The Newsletter of USCG Auxiliary Flotilla 07-14-9
Palatka, Florida
Volume XI No. 5
July 2007
CELEBRATE LIBERTY!
Flag being raised aboard the USCG barque Eagle, 4 July, 2005
FROM THE DESK OF THE FC – July 2007
Flotilla 14-9 presented the annual ABC Boating Safely Program for employees at the St. Johns River Water Management District, on Thursday, 21 June. There were 13 employees, one Auxiliary member and two applicants for membership who were also in attendance. It was a good session. Lt. George Pottrof of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Commission was the guest speaker for the monthly Flotilla meeting, also held on Thursday, 21 June. We learned what we can expect from this agency and what this agency expects from the public, as well as what they would like from the USCG Auxiliary. Indepth discussion was held concerning the need for members to become very knowledgeable of the St. Johns River in our Area of Responsibility (AOR). The Agency’s hope for the future is that our Flotilla has trained personnel and designated facilities in order to assist in Search and Rescue events. This is of a major concern to their agency because of the many miles that the St. Johns River runs and shortage of boats and qualified personnel to meet the demands. Wayne Beard, FSO-MS and MOS, continued his participation in a scheduled cleanup activity with Keep Putnam Beautiful group on 2 June. On 25 June, he gave a presentation to the children attending a weeklong children’s summer session at Ravine Gardens in Palatka regarding the need for wearing life jackets. The St. Johns Water Management District hosted the session. Beard also attended a training at Sector Jacksonville on 5 June, where updates on the functions of the America’s Waterway Watch Program, now reactivated by the USCG, were presented.
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On 21 June, FSO-OP Reid Tillery attended a workshop at Sector Jacksonville concerning involvement of Coast Guard Auxiliary personnel in harbor safety and security missions. Wayne Beard completed his required hours of trainee instructor presentations during the 21 June ABC program in preparation of certification as an instructor. Bob Strong served as lead instructor for that program, with Instructor Marc Lang assisting. Vacation time is in full swing with crew member training for Qualified Examiner (QE) sessions at a standstill. We hope to get back on track in mid-July. Three crew members have made a commitment for dockside QEs in September or October. Please remember the upcoming Division 14 picnic at the Mooseheart Retirement Center Pavilion in Orange Park. Several Flotilla members are bringing members of their families and everyone is invited. Cecile F. Langston, FC
FROM THE DESK OF THE VFC – July 2007
May I say “Happy Independence Day?” This is the time of year when I think a lot about the word “Liberty”. It carries a lot of meanings, of course, but at this time when so many of our men and women are away from their families, serving our country a long way from home, I think about the cost of the Liberty we all enjoy as citizens of this great nation. My hat’s off to them, as well as to each of you, and to all of us who do our part in the smallest of ways to preserve that. Thank you one and all. I hate that I am writing this from South Dakota. The Flotilla has been involved in so many activities over the last three months that I can’t help but feel (with good reason!) that I am missing out. I continue to be impressed by the motivation and energy of so many of our members. I miss being near that and wish I were able to be there more often. I look forward to being able to be back with you soon. Brenda L. Carlson, VFC
FLOTILLA STAFF OFFICER REPORTS – July 2007
Personnel Services Officer (FSO – PS) Carl Worth is soon to be sworn in as a member of the United State Coast Guard Auxiliary. This is an honor for us and indeed a celebration, as Carl’s paperwork was one of those that got caught up in the end-of-theyear backlog and was a long time in coming. I want to congratulate Carl on his sustained patience during all the waiting. We are hoping that Carl will be sworn in at the Division 14 Picnic on 14 July, so that all attending can join in the celebration. With the swearing in of Carl Worth, two applicants are yet to receive their final paperwork. They both have had their membership numbers since October 2006. It pays to advertise. When we had a story printed in the Palatka Daily News and Crescent City Courier Journal that Flotilla 14-9 needs interested volunteers, Mark Landin and David Barker, read about it and contacted the Flotilla. A third applicant, Ted Schneider came to the information booth during the Blue Crab Festival in Palatka at the end of May, and filled out an interest card. He was contacted, we met with him, he took the New Membership course, passed it, then he took the ABC Boating Safely Program on 21 June along with Mark Landin. All three men bring much experience in boating, teaching, law enforcement, and Power Squadron activities, just to name a few. They will be a tremendous asset to the Flotilla and to the Auxiliary. Please join me in welcoming them Cecile F. Langston, FSO-PS
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Public Visitation Officer (FSO – PV) Included below is the monthly statistical report:
NAMES OF LOCATIONS VISITED/REVISITED:
South Daytona, Port Orange, New Smyrna, Edgewater, Oak Hill, Mims, Titusville, Bunnell, Ormond Beach, Holly Hill, Daytona, Flagler Beach, Key Stone Heights, Starke, MacClenny, Lake City, San Mateo, East Palatka, Palatka, Crescent City, Welaka, Georgetown, St. Augustine, Palm Coast, Jacksonville, Daytona Beach Shores, Ponce Inlet, Jacksonville Beach.
SUMMARY:
Six visitors from three flotillas have completed 25 missions, contacting/re-contacting 219 partners and visiting/revisiting 57 locations. Flotillas 14-1 temporarily inactive for lack of qualified personnel. Flotillas 14-7 and 14-8 have not reported for the month of May.
CONTRIBUTIONS OF NOTE:
Mark Henricks, FSO-PV 14-3: 1. SailJax – Tall ships event, RBSVP Tent 4-6 May Jacksonville. 2. Hurricane Readiness Exhibits May 09, 16, 23 Jacksonville. 3. NSBW – Display tent at Lion’s Club Park Boat Ramp and VEs 19 May Jacksonville. 4. RBSVP/VE Literature display at Lion’s Park Boat Ramp 26 May, Jacksonville. 5. RBSVP/VE Literature display at Arlington Boat Ramp 26 May Jacksonville. 6. RBSVP/VE Literature Display at the Blue Crab Festival May 26-28 Palatka. 7. PE – 17 students enrolled in ABC class May 12, 2007. Howard Graves, FSO-PV 14-3: 1. RBSVP used in support of PE with the cooperation of the FSO-PE and FSO-PA Elaine Cornell, FSO-PV 14-4: 1. Beach Marine Flea Market May 5-6 Jacksonville Beach. 2. 832nd Army Transportation Battalion Stand Down, May 18, Jacksonville 3. Palatka Blue Crab Festival, 27 May, Palatka 4. RBSVP representation at ABC class, 12 May, Jacksonville Beach. Wayne Beard, FSO-PV 14-9: 1. RBSVP received a donation of material valued $ 200.00 from Morsh Marine Construction to build monofilament line recovery bins at ramps not equipped with such safety equipment. 2. RBSVP at Blue Crab Festival in Palatka
COMPARATIVE STATISTICS (Number of visitations):
January February March April May June July August September October November December
2002 83 103 53 89 82 79 56 42 64 47 74 56
2003 54 69 60 79 60 103 108 97 126 77 64 65
2004 65 113 105 72 117 68 80 116 58 70 88 49
2005 53 115 92 111 131 85 88 103 118 109 127 118
2006 2007 % 2006/2007 117 194 +65.8 174 156 -10.3 164 210 +28.0 181 193 +06.7 176 219 +14.1 161 177 172 183 177 175 176
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Totals 828 962 1,001 1,250 2,078
Wayne Beard, FSO-PV
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Publications Officer (FSO – PB) Help! I need articles, pictures, reports, personal testimonies, items of general interest to the readers, and even your old socks (okay, I lied about the socks) for publication in the River Rat Rag. As always, Flotilla Staff Officer reports should be submitted by e-mail no later that the 28th of the month and be as complete as possible. At this time, pictures should be either e-mailed or scanned, as I do not have the opportunity to read my regular mail on a daily basis. Again, please be mindful of a deadline of the 28th. I would like nothing better than to see the RRR become even more of a team effort than it has been – and of course the best flotilla newsletter in the District. Brenda L. Carlson, FSO-PB
Public Education Officer (FSO – PE) My hat’s off to each and every one who had a hand in making the America’s Boating Course (ABC) boating safety program presented for the St. John’s River Water Management District a success. We continue to look ahead at the public education schedule and are considering dates for presenting the ABC program later in the year. Any and all feedback on this, particularly dates that instructors are available, is welcomed and will be discussed at the next flotilla meeting. Brenda L. Carlson, FSO-PE
A MESSAGE FROM ALFRED FABBRINI, SO-PV
01 July 2007 SUBJECT: Resignation from the SO-PV Position It is with much regret that I announce my resignation as SO-PV effective 01 August 2007. Business of a compelling nature has significantly limited the time that I would need to successfully continue the leadership and management of the RBSV Program. I will extend my professional obligation indefinitely as a consultant, and I will remain available for the training of my successor until the final liquidation of my estate in Florida. Alfred J. Fabbrini, SO-PV- 14
HURRICANE PREPAREDNESS REMINDER, 2007 SEASON
Just a reminder that, should it be needed, Marc Lang, Sector Liaison for Prevention Dept, will coordinate member accountability post storm. Each flotilla will provide Marc with the name and phone numbers of a first, second and third person of contact (the second and third being back-up). When Marc receives notice from Prevention to start the process, he will contact the flotilla person of contact to begin the calling tree. Members should keep the flotilla posted when out of town and provide a third party contact who is likely to know where they are if they should have to evacuate. Remember, this is a District-wide requirement for all active duty, reserve, civilian and auxiliary members of the USCG.
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A MESSAGE FROM THE DIRECTOR
To: ALAUX From: CHDIRAUX Subj: All Hands: Multiple Benefits of a Multi-Mission Coast Guard -019/007 1. FYI: From: Allen, Thad Admiral Sent: Monday, July 02, 2007 5:31 PM Subject: All Hands: Multiple Benefits of a Multi-Mission Coast Guard To the Men and Women of the Coast Guard: This All Hands is intended to provide each of you accurate and timely information regarding a few recent press articles reporting that the Coast Guard's longstanding Maritime Safety mission might be transferred to another agency in another department. I want to assure you of my absolute commitment to each of the Coast Guard's mandated missions, including Maritime Safety. Last week, I sent a message to senior operational field commanders outlining my priorities and guidance for executing our vital Maritime Safety mission. It is important that you read this message to understand the importance of executing all of our missions, while maintaining a professional relationship with our stakeholders in the maritime community. The message has been posted and is available on the Commandant's Corner of CG Central ("Our CG" tab). I am committed to preserving our role as the world's leader in Maritime Safety and am working with the Administration and Congress to maintain and improve our Maritime Safety authorities and responsibilities where applicable. We are also implementing a number of initiatives that will strengthen our professional competencies to better serve the maritime community. As we do that, I will make every effort to ensure that national leaders and decision makers understand the tremendous value the Coast Guard's Maritime Safety mission brings to the safety, security and stewardship of our national interests. I need each of you to remain focused on mission execution while performing your duties. Nothing speaks louder than the good work you do each and every day in service to our Nation. We are America's lifesavers and guardians. Stay focused and stay safe. Admiral Thad Allen Semper Paratus! All Hazards...All Threats...Always Ready
2007 FLOTILLA OFFICERS
FC – Cecile F. Langston FSO-AN – Unassigned FSO-FN – Wayne H. Enlow FSO-MS – Wayne D. Beard FSO-PA – Richard A. Colavito FSO-PS – Cecile F. Langston FSO-VE – Wayne D. Beard VFC – Brenda L. Carlson FSO-CM – Unassigned FSO -IS – Ron Sliter FSO-MT – Rick Freese FSO -PB – Brenda L Carlson FSO -PV – Richard Truluck IPFC – Kenneth L. Seipp FSO-CS – Kenneth L. Seipp FSO-MA– Wayne D. Beard FSO-OP – Reid Tillery FSO -PE – Brenda L. Carlson FSO-SR – Wayne Enlow
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FROM THE PICTURE GALLERY
Pictures from the ABC Presentation, St. John’s River Water Management District 21 June, 2007
DIVISION 14 FELLOWSHIP PICNIC: Saturday, 14 July, 12 Noon
The Quarterly Division meeting/fellowship picnic will be held at the Mooseheart Retirement Center Pavilion, Orange Park. Flotilla members, potential members, interested parties and family are invited to attend. There is a $7.00 per person donation required for the picnic.
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SATURDAY, 11 AUGUST, 2007 IS NATIONAL MARINA DAY
This will be a great opportunity to work with our Recreational Boating Safety Visitation Program (RBSVP) Marina Partners as well as the other RBS areas; Vessel Examinations (VE), Public Education (PE) and Public Affairs (PA). More will be said about this event at the next Flotilla meeting.
NEXT REGULAR FLOTILLA MEETING: Thursday, 19 July, 7 PM
VFW Hall Meeting Room, Corner of S.R. 100 and Palm St., Palatka, FL Be sure to be on time - and bring a visitor (or even two or three)!
The River Rat Rag is a publication of United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 07-14-9, Palatka Florida. For questions, information or to make electronic submissions, please contact Brenda L. Carlson, FSO-PB at mailto: blcarlsn@aol.com, or visit our website at http://a0701409.uscgaux.info/.
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