HARD DAYS NIGHTauxpa.cgaux.org/Navigator/2003FALL.pdf · FOR MORE STORIES about people, programs, awards and training, please see SITREP at teamcoastguard.org ... for proper submission

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VOL. 30 NO. 3 FALL 2003®

INSIDE: NACON 2003 AWARD WINNERS

The Rescue of the F/V NAOMI MARIE / STORY ON PAGE 20

Answering the call on a

HARD DAYS NIGHT

2 • Fall 2003 • NAVIGATOR

2003 EDITION

DEADLINEWINTER EDITION –

NOVEMBER 15 •

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Contents

Send submissions to Navigator Editor, 112 Brook Terrace,Freemont, CA 94538or e-mail [email protected]

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Message from Tom Ridge 3

NACON 2003: Diary of a first-timer 4

Commodore Edgerton 6

Commodore Seibert 7

Captain Hill 8

Commodore Larson 10

Commodore Ramsey 12

NACON 2003: Award winners 13

Coast Guard Pipe Band 16

Auxiliary Aviators take to the water 18

COVER STORY: Answering the call

on a Hard Days Night 20

Fulfilling demands 23

District 9 adds DART to resources 26

America’s Boating Course 28

The story is just beginning 29

Coast Guard helicopter operations 30

Safe boating advice in N.Y. Harbor 32

NSBW 2003 34

Coast Guard Auxiliary, Honolulu

Sunset Rotary donate life jackets 36

Off with the old, on with the new 38

NationalCalendar

2004NATIONAL TRAINING

CONFERENCE,January 28 – 30

Costa Mesa, California

NATIONALCONFERENCE,September 1–3

Orlando, Florida.

ON THE COVERFishing vessel Naomi Mariebeing towed. SEE PAGE20

Photo by Noreen Folkerts, DSO-PB 17

VOL. 30 NO. 3 FALL 2003

page 20

page 18

page 20

page 18

page 32page 32

2003 Au


BY WAYNE SPIVAK, BC-AIGNational Press Corps

It’s Thursday morn-ing, Aug. 28. Let meamplify that last state-ment, its 0430,Thursday, Aug. 28.Way, way too early tobe up and mentallyfunctional, even for an

early riser like myself. I need to catcha 0900 flight from LaGuardiaInternational Airport and with our cur-rent security concerns, I need to bethere early.

In the line at the airport, awaiting

our security screening, I meet StojanaDamceska, of Flotilla 10-8, a fellowFirst Southern member. Stojana is arelatively new member of theAuxiliary, attending, as am I, her firstNACON. I ask her why she’s going. Iassumed most people attend becausethey hold some national job or highdistrict position but I’m wrong. “To goto educational meetings; I’m new in theAuxiliary and want to learn more,”Stojana said,

We land in Nashville, Tennessee. I

checked my carry-on, and since shedidn’t, we separate. We find eachother at the shuttle bus to the GaylordOpryland, our hotel while we’re inMusic City.

We arrive at Opryland Hotel - thishotel is gigantic! I had gotten an e-mail earlier in the week from the editorof SITREP, Mel Borofsky, saying howlarge the place was and that the lastingjoke of the conference was “don’t looseyour map!” I could see why and wouldlater learn first hand that Mel was

FOR MORE STORIES about people, programs, awards and training, please see SITREP at teamcoastguard.org

telling the truth!While roaming his vast comple

bumped into CDR John Felker, wthe DIRAUX of the First SoutherDistrict.

CDR Felker was sitting with CDKevin Crowley, DIRAUX of D7, CMark Ferrar, the OTO of 1SR, anLCDR Kelly Boodell, DIRAUX of Since CDR Felker and I felt like ofriends (we got stuck together duthe Blackout of 2003, a few weekprior), he immediately made introtions.

They were going to lunch and wkind enough to invite me to go wthem. Also coming along was FrHudson, President of the PacificRegion of the Canadian Coast GuAuxiliary.

What a perfect way to mix bothSilver with Gold and our internatpartners! Even more important, had a great time at lunch (we didwith ribs that fell off the bone)!

■ ■ ■

Friday morning in Nashville anweather report says a beautiful dWith the exception of some smal

Inside the Gaylord Opreyland H

The Nashville NROTC Color Guard during opening ceremonies. Photos by Harry McBain and Mel Borofsky

NACON 2003: Diary of a first-timer

Wayne Spivak


The Coast Guard Auxrich culture, based on 64ership in boating safety. member learns our fourRecreational Boating SaServices, Coast Guard/Sand Fellowship, which aputable elements of our

In the last decade, howfactors have come togetnal the beginning of shifture. The stage was set1996 with the passage oGuard Authorization Acexpanded the scope of Aber activities. While on these potential changes high priority until Septewhen a new normalcy wthe United States by terthat placed unprecedenton the Coast Guard and

A final catalyst for theculture comes from Integy, which is making it pto meet the new demandter communication, effetions, and shorter respo

These changes have aAuxiliary in ways that arplex, and pervasive.

Many of our newest mbecause they want to mtion to our efforts to preenhance homeland secuCoast Guard needs our different ways which we

Chanof the

Recent changes i

and technology ha

will these changes

years to come?

In my last two articles I addressedthe first two of the 3Ps for 2003 - 2004;People and Professionalism. In thisarticle I will address the third P -Processes.

Within any medium to large organi-zation there have to be certain rou-tines, courses of action to be followedin order to accomplish some action orachieve a goal. These routines areprocesses and are fully intended, whenfollowed, to yield the desired end statein the most appropriate and timelymanner. Generally, these processesare developed because previous effortsto perform a task failed or weredelayed. For a process to be successfuland accepted, the members involvedshould understand the purpose of theprocess. In the Auxiliary, “members”refer to the appropriate elected and/orappointed officers in the chain of lead-ership and management.

There are processes that apply tojust about all facets of the Auxiliary:administrative actions, training andqualifications, public education, vesselsafety checks, operations, election andappointment of officers, recognition ofmembers for their performance, andmany other activities The applicableprocesses, or guidelines, have beendeveloped to ensure that the right peo-ple are aware of the desired outcome,allowing it to occur efficiently at thelowest level practical in the organiza-tion. This usually results in the taskbeing performed in a most timely man-ner, as well. Effective processes alsoprovide a means for providing feed-back: suggestions or recommendationfor changes in the processes. A systemfor making changes is especiallyimportant for us, since the Auxiliaryand/or the Coast Guard are govern-mental organizations with special legalresponsibilities.

What happens when a process is notfollowed? This can happen when amember decides that there is no needto follow the process and skips a few

steps. Usually, this request, sugges-tion, or recommendation will need tobe intercepted or rerouted to the indi-vidual that it should have been sent tooriginally. In some occasions it mayneed to be returned to the originatorfor proper submission. Either of theseactions will result in a longer process-ing time.

There may be times when it seemslike a certain higher authority, for suchas the DCO or DIRAUX will have toapprove the request or enact thedesired change, so why not just “go tothe top” directly? This is not accept-able, because intervening levels ofmanagement need to know what isbeing proposed, so that they can pro-vide amplifying information, possiblyimprove the request, and, in general,enable the DCO or DIRAUX to be bet-ter informed when reaching a decisionor proving an answer.

These processes, or “red tape” as itthey are sometimes referred to, werenot established to hinder the achieve-ment of a goal but to better ensure thatthe proper action is taken at the appro-priate level in a timely manner. This istrue whether the objective was to getan answer or to right a wrong (real orperceived). This is also necessary toensure that the action is taken by awell informed individual or, in somecases, a group like a committee.

Processes establish order within anorganization or provide for the accom-plishment of specific actions, Forexample, the steps required to take avessel in a side-by-side tow is aprocess. It’s easy to see how thisprocess needs to be followed to avoidmistakes, and the same is true of mostof the less obvious processes we use inthe Auxiliary.

Adherence to the Processes will go along way in allowing the Auxiliary tosatisfy the needs of its members,People, and increase the proficiency,Professionalism, within our programsand performance of our missions.

Processes

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E. W. (BILL) EDGERTON

NATIONALCOMMODORE

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bers, we need to acknowledge anunderstand this, so as to be availathe Coast Guard, to the recreatioboating public and the nation, in to serve in the many new missionwell as our traditional missions.

As an example, we are being asto move into homeland security atrusted agents of the Coast GuardOperation Patriot Readiness has bvery successful and will continueexpand and to take its proper plaaugmenting Coast Guard readineOur Maritime Domain Awarenesreach programs will certainly demmore of our time, as we educate tpublic on its importance.

With our expanded role comesrespect from the Coast Guard anboating public. However, this alsmeans that we must maintain the

SEIBERTcontinued from page 7

Is a revolution in auxiliary affairsunderway? It just might seem so,given the current maritime securityenvironment and the expanding scopeof Auxiliary support to Coast Guardmissions, when compared to the 64years of traditional support theAuxiliary has provided. If such a thingwere happening, how would we knowit? Just what is a revolution of auxil-iary affairs?

Lieutenant General Paul K. VanRiper, U.S. Army (Retired) defines arevolution in military affairs as a “phe-nomenon that occurs when a signifi-cant discontinuous increase in militarycapability is created by the innovativeinteraction of new technologies, opera-tional concepts, and organizationalstructure.” In the world of militaryaffairs, examples of such dramaticchanges in the way military force pro-jection has been planned, organized,and executed have included the devel-opment of carrier aviation and ballisticmissile submarines. *A revolution inmilitary affairs might currently beunderway due to the development ofnew information technologies alongwith urban warfare.

Might this concept somehow applyto today’s Auxiliary? If so, the focuswould likely be on new operationalconcepts and strategies, organizationalstructures and, most applicable to theAuxiliary, a new sense of purpose byour outstanding, exceptional members– the combination of all which could beviewed as having resulted in a newlevel of Auxiliary capability. On theoperations side, we have OperationPatriot Readiness and several relativelynew and exciting mission supportareas, such as marine safety activities,recruiting, and maritime domainawareness. From the program man-agement view, the grand strategyregarding use of our Auxiliary forcesis new and far more challenging.Organizationally, the role as the

Department of Homeland Security’sleading volunteer agency might be or,most likely, become significant. Thethird factor, our members, is by far themost significant if we indeed are expe-riencing a revolution in auxiliaryaffairs. To examine this concept a bitmore fully, it may be useful to look atthree factors closely: the law, strategy,and our membership.

Let’s look at Section 822, Title 14, U.S. Code as it read in 1949:

“The purpose of the Auxiliary is toassist the Coast Guard:● To promote safety and to effect res-

cues on and over the high seas andon navigable waters.

● To promote efficiency in the opera-tion of motorboats and yachts.

● To foster a wider knowledge of, andbetter compliance with, the laws,rules and regulations governing theoperation of motorboats and yachts;

● And to facilitate other operations ofthe Coast Guard.In 1996, Section 822, Title 14 was

changed completely to read:● “The purpose of the Auxiliary is to

assist the Coast Guard as authorizedby the Commandant, in performingany Coast Guard function, power,duty, role, mission, or operationauthorized by law.”With a change in the statute, the

legal change agent was in place for arevolution in auxiliary affairs. Whilethe extent and scope of Auxiliary sup-port to Coast Guard missions waschanging even back in 1996, theAuxiliary support “trigger” was cockedand ready for a major event which, aswe know, would forever change theUnited State’s maritime security envi-ronment. Since that event, theAuxiliary’s support has evolved intomany operational and administrativemission areas, but the specific focus

Revolution inAuxiliary affairs?

regarding Homeland Security habeen backfill alignment with activduty units in conjunction with masecurity surge operations.

As the Chief Director, my view “grand” strategy is fairly straightfward. That is, to increase the capty and capacity of the Auxiliary soprovide the right and ready volunforces to support the full spectruCoast Guard missions, with a focon-thewater and in-the-air operaWe have several sub-strategies toposition the Auxiliary in support larger grand strategy. These straare primarily in the areas of resou(budget), legal issues (legislativechange proposals), security (secuchecks and clearances), operationand training.

The “grand” strategy also has fkey elements:

Recreational Boating Safety is tAuxiliary’s core competency and mission. The absolute strongest port to the Recreational Boating Smission is needed as never beforPreventive Search and Rescue salives. Preventive Search and Resalso creates opportunities for lim

HILLcontinued from page 8

SEE HILL PG. 9

CAPTAIN

DAVID HILL

CHIEF DIRECTOR,U.S. COAST GUARD

AUXILIARY

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These numbers are essive given the fact that sresources have been dedtions and marine safety othe past two years. Obvnot forgotten our traditioto recreational boating s

Measuring an increasof boaters wearing PFDlenging. We do know thparticularly Type III andwere sold last year thanyears. This is especiallysince the boating industhas been “flat” for two yThis increase in sales shmore are being worn. Hindependent random suyearly has not shown annumber of boaters wear

The findings from thatbalanced against those oGuard. As far as their boare concerned, entries inindicate a possible increaber of boaters who werejackets when sighted or number of adult boaters jackets went from 8.7% inearly 2002 to 15% in the pThe number of children jackets is particularly enthat number jumped from84.2%. Although the Coavations are not scientificthey offer an indication ting progress in the first Operation BoatSmart ob

Boating statistics for 2available at the time thiswritten so we do not knoextent of your success. will take more than two significant numbers of awith our safety messagesages are obvious to us,involved in most of the afatalities often do not coselves as “boaters.”

To provide outreach tcommunity, — and in patarget audience, we havCommand:” the externafor the Operation BoatS

Operation BoatSmart

OperationBoatSmart:Progress report

Operation BoatSmart was designed tostretch over four years with specificmeasures to determine success basedon calendar year 2000 baseline data.Success will be determined at the endof the four years by progress in reduc-ing fatalities and producing a positivechange in boater behavior.

THE FOUR PRIMARY INTENTS OF OBS ARE TO:● Increase the number of boaters wearinglife jackets, — at all times● Increase the number of boaters whotake public education courses● Spread the message that safelyequipped, well-maintained boats savelives● Convince boaters that drinking andboating are as dangerous as driving underthe influence.

Nationally, Operation BoatSmart iscoordinated by CDR Kim Pickens, OBSPoint of Contact, Atlantic Area and CDRMike O’Brien, Pacific Area. On theAuxiliary side, Jack Nourie, is theNational Coordinator for OperationBoatSmart and You’re In Commandcampaigns. My role is AuxiliaryExecutive Agent for both campaigns.

Now that we are past the two-yearmark in the program, those of us respon-sible for Operation BoatSmart would liketo share a progress report with you.

Two of the performance criteria can

be measured by data we routinely col-lect - the number of students complet-ing boating safety courses and the num-ber of vessel safety checks performed.Vessel Safety Checks are our way toreach the public on their docks and onthe ramps, with the message about safe,well-equipped vessels.

Looking at public education first, in2002, Auxiliarists increased the numberof students who completed courses in2001 by 23%, teaching a total of 174,505boaters. This figure combined with sta-tistics from the U.S. Power Squadronsmeans that we taught 203,461 studentslast year. Admittedly, this was short ofthe initial goal, which was an increase of30% however the first few months of2003 have shown an upturn in classattendance.

Since the inception of OperationBoatSmart, Vessel Examiners in theAuxiliary have been joined byExaminers from the U.S. PowerSquadrons, and state agencies in severalstates. Working together, we haveturned the corner on the decline in thenumber of VSCs done. In 2002 the totalnumber of vessel safety checks donejumped by nearly 50% over 2000. Giventhat in 2000 we were inspecting only onepercent of the registered boats, there isample room for growth. As Auxiliaristswe are still leading the way. Out of the200,415 VSCs done in 2002, more than134,000 were performed by Auxiliarists.

COMMODORE

MARYLARSON

NATIONAL VICECOMMODORE

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Operation BoatSmart officially began in May 2001 as a

Coast Guard led program using partnerships at the local level

to reduce fatalities among recreational boaters. The new

outreach campaign, “You’re in Command,” has been outlined

elsewhere and is referenced later in this article.


DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION 911 ME

National Commodore E. W. (Bill) Edgerton, J

Past National CommodorViggo C. Bertelsen, Jr

National Vice Commodore-CGene M. Seibert

Auxiliarist James WelchExecutive Assistant to the Chief Director

COMMANDANT LETTEROF COMMENDATION AWA

Past National CommodorEverette L. Tucker, Jr

AUXILIARY MERITORIOSERVICE AWARD

Past National CommodorEverette L. Tucker, Jr

Past National CommodorHenry G. Pratt, III

Richard C. Lavy, M.D.

Robert T. Platt

Michael E. Thompson, Ph

James E. Welch, Jr.

NATIONAL AIDS TO NAVIGATION AWARD

Individual award, Richard McKay, Flotilla 15-8, D7

(1452 points)

Flotilla award, Flotilla 1-10, D8-CR

(3253 points)

Division award, Division 1, D8-CR

(4961 points)

DEPARTMENT OF COMMECHART UPDATING AWARDS FO

District with the most members submitting repor

D5-SR (31 reports)

Getting back to basics

COMMODORE

GAILRAMSEYNATIONAL

VICE COMMODOREPACIFIC

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Hopefully all of us are involved inmember training in one way shape orform. My area of choice is operations,be it patrols, training on the water orclassroom instruction. For the last 15years I have worked with a great teamof Qualification Examiners who haveput on an introduction to Boat Crewtwice a year as part of District ElevenNorthern’s Past Captains’ Training Fair,taught on Coast Guard Island, Alameda,California. Every time the class istaught, the agenda has been modifiedand revised due to the experiencesgained from prior classes. This time wedid some different things that I wouldlike to share with you.

The majority of the students for theBoat Crew Class have been members ofthe Coast Guard Auxiliary for less thantwo years. In fact, some still had wet inkon their membership cards. For twodays the instruction team works hard,teaching the basic information from theBoat Crew Manual such as knots, sur-vival gear, communications, fire extin-guishers, paper work and all the otherinformation that is available in the oper-ations manuals for crew.

On the morning of the class, justbefore the 0800 morning Colors, twomembers of the instruction team werewalking towards the classroom whenthe morning Colors were sounded. Amember of the class, looking outside,asked another instructor “Why are theyjust standing there, not talking andlooking like they are at Attention?”

This conversation was later sharedwith all the members of the teachingteam and the class. The instructorsquickly realized some students werenot familiar with military protocol. So,we came up with a plan to expose thestudents to some basic military protocoland other information helpful on a mili-tary base. The plan is a great additionto our operations Boat Crew Class. Weshared information about not drivingduring the presentation of Colors, wear-ing cover (caps, etc), saluting and whatin general was expected of all personnel

on the base during this time. Then wewent a bit further; no one in the classwas aware of the Base Exchange, or ofwhat Auxiliarists could and could notpurchase.

The details of uniforms were anothermajor issue. What is the standard uni-form? For this class, it was the darkblue working uniform. We reviewed thevarious parts of the uniform, such asthe wearing of the Member Insignia(sew on or pin on) when working atCoast Guard units. We also coveredwhere and when they could wear a unitball cap, as well as many other aspectsof the Coast Guard Auxiliary uniform.The students welcomed the opportunityto be able to ask questions.

New members do not have a clueabout the many of the things that youand I take for granted. The reason fortheir lack of knowledge is no one’s fault.But this lack of familiarity with theCoast Guard Auxiliary culture and notknowing where to find the answer toquestions is one of the major causes formembers to leave.

We all pour tons of information intothe new member, but remember, ittakes hearing it more than once to beabsorbed. Moreover, actually wearingthe uniform is much different than look-ing at the uniform pictures in the manu-al. And hearing the same informationfrom more than one person is not a badthing, and if done courteously, actuallyreinforces the confidence of the newmember!

I believe that there is not a class thatwe teach where the instructors do notlearn something new. Once again, thisscenario demonstrates the value of feed-back and that communication with oth-ers is always a learning experience. Thegist of the matter is: No matter whatclass you are teaching, take a few min-utes to talk about the basics. You maybe surprised; everyone, including you,may learn something. The best part isyou will help retain the new memberand make him or her feel at home inour ranks. U

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NOPRYLAND

Capt. David Hill, the Chief Directthe Auxiliary. Capt. Hill reemphathe role of the Auxiliary in the arRecreational Boating Safety, MarDomain Awareness, and Recruitmfor the Coast Guard (via the AIMgram) and Auxiliary.

COMO Everett Tucker, N-I, of International Affairs Directorate, comed the many members of thenational community of Auxiliariesother maritime lifesaving service

Ruth Wood, President of Boat/Foundation reiterated the long-sting 35 year relationship with the Guard Auxiliary. Their focus is oway the Wallop-Breaux Trust Fundistributed, as well as sanitation adredging issues that are affectinging and marinas in our nation.

Capt. Scott Evans, Chief of the of Boating Safety spoke about hission, which is, as Capt. Hill clearlenunciated, our mission - RecreatBoating Safety. He emphasized tOperation Boat Smart is crucial tmission, by building partnershipsall stake holders in RBS; manufacers, operators, marinas, distributoname a few. “Preventing an accidprevents a fatality. Wear your PFdon’t boat while under the influenalcohol or drugs (prescription or gal).”


boating education (shore-side only)helps or doesn’t help reduce accidentsand whether an on-the-water require-ment would work. Several of the par-ticipants spoke about how their coun-tries were now just starting to imple-ment Recreational Boating Safety edu-cation programs, and were eyeingmandatory boating courses to helpstem the tide of accidents and deathsof their boaters.

For the next several hours, as myscheduled meeting time kept movinglater in the day, I have many impromp-tu meetings with a wide variety ofAuxiliary members. Some membersbelong to the national departments Iwork with; others were people I justwanted to meet.

After trading large number of e-mails, and speaking on the phone, Ifinally get to meet in person peoplelike Marilyn McBain (DC-I), Jeff Mahl(DC-Id), COMO Ev Tucker (N-I),Brigitte and Klaus Baumann (N-IDand N-Id). I am introduced to NACOBill Edgerton, and NADCO-MS TonyMorris. I conversed with Capt. Hilland Cdr. Chris Olin, Deputy CHDIRU-AX. All these people are approach-able, personable and friendly. They allmake this new member (I’ve been inthe Auxiliary less than two years), aswell as all the members feel as theywere a valuable part of the organiza-tion.

I attend a couple of other trainingsessions Friday. At one of the ses-sions, Doug Simpson, BC-TTT andManager of the National TestingCenter lectures the participants on notonly On-line Testing but On-lineTraining opportunities provided bythe National Testing Center, DIRAUXWest and the national TrainingDepartment.

On-line testing and training haveemerged as possibly “the” single fac-tor in increasing the number of mem-bers who have taken both AUXOPcourses as well as qualification cours-es in the Auxiliary.

“Tests like ICS 100 have five-foldthe number of test takers than thenearest test,” Simpson said, Whenqueried by an audience member as towhy this was the case, Simpson specu-

lated, “It’s the type of training that ourmembers are seeking. Maybe it’sbecause as Watchstanders they arerequired locally to provide proof ofpassage. Now, we, - the Auxiliary andCoast Guard - need to find the oppor-tunities where they can utilize thistraining.”

Simpson suggests that if membersare interested in more information onOn-line Testing, they should see therecent article in May 2003 issue of theT-Department’s e-Quest(http://www.auxonline.org/~etrain-ing/ezine/). For the On-line Testingweb site, go tohttp://cgexams.info/testing/.

■ ■ ■

Saturday, 0800, Aug. 30 - I arrive atthe National Board Meeting, after whathas become the NACON 2003 joke,“the hike to the event.” Members arewelcomed by the soothing sounds ofthe Nashville Community Orchestra.These men and women came in excep-tionally early Saturday morning just toperform at the beginning of ourNational Board Meeting opening cere-mony.

After the honor guard and somebrief introductions, the Mayor ofNashville, the Honorable W. Purcell,

praised the Auxiliary and their “...incredible outstanding service ... pro-vided on our inland waterways.”Purcell informed us that not only doeshe know and appreciate the work thatthe Americas Volunteer Lifesaver’s per-form, but also “we are known to may-ors and leaders all over the country.”

Following his funny and livelyspeech was a warm welcome by RearAdm. Duncan, District Commander ofD8. He too praised the Auxiliary fordedication and resourcefulness.However, Adm. Duncan had a request;D8 has a current backlog of applica-tions for Merchant Mariners and assuch he needed Auxiliarists willing toassist with administrative duties. Itwas nice to be needed.

Following Adm. Duncan’s remarks,Rear Adm. David Belz, the AssistantCommandant for Operations (G-O)was introduced. He brought with hima message from DHS Secretary Ridgewhich said “[how] proud he was of theAuxiliary’s 64 years of service [and]unyielding service in the name of safe-ty and security of America on ourwaterways.”

According to Adm. Belz, theAuxiliary has donated 1.7 millionhours to the Coast Guard. Quite a sig-nificant number!

Next to address the conference was

FIRST-TIMERcontinued from page 5

VADM Thomas Barrett, Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard, was Saturdaynight’s keynote speaker. Photos by Harry McBain and Mel Borofsky CAPT Dave Hill, CHDIRAUX


BY JUDY HILLSSO-PB 5SR Division 20

Have you ever been emotionallytouched by the haunting sound of abagpipe? Deep inside this music res-onates with our collective souls andmoves us to another realm of being;the experience being almost mystical.

The early history of the bagpipes issketchy at best. There is written men-tion in 100 AD of the emperor Neroplaying “the aulos with his mouth andalso with his armpit, the bag beingthrown under it.” These instrumentswere made from material that easilydisintegrated, so little physical evi-dence of them exists except for thelate middle ages when bagpipes beganto appear in illustrations. More than350 years later, in 1619 the bagpipeappears in the scholarly work ofPraetorius, on the subject of organog-raphy.

The earliest records of the “GreatWarpipe of the North” being playedwere of the ancient Irish warriors whoplayed the pipes in battle. The Scots,close cousins to the Irish, also playedthe pipes which eventually becameknown as the “Great HighlandBagpipes.” Clans used pipers to awak-en the family in the morning and tocompose various tunes to mark specialoccasions such as birth, deaths, andmarriages. When we think of the bag-pipe we invariably think of the Scots.

In 1793 the Black Watch was formedby an English king to observe theHighlanders. Each Black Watch com-pany maintained its own piper. In 1582in George Buchanan’s “Description ofScotland,” he speaks of theHighlanders using bagpipes instead oftrumpets on the field of battle. “As amusical instrument of war the PIOBMHOR (a type of bagpipe) is withoutequal. The shrill and penetrating notesworked well in the roar and din of bat-

tle. Pipes have reportedly been heardat distances over six miles, and underfavorable conditions at ten miles.”(Gordon B. Kinney, Jr., 2003) Themusic of the pipes cheered the troopson.

In the United States the pipes tookhold in the military as well, though notused in quite the same way. Thesebands were more ceremonial than any-thing, although there are some histori-cal notes of bagpipes heard near thebattlefields of World War I and WorldWar II. Pipe Bands exist in a numberof branches of the United StatesArmed Forces. These include: ThePipes & Drums of the Brigade ofMidshipmen at the United States NavalAcademy, the Pipes and Drums of theCorps of Cadets at West Point, and theAir Force Reserve Pipe Band at RobinsAFB in Warner Robins, GA. In 1991some Marines established aLeatherneck Pipe & Drum Corps fol-lowed in 2001 by the U.S. Coast GuardPipe Band.

The Coast Guard Pipe Band is not anofficial part of the U.S. Coast Guard,but is considered much like theAuxiliary. In 2002, the USCG PipeBand incorporated as a nonprofit and it

currently has a roster of over 40 mem-bers. It was CWO Kevin Gilheany whomade the USCG Pipe Band a reality.CWO Gilheany gathered seven pipersand three drummers for their first pub-lic appearance as a group in GrandHaven, Michigan on August 2, 2002. “Idid it as my last hurrah before retiring.I knew that once everyone saw howawesome a pipe band can be that theywould love it,” said Gilheany in arecent interview. And they did!

According to the USCG Pipe Band’swebsite, “The purpose for which thecorporation is organized, and will beexclusively operated, is charitable pur-poses.” The Pipe Band is designed “tofoster and promote greater publicunderstanding, recognition and appre-ciation of the history, traditions, contri-butions, sacrifices, roles and missionsof the men and women of the U. S.Coast Guard.”

The site goes on to state that,“Membership in the corporation isopen to all active duty, reserve andretired members of the U. S. CoastGuard, active members of the U. S.Coast Guard Auxiliary and honorablydischarged wartime Coast GuardVeterans who support the purposes of

the corporation. Membership is nlimited to persons of Scottish desbut is open to any person meetingmembership requirements regardof race, color, national origin, ethngin, age, religion, sex, handicap oital status. Membership is also opthose who are otherwise qualifiedwho are not proficient in the playibagpipes or drums but who can sthe Pipe Band in other capacities as color guards, liaison coordinatiand similar support functions.”

Part of the band’s uniform is a tan. A tartan is a woven cloth of fied colors and with specific threcounts creating a uniquely charatic pattern. Some tartans are evedefined by legislature. (Did you that in 1998 the State of Californiadopted the Muir tartan as the otartan of the state?) JoannePendleton, wife of CWO MikePendleton was instrumental inresearching a tartan for the CoasGuard. CDR Andrew Anderson,USCG (Ret.), the Pipe Band DruMajor, also played a major role ineffort before the band formed. IMay 2002, Admiral James Loyapproved the official USCG TartaThe kilt is made from the tartan.band later adopted the USCG tar

CWO Kevin Gilheany USCG (RPresident of the USCG Pipe BanIrish descent and grew up hearinpipe bands in New York. It was iblood, so to speak. “Learning thpipes takes diligence and lots of tice,” said Gilheany. He enjoys plthe pipes, although he finds that few are persistent enough to reallearn to play this difficult instrum“Playing the pipes in the USCG P

U.S. Coast Guard Pipe Band pipes up

The U.S. Coast Guard Pipe Band, August 2, 2003 Led by drum major Andy Anderson and pipe major Iain Anderson. Photos by Judy Hills

Admiral Thomas H. Collins recethe U.S. Coast Guard Pipe Bandsgian dubb (black knife) from dmajor, Andy Anderson. Band prdent Kevin Gilheany looks on.


BY ARTHUR RAMIREZ BC-AII

Unlike their boating counterpartswho spend most of their time on thewater, Coast Guard Auxiliary pilotsand observers spend most of theirtime in the air. That is, of course, untilits time for their yearly Ditching andEgress Workshop and Swim Test.That’s when these intrepid men andwomen jump, fully clothed and shod,into a pool to swim 50 yards and thenclimb into an overturned survival raft.

Pilots and observers, like their boat-ing brethren, are subject to a long listof annual requirements to maintaintheir currency. The most physically

demanding of these is the annualSwim Test.

That’s why many of the swim testsheld throughout the country are usu-ally overseen by a CG certified sur-vivor swimmer and a medically quali-fied auxiliarist. The pictures show anEgress Workshop and Swim Test heldby First Southern District (1SR) inJune 2003.

Auxiliary Aviation (AuxAir) is aliveand extremely active in the FirstSouthern District, which covers a wideswath of the First Coast GuardDistrict, including the southern partsof New Jersey, the New York City met-ropolitan area, Connecticut andVermont.

The district includes New York City,the Hudson River, a nuclear power sta-tion, as well as millions of people, hun-dreds of thousands of recreationalboaters and one of the busiest com-mercial harbors in the world.

Meeting at Flotilla 12-07 officeslocated at the Republic Airport, inFarmingdale Long Island, New York,was a group of eager pilots, observersand trainees. They were there toattend a workshop and swim test con-ducted by Ellery Parks ADSO-AVT(Assistant District Staff Officer forAviation Training).

Parks, in addition to being aCGAUX pilot, is also a Coast GuardSurvivor Swimmer, a qualification that

When Auxiliary aviatorstake to the water

is not easy to obtain. Additionallis a professional rescue medic. Sthis District has such an active Aprogram, with pilots and observefrom four states, this is the thirdthis year that Ellery has held thiticular workshop and subsequenswim test. Today he was assisteJohn Mark, MD, an Auxiliarist inFlotilla 12-07.

The three-hour Egress Workshcovers a myriad of topics includinditching, egress (exiting from adowned aircraft), use of survivalequipment, problems of hypotheand basic treatment techniques finjured crew members.

The course is filled with usefulnical and common sense informafor the pilot and observer who onmay find themselves ditching.Participation by the students wasenthusiastic, with many bringingbenefit of their own experiences.

Next came the swim test. Elleoutlined what was required of allticipants, as well as what to do if the students got into trouble. Onassembled, groups of three stude

If the students founsuch as a pool, imagthe shock of ditchingto make these types

Swimmers practice techniques to attract rescuer attention. Photos by Arthur Ramirez


The Auxiliary Vessel NOREENhad been on patrol the previous and Mike Folkerts, coxswain, anNoreen Folkerts, crew, had decispend the night aboard in Auke Harbor, approximately 12 miles the reported position of the NAOMARIE. According to Noreen

laska is reno

is especially

According to

in Alaska, “A

weather is m

at night, the

The call was made to C

0130 and 0200. It was lat

almost 20 hours of sunlig

NAOMI MARIE sent out

“between the red buoy a

in the water. They had ru

tanks. In the effort to ble

the batteries were drawn

nothing but the radio.

A

Fishing vessel Naomi Marie being towed. Photo by Noreen Folkerts

The Rescue of th

Answerin

BY NOREEN FOLKBERTS, DSO-PB


news . . . just past Coghlan Island, onlytwo miles into the journey, the fog setin. For the next 10 miles, we faced amixture of conditions, going from zeroto a quarter mile visibility. Fortunately,the NAOMI MARIE happened to be inone of the better visibility areas, mak-ing the search much easier.”

Once out of the fog, the Folkertsspotted a vessel on the horizon, andwhen on scene, confirmation wasmade with Juneau Radio that it was infact the NAOMI MARIE. Althoughthere was no wind, the tide and cur-rents had carried the disabled vesselfrom their originally reported positionright to where they suspected. Stepone of the mission had been accom-plished. “By 0340, we had found thedisabled vessel without incident. Allthree persons on board were fineexcept for the lack of sleep and the 26-foot fishing vessel was well off shore inno immediate danger,” Noreen report-ed.

Now for step two: getting the vesselsafely back to Auke Bay Harbor.Folkerts continued, “Once the occu-pants were in their life jackets and itwas determined that they could safelyremain on their vessel, the stern towwas hooked up and the journey began.Within a mile, the fog settled in forgood, and again we had to rely on theGPS, radar and radio!”

“The tow proceeded without prob-lems. A constant communication

schedule was kept with Coast GuardJuneau Radio, and as targets appearedon the radar, each was contacted tomake sure they too, had a fix on bothof us. There were times when the towcould barely be seen behind theNOREEN KAY. As Coghlin Island gotcloser, Mike and I made the decisionto go by the south and east sides asopposed to going through the narrow-er passage on the north and west.”

At the same time, the State FerryKENNICOTT issued their securitemessage to let other mariners knowthey were leaving dock. The timing fora disaster would be perfect; bothwould be rounding the island at thesame time … from different directions.“At this point we knew it was time foranother radio call. The ferry altered itscourse and slowed to give us a wideberth and the passing went withoutincident.”

Once at the mouth of the harbor, theNAOMI MARIE was moved to analongside tow and at approximately0630, the vessel was safely moored inAuke Bay.

While this seemed like a routine SAR,it could have been a lot different with-out proper training, common sense, andusing the principles set forth in theTeam Coordination Training class.Like the well trained team that they are,Mike and Noreen debriefed after themission. They concluded that there aresome very important things to consider

when offering our vessels and crews fora rescue. “In this case, we looked atfour factors:” according to Noreen. “Wehad to make a go/no-go decision basedon: (1) Our physical ability - were we upto the task at hand; (2) the weather, andhow it could change, and how thatchange could affect our mission; (3) ourcommunication skills - could we offeraccurate communications for the situa-tion, and (4) our navigation skills - wereour navigation skills up to the chal-lenges presented by this mission? Didwe know how to use all the navigationequipment (GPS, radar, etc) at our dis-posal?

Fortunately for the crew of the F/VNAOMI MARIE, the Folkerts wereable to answer the call.

The moral to the story, according tothe Folkerts, “Please make sure youroperational qualifications are up todate. It is important to practice whatyou know, even if it is just on paper.When you are out on the water, youshould practice using all the navigationtools at your disposal, even if you don’tneed them. It can be really embarrass-ing to end up in the fog, flip on theradar and then realize you’re not reallysure how to use it! We are a part ofCoast Guard Forces, a professionalteam! When we offer our services, orare called upon for a mission, the pub-lic sees us as a part of that professionalteam. Let’s make sure we are up to thetask!”

continued from page 21

“Once the occupants were in their life jackets and it was determined that they could safely remain on their vessel, the stern tow was hooked upand the journey began. Within a mile, the fog settled in for good, andagain we had to rely on the GPS, radar and radio!”

U.S

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BY LT CLINT TROCCHIO, USCG

USCG AirStation Barber

airstation ramp for all of D

made the round-up, wher

Aviation missions, plannin

the Hawaiian Islands have

more flight hours and hig

to Auxiliary Aviation reso

Big Island of Hawaii, to th

Coast Guard Auxiliarist Nelson Barbers Point in Honolulu as feconcerns. Photo by PA2 David Mosley

Fulfill


BY MAXINE CAVANAUGHBC-AIC

When David and Dolores Burwell ofCarlsbad, California, heard about theopportunity to get involved with aCoast Guard Cutter from their FlotillaOperations Officer, they didn’t hesitate.

After submitting their resumesthrough the Auxiliary Chain ofCommunication, they were inter-viewed by the Commanding Officer ofthe USCGC CHASE (WHEC 718), a378-ft cutter home ported in SanDiego. Commanding Officer, CAPTMark S. Kern, former CHDIRAUX,invited them to join the CHASE and

train as Quarterdeck Watchstanders. A year later and with a new com-

manding officer, CAPT Norman L.Custard, the Burwells have spent anaverage of four hours a week trainingwith the CHASE crew and learningthe job. They have qualified as regularQuarterdeck watch standers.

There is a lot more to being a watchstander than meets the eye. One mustassist the Officer of the Deck, oversee-ing who boards and leaves the ship,maintain records and logs for visitorsand contractors, enter weather condi-tions, answer and relay ship’s tele-phone calls, and make routine andspecial pages as the occasion calls for.

But the Burwells’ service to theCHASE goes beyond watchstanding.In addition, David has used his naviga-tion skills to make chart changes forthe ship. Dolores helps out wherevershe can with her office skills. Theyhave even helped paint when the occa-sion called for it.

Besides standing watch when theship is in port, the Burwells participat-ed in an overnight shakedown cruisebefore the CHASE left for an Alaskanpatrol. Later, when the ship returnedfrom Alaska, the Burwells and a num-ber of friends and family of the crewtraveled from north of San Diego invans and caught the ferry to Catalina

Island where the CHASE picked up on its way back to San Diego.

Normal patrols for the CHASEinclude north to Alaska and theBering Sea area or south to theMexican Riviera and beyond. This generally out for between 45-7days. The Burwells have been into go on patrol if they want to. Bueven though they are world travethey are not sure they will accepoffer, for one simple reason.

“We had to bunk separately in cer’s quarters,” stated the BurweNo fraternization between male afemale crew members is allowedif they are married to each otheris a couple that truly enjoys servtogether.

David and Dolores, both over 6were treated as equals by all the officers and enlisted crew whoseranged from 18-to 50-something.“There was no sense of age diffeence,” remarked Dolores. “They always courteous, friendly, appretive and comfortable with us.”

David, whose background is inneering, is a WWII Army veteranDolores retired after a long caree

Opportunity knockedAnd David and Dolores Burwell said “YES,” serving together as QuarterdeckWatchstanders on the USCGC CHASE

USCGC CHASE Pictured left to right: David Burwell, Dolores Burwell, Bill Cooper, FC 16-7 D-11SR; Pat Muraglia, Frank Muraglia VCO-D11SR. U.S. Coast Guard photos


BY JERRI A. SMITHBC-AIW

“A one-ah and a two-ah and a three-ah” echoed the cadence in the CoastGuard Station Belle Isle’s boathouse.

No, this was not an audition for theLawrence Welk Show; rather, thesewere the sounds of Chief WarrantOfficer Jeff Bradbury putting nineAuxiliarists through bent-knee push-ups as part of their physical require-ments to qualify as members of theelite 9th Central Region’s DeployableAuxiliary Response Team (DART)team.

Ninth Central Region’s DistrictCommodore, Ken Koeppen, first intro-duced this DART program in the fall of2002 at a Commanding Officer’s con-ference, and eventually it came intofruition in June of 2003. The success-ful implementation of the DART pro-gram was a result of the strong collab-oration between the Silver and Goldsides at all levels. Leading the effort inthe establishment of DART were:Commodore Ken Koeppen; DonPryjmak, District Staff Officer-Operations/DART Coordinator;Operations Training Officer/ChiefWarrant Officer, George Spanier; 9thDistrict Director of Auxiliary,Commander Brad Nelson; ChiefWarrant Officer Jeff Bradbury; and D9Small Boat Manager, Chief WarrantOfficer Keith West.

The DART program’s ultimate goalis to train, qualify and provide auxil-iarists to execute patrols on CoastGuard-owned boats authorized forAuxiliary use.

Since Sept. 11, 2001, there has beena need to provide additional resourcesto assist the Coast Guard with surfaceoperations. On all three lakes border-ing Michigan, key infrastructure sitesexist where additional surface opera-tional support is needed. The CoastGuard is engaged in monitoring these

and other strategic areas, and theAuxiliary can provide backfill support.

As the name implies, the objective ofDART is to go where the need arisesto help the Gold Side. The “DARTboat” (as it is coming to be known) is a21-foot rigid-hull inflatable (RHI),which was at one time part of the sur-face fleet tasked to Coast GuardStation Belle Isle, located in Detroit,Michigan. Facility 214363 becameavailable for Auxiliary use when theStation received its complement of 25-foot aluminum safe boats.

Auxiliarists wishing to qualify for theprogram had to be currently certifiedboat crew or coxswains, in good stand-ing. Since the primary objective of theprogram was to put additionalresources on the water, only personswho did not already own a boat thateither was or could be a facility couldapply.

DART team members that have suc-cessfully completed the training are asfollows:

Coxswains:● Ken Renner● Joseph Kennedy

● Don Pryjmak● Mark Volkman● Bruce Van WierenBoat Crew:● Paul Guinnane● Nancy Pryjmak● Steve RynbrandtDCO Koeppen undertook the train-

ing in the spirit of DART in order toencourage his members.

The team’s training mentor andclassroom instructor was theCommanding Officer of Coast GuardStation Belle Isle, CWO Jeff Bradbury.Training was given on all operationalparameters of the facility, including theradio, global positioning system, chartplotter, and engine instrumentation aswell as all maintenance procedures.

It was necessary that the DART teammembers meet minimum physical stan-dards patterned after the AUXOPStation Holland in Western Michigan.Among these were push-ups, carryingand hoisting of the P1 pump, linethrow, PFD-swim, retrieval of OSCAR(the dummy used for man-overboarddrills), and a one-mile brisk walk.Everyone made it, with Commodore

Koeppen leading the way and chethem on. They also refreshed onoperation of the P1 pump, since thtype of pump would be passed ovfrom a helo or another CG facilityaccording to Don Pryjmak, DSO-

“Our on-the-water training was ducted in conjunction with the 25Safe Boat by CWO Bradbury andOfficer Crochette. Every team mber participated in stern tows, aloside tows, and crossing the ‘T’approaches. Later we worked onoverboard (MOB) drills. Every tmember took turns piloting the bso that we could maintain missionibility. We learned how to utilize unique towline configuration withstern tow bits. Since it is impossdrill into the inflatable sponsons ascrew in breast cleats, we learnedto secure the disabled vessel in aalongside tow using only the SAM

District 9 CR adds a DART to its resources

Training Patrol — Steve Rynbra

Station Belle Isle’s new safe boat. Photo by Nancy Pryjmak

BY VIRGINIA H. LOVASVice Captain, Division 7

Doug Voss was an energetic 15old when I first met him at a frienhigh school graduation party. Heintroduced to me with the words

“This is Doug Voss, and he wango to the Coast Guard Academy. to him ! “

As I spoke with Doug that evenlearned that he had not wavered his goal since the age of 12 or sowas challenging his academics asas focusing on leadership skills aathletic prowess. He was veryfocused. Although I admit that I not know many 15 year olds, I waimpressed by his maturity.

That summer, Doug was an invguest on one of our patrols, and hstarted to come to our flotilla meings. I had our DSO-CC, RayBirnbaum and SO-CC, Iris Mordaexplain the AIM program to Douthey also started guiding him in tright direction.

When Doug was well into his 1year, Flotilla 72 started preparingfor membership. A few days after17th birthday I, as the FlotillaCommander of 72 swore Doug inAuxiliary. What a proud momentwas for both of us! Doug was alrin an Auxiliary uniform and lookevery professional.

Doug joined the Boat CrewProgram, and became Crew Qualater the same year. In his seniorof high school he became FSO-Pthe flotilla, writing a great newslefor our members. He never missedeadline !

Doug qualified as an alternate fthe AIM Program while continuinre-take and re-take S.A.T.’s to brinnumbers up to Coast Guard Acadstandards. At the same time he wcaptain of his high school’s ice hoteam, and class president. He wa


BY JOHN MALATAKChief Program Operations,U.S. Coast Guard, Office of Boating Safety

The doctor who just bought his firstboat - but who is on call five nights aweek ...

The college student who loves toride PWCs - and is used to carrying onfive “instant messaging” conversationsat a time on her PC ...

The busy soccer mom - who mightsomeday suddenly become “skipper”of the family ski boat ...

All of these people need a basic boat-ing course. All of them are part of theboating public that we serve throughboating safety education. But none ofthem are likely to have the time orflexibility to attend a traditional class-room course. Enter America’s BoatingCourse (ABC).

This top-notch basic boating coursewas developed jointly by the U.S. CoastGuard Auxiliary and the U.S. PowerSquadrons. It has been recognized bythe U.S. Coast Guard and approved bythe National Association of StateBoating Law Administrators (NAS-BLA). It meets most state boating edu-cation requirements, except those thatstill require classroom instruction.

Most important, America’s Boating

Course is available in threeforms - online, CD-ROM, and asclassroom instruction. The con-venient, flexible, and 24x7 avail-ability speaks to both busy pro-fessionals and the younger“wired” generation. It providesa vehicle for boating educationto groups unlikely to attend tra-ditional flotilla, squadron, oreven state-sponsored courses -the same groups that may be responsi-ble for a disproportionate number ofthe accidents and fatalities on ournation’s waterways each year.

Clearly classroom education hasadvantages over online and CD-ROMdelivery. The face-to-face time spentwith an experienced instructor cansimply not be matched by electronicvehicles - even when ABC mentors andproctors are a phone call or e-mailaway. Nor can an electronic courselike ABC provide the kind of recruitingopportunities that come with class-room instruction. But America’sBoating Course is not meant to replacetraditional classroom instruction at all.Instead, it’s meant to reach out tolarge, underserved groups of recre-ational boaters - those people for whichstate-of-the-art online or CD-ROMtraining is much better than no train-

ing at all.Take another look at America’s

Boating Course. Recognize that it ful-fills a very important role in our mis-sion of public boating education. Don’tworry that you may lose the opportuni-ties presented by traditional classroomofferings - get excited by the potentialof reaching out to tens of thousands ofboaters who we have never touchedbefore.

If you’re not familiar with ABC, visitwww.americasboatingcourse.comtoday. Get hold of a CD-ROM or class-room version of the training. Take itfor a test drive yourself.

Then consider becoming an ABCmentor, proctor, or ambassador. Weneed your help to make ABC the basicboating course of choice for recreation-al boaters who can’t or won’t take aclassroom course.

The sto

U.S

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Take a look at America’sBoating Course


BY DEE FULGHAM LEWISFSO-PA

The concept of joint Coast Guardand Coast Guard Auxiliary air trainingmissions started as a vision in 1996.

Outer Banks Flotilla 16-07 alreadyhad a full agenda with patrols, publiceducation, vessel inspections, naviga-tion aid inspections, marine dealer vis-its, pollution monitoring and otheractivities. However, a small group ofactive members desired more. BillDraper, FSO-OP was the driving forceproposing to Commander Sens,Commander Group Cape Hatteras; andto Captain Walz and CommanderSeabold of Elizabeth City Air Stationthat Auxiliary vessels could be used inplace of Coast Guard vessels and crewas “vessels in distress” for training of

helicopter and C-130 missions.The proposal was based on two

premises:1. The flotilla had resources and

knowledge of local operation areas,and,

2. This would free up active CoastGuard personnel for other urgentduties.

Classroom training on the ground byair station personnel and on-the-watertraining with the 41-foot FTB byStation Oregon Inlet personnel led tothe qualification of eight Auxiliarists toparticipate in an on-the-water demon-stration. Using Auxiliary vessels andcrew - the final test to determine if theconcept was safe and efficient wasscheduled.

In October, 1997 three flotilla boats:a 21-foot Privateer, a 23-foot Penn Yan,

and a 27-foot Sea Ray were selected forday time helo trial runs in theAlbemarle Sound. An Elizabeth CityAir Station H60 helicopter carried outthe mission by briefing crews on safetyand the kinds of hoists to be per-formed. After day and night trials inthe Albemarle Sound it was deter-mined that the 27-foot Sea Ray wouldcontinue practice missions with thehelos. The flotilla was then given theresponsibility of creating and training acrew of interested persons who wouldhave the opportunity of participating inthis new on-the-water activity.

Bill Draper’s 27 foot Sea Ray was theprimary “helo boat” for three years.Tom Franchi’s 22 foot Grady Whitewas the “helo boat” for the next twoyears. Franchi then purchased a new29 foot Pro Sports catamaran. The

vessel TOM KAT has provided ostanding helo mission service thatime.

Currently Flotilla 16-07 supportraining of Elizabeth City Air Stathelicopter crews - including pilotflight mechanics and rescue swimmers. The vessel TOM KAT act“distressed” vessel while the heloers close to the water at a heightapproximately 50 feet. Basket hoexercises are conducted either uway or dead in the water. A weigtrail line may be lowered to the band used by the crew to guide thket to the boat or the basket maylowered directly to the boat withtrail line. In conducting a pump the helo drops the trail line into tboat and then backs off and drop“pump” in the water clear of the It is then pulled into the “distressvessel. The rescue basket is somtimes used to simulate the pump

The Auxiliary also provides sustanding by as a safety vessel whthe helo rescue swimmers practirecovering victims from the wateShould the helo develop problemhave to ditch, 16-07 is there for atance.

The normal boat crew for thesexercises consists of four peopleincluding the operator, primary, ondary, and safety. A fifth personbe on board as trainee or observThe primary is positioned at aft s

U.S. Coast Guard Helicopter Operationswith Outer Banks Flotilla 16-07

Basket almost down. Photos by Daliane Fulgham R


BY WILLIAM C. WINSLOWFSO-PA - District 1SR, Division 5, Flotilla 3

It’s a fabulous setting with a view forwhich companies pay millions. TheCoast Guard Marine Inspection Officebuilding in New York City sits majesti-cally on the water at the tip ofManhattan, overlooking New Yorkharbor. This beautiful location iswhere Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla5-3 holds its monthly meetings andboating courses. An added bonus isthe nearby Staten Island ferry whosewhistles are a real time experience forour students.

The MIO building also is less than amile from Ground Zero. Members ofour flotilla, one of the largest in thedistrict, were devastated by the Sept.11, 2001, attacks. While no memberslost their lives, some had friends andcolleagues who perished - one mem-ber barely survived, a few were lefthomeless and our meeting place wastaken over for emergency use.

Like most New Yorkers, we strug-gled in the aftermath of the attack tomake sense of it all - to pick up ourlives and begin planning where wemight fit into the new-world disorder.As adjuncts to the Coast Guard, weknew there would be a role for theAuxiliary. When the CG was trans-ferred to the Department ofHomeland Security and assignedimportant new security duties, itbecame readily apparent that the auxil-iary, as a whole, would have a newtask or niche. Exactly what that wouldmean for a local flotilla was yet to bedetermined.

The answer did not come like a boltof lighting - it took a successful proj-ect, a commemorative event and a warthreat to get the creative juices run-

ning for three of our members; LeslieBrown, Kay Larson and Bill Winslow.The successful project was a shortbooklet, which we published a fewyears ago, Tide Tables and CurrentCharts for New York Harbor. The proj-ect could not have been completedwithout a grant that we received fromthe Boat/US Foundation. The bookwas a hit with canoeists, kayakers andsmall craft owners, and was distrib-uted free to marinas, boat shops andmarine supply stores. It showed usthat the public was hungry for specificlocal information on safe boating.

The commemorative eventoccurred in September 2002 when thecity hosted the Sail for Americaparade on the first anniversary of9/11. Thousands of pleasure boats

poured into the 150 squaremiles that is New YorkHarbor. Then, toward theend of the year the threatof war with Iraq loomedominously and governmentsecurity alerts began totake on even greater mean-ing. Bill Winslow, Flotilla5-3’s FSO PA, reasoned,“New York Harbor is a fab-ulous place for recreationalboaters. We’re not goingto let terrorists chase us offour own waters. No ques-tion, however, that securityhas changed the environ-ment.”

“Although the Auxiliaryis not in the business ofpolicing boaters,” saidWinslow, “We do have aneducational mission tomake boating safer andmore fun. Let’s publish aguide to safe boating in

New York Harbor - post 9/11.”Winslow shared his thoughts with

two colleagues, Kay Larson, Division 5SO-PA, (and the Auxiliary NationalHistorian) and Leslie Brown, SO-PE,both of whom jumped at the chance toproduce such a publication. “We werechallenged by the security,” Larson,says. “We didn’t want to scareboaters, but we did want to reassurethem. At the same time,” she added,“we wanted to give them useful infor-mation and to reinforce the messagethat safe boating practices count nowmore than ever.”

In the end, it was decided to publisha “how-to” booklet that would giveboaters practical tips on how to enjoytheir sport under changed conditionsalong with some common sense

advice on being security-consciouWinslow wrote the draft and shawith his colleagues, who added, ed and edited. Both gold and silvchains of command approved thecopy, with a minimal number ofchanges.

The next challenge was how tothe booklet printed and in color. group reasoned that color was neto make the critical safety andHomeland Security information tmemorable. The flotilla leadershout the word and a flotilla membfound a printer, who he had donesome business with, that was wilto do the job for free. “There we

Manhattan (NY) flotilla offers boaters safe boatingadvice in New York Harbor

Safe Boating booklet.

William Winslow FSO-PA 5-3, LPhoto by Meg Winslow

In the end, it was deboaters practical tipsalong with some com


1NR: Back in the states, Boston “Pops”conductor, Keith Lockhart, sang“Semper Paratus” to 32 Atlantic EastAuxiliarists, including Mary Larson,National Vice Commodore, at theannual “Auxiliary Night at the Pops”event. The Auxiliary was well publi-cized for NSBW when membersmanned the phones at Channel 57’scall-in auction in Springfield, from2130-0100. NSBW Proclamations wereobtained from the governors of Maine,Massachussets, New Hampshire andRhode Island.

1SR: The Auxiliary was well repre-sented at the National Safe BoatingCouncil’s east coast NSBW kickoff atthe Intrepid Air and Sea Museum inNew York City. Auxiliarists set up aboating safety table and talked boatingsafety to the public. Coastie(r) wasthere for the big and little kids. “FleetWeek” was also held during NSBWand the Coast Guard and Auxiliary, aswell as federal, state and local agen-cies, provided security for the “FleetWeek” parade of ships.

5NR: Delaware Governor Ruth AnnMinner and RADM, USCG, SallyBrice-O’Hara, attended “Boating SafetyDay” at CG Station Indian River,Rehoboth Beach, DE, and signed aNSBW Proclamation. The Coast

Guard and Auxiliary participated inSearch and Rescue demonstrations.Coastie(r) was a big draw there as wellas at Penn’s Landing, Philadelphia.Demos put on by the Philadelphia fire-boat and the Coast Guard were cov-ered by the media on Channels 6 and17, Philadelphia.

5SR: Coastie(r) met RADM SallyBrice-O’Hara again at NSBW cere-monies at Sandy Point State Park inMaryland. At the “Boating SafetyShow” in the Southport-Oak Island areain North Carolina, the little boatingsafety robot met his counterpart, “JoeCoastie”, a 10-foot inflatable, at a localWal-Mart. Governor Mark Warner ofVirginia, Governor Thomas L. EhrlichJr. of Maryland and the mayors of manycities signed NSBW Proclamations.Publicity for NSBW included safe boat-ing messages broadcast on NOAAweather radio in Wilmington, NC, aVSC spot on Channel 4, Washington,D.C., a public service announcement onWTVR-AM 1380 Radio, Richmond, VAand numerous news releases.

District 7: Throughout the district,from Georgia to the Virgin Islands,auxiliarists celebrated NSBW watch-standing at boating safety booths andconducting VSCs. A steel band attract-ed the public outside the Super Wal-

Mart in Spring Hill, Florida. The musi-cians, Auxiliarists Norma Karpiscakand Elsie Taylor, drummed up busi-ness for NSBW. In St. Thomas, VirginIslands, hundreds of people lined thewaterfront, toured the Coast GuardCUTTER CUSHING and the 47-footMLB, and saw a simulated air/sea res-cue. In Puerto Rico, seminars on boat-ing safety topics were held andCoastie(r) greeted the kids.

8ER: Customers of the Nashville,Tennessee Electric Company foundthe NSBW campaign “Boat Safe” logoprinted on their electric bills. The logowas also displayed on TV. JohnWhelan, DSO-PA 8ER, was inter-viewed on WDEF, Chattanooga andWTN in Nashville, discussing boatingsafety issues.

8CR: A boating safety fair was held inRockport, Texas at the Wal-Mart park-ing lot. Auxiliary booths were set upand public safety facilities were onhand, including a Coast Guard helicop-ter, the SAFE Boat from Coast GuardStation Port Aransas and the MSOdamage control unit.

8WR: In Little Rock, Arkansas,Auxiliarists Terry McKee and StuSoffer did a 5-minute interview aboutboating safety and life jackets on

Channel 7 and the folks from Flot8 modeled PFDs on the show. ThCGC KANAWHA, a 65-ft. river tengave public tours as part of NSBWactivities and “Boating Safety DayPine Bluff, Arkansas.

9ER: Auxiliarists in the SyracuseNew York area, once again held“Operation Flotation” for NSBW, ported by a major supermarket cin Central New York. Boating safdisplays were put up in 16 stores free ads for NSBW ran in their wcircular reminding boaters to wealife jacket. “Operation Flotation” media blitz with live and taped inviews on all news radio and TV nstations in Central New York. ThSyracuse Post Standard printed ancle on “Operation Flotation” entit“It’s Smart to be Safe.”

9CR: VSCs were conducted at maboat shows and BOAT/US storesBoating safety classes were taughconjunction with the VE activities.Detroit Free Press publicized NSBWprinting three articles about the ev

9WR: Through the efforts of Div8, Cub Scouts in Northern Minneand Wisconsin attended a safe boworkshop at the TV station in DuMinnesota. Weather permitting, were carried out at local harbors.Auxiliary also participated in theArmed Forces Day activities at thNavy Pier in Chicago.

11NR: California Governor, GrayDavis, signed a NSBW Proclamatiwhich was presented at the“Sacramento Blitz” on May 17. Foevent, Coast Guard Station Rio Visand Coast Guard Air Station San

NSBW2003BY HARRIET HOWARD, DVC-AP

The North American Safe Boating Campaign traveled farand wide in 2003 kicked off by National Safe Boating Week,May 17-23. Boating safety booths were set up throughoutthe districts and safe boating information was given to theboating public. National Safe Boating Week Proclamationswere signed by governors, mayors and other dignitaries. Atthe marinas and launch ramps, vessel examiners conducted

vessel safety checks, urging boaters to “Boat Smart. BoatSafe!” Following are the highlights of this year’s campaign.

In Canada, our neighbors across the border held a“Boater’s Awareness Night” in Sault Ste. Marie, Ontario.Booths were set up by the Canadian Coast Guard Auxiliaryand other marine organizations. A “Name the Mascot” con-test was held to name a Polar Bear wearing a swimsuit anda life jacket. The winner was a young Inuit Eskimo girl whonamed the bear, “Pukta”, which means, “to float”.


STORY AND PHOTOS BY MAXINE CAVANAUGH DSO-PA D-14

HONOLULU—Philippine Consul-General, Rolando Gregorio, was pre-sented with a life jacket by Edson S.Lott, III, USCG Auxiliary Ambassadorto the Philippine Coast GuardAuxiliary (PCGA), during a meeting ofthe Honolulu Sunset Rotary Club atthe Waikiki Yacht Club Thursdayevening, May 15.

More than 100 new life jackets pur-chased by the Fourteenth District U.S.Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 1-23 andthe Honolulu Sunset Rotary Club havebeen donated to fishermen ofCuaming village on the island of Boholin the Philippines. Many Cuaming vil-lagers suffered extreme property dam-age in March 2002, when a tropicalstorm destroyed the village andclaimed the lives of several villagerswho had no life jackets. A mangrovebarrier has since been built to helpprevent future damage, but the com-pletion of that project left the villagerswith insufficient resources to buy lifejackets.

Following the signing of aMemorandum of Agreement (MOA)in June 2000, Edson S. Lott, III wasappointed as Ambassador to the PCGAuxiliary. The MOA, between theCommodore of the 14th DistrictUSCG Auxiliary and the Commodoreof the 4th District Philippine CoastGuard (PCG) Auxiliary, pledged coop-eration in mutually exchanging knowl-

edge and expertise for the enhance-ment of the common goals of promot-ing boating safety, saving human livesand protecting the marine safety inter-ests of the citizens of their respectivecountries.

As Auxiliary Ambassador, Lott trav-eled to the Philippines for the PCGAuxiliary convention in Boracay inOctober 2002. He became acquaintedwith CAPT Rachel Ocampo, Chief ofStaff to the PCG Auxiliary Vice

Admiral Joselito Aseniero. Lott aOcampo soon found that they haother mutual interests besides thAuxiliary; they are both Rotarian

After returning to Honolulu, Loreceived a letter from Ocampodescribing the plight of fishermeCuaming, a village on Bohol thatRotary Club of Makati Bel Air haadopted. She requested the possdonation of used life jackets to hethe prevention of accidents at seaprotection of the fishermen.

Lott presented the request to bhis flotilla and the Honolulu Suns

Coast Guard Auxiliary and Honolulu SunsetRotary donate life jackets

Ed Lott and Rolando Gregorio e

Ed Lott presenting a PFD to the Philippine Consul General Roland Gregorio.

jackets at the Sam’s Club locatioAccording to Davis Bogue, VCP

11NR, “The Life Jacket ExchangeProgram is a fantastic opportuniteducate the public on the importaof wearing life jackets, and how tomake sure they have a properly filife jacket. We also get to exposeto our other RBS programs, suchour Public Education classes andVSC Program. All in all, everybocomes out a winner.”

This year, the number of locatiowas expanded to seven (from onetion in 2002), and 350 new life jacwere pressed into service. In addto examining life jackets, auxiliarhanded out safety literature and pmoted upcoming boating safety cand VSC stations.

Several other local radio and TVtions helped publicize the event.Interviews were conducted with aiarists on the importance of life ja

Ed Sweeney DSO-PA examines


BY ED SWEENEYBC-AIP, DSO-PA 11NR

As part of an Operation BoatSmartinitiative, Auxiliarists from Division 3-11NR teamed up with the CaliforniaDepartment of Boating & Waterways(CADBW) to conduct a Life JacketExchange Program in the Sacramento,California area. The event was heldduring the last day of National SafeBoating Week, and served as a greatway to promote the use of life jackets.

The California Department ofBoating & Waterways, who actuallyprocured the PFDs, sponsors the pro-gram; the Auxiliary assists by examin-ing the life jackets brought in to deter-mine if they are serviceable. Sam’sClub Stores provides the venue, andKNCI, a Sacramento area radio station,helps promote the event and does live

a broadcast from one of the exchangelocations.

Now in its second year, the programallows boaters and other water enthusi-asts to bring in their life jackets to beexamined by an Auxiliary VesselExaminer or PE Instructor. If the

examiner determines that the life jack-et is no longer serviceable, theyexchange it for a brand new jacket ofsimilar size. If the individuals havemore than one unserviceable jacket,they receive discount coupons that canbe used towards the purchase of new

Off with the old, on with the new

Lifejackets, PFDs - whatever

you want to call them, are

responsible for saving count-

less lives. Most in the boating

safety community would

agree that lifejackets are the

single most important safety

device available to boaters and

water enthusiasts. Yet many

people, even today, are using

life jackets that are 20, 30 and

even 40 years old - well past

their useful service life.

Ed Sweeney DSO-PA 11NR, demonstrates how to fit a life jacket on a child.Photo by Harry McBain

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Auxiliarists off on training patrol. / STORY ON PAGE 26

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