phillips presented an in-service discussing ways in which the Auxiliary and the Venice Police Department can work together.

 

MINUTES:  The Minutes of September were approved as they appear in the Fore and Aft.

FINANCE:   Janet Heijens presented the Treasurer’s Report which was accepted subject to audit.   

 

STAFF REPORTS:  (Staff reports appear in the Fore and Aft)

FSO:IS:  Harry Bruno reminded everyone of the new site available to make changes in personal information.  He asked everyone submit the form through this site to him.  This is the only way changes can be made to auxdata information.

FSO:MT:  Lou Magyar stated he has 23 members enrolled in the present ACN course.  He asked for assistance at the following Monday’s lab class.  This Thursday Operational Training will cover marlinspike and seamanship.  Lou also reviewed the issues that were recently voted upon by the National Auxiliary.

FSO:OP:  Judi Bidwick stated the schedule is complete for November.  She is now looking for boats to complete the December schedule.  Please submit requests before the 20^th of the month.

FSO:PB:   Judi Bidwick stated the Newsletter for the current month is posted on our website.

FSO:PA:  Al Bidwick thanked everyone for their assistance in the recent events.  Report  in Fore and Aft.

FSO:PS:  Paul Corcoran said we have had a good year with 7 new members enrolled.

FSO:PE:  Ruth Bruno stated the GPS class is in session with 9 students.  The next BS&S class will register in January.   We have 3 PE students in the present ACN class.

SWEARING IN OF NEW MEMBERS:  Paul King and Daniel O’Connor

AWARDS: Janet Heijens; Charles Weede, Matt Weede: Communications;   Matt Weede- Patrols

 

U.S.Coast Guard Petty Officer Madden addressed the members.  He is our Coast Guard liaison with Station Cortez.  PO Madden will be coordinating activities to involve Flotilla 86 with St. Cortez.

 

Old Business:  Valarie Weede asked about the new life vests.  Jim Sleichert said the Flotilla is working on purchasing additional vests for qualified boat crew. 

New Business:  Patrick Wheeler spoke about the ORION program and showed the Visual Distress Signal Kit he received as an award.  The flotilla will keep this on hand for future use. 

 

Respectfully Submitted,  Ruthanne Bruno, FSO-SR

 

 

Respectfully submitted,

Ruth Bruno, Secretary              

                     Monthly Calendar

MONTHLY CALENDAR--DECEMBER, 2009

Venice Downtown Christmas Parade                                         November 28

            (Waterfront Two will represent our flotilla)

Advanced Coastal Navigation, Training Center                         November 30

Flotilla Meeting                                                                               December 1

Member Training at Marine Max--Towing Practice                    December 3

Venice Christmas Parade (on the ICW)                                      December 5

    (Waterfront Two will represent our flotilla)

Advanced Coastal Navigation, Training Center                         December 7

Member Training at Training Center--TCO Task                       December 10

Completion and Dead Reckoning Planning

Advanced Coastal Navigation, Training Center                         December 14

Member Training at Marine Max--Christmas Lunch Cruise      December 17

*Remember:  All officers should plan to attend the Division Meeting on January 9

                     General Information

None for this month