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Division 25, 5th Southern Coast Guard Auxiliary District 'Potomac Guardians'
Potomac Currents
Honor, Respect, Devotion to DutyHonor, Respect, Devotion to DutyHonor, Respect, Devotion to DutyHonor, Respect, Devotion to Duty May/June 2012 Volume 04 Issue 03
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From the Bridge
As we move into the second quarter of 2012, Division 25 received word from CAPT Weiss that Division 25 was 27% ahead of the previous year in hours reported. This increase in performance is primarily due to two factors. One is the energized level of Flotilla Commander and Division Staff performance. They, being able to form working groups with their five/six flotilla counterparts, are able to accomplish more than they could when trying to manage, organize and work with ten/eleven flotilla counterparts. The second reason is the outstanding support given to Members, Staff and Flotilla Commanders by the Vice Commander, Jerry Little and the Immediate Past Division Commander, Ernie Stevens. We have two main areas of mission focus. They are our Recreational Boating Safety Mission and the Support of area Coast Guard Stations. Don Golf, SO-CM, working with Station Washington liaison Barbara Allen, who is a Station Washington Watch Stander, provides Radio Watch coverage for over 85% of Station Washington's Watch Standing Requirements. Our goal is 100%. Don has recently placed the first Division 25 Watch Stander at Station Saint Inigoes. Don is also qualified and serves as crew on Station Washington's boats. The Flotillas have a growing number of completed and scheduled Boating Safety Courses and are proactive in the Vessel Examination program, which will increase as we move deeper into the boating season. Sam Tilley, SO-PA, has organized and provided for our Division's presence at the two major Spring Area Boat Shows and the Cherry Blossom Festival. The next big event is the Joint Services Open House at Andrews Air Force Base in May. The Division performed three Cold Weather Patrols earlier this year, one of which supported Station Washington's coverage of the State Of The Union Message. With warmer weather, we are seeing an increase in on the water patrols. Of special note is the excellent Division wide Boat Crew Training Program conducted by Flotilla 8 with John Sawyer and Paul Golden taking the lead. With thanks to DIRAUX we have PPE to issue our new qualified crew members. Unfortunately, one of our merged flotillas has not been able to muster a quorum at either of their two monthly meeting since the organizing meeting in February. Assistance will be provided to assist this Flotilla. The Division is working to enhance its Public Affairs Presence. The Flotilla Commanders had as their guests at the April meeting, along with CAPT Weiss, Sammy the Sea Otter. The Flotilla Commanders voted to purchase one of the robotic Sea Otters for the Division. The Flotilla Commanders have taken this proposed purchase to their Flotillas for a fund expenditure vote. Following this, SO-PA Tilley will present a plan to upgrade the Division's PA booth. We are, encouraging the Flotillas to follow CAPT Weiss' advice and use the funds provided by the membership to benefit the Auxiliary and increase mission performance. We continue to focus on proper Auxiliary uniform wear and improvement is apparent. The "Luckey Bag" clothing locker program started by the Division Supply Office, Jean Pilon will advance this cause. We also continue to stress the proper utilization of the Auxiliary Chain of Communication/Management.
Dave Adams DCDR-Division 25
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From the Bridge 2 Table of Contents 3 Announcements and Reports 4 Flotilla Focus 9 May/June 2012 Calendar 11 Featured article 13
On the cover: Public Education booth at the Washington D.C. Cherry Blossom Festival
NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK MAY 19-25, 2012
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ANNOUNCEMENTS and
REPORTS
Second Area Search and Rescue Competition (ASAR) The second Area Search and Rescue Competition (ASAR) will take place during the weekend of 27-29
July 2012 at the USCG Academy, New London, CT. This is a competition attended by teams from
each of the East Coast Districts from D1-North south to D7. These members are the “best of the best”
from each District vying to be the “Number One Team” on the east coast. Each of these participants
has competed in his/her District for a coveted spot. The events will include Search and Rescue
Planning, Search and Rescue On-Water Exercise, Communications, Line Heaving, Dewatering,
Damage Control, Marlinspike and a Mystery Event. All events, except for SAR Planning will be
conducted at the Academy waterfront.
Pyrotechnics Exercise change of date
The new date for the Pyrotechnics Exercise (PYRO) is September 15, 2012.
New Appointments to District 5SR staff - Bruce Pettyjohn has been appointed District Directorate Chief of Prevention.
- Jack Mitchell has been appointed Assistant District Staff Officer for Operations for Sector Hampton
Roads.
Division Reports
Flotilla Reports
25-01
- The new website for Flotilla 25-01 is online.
- CY 2012 budget was approved at the March monthly meeting.
- 25-01 taught an ABS class at the Washington Sailing Marina on 18 April.
- The Flotilla elected Harlie Spencer as VFC at the April meeting.
- 25-01 taught the MD State Course (2 class meetings) at the Bladensburg Waterfront Park in
Bladensburg, MD, on Saturday and Sunday, 14-15 April.
- FSO-MS, is seeking permission from the National Park Service to install and service a
Monofilament Line Recycle Bin at Jones Point Lighthouse Park in Alexandria, VA.
- Three Boat Crew (Joe Lukaesko, David Wells, and Elizabeth Wells) from 25-01 and a Boat
Crew (Barbara Allen) and Coxswain from 25-07 participated in a visible boat drill with three
CG fast boats on 24 April between the Wilson and 14th Street Bridges.
- 25-01’s summer picnic will be at the District Yacht Club on 28 July.
25-06
- The Flotilla received a request from Northern Virginia Regional Park Authority (NVRPA) to
have a marine safety display including the Officer Snook Trash Game for events May and June.
- 25-06 taught an ABS Course at IWLA on 21st April
- The Flotilla will have a PA Booth in the OWL Tent at Occoquan Regional Park on May 19th
and June 23rd
.
25-07
- The Flotilla supported PA watch-standing activities at the National Capitol Boat Show at
Dulles Expo Center (March 9-11, 2012) and at the Prince William Marina Boat Show (March
23-25, 2012).
- FSO-SR Carol Thornton continuously provided AUXCHEF support at the USCG Station St.
Inigoes.
- Flotilla Instructors conducted the Maryland State Boating Safety Course for several employees
of the Maryland Transportation Authority (MDTA) on 30 March 2012 at the MDTA Henry Nice
Bridge Facility.
- Scheduled to conduct boating safety education class on the weekends on June 2, and June 9,
2012 at the Oxon Hill Lutheran Church in Oxon Hill Maryland.
- Provided PA watch-standing activities during the National Cherry Blossom Festival at
Washington DC.
- Flotilla will be providing facilities for on-water patrols during the War of 1812 Bicentennial
“Sailabration” on June 13, 2012.
25-08
- Flotilla 25-08 completed two PE classes in March (1 ABS, 1 BS&S)
- Numerous flotilla members have stood radio watch at STA Washington in March
- On the Water Patrols have started for the season
25-11
- Drafted Flotilla 2012 Budget
- Set up BS&S for KGFD in May/June
- Flotilla conducted VE inspections (various)
25-12
- Concluded its winter training cycle, having offered AUXSEA, AUXWEA, and AUXCOM on
various weekends
- OPS weekend 19-20 May throughout the AOR; Flotilla will participate in on-water patrols,
vessel inspections, and waterfront environment surveys at Colombia Island Marina and James
Creek Marina.
- Continued work on Citizens Action Network pilot project
Staff Reports
Division and Vice Commander
- Submitted District 25 Report to Chief of Staff for EXCOM
- Lucky Bag Uniform locker
- Sammy the Sea Otter, Robotic
- ASAR 2012
Communications
- Conducted DSC training at Division 25 meeting 1 March
- One additional Watchstander Board Certified at Station Washington
- Status of efforts to increase Auxiliary training, proficiency and participation at Station Washington:
- Number of Qualified Station DC Watchstanders: 11 (+1)
- Number of qualified TCOs: 17 (+1)
- Number of Fixed Radio Facilities: 5 (-2)
- Number of Mobile Radio Facilities: 8
- Previous year YTD Watchstanding hours: 13
- Current year YTD Watchstanding hours: 289.5
Communication Services
- Continued to work through the Division mailing list updates, deletions and additions.
- Participated in the Communication drill
- Continued to watch the Division 25 WOW Website.
- Project for May: Go through all Flotilla e-mailing lists as used by the FC’s found and correlate
with a Master list supported by AUXINFO/AUXDATA. I am aware that there could be a large
number of Division 25 members who may not be receiving Auxiliary information passed down
through the information chain. This problem, real or imaginary will continue to be a priority.
Finance
- If you have not paid dues, please do so immediately.
Human Resources
- Held new member training (Coast Guard 101) course on 24-25 March 2012
Information Services
Marine Safety
- Performed communications watchstander duties at CG Station Washington throughout March
- Attended Maritime Tactical Operations Group (MTOG) meeting on 1 March
- Met with ADSO-MS Rita McCarthy at Sector to plan MS presentation at Sector workshops
- Participated in container inspection at Seagate and Dundalk Marine Terminals
Materials
- SO-MA has inventoried and received an ODU Lucky Bag from the Coast Guard. These are
used and all been dry-cleaned. They are all old style tucked ODU. They can still be used for a
year or so. They would however be perfect to transform into ODU shorts, particularly for
those who are boat crew qualified. These can be obtained free from the lucky bag.
- Rank badges, shoulder boards, uniform coats etc. will be available in the coming months.
- If you have any item of that nature to recycle, please send them to the SO-MA to be added to
the inventory of the lucky bag.
Member Training
- Frank Quigley is the recently appointed SO-MT.
- Initiated development of the Division MT Calendar, which is included in this report
- Investigated and forwarded information regarding ISAR 2012
- Investigating various approaches to publishing the Division 25 MT Calendar and information.
Navigational Systems
- Received Paton list from ADSO, reviewed and submitted corrections
- Received updated Paton list (from ANT)
Operations
- Stood Radiowatch on 4 days during the month.
- Returned 11 MSD900s to Sector Baltimore.
- There is a lack of OPFACs to participate in the many events in the NCR
Program Visitor
- Sent out two information letter to the Division FSO-PVs.
Public Affairs
- Booth Set-up for Cherry Blossom Festival, Washington D.C (PE, VE, Auxiliary Membership)
Public Education
- 25-01 taught ABS at the Washington Sailing Marina on Wednesday, 18 April to 16 May; and
8-hour Maryland State Course at the Bladensburg Waterfront Park on Saturday and Sunday, 14-
15 April.
- 25-06 taught ABS class at Isaac Walton League of America (IWLA) on Saturday, 21 April.
25-06 will teach ABS at Hoffmasters, Woodbridge, VA, on Saturday, 2 June.
- 25-07 taught the 8-hour Maryland State Course at the Maryland Transportation Authority
Building on 30 March, and the ABS at the Indian Head Naval Station, MD, on 4 May. 25-07
will teach the Maryland State Course at the Oxon Hill Lutheran Church on two Saturdays, 15
and 23 June.
- 25-08 taught ABS at the Mount Vernon Yacht Club on Saturday, 28 April.
- 25-11 taught ABS course at Gander Mountain, Fredericksburg on Saturday, April 28; and
BS&S at the King George Fire Dept on Saturdays, 21 April to 09 June.
Publications
- The SO-PB is looking for volunteers to assist with articles and photography for ‘Potomac
Currents’, my email address is located on the last page of this publication if you are interested.
Vessel Examination
- 25-01 Conducted VSC at Capitol Cove Marina - 21 April
- 25-06 conducted a VSC at
- Hoffmaster’s Marina - 31 Mar
- Fairfax Yacht Club - 21 April
- Assisted 25-08 at Mt Vernon Yacht Club - 28 April
- Assisted Power Squadron at Prince William - 28 April
- 25-07 Conducted VSCs
- Marshall Hall Boat Ramp - 21 April
- Assisted 25-01 at Capitol Cover Marina - 21 April
- 25-08 Conducted VSC at Mt Vernon Yacht Club - 28 April
Auxiliary Unit Coordinator
- Please contact the SO-AUC to coordinate with Station Washington or Sector Baltimore
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FLOTILLA
FOCUS
The US Coast Guard Auxiliary is made-up of unique volunteers from a wide range of backgrounds and interests; the flotillas throughout the Auxiliary are just as unique as the members. Flotilla Focus is a monthly look into the unique flotillas and members of District 25.
Strengths, Weaknesses/Limitations, Opportunities, and Threats By: George D. Bond, II
The following leadership exercise was taken from Adapted from the USCG Leadership Development Center, Performance Improvement Guide 5th Edition. I added this to the AMLOC course I taught and it was the most talked about part of the session. Many had not done it, and since a lot of planning may be done at the Division level - this is a good tool that is used by the Auxiliary and the Coast Guard. -- S.W.O.T. Analysis is a method of performing an environmental scan that is often used as an input to a strategic or project plan. It allows a group to capitalize on their strengths, identify weaknesses, take advantage of opportunities, and identify threats. SWOT analyses take both an internal and external view. The strengths and weaknesses categories are looked at from an internal perspective (internal to the group or unit), while the opportunities and threats categories are looked at from an external perspective (external to the group or unit). How to use it: Two common methods for conducting a SWOT analysis are silent brainstorming and round-robin. Silent Brainstorming Method: Silent brainstorming means that there is no discussion until the entire group stops brainstorming. Have each participant write their ideas on 3X5" cards using fine-point permanent markers, one idea per card. Concentrate on one category of the S.W.O.T. at a time, and post the notes on a pieces of labeled chart paper as participants generate them. This way, participants can feed off of other ideas. Twenty minutes per category is a good rule-of-thumb for this method. Some of the best ideas will surface after a lull in activity, so avoid rushing the process. After the group has completed brainstorming, assign several members per category to group and label the items. Then check in with the group regarding the results. Round-Robin Method: Label four charts: strengths, weaknesses, opportunities, and threats. Split participants into four groups and assign a chart to each group. Have group members write their ideas on 3X5" cards, one idea per card. Have them post the ideas as they go. Assign a timekeeper and rotate groups so that they are assigned a new chart at previously agreed-upon intervals. Five minutes
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per category is a good rule-of-thumb for this method. As groups rotate, they must read the ideas generated by previous groups, and then add their own ideas. After the entire cycle, assign several members per category to group and label the items. Then check in with the group regarding the results. Action plans are then created to address the categories: how does the flotilla leverage their strengths or how does the flotilla mitigate their weaknesses? How does the flotilla pursue opportunities and how does it monitor or respond to threats? Some primer questions for the SWOT analysis include the following: Strengths: What advantages does your flotilla have? What do you do better than anyone else? What unique or lowest-cost resources can you draw upon that others cannot? What do people in your market see as your strengths? What factors mean that you "get the sale"? What is your flotilla's unique proposition? Weaknesses: What aspects of your product or service could you improve? What market segments or competitive areas should you avoid? What are people in your market likely to see as weaknesses? What factors can make you lose "sales"? Opportunities: What good opportunities can you spot? What interesting trends are you aware of? Useful opportunities can come from such things as the following: Changes in technology and markets on both a broad and narrow scale Changes in government policy related to your field Changes in social patterns, population profiles, lifestyle changes, and so on Local events Threats: What obstacles do you face? What are your competitors doing? Are quality standards or specifications for your job, products, or services changing? Is changing technology threatening your position? Do you have budget problems?
Could any of your weaknesses seriously threaten your flotilla?
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Division 25 Calendar
May/June 2012
May 17-18, 2012 - Nations River Bass Tournament Where: National Harbor, Maryland Contact: Ernie Stevens - [email protected] May 17, 2012 - Fort Belvoir Installation Safety Day Where: Fort Belvoir, Virginia May 18-20, 2012 - Joint Service Open House Where: Joint Air Base Andrews, Maryland Contact: Alphard Romero - [email protected] May 18-19, 2012 - NAV class and refresher navigation Aids Verifier classes Where: Lake Anna, Virginia May 19-25, 2012 - National Safe Boating Week May 19-20, 2012 - Annual Dragon Boat Races Where: Thompson Boat Center near the Kennedy Center May 19, 2012 - River/shore side Cleanup Time: 0830 - 1100 Where: Pohick Bay Regional Park May 21, 2012 – Deadline to submit issues to Commandant's Leadership, Excellence, and Diversity (LEAD) Council. Auxiliarists are highly encouraged to provide the Commandant’s leadership council with leadership and diversity related topics for discussion at June 4-7, 2012 council meeting. Issues should be submitted to [email protected] or [email protected] May 26, 2012 Annapolis Days NSBW Kick-off Where: Annapolis City Dock, MD Contact: DSO-PA Thornell Jones - [email protected] June 1, 2012 – Hurricane Season begins June 4-7, 2012 - Commandant's Leadership, Excellence, and Diversity (LEAD) Council June 7, 2012 - Division 25 Staff Meeting (Staff Officers and Flotilla Commanders) Where: TISCOM Wardroom
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June 9, 2012 – 8-Hour TCT Where: TISCOM Anchorage Club June 12-19, 2012 - War of 1812 Bicentennial “Sailabration” Where: Baltimore Harbor, Baltimore Maryland Contact: Woody Knight - [email protected] June 23, 2012 – Coast Guard Auxiliary 73rd Birthday July 5, 2012 – Division 25 Staff Meeting (Staff Officers)
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At Least Three Yacht Racers Killed After Apparent Collision with Large
Cargo Ship off California Coast By gCaptain Staff On April 30, 2012
This chart shows the search
area for the sailing vessel
Aegean. At least three sailors
competing in a yacht race from
Newport Beach, CA to
Ensenada, Mexico have been
killed and one still remains
missing after an apparent
collision with a large cargo
ship.
Newport Ocean Sailing
Association (NOSA), host of
the N2E annual regatta, said
that the sailboat Aegean, a
Hunter 376 representing the
Little Ships Fleet club,
vanished from the race’s online
tracking system at
approximately 1:30 a.m. Saturday. Hours later, vessels in the area of the Coronado Islands reported
finding debris in the water, which prompted the launch of a Coast Guard search leading to the
discovery of the wreckage, including the rear transom with the vessel’s name on it.
By mid afternoon, the bodies of three crewmembers and loads of badly beaten debris had been
recovered. The search for the fourth crewmember continued Sunday, but was called off Sunday
afternoon by the U.S. Coast Guard.
The cause of the incident is still under investigation, but initial reports indicate that the incident appears
to be the result of collision with a much larger ship that did not see or even likely know of the collision.
“It was real obvious it had been hit just because the debris was so small,” a searcher told the Pasadena
Star-News. The yacht looked like it “had gone through a blender.”
On Monday, it was revealed that the sailboat did not issue a distress signal or mayday.
A crew list was not immediately available, nor was it first known how many other crew may have been
on the boat, but could have been sailed by five or more persons, said NOSA in a statement
The race started off Newport Beach in mid-day Friday and many boats finished in Ensenada Saturday,
with the last ones due in Sunday. Weather conditions were lighter than normal at the time and place of
the incident, with boats reporting winds of only 1 or 2 knots.
The incident marks the first fatalities in the 65-year history of the race, which saw 213 boats enter this
year.
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NATIONAL SAFE BOATING WEEK MAY 19-25, 2012
'Potomac Currents'
Kenneth Horton SO-PB Fifth Southern Region – Division 25
http://a05425.cgauxonline.com
Please feel free to contact me with any questions, comments, or concerns about this, or any Division 25 publication
