You will be pleasantly surprised with the renovations to the Training Center and the radio room made during the summer. We truly appreciate the effort that Jim Sleichert, Charlie Weede, Myers Russell, Harry Bruno and Richard Markwitz devoted to this project. Please join us in thanking and congratulating this team for the excellent enhancements they made to our facility. 

The Monthly TCO Brief

This month we refer you to the following website for an excellent collection of short videos about "Boating Safety & VHF Radios". The site is: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8BAuNqB9V3M

Juan C. Hernandez, FSO/CM

Mike Marmion, AFSO/CM 

I have ordered and received 600 Florida Boaters Guide as of this date.  They may be procured from your FSO-VE.

A current inventory is in the works and I hope to have it published by month’s end.

I have developed a Materials Request Form.  It will be placed on our website under Forms and Manuals.  Hopefully this form will eliminate any errors when ordering materials.

PURPOSE.

The purpose of this pamphlet is to provide guidance to Auxiliary members in using the Penalty Mail System.

BACKGROUND.

The Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Auxiliary use Penalty Mail to transmit official Coast Guard business correspondence.

WEIGHT OF THE MAILING.

The more a mail piece weighs the more postage you must apply. As a rule of thumb, four pages of 8 ½ x 11" paper, in a #10 white envelope -or­ enclosed in a "single sheet mailer", will weigh less than 1 ounce and only require 44¢ postage. Up to eight pages will weigh less than 2 ounces and will require 61¢ postage. For each additional four pages (or 1 ounce), you must add an additional 17¢ in postage.

SIZE OF THE MAILING.

New mail standards require that you measure your First Class mail pieces and categorize them into one of four size categories to determine the proper rate. These four categories are:        .

Cards: Between 3Y2 x 5 x 0.007 and 41,4 x 6 x 0.016 Postage: 28¢ Requires card stock quality paper.
Letters: No greater than 6% x 11 Y2 x 1,4" & 3.5 oz. 1 oz. = 44¢ Add 17¢ for each additional ounce.
Flats: Between 6% x 11 Y2 x 1,4" and 12 x 15 x %" 1 oz. = 88¢ Add 17¢ for each additional ounce.
Parcels: No greater than 108" in length and girth 1 oz. = $1.22 Add 17¢ for each additional ounce.

For example, a #10 envelope that weighs 1 oz. is classified as a Letter and requires 44¢. A 9" x 12" or larger manila envelope is classified as a Flat and requires 88¢. Please note: If any letter or flat mail piece is non-machinable, you must add a 20¢ fee to the rate.

GENERAL INSTRUCTIONS.

Under the Penalty Mail System there are four different types of mailing material (envelopes, mailing labels, postal cards and "single sheet mailers") available for issue to members ..

RETURN ADDRESS. When a Coast Guard's return address is not printed, the mailing items will have a partial return address printed in the upper left-hand corner as shown below.

US Department of Homeland Security
UNITED STATES COAST GUARD
FC 11- 4 5SR
124 WATER ST
PORTSMOUTH VA 23705-1234
OFFICIAL BUSINESS

For this type, you must enter your own return address in a three-line format.

The three lines are as follows:

Line 1 – Your Office, Unit, Dist

Line 2 – Your Address

Line 3 – Your City State and Zip

If you hold no elected or staff office, you place “FC”, your flotilla number and district on the first line (i.e. FC 11-3 11 SR).  Elected and staff officers will use their current office, unit and district (i.e. VFC 37 D8, FSO-JVE 7-10 9CR, SO-MT XX D7, etc.)

NEVER PLACE YOUR NAME ON OFFICIAL BUSINESS MAILING MATERIALS

When a Coast Guard’s return address is printed on the material, you may cover it with your own address in three lines as shown above.  MAKE SURE the lines “COAST GUARD” and “OFFICIAL BUSINESS” are not obscured.  Alternatively, you can use those materials with a Coast Guard’s return address, by placing your office symbol below it, as was done before.

SINGLE SHEET MAILERS.

Single Sheet Mailers are available for use with the penalty mail stamps.  It will have a blank upper right corner and a partial return address printed in the upper left corner.  In using this mailer, instead of a #10 white envelope, the same “rule of thumb”, as to weight, applies.

PENALTY MAIL STAMPS.

Penalty mail stamps may be obtained by members from MA Staff Officers only in denominations of $1.00, 41¢, 23¢, 20¢, 10¢, 4¢, and 1¢.  When sending a Post Card, please use a 23¢ stamp, a 4¢, and a 1¢ stamp to comply with the rate of 28¢. 

USE STAMPS WISELY.

It is important to remember that the Coast Guard has purchased the Penalty Mail Stamps for their face value.  The postage has been paid for, whether the stamps are used or not.  Penalty Mail Stamps can only be used on Official Business envelopes, labels, postal cards and single sheet mailers that are pre-printed with the “Official Business” return address.  Adding “U. S. Coast Guard”, “Official Business” etc., on plain envelopes, is not permitted.  Placing Penalty Mail Stamps on “Non-Official Business” envelopes is not permitted.

USES OF OFFICIAL MAIL.

(See Auxiliary Manual, Chapter5.)

ADDRESSING THE MAIL.

The name and address shall be in capital letters with no punctuation as per the following example:

            AGENCY NAME
            DELIVERY ADDRESS
            CITY STATE ZIP CODE    
            OFFICIAL BUSINESS

USPS NOTICE 123.  RATEFOLD

This document gives details on specific rates and may be obtained by your FLO-MA, your local Post Office, or www.usps.gov.

ECONOMY IN MAILING.

Use #10 envelopes whenever possible.  Flats (9X12) require more postage and should only be used when material being mailed cannot be folded or is of sufficient quantity to overfill the #10.

POSTAGE DUE.

Although official mail is marked “Forwarding and Return Postage Guaranteed,” there have been occasions when postal employees have required the Auxiliarist recipient to pay postage due fees on official Government mail.  If such fees are requested, the recipient has three choices:

            Refuse the mail delivery.

            Use Government postage for due fees, as use of Government stamps is authorized for this purpose.

                Use personal funds at one’s own expense with no reimbursement.

Richard Markwitz
FSO-MA

My Marine Safety report for the month of August 2010 follows the tragedy of the Deepwater Horizon report:

We all know that the BP leased rig, Deepwater Horizon, exploded April 20, 2010 killing 11 people and setting off a three-month leak which totaled 206 million gallons of oil in the Gulf of Mexico. There are about 3,400 platforms operating in the Gulf according to the American Petroleum Institute. Together, they pump about a third of the American domestic oil, forming the backbone of the countries petroleum industry. According to the Florida Department of Environmental Protection who collected and analyzed water sediments and oil samples from Florida’s coastal waters in response to the deepwater horizon oil spill, they are reporting that no petroleum-related contaminants were found.

 Locally in our Area of Responsibility (AOR) marinas and boatyards operating businesses are in slow motion. Not much activity has been done in the month of August.

The Crow’s Nest Marina has proudly presented a new Dock Master, Mr. Brad. He looks forward to working with the USCG Auxiliary and will fully implement the Clean Marina procedures.

Finally I did receive a DVD from the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to view the fantastic program called Monofilament Recovery and Recycling Program (MRRP).  I’m planning to show this at the October Flotilla 86 meeting.

Roman E. Gzyl
FSO- M/S - E/P 

.                                                 AUXOP Program (effective 01 January 2011): 

               a. The AUXOP program will be revised to consist of core, leadership, and elective credit elements in order to give variety to Auxiliarists, increase practical AUXOP relevance to Coast Guard missions, and better assist the Coast Guard to fulfill needed skill sets.  Under the new program, Auxiliarists will be required to successfully complete a minimum of seven (7) credits from three categories of courses detailed in items (a)-(c) below to receive the AUXOP qualification.  This revision will give Auxiliarists more choices to meet program requirements, allow the pursuit of preferred focus areas, and apply credit for ICS training and expertise.

     (1)   The three required core courses, each worth one credit, shall be:

                    (a)  Auxiliary Weather Specialty Course (AUXWEA).
                    (b)  Auxiliary Seamanship Specialty Course (AUXSEA).
                    (c)  Auxiliary Communications Specialty Course (AUXCOM)*. 

* Updated Auxiliary Communications Specialty Course (AUXCOM) (effective immediately):  This updated course is now available from the Auxiliary National Supply Center (ANSC).  It has been reviewed, approved, and promulgated under signature of the Chief Director of Auxiliary (CG-542), and it now replaces the previously numbered Coast Guard course publication.  Auxiliarists who have already begun the previous AUXCOM version have until December 31, 2010 to successfully complete that course for credit.

      ( 2)  Auxiliarists will be required to complete one of the following leadership courses, worth one credit (AUXOP credit will not be applied for more than one course from this category).  These courses include:

        (a)      Auxiliary Leadership and Management (AUXLAMS).
                (b)      Auxiliary Mid-Level Officers Course (AMLOC).
                (c)       Auxiliary District Captain Course (Formerly RCO Course).
                (d)      Flotilla Leadership Course (FLC) – this includes online and classroom versions.
                (e)       Auxiliary Senior Officers Course (ASOC). 

      (3)  Auxiliarists will be required to complete their AUXOP credits by completing a combination of the following elective courses, totaling three or more credits:

                       (a)  Auxiliary Search Coordination and Execution Specialty Course (AUXSC&E) (the Auxiliary    
                      Navigation Specialty Course (AUXNAV) is a pre-requisite for AUXSC&E) - 2 credits.               
                (b)  Auxiliary Navigation Specialty Course (AUXNAV) - 2 credits.
                (c)  Introduction to Marine Safety - 2 credits.
                (d)  Auxiliary Patrol Specialty Course (AUXPAT) - 1 credit.
                (e)  Auxiliary Aids-to-Navigation (ATON) and Chart Updating C-school (AUX-06) - 1 credit.
                ( f)  Coast Guard Incident Command System (ICS) 300 & 400 (ICS 210 cannot be used as a           
                       substitution) - 1 credit.
                (g)  Auxiliary Air Coordinator C-school (AUX-15) – 1 credit.
                (h)  Specialty ICS courses count as one credit for completion of the in-class course and one

             1.       ICS 346 (Situation Unit Leader).            
             2.       ICS 347 (Demobilization Unit Leader).
             3.       ICS 248 (Resources Unit Leader).
             4.       ICS 430 (Operations Section Chief).
             5.       ICS 440 (Planning Section Chief).
             6.       ICS 351 (Finance Section Chief).

       (4)  The previously canceled Auxiliary Search-and-Rescue Specialty Course (AUXSAR) and Auxiliary Administration Specialty Course (AUXMIN) shall be acceptable if already completed.  They shall be worth 1 credit each and may be used on a one-for-one basis in lieu of course options listed in 5.a.(3) above.  

b.  Additional elective courses may be added by CG-5421 in the future. 

c.  If AUXDATA is not modified to reflect these AUXOP program changes by the implementation date, then AUXOP program completion will have to be manually tracked.  Primary responsibility for tracking personal training and successful course completions rests with the Auxiliarist. 

d.  No time limit shall apply to successful completion of AUXOP eligibility requirements. 

e.  Provisions of section 11.A.12 of the Coast Guard Auxiliary Manual that deal with the Auxiliary Specialty Ribbon shall be modified as follows: 

“This recognition is presented to an Auxiliarist who has successfully completed any AUXOP course.  Auxiliarists add 3/16-inch bronze or silver stars to show successful completion of additional courses which move them closer to achievement of the AUXOP device.  AUXOP designation recognizes the successful completion of all AUXOP requirements, and entitles the Auxiliarist to wear the AUXOP device.  Once the device is earned, the Specialty Ribbon shall be removed.”

Lou Magyar
FSO-MT

Navigation Systems, other than the training program on September 11, has been a little dry this month.  The good news is that seven of our members attended the workshop in Sarasota at Flotilla 84.   

I  haven’t received any Aids To Navigation reports from any of the verifiers for the month of September. In the future, our qualified members need a 100% effort in Chart-Updating, using form 77-5.

Ed Stebner
FSO-NS

Public Affairs
Al Bidwick, FSO-PA

 

 

Our flotilla was well represented at the recent Safety Day at the Venice Lowes.  Roman Gzyl trailered his boat to the store, and assisted by Myers Russell and Mike Marmion, set up an information booth.  Roman even brought his own tent to shade the team from the sun and present a professional appearance.  I can’t thank these three fine members for volunteering their time and talents to the event.  As so often happens, I was attending the District Conference in Orlando and was unable to put in an appearance. 

Al Bidwick
FSO-PA

 

Public Education
Judi Bidwick, FSO-PE

 

 

Our Public Education Program began with the Boating Skills and Seamanship (BS&S) course which started on September 13.  We have thirteen motivated students in the class.

We continue to teach knots each night for thirty minutes for the duration of the course.  John Kandes, Jim Sleichert, Al Bidwick, and both Ruth and Harry Bruno have assisted with this important session.  This is a great way to help out in our flotilla.  Come at 1830 to meet our class and observe or help out where needed.

Our second BS&S class will begin with registration on October 14 at 1800.  The first class will be on Monday, October 18.

We already have four who have shown an interest in taking this second course.

Our GPS course should also begin soon.  The dates may be changed to accommodate the instructor.

Thanks to all the instructors who “make our program go!”

 

Judi Bidwick
FSO-PE

During the summer in Florida the weather makes it difficult to stand on the launch ramps waiting to check vessels. During September I have returned to the Venice Train Station Launch Ramp to continue the service of making sure vessels are carrying the required safety equipment.

 I had an incident Saturday 18^th September; I had inspected a vessel that failed the inspection due to not having flares, or a fire extinguisher.  After the inspection the owner launched the vessel and took off north bound on the I.C.W.  I continued checking other vessels and about two hours later I had a visit from the active Coast Guard Patrol.

Apparently they had boarded the vessel I had inspected and they informed him he needed to have a fire extinguisher on board.  The owner told them that I had inspected the boat and told them that it was OK to go out on the water without the required safety item and showed them my inspection sheet. 

A Coast Guard member phoned the number on the inspection form and got my home; my wife told them that I was at the boat ramp inspecting vessels so they came to pay me a visit and to ask why I told boaters it was okay to go on the water without the required safety items.

This gave me the opportunity to explain that the Auxiliary is not law enforcement and that I have no authority to prevent a boater from departing a dock if they decide to do so.  It also presented the chance to discuss this situation; they did not know the job of the Auxiliary and I suggested that they should be promoting the job we, the Auxilary, do to promote boating safety.

I intend to send a request up the chain of leadership requesting that the active side of the Coast Guard be informed of our VSC program and help to promote it when dealing with the public and boarding vessels.

Judi had been very busy checking vessels up north during the summer; good job Judi!

I encourage all qualified examiners to get active again and help boaters be safe.

For members interested in the Vessel Inspection Program, contact me for the material to study and have any questions answered.

VESSEL SAFETY CHECKS  (TO DATE, 9/2010)

BIDWICK, J              146
GZYL                           52+1
HERNANDEZ             9
JENNINGS                 23
MARKWITZ                25
REYNOLDS                 5
SLEICHERT              11+3
STEBNER                 22
STUTZMAN                 7
WEEDE                     13
WHEELER               176

Total to date  488

This represents a total of 264 hours.

Patrick Wheeler
Acting FSO-VE

Meeting Minutes
Ruth Bruno, FSO-SR

                                    U.S.C.G. AUXILIARY, FLOTILLA 86, September 7, 2010

 

Commander Jim Sleichert called the meeting to order at 1930 with 22 members, 1 retiree and Guests, Tanya and Jim Hollis present.    The Pledge of Allegiance and Invocation followed.

 

Flotilla Commander’s report:

·          Aids to Navigation Workshop will be held Sept. 11 at 0830, Fl 84.  Uniform: Tropical Blue or ODU.

·          District 7 Fall Conference Sept 22-26 in Orlando.  See the district website for details.

·          This Thursday 9/9 we will present 1 hour TCT at Operational Training 0830.

·          Our Change of Watch will be held on November 13^th at Pelican Point, 1800.  Registration forms    
       available online and will be distributed tonight.

·          Thank you to Richard Markwitz and Patrick Wheeler for assisting with the hanging of the plaques.

·           The QE mission on 9/1 was successful.  Juan Hernandez, John Kandes and Jim Sleichert qualified.

·           Thursday, 9/9 -1800 will be registration for the Boating Skills and Seamanship Class. Class begins
       9/13 at 1830 and continues through October 11.

·           Home Depot’s safety day is October 9^th, 10am to 2:00 pm.  We will need assistance to set up and
       man the booth as this is the same day as the Division meeting.

 

MINUTES:  A motion was made by Lou Magyar,  seconded by J.D. Harrison, and all voted in favor of accepting the Minutes of  August 2010 as they appear in the Fore and Aft. 

 

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

FSO:CM:  Juan Hernandez announced that the Auxop courses are on Blackboard on the National website.  Juan explained blackboard and the process to obtain a facilitator and take tests.

FSO-FN:  Janet Heijens presented the Finance Report.  Lou Magyar made a motion that we accept the Finance Report subject to audit; Harry Bruno seconded and all voted in favor.  Janet reminded everyone to send in their dues and registrations for the Change of Watch. 

 FSO-IS:  Harry Bruno reminded instructors that when they are teaching courses to be sure only one form is submitted for each class.   If there is more than one instructor and aides all should be listed on one form. 

FSO-MA:  Richard Markwitz stated that he now has a goodly supply of 2010 Florida Booklets and VHF and NAV decals.

FSO-MS:  Roman Gzyl said his report was in the Fore and Aft.  Roman also stated he had a received a DVD from Fish and Wildlife regarding local wildlife.  It was decided to present this as a future in-service.

FSO-MT:  Lou Magyar distributed the Operational Training Schedule.  He reminded everyone that 1 hr TCT will be presented this Thursday.  Aux communications course will begin this week and the Aux Weather on October 4^th.  Testing will be done online at the training center as Lou is a proctor. 

FSO-OP:  Jim Sleichert reported that we completed 13 patrols and had only 1 cancellation last month.  The patrol dates for September are filled with the exception of the 11^th and 18^th.  He announced we will need another boat on the 16^th as we plan to do towing in the Gulf.  There will also be two boats on 9/23.

FSO-HR:  John Kandes stated he has done two telephone interviews and will speak with our guests this evening.  He reminded everyone to update any personal information via the 7028 form.

FSO-SR:  Ruth Bruno reminded members that when they submit their Change of Watch registration to be sure to indicate the meal choice for the member and guest.

MENTOR:  Patrick Wheeler said if a new member does not have a mentor, to please contact him.

FELLOWSHIP:  Janet Heijens stated she will plan a fellowship during October; probably a barbecue.

 

 AWARDS:.

Certificate –Incident Response to Terrorist Bombings: 

      Judi Bidwick, Al Bidwick, RichardOdato,   Alfredda Smith-Odato.

 

Sustained Auxiliary Service Award:    Judi Bidwick-11^th;    Roman Gzyl-1^st.

 

Coxswain Certificate:   Roman Gzyl;     Coxswain 3 yr. requal-  John Kandes; Juan Hernandez

 

Certificates of Qualification:   Roman Gzyl- Nav rules; Operation Policy; Aux Patrol;

      Richard Putnam-Aux Patrol;     John Kandes- Instructor; Fingerprint Technician,

 

Robert Webber was sworn in as a new member.

 

NEW BUSINESS:

       Henry Reynolds announced that he had completed teaching the TCO course for the Division graduating 12 members.  The next TCO class is scheduled for February.  The course will be 2 hours per night for four nights. 

       Henry Reynolds also expressed his wife Jennifer’s appreciation for all the cards, prayers and calls during her illness.   She is doing well in her recovery.

      Roman Gzyl discussed the change in the mailing address for the 5132.  FC stated the post office box should be omitted in the address as it is no longer in use.  The rest of the address is the same as always.

 

NOMINATING COMMITTEE:  Nominating Committee Co-Chairpersons are Ruth Bruno and Mike Marmion.   Ruth Bruno, did a second reading of the election requirements for FC and VFC. Anyone wishing to run for election must submit their intent in writing to the Nominating Committee. We have received letters of intent from FC Jim Sleichert and VFC Ed Stebner.   Third reading will be done at our next meeting at which time we will vote.  

 

There being no further business the meeting was adjourned at 2030.  Our next regularly scheduled meeting will be held on October 5, 2010.

 

Respectfully submitted,

 

Ruthanne Bruno, FSO-SR

                     Monthly Calendar

                                           MONTHLY CALENDAR--OCTOBER, 2010

Member Training—AUXWEA, Training Center, 0930                     October 4

BSS Class, TC, 1830                                                                        October 4

Flotilla Meeting, TC, 1930                                                                                        October 5