THE SCUTTLEBUTT

Sept. 2010 U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Scuttlebutt Flotilla 12-8, 7th District Charleston, South Carolina Vol. Vol. 36, 35, No. No. 9-September 3-March 2009 2010
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Flotilla Web Site: http://www.uscgauxcharleston.org

Commanders Corner
Alan Miles, FC 12-8
Welcome to the September Scuttlebutt. With such a frenzied schedule so far this year, I want to applaud those members who have contributed so much. We have some exceptional members who have stepped forward and answered the call to help with the flotillas operation and programs. It is because of the hard work of these few that we were able to accomplish what we have thus far. We have many successes so far this year. We recently graduated 14 persons in our ABS Course, and 6 more is the BS&S Course. Thanks to the hard work of the P.E. Department. On another note, Public Relations continues to work hard and can add a news segment on a local news program as well as one Article in the Breeze, the District 7 magazine, and one article in the Navigator. I congratulate all who have contributed. As for the present, I have just completed reviewing past issues of the Scuttlebutt. As I read through the old issues I noticed a common, re-occurring theme: Low participation of members to get involved with the flotilla. There have been quite a few calls this year for help and assistance of the membership but no one is volunteering
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Vice Commander
Richard Daniel, VFC 12-8
The long hot summer is behind us with the bulk of recreational boating waning as we enter September. The weather will be moderating soon as we can expect our normal hurricane activity Inside to increase this month FC ............. 1 and in October. We start to focus VFC .......... 1 on what we have done as a flotilla CM ........... 4 and the work still left to do. We CS ............. 6 still have lots of Fall work ahead FN ............. 3 of us. There is a lack of available HR ............ 3 boats for patrols so we need you IS .............. 2 to consider offering yours. There MA ........... 4 are still far too many people that MS ............ 3 are REYR. We cannot wait until MT............ 2 the last minute to re-qualify. Con- NS ............. 4 OP ............ 2 tact your staff officer so he can PA ............. 5 help you get everything you need PB ............. 2 to be active again. Thanks to eve- PE ............. 6 ryone who participated in all the PV ..............4 Summers activity. Lets do the SR ............. 4 same thing for the Fall. See you at VE ............ 3 Citadel ...... 4 the September meeting. Richard Daniel, VFC Calendar... 7
Trivia........ 6

Flotilla Meeting 8 Sept. at 1900 We will meet on the pier at Station Charleston. Uniform is ODU. Come and see the

Confidentiality Notice: Telephone numbers and addresses of members are protected by the Privacy Act of 1974. As a matter of policy, rosters of names, addresses and telephone numbers shall not be made available to the general public or any outside organization. Privacy of all rosters shall be safeguarded and the page clearly labeled. The publication of these rosters, addresses, and telephone numbers on any computer on-line service including the Internet is prohibited by the Privacy Act of 1974. The Auxiliary is guided by the current equal opportunities policies of the Commandant of the Coast Guard. No Person shall be subject to

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Member Training
Bob Mathewes, SO-MT
he AUXACN class is in the home stretch. We have retained eleven of the thirteen students we began with. We have covered all twelve chapters. There will be a review on the 13th. And the Part A exam is scheduled for the 18th. The Part B exam will be on 2 October. When the AUXACN is over consideration will be given to another class. Dean Creed is trying to promote a class for the newly revised AUXCOM Course. It looks like our combined efforts in that direction might be a good idea. Bob Mathewes, SO-MT

Publications
Bob Mathewes, FSO-PB

he Officers and Staff of Flotilla 12-8 have, once again, reached the 100% submission rate for The Scuttlebutt. This month we have the Citadel Detachment back on campus and they have an article also. Thanks to one and all for your efforts. Without you this publication would not exist. Bob Mathewes, FSO-PB

Operations
Joe Fleming, FSO-OP

Information Services
Bob Mathewes, FSO-IS
e are beginning the last quarter of 2010 and we have people still in jeopardy of going REYR for not having fulfilled the minimum requirements for retaining their qualifications. The AUXINFO data page on the flotilla web site was created to keep everyone abreast of their status and to circumvent the possibility of people being blindsided at the end of the year. When you allow yourselves to lose a qualification due to not having enough hours or enough RBS visits or Vessel Exams you create major headaches for other people as well as yourself. The process is a time consuming procedure. Do yourselves and the flotilla officers a favor. Get those deficiencies resolved before the beginning of December. That will make things easier for you and others. Dont be caught short.. Bob Mathewes, FSO-IS

perations are going strong. Weekend patrols have been busy with training new coxswains and assisting boaters. Paul Berka and Tom Beauchemin are working on coxswain qualification. Aux Vessel 8419, SAPPHO made her last patrol on AUG 22nd. Owner Richard Daniel has put her to good use over the years. Her first auxiliary patrol in Charleston Harbor rescued an eleven year old from the 50 degree water after he fell out of a kayak. Over the years she has assisted and rescued many boaters. Patrols have brought us to use our training more often, Sector sent us to assist a disabled 38 ft vessel in the jetties with engine failure. The anchor was not holding and the vessel was about fifty yards from the rocks. We passed the operator one end of a 100 ft line and deployed another anchor to hold the vessel until Sea Tow arrived. Crew trainees interested in completing their training, need to contact me or Richard Daniel so we can get it done. Joe Fleming, FSO-OP

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Finance
Frank Leister, FSO-FN
s of 24 August, twenty-seven members have paid their 2011 dues. Thank you for responding quickly to the call for dues. This is out of ninety-seven billed. Of the ninety-seven, four emails "bounced". Two of those were to The Citadel which is natural as the semester had yet to begin. Two were to regular members. One of those is resolved and the other will be shortly. We have two potential resignations and one billed is no longer with us. Thus, of the potential ninety who could have paid by now we have a paid percentage of thirty. That is better than last year at this time The dues of $35 are due. Please send your check, made out to USCG Auxiliary 12-8 to: Frank Leister PO Box 122 Jonas Ridge, NC 28641 In other financial news, there isn't any. Always a good omen. Frank Leister, FSO-FN

Marine Safety
Bob Orenstein, FSO-MS

here are still a number of members who have not gotten signoffs in their workbooks for the Pollution Investigator course given by Gary Barnum. This need will be addressed in the near future. Since you all are interested in passing and receiving that designation, I will address this with Gary for a final date. He let me know that rather than have the Auxiliary do the HARPAT Patrols at this time, we'll be setting up a program at Seahawk in the office. In this way, everyone will see how the information is handled regarding spills, discharges, etc. in the record keeping area. More to follow. Robert Orenstein, SO-MS

Human Resources
Paul Thomas, FSO-PS
ew recruiting has been going well, thanks to all for your referrals. I have passed on to the FC a completed package of a retired Navy Commander and will be meeting Monday the 23rd with a potential new applicant. I am still playing tag with approximately twenty-six potential members and still have three applications that have not been completed due to my inability to get in contact with them. All contacts for new members are greatly appreciated and I will continue to move the enrollment process as fast as possible; however, we just lost our finger print person and that will create a delay. I thank Bill Riley for his assistance in doing the fingerprinting for me and wish him the best in his new job. Paul V. Thomas, FSO - HR

Vessel Examinations
Paul Berka, FSO-VE

n August 15, 2010, Bob Mathewes, Richard Morgan and Paul Berka completed ten Vessel Safety Checks at the County Farm Landing. Four vessels received decals. Our next planned blitz will be on Saturday September 18, 2010 at the John F. Limehouse Landing from 0900 to 1200. Paul H. Berka, FSO-VE If you havent paid your dues it is time to do so. Uncle Frank needs the money!

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Communications
Dean Creed, FSO-CM
he AUXOP, or Operational Auxiliarist Program, is an advanced training program available to all members. AUXOP provides a wonderful process for learning and demonstrating your command of a vast amount of boating information. You must complete six Specialty Courses to earn the respected AUXOP distinction. One of the six courses is AUXCOM, the Auxiliary Communications Specialty course. AUXCOM focuses on radio communications for the Auxiliary and Coast Guard, providing broad knowledge of the fundamental principles underlying communications systems in use by both the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary. AUXCOM was recently completely updated and provides comprehensive curr e n t i n f o r m a t i o n . Would you like to take the AUXCOM course? If so, please let me know and I will arrange it. Dean Creed, FSO-CM

Citadel Detachment

ot days, long hours and physical exhaustion are commonplace during the summer training period that initiates knobs into the beloved institution known as The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina. With seven hundred and thirty-four members, the class of 2014 is the largest class to attend the Citadel in thirty-four years. After a much needed summer break the new cadet leadership of the Citadel Detachment has been hard at work coordinating with Flotilla 12-8 to develop a recruiting strategy to interest the new knobs in participating with the USCG Auxiliary. Hopefully the initiation of a new first-year Auxiliary orientation class as well as a focus on VE qualifications will interest the newest members of the corps and increase our membership roster with eager volunteers. Cadet Captain Harry C. Westall

Secretary Records

Partner Visitor
Rick Miller, FSO-PV
There is no activity to report. Rick Miller, FSO-PV

ince the FSO-SR position is still unfilled, There were no minutes taken at the August meeting.

Materials
Tom Beauchemin, FSO-MA
There is no activity to report. Tom Beauchemin, FSO-MA

Navigational Services
Joe Fleming, FSO-NS
There have been no ATON patrols so there is no activity to report. Joe Fleming, FSO-NS

Coming Next Month The Annual October Fish Stew and Lowcountry Boil Cookout. Mark your calendar. Dont miss the fun

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their services. I am still looking for someone to fill the Secretarys position, FSOSR. We also have a need for individuals on various short term committees such as the Elections Committee, Historical Committee, and a few people to help assist and plan for the Holiday Change of Watch. We also need helping hands for the October fish fry/ cookout. These short term committees are great jobs for those who cant make commitments for larger tasks such as a staff officers role. But if you are interested in a Flotilla Staff Officers position or even the challenge as the FC, I would be glad to help you prepare for that journey. I would love to hear from you. Several members have had significant problems with their qualifications and are listed as REYR. I have so far invested a lot of personal time trying to assist these members and have helped a few so far. I had to use my sick days off to work on them. I will continue to invest time to try to get these problems resolved. If there are any members that can help me let me know! Please remember to get your requirements turned in early and not wait to the last minute to prevent REYR status. Also keep good records of everything you submit. Now for some exciting news..At past Flotilla meetings we have had presentations by the USCG Marine Response Department, Deep Water Horizon oil spill, the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), Moran Towing of Charleston, and lastly BM1 (EMT) Millers presentation of Heat Stroke/Stress. At the next meeting, on September 8th, I have requested an HH65A Dolphin Helo to land on the pier at the base from 1900-2000 hrs. The air crew has been invited to attend our meeting and give us a briefing on Air/ Surface operations. We will have pulled Pork BBQ Sandwiches chips and soft-

drinks at the meeting. It will be informal and fun. A Sandwich, soda, and chips will be $3.00. The aircrew will be our guests of course. I need several people to arrive at 1800 to help me sweep the pier for foreign objects etc, establish a safety zone at the landing and set up. Please call me as soon as you read this to help me set up. Please remember to bring your cameras. Uniforms will be ODU or Tropical Blues. Semper Paratus. Alan J.P. Miles, FC

Public Affairs
Barbara Thibodeaux,

ur flotilla was represented in two events this past month, an Emergency Preparedness Expo and a Childrens Safety Fair. Both were successes. The Emergency Expo was at Lowes Northwoods and the Children's Safety Fair was held at the Catholic Church in Goose Creek. Myrtle the FCs dog, joined us at the Children's Safety Fair and, as usual, was a great attraction. Thank you to the members that have helped me make these events successful. There will be quite a number of events and activities in the community going on in the coming months and I fully expect we will be a part of some of them so put your resting mode on and expect to hear my requests for assistance. If you have knowledge of any events going on and that you want us to be a part of please feel free to call or email me. Again, thanks for your support and assistance! Barbara Thibodeaux, FSO-PA

Have you done your August 7029? If not, why not?

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Communication Services John Sikes, FSO-CS

ave you had an opportunity to check out the Auxiliary's National Website lately? If not, follow this link to http:// www.cgaux.org/. This site has a wealth of information concerning our organization. One of the features on the National website is the e-Directory which lists all the members, flotillas, divisions, and districts as well as their positions if applicable. It is easy to obtain this information; just use your Member Number and follow the directions to log in. Take a few minutes to browse around the National website. You'll enjoy it. And if you find any of your information is incorrect, like my home phone number, contact Bob Mathewes to find out how to have it corrected. John Sikes, FSO-CS

proficient in boating skills and safety. If you feel this is your calling, feel free to contact me and Ill help you get started. Until then, Semper Paratus and Safe Boating!! Chuck Chirila, FSO-PE

Nautical Trivia
Last Month we asked the location of the CG Loran station that was attacked by a foreign power in 1986 and who was the attacker. This brought the greatest response we have had this year. James & Karen Andrews (of Flotilla 12-12), Chuck Chirila, Dean Creed, Reggie Hollar (of Flotilla 12-10), Dick McLaren, Alan Miles, John Sikes and Agnes Wright all identified Libya and dictator Moammar Gadhafi as the ones who fired two Scud Missiles at the Loran Station on the Italian Island of Lampedusa. Fortunately for the good guys the missiles passed over the island and landed in the sea. There was no damage and no casualties. (See photo of Lampedusa Loran Station personnel below). Lets go back to something truly nautical. There are many things you can wear. You can wear a uniform. You can wear a smile or a frown. The waters of the Colorado River were able to wear the earth away to form the Grand Canyon. You can even wear away an afternoon. What are you doing when you wear ship?

Public Education
Chuck Chirila, FSO-PE
fter the completion of the thirteen week Boating Skills & Seamanship program, Public Education will be taking a break until this Fall. At that point, the About Boating Safety program will be presented. I would like to thank all the instructors who made excellent presentations at the BS&S program. Even though the group of participants was small, they really enjoyed it. PE is always looking for more instructors. The course requirements are easy to attain, and its on-line. So you can accomplish the course at your own speed. The course will not only qualify you as an instructor, but you will also become more

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September 2010
SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1 5 12
Grandparents Day

2 9
Rosh Hashanah

3 10 17Yom Kippur Begins @ Sundown

4 11 18 25

6
Labor Day

7 14 21 28

8
Flotilla Meeting New Moon

13 20 27

15 22
First Day Of Autumn

16 23
Full Moon

19 26

24

29

30

Flotilla Officers
Flotilla Commander Alan Miles bigcid@comcast.net Finance Frank Leister fcl@lwinslow.com Flotilla Vice Commander Richard Daniel rbdaniel1829@aol.com Human Resources Paul Thomas paul.thomas@sba.gov Communications Dean Creed dbcreed@comcast.net Communication Systems John Sikes jsikes@netrockets.com

Information Services Materials Bob Mathewes Tom Beauchemin rhmathewes@comcast.net tbeauchemin001@sc.rr.com Navigational Services Joe Fleming joeflemingjr@comcast.net Public Education Chuck Chirila cchirila@sc.rr.com Operations Joe Fleming joeflemingjr@comcast.net RBS Visitor Rick Miller rick.mllr@gmail.com

Marine Safety Member Training Bob Orenstein Bob Mathewes bandjorenstein@bellsouth.net rhmathewes@comcast.net Public Affairs Publications Barbara Thibodeaux Bob Mathewes barbara.thibodeaux@gmail.com rhmathewes@comcast.net Secretary Records Vacant

Vessel Examination Paul Berka phberka@comcast.net

IPFC Joe Fleming joeflemingjr@comcast.net