Summer 2016

Serving Division Twelve of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary

In This Issue:•Crossing the Bar: Honoring our shipmate Donald Davis. Page 6

•Coast Guard Open House event photos. Page 14

The Pelorus

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Allen “Hap” JamesDivision Twelve

Commander

US COAST GUARD AUXILIARY

DISTRICT 7 DIVISION 12

SUMMER EDITION ~ 2016

THE PELORUS

FROM THE DIVISION COMMANDER

We now have personal locator beacons (PLBs) for two boat crews in each Flotilla. All have been registered with your Flotilla and can be used by any member. Now we must be sure of inspection documents for other personal protective equipment (PPE) items, such as personal flotation device (PFD), search-and-rescue (SAR) vests, and, later on, the Mustang Suit and Float Coat. Everyone remember, when we speak of a PFD or SAR vest, it MUST have a strobe, mirror, whistle and PLB, (the knife is optional). The PLBs can be traded around between members to ensure boat crews are properly outfitted. It is the Coxswains (CX) responsibility to check for all required equipment before each patrol.....MUST have or NO GO. USCG RULES.

Now is TRAINING TIME. All members to be certified for boat crews must know all requirements. These items you will be tested on are located on the District 7 webpage under QE Corner. Flotilla Commanders, Member Training, and Operations officers, if you request a QE....you are stating YOU know the candidate is proficient in all items to be tested. It is your word that they are ready to go....anything less....train more!

We need to put out as many patrols as we can....to train and to "show the flag". All but one Flotilla in our Division is not able to offer a ready boat for SAR call out. That being the situation, we must patrol as much as we can.

Stay Safe and keep hydrated!

Allen James "Hap"Division Commander (DCDR)Division 12

Front Cover Photo: Helo Ops and Rescue Swimmer demonstration over Charleston Harbor for the annual Coast Guard Open House event. Auxiliary photo by Walter Runck, 12-6.

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

In This IssueThe Division Commander’s Report Page 2Report from the Vice-Commander Page 4Crossing the Bar Page 6A Message from the Lay Leader Page 5 - 6Auxiliary Aviation Page 10-11Spring Division Meeting Attendance Page 19Staff Officer Contact Info Page 20

Flotilla ReportsFlotilla 12-1 - Lake Marion Page 7Flotilla 12-3 - Lake Murray Page 7Flotilla 12-4 - Central Grand Strand Page 9Flotilla 12-6 - Mt. Pleasant Page 8Flotilla 12-8 - Charleston Page 8Flotilla 12-10 - Georgetown Page 9

Division Staff Officer ReportsCommunications Page 12Communications Services Page 12Human Resources Page 13Information Systems Page 12Marine Safety Page 14Navigational Services Page 13Public Affairs Page 14Public Education Page 15Secretary Records Page 16-19Vessel Examination Page 19

Summer Division MeetingThe Summer Division 12 meeting is scheduled for

Saturday, 9 July. It will be held at the Santee-Cooper McCall Auditorium, located at 1 Riverwood Rd., Monks Corner.

Confidentiality NoticeTelephone numbers and addresses of members are protected by the Privacy Act of 1974. As a matter of policy, rosters of names, addresses and telephone numbers shall not be made available to the general public or any outside organization. Privacy of all rosters shall be safeguarded and the page clearly labeled. The publications of these rosters, addresses, and telephone numbers on any computer on-line service including the Internet is prohibited by the Privacy Act of 1974.

2016 HURRICANE SEASONThe 2016 Atlantic hurricane season is a current

event in the annual tropical cyclone season in the northern hemisphere. The season officially began on June 1, 2016, and will end on November 30, 2016. These dates historically describe the period each year when most tropical cyclones form in the Atlantic basin and are adopted by convention. However, as illustrated by Hurricane Alex and Tropical Storm Bonnie, the formation of tropical cyclones is possible at any time of the year. This season started exceptionally early, nearly five months before the official start, with Hurricane Alex forming in the Northeastern Atlantic in mid-January. Tropical Storm Bonnie followed in late May, which was the first occurrence of two pre-season Atlantic storms

since 2012. On June 5, Colin formed, making it the earliest third named storm in the Atlantic in recorded history, whilst Danielle became the earliest fourth named storm on June 20.

To this point, most forecasting groups have expected this season to be a near average to above average season, due to a combination of factors including an expected transition to La Niña and warmer than normal sea surface temperatures in the Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, and Western Atlantic, despite near-average sea surface temperatures in the Atlantic Main Development Region near Cape Verde.

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VICE DIVISION COMMANDERS REPORTAnother National Safe Boating Week (NSBW) has

come and gone and from all reports, it was another successful one for Division 12. NSBW is one of the highlights of the Auxiliary year and is a great opportunity to promote and encourage the boating public to follow all safe boating practices, and the “wear it” emphasis on using life jackets is an especially important part of this campaign. Bravo Zulu to all who contributed to the effort!

At this point, all of the first rounds of the now mandatory PLBs have been distributed to the Flotillas. There have been concerns about how Flotillas will be able to effectively mount training and other patrols with the limited number of PLBs available at this point, and certainly, there will be some challenges. Sharing amongst crews within a flotilla and even, when needed, amongst the flotillas may be necessary until we are fully equipped.

This situation should ease as we get additional units in the future. Thanks to everyone for your patience and willingness to adjust to meet this challenge.

Please remember that the Division staff is here to help with any issues or concerns you might have. Thanks to everyone for all that you do on behalf of Division 12 and the Auxiliary.

Semper Paratus!

Joe LivingstonVice Division Commander (VCDR)

Division 12

Flotilla 12-2 Facility

1988 Chris Craft 213 Sea HawkCockpit sole is soft and would need to be replaced.

Soft areas on the forward hatches. Batteries are weak. All old equipment has been removed.

1992 Yamaha 150 2-strokeCurrently the engine will not start. Tandem axle steel trailer (date unknown)Would recommend re-wi r ing. Brakes are

questionable.

The Personal Property Taxes are current. Contact Oliver Leimbach, FC Flotilla 12-4, if you’re interested.

He can be reached at 843-455-4192 or by email at ogleimbach@sc.rr.com

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A MESSAGE FROM THE LAY LEADER

Here is a graduation story from last month that we all can learn from. A teacher decided to honor each of her seniors in high school by telling them the difference they each made. She called each student to the front of the class. First, she told each of them how they had made a difference to her and the class. Then she presented each of them a blue ribbon imprinted with gold letters, which read:

“Who I Am Makes A Difference.”

Afterward, the teacher decided to do a class project to see what kind of impact recognition would have on a community. She gave each of the students three more ribbons and instructed them to go out and spread this acknowledgment ceremony. Then they were to follow up on the results, see who honored whom and report back to the class in about a week.

One of the boys went to a junior executive in a nearby company and honored him for helping him with his career planning. He gave him a blue ribbon and gave him two extra ribbons and said “We’re doing a class project on recognition, and we would like for you to go out and find somebody to honor, give them a blue ribbon, then give them the extra blue ribbon so they can acknowledge a third person in order to keep this acknowledgment ceremony going. Then please report back to me and tell me what happened.”

Later the day, the junior executive went in to see his boss, who had been noted as being kind of a grouchy fellow. He sat down with his boss and told him he deeply admired him for being a creative genius. The boss seemed very surprised. The junior executive took the blue ribbon and placed it right on his boss’s jacket above his heart. As he gave him the last extra ribbon, he said:

“Would you take this extra ribbon and pass it on by honoring somebody else? The young boy who first gave me the ribbons is doing a project in school and we want to keep this recognition ceremony going and find out how it affects people.”

That night the boss came home to his 14-year-old son and sat down with him and said:

“The most incredible thing happened to me today. I was in my office and one of my junior executives came in and told me he admired me and gave me a blue ribbon for being a creative genius. Imagine, he thinks I’m a creative genius. Then he put this blue ribbon on my jacket above my heart. He gave me an extra ribbon and asked me to find somebody else to honor. As I was driving home tonight, I started thinking about whom I would honor with this ribbon and I thought about you.”

“My days are really hectic and when I come home I don’t pay a lot of attention to you. Sometimes I scream at you for not getting good grades in school and for your bedroom being a mess, but somehow tonight, I just wanted to sit here and, well, just let you know that you do make a difference to me. Besides your mother, you are the most important person in my life. You’re a great kid, and I love you.”

Making a Difference in Someone’s LifeRev. Dr. Phillip Poole, LL

Continued on Following Page

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CROSSING THE BAR

The startled boy started to sob and couldn’t stop crying. He looked up at his father and said through his tears, “Dad, earlier tonight I sat in my room and wrote a letter to you and Mom explaining why I had killed myself and asking you and Mom to forgive me. I was going to commit suicide tonight after you were asleep. I just didn’t think that you cared at all. The letter is upstairs. I don’t think I need it after all.”

The boss went back to work a changed man. He was no longer a grouch but made sure to let all his employees know that they made a difference.

The junior executive helped several other young people with career planning and never forgot to let them know that they made a difference in his life…one being the boss’s son.

And the young boy and his classmates learned a valuable lesson. Who you are, makes a difference. I would like to give all my fellow District Twelve brothers and sisters a blue ribbon. Who you are, makes a difference, and I wanted you to know that! Yes, you all have made a difference in my life!

Who has made a difference in your life? Pass it on.

In His service for you. Amen.

God’s love,

Phil

Continued from Page Five

A MESSAGE FROM THE LAY LEADER

Retired Coast Guard Auxiliarist Donald “Don” Davis of Columbia, SC crossed the bar on Friday, 10 June 2016. Don was a member of Flotilla 12-3, Lake Murray. He retired in 2013 after 31 years and 7 months of devoted service to the Auxiliary. Don served the Auxiliary in numerous capacities through the years including, Division Captain, ADSO-IS (N-Air), SO-IS, SO-MT, SO-MR, as well as in numerous FSO positions. Don was also a Coxswain.

In his 31 years of service, Don amassed an impressive array of awards and commendations including the Auxiliary Achievement Award, and the Auxiliary Commandant Letter of Commendation. Don was interred on Tuesday, 14 June, in Fort Jackson National Cemetery, Columbia, SC.

Our sympathies and condolences go out to his family.

Donald Houston Davis

17 August, 1934 – 10 June, 2016

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LAKE MARION & INLAND SEA

Flotilla 12-3 members conducted many National Safe Boating Week activities, including a boating safety course, boat patrols, vessel examinations, program visits and proclamations from local dignitaries. Several are highlighted in this newsletter and I offer my sincere appreciation to members who participated.

With NSBW behind us now, we can refocus on surface operations and crew training. Last month a Personal Watercraft (PWC) owned by Coxswain Al Crothers was approved as an Operational Facility (OPFAC) by the U. S. Coast Guard. PWCs are valuable assets particularly during paddle craft events such as Paddle- benders, SUP Classic and the Great Portage Race.

Robert Falsetti was a big help with the movement of many cases of South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) Boating Laws & Responsibilities handbooks from the STYX office in West Columbia on 25 May. These handbooks are made available to recreational boaters to help them understand the legal requirements for safety equipment, responsibilities of owners and operators, and a vast amount of boating information crammed in pocket-size handbook. There are pages for PWC operators and paddle craft boaters as well. Although the cover photo has changed, we are assured that the content has not. The handbooks will be distributed to flotillas in Divisions 2, 10 and 12 in the near future.

I’d like to congratulate those who participated in the PTSD 175-mile challenge. With a large portion occurring in our area of responsibility (AOR), Flotilla 12-1 provided three days of escort patrols. Thanks to Robert Young, Perry Moses III, Larry Odom, John Owen, Joe Livingston and William Hayes for making this possible.

Also, I would like to congratulate Commodore Jay Dahlgren for a Meritorious Team Commendation award for his role in D-Train held in Orlando in 2015. Bravo Zulu to everyone!

I would like to officially welcome our two newest members, Ervin Brunson and Tradd Hayes. They both now have ID numbers and are in AP status. Let's all encourage them and help move them along through the process.

Our Flotilla has received three personal location beacons (PLBs). The initial test for the PLBs were performed at the June meeting. We will be testing these at our monthly meeting to ensure compliance with monthly testing requirements. Each member is responsible for maintaining the logs for the PPE's they have or that has been issued to them.

Thank you for the work you all do. Stay safe! Ω

12-1 Lake Marion & Inland Sea

William Hayes, FC

12-3 Lake Murray

Festus Burchfield, FC

Leaving the bivouac area at Bells Marina in Eutawville for the PTSD trip. From left are Bob

Young and Larry Odom. They are aboard the Flotilla 12-1 OPFAC Reel Thrill with Joe Livingston as

Coxswain.

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CHARLESTON & EAST COOPER

Our Flotilla has been quite busy throughout the spring. While National Safe Boating Week (NSBW) itself wasn’t very active, the remainder of May was very busy, with events scheduled for every weekend. We are still conducting boat crew training, About Boating Safely (ABS) courses and the GPS for Mariners course. We’ve also been very active in Public Affairs events.

Working with Flotilla 12-6, we helped the Active Duty with their annual open house event. This event was a great success and well attended by the general public. Fortunately, the weather was more cooperative as well since it wasn’t as hot.

I would like to remind all members, not just from Flotilla 12-8, but from Division 12, to make sure you complete your AUXLMS courses by the end of this year. We are already 1/2 way through 2016 and the fall will be here before we know it. Each AUXLMS course takes about 20-30 minutes to complete, and they can all be taken online. One could complete these courses in the space of one afternoon.

We hope to have completed the boat crew training by the end of July and have all candidates ready for their Qualification Exam (QE). I’d like to thank our candidates for their hard work, as well as their teachers and mentors for helping make this possible.

Our Flotilla has also conducted ATON patrols and we still have one more on the schedule. We should have photos from ATON published in our next Flotilla newsletter.

Members are also encouraged to check the Flotilla calendar on a regular basis to stay current on what events we have planned. Your assistance with these events are greatly appreciated.

Way to go Team 12-8!!

It’s about 100 degrees out, so I guess summer has arrived. Along with summer, so has Flotilla 12-6’s reborn Coastal Currents newsletter! Many thanks to Mike Young for picking up the ball and to the staff who’ve contributed for this issue. We look forward to seeing the next issue of the newsletter.

The Flotilla is in good shape, with a reborn operations

and crew training program, great attendance at our Public Education classes, several applicants awaiting their membership numbers and a couple of new members who have jumped right into training and other activities.

We have been asked to support an Open House at

the Charleston Light on Sullivan’s Island, which is to be held Sunday 7 August from 1300-1600. The boating safety trailer has been reserved and we’re requesting a 29’ Response Boat from Station for static display. We’ll need help with our Public Affairs tent, so come on out and get involved.

Although the light itself is still maintained by the

Coast Guard, the rest of the property, including the tower is managed by the National Park Service. This is the first Open House in a couple of years and they have restored the boathouse, which will be open to the public. The tower itself has lead paint on the inside and will not be open for tours. We would encourage members to sign up to participate in this event.

We have a couple of members who will be getting

QE’d for initial crew qualification this summer and we should have plenty of patrol opportunities in July and August for those who would like to get underway.

Please join us at our next meeting and have a great

summer.

12-8 Charleston

Richard Daniel, FC

12-6 East Cooper

Walter Runck, FC

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GEORGETOWN & THE GRAND STRAND

Flotilla 12-4 has had a very active and busy 2016 so far. We have completed over 6,500 hours posted to AUXDATA, over 2,500 of which are Marine Patrol hours. We have also conducted more than 200 Vessel Safety Checks (VSCs) and 300 Marine Dealer Visits.

Our members have done a fantastic job and we are very pleased with this years level of performance. Bravo Zulu to Team 12-4!!

We also welcome those who’ve joined us from Flotilla 12-2 and look forward to working with them. While a detachment may still be created for their location, this is still under discussion.

I would encourage all members to make sure to complete the AUXLMS courses by the end of the year. Without having completed the courses, members will go into REYR status, and will be greatly restricted in what they’re able to participate in. Please make sure to complete these courses.

In Flotilla 12-10, Georgetown, we are continuing with our Boat Crew Training Academy, and will be conducting two-boat drills and other functions for preparation to have several trainees ready for their Qualification Exam (QE).

We attended the City of Georgetown Council meeting

and witnessed the Mayor signing the Proclamation for National Safe Boating Week (NSBW). We also held an ABS class and did vessel exams at the ramps as part of NSBW activities.

Hap James, FSO-OP & RS&S officer, received the new

personal locator beacons (PLB’s) and distributed them to the Coxswains for use. We met with BM2 Helms who instructed us on how to install the PPE’s on our PFD’s and SAR vests.

Chuck Budnick, FSO-PE, will be holding another ABS

Class later this month and Karl Gettmann, FSO-PV, and his team of RBS Program Visitors continue to distribute information to our program partners.

12-4 Central Grand Strand

Oliver Leimbach, FC

12-10 Georgetown

Ed Wozniak, FC

Joe Livingston (left) and William Hayes (right) aboard Reel Thrill as they

conduct a patrol on the Intracoastal Waterway (ICW).

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Division 12 Auxiliary Aviation members flew a variety of missions this past quarter. Division 12 Auxiliary Aviation consists of four aircraft facilities, four pilots, four Air Crew, and three Air Observers. Another facility, two pilots, and one observer are in the training pipeline.

Ken Plesser, DSO-AV, was busy attending all four District Aviation Annual Workshops at Savannah, Miami, Clearwater, and Borinquen, Puerto Rico.

First Pilot Jay Byers (Flotilla 12-3) flew Maritime Observation Missions (MOM) with Be Moore (Flotilla 12-12) and provided Air Crew training for Moore. After two additional flights that focus on communications, iPad navigation and SAR procedures, and real time transmission of photographs to Sector, Be will be Air Crew and one step closer to the Mission Specialist position.

Air Commander Ron Sain and Air Crew Tommy Timberlake (both from Flotilla 12-4), and Ann Marie Graham (Flotilla 12-6) flew Living Marine Resource (LMR) missions for Sector North Carolina and Sector Charleston. The missions were to locate and identify grouper and black bass fishing areas. On 12 May, Graham observed and photographed 200' long by 40' wide reddish-brown undulating masses 8-10 miles off the Santee River delta.

Photographs were sent to Sector Charleston for identification while airborne. It was determined that the masses were not an oil spill. Several weeks later, a marine biologist working with Sector Charleston determined that the masses were a 'Sting Ray Fever', a mass migration of string rays as large as 10' wide.

Later in May, Air Crew Walter Runck (Flotilla 12-6) and Ron Sain flew a Training/Quals mission for new pilot BS1 Nick Feliciano and were tasked for a SAR to locate a fisherman lost off St. Simon's Island, Georgia. The lost fisherman has not been found.

AUXILIARY AVIATION

Ron Sain, AAAC-SAV

Flotilla 12-4

Continued on Following Page

Combined Active Duty and Auxiliary Leader meeting at Air Station Savannah in April. Pictured from left: Doug Armstrong, DFSO, (Flotilla 16-1), Ken Plesser,

DSO-AV, (Flotilla 12-3), Air Station Savannah Operations Commander John Williams, and David

Lincoln, ADFSO, (Flotilla 2-9).

String Ray fever. Auxiliary photo by Ann Graham.

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The same reddish-brown undulating masses from the 12 May LMR Mission were observed again, but regrettably, were not photographed at the lowest permitted altitude of 500'. The marine biologist who subsequently identified the stingray fever commented:

"Many marine biologists work their entire careers without ever observing the migration phenomenon"

Another mystery from a MOM off St. Augustine is being investigated at this time. On 22 June, Air Commander Ed Chappell, AAC Savannah, (Flotilla 4-1) and Air Commander Brad Robinson (Flotilla 4-4) photographed dramatic color differences, sizes, and shapes five miles off St. Augustine. The photographs were submitted to Sector Jacksonville and are under review at this time.

There is a possibility that the mysterious sightings will drift northeastward into the Division 12 Area of Responsibility (AOR) and be further scrutinized.

If anyone is interested in Coast Guard Auxiliary Aviation, please contact Ron Sain by email at: ronsain42wd@gmail.com, or 828-234-3690.

Ron SainFlotilla 12-4

AUXILIARY AVIATION

Sightings off the coast of St. Augustine, Fla. Auxiliary photo by Brad Robinson

Continued from Page Ten

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DIVISION STAFF REPORTS

Information Services

Sue Hastings, SO-IS

We are at the half way point in the year, please make sure that your mission activity and logs are turned

in for the first half of the year as soon as possible. This will help your IS

officer in keeping your records up to date.

Also, make sure to check both your address and contact information, as we are now in the hurricane season, and the Coast Guard and Auxiliary Leadership want to make sure that all our members are safe and we have the correct address, phone numbers, and email addresses in case of emergency.

The best way to do this is to use the 7028 Webform which you can access from the Auxiliary National Forms website or through the Auxiliary AuxDirectory.

While you are updating your contact information, you can also update other information such as your availability, skills bank and occupation info. Once you submit this an email will go to your FSO-IS (or SO-IS) who will update AUXDATA.

Just what type of information can you find on the Division 12 website? The URL is:

http://wow.uscgaux.info/content.php?unit=070-12

On the left hand side menu, you can click on the D7 Website, Flotilla websites, Newsletters (Pelorus, 12-1 and 12-10 currently), 7029 Webform, D7 Help Desk, Photos, Training presentations, Boating Classes, etc. On the top menu is direct access to the National Auxiliary website. It is good to be able to have all this information available but it must be kept up to date.

This is where we need your help. If you are a Division Staff Officer and have training presentations for your area, please send a copy to have it posted on the website. Members can send in up to date photos of activities currently being accomplished in our area. The help is needed not just to keep the Division site up to date but our Flotillas too. Work with your FSO-CS by providing information about upcoming events, update boating classes, etc. By working together we will have the best websites in the District.

Recently, District 7 has asked that the Divisions conduct VHF radio nets. Please make sure to notify your Communications Staff Officers (FSO-CMs), Flotilla Commanders, and all other interested members in your Division that all VHF radio nets in Sector Charleston's Area of Responsibility (AOR) must be conducted on marine channels 81 or 83, effective 3 May 2016. All Divisions and Flotillas are urged to conduct VHF radio nets at least monthly.

Division 12 has not yet conducted any of these

nets. Interested members are encouraged to contact me to discuss.

In addition, a District emergency communications

plan has been approved and forward to the Division Commanders and Communications chain. Contact your FSO-CM for details.

Communications Services

David Hastings, SO-CS

Communications

Walter Runck, SO-CM

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DIVISION STAFF REPORTS

Looking back at the numbers for the last two years in regards to e-responders we get through the Coast Guard Auxiliary website, we have about the same number contacting us as we did last year. This is great! We are still getting the same interest from the public, but I think we are missing getting the word out to a lot of people who may be interested.

Many prospects I have spoken too had never heard of the Auxiliary until they began searching for volunteer opportunities online. There are a lot of people today who are looking for ways to be of service to their community. I want to challenge everyone to at least mention the opportunity of volunteering with the Auxiliary when you teach classes, do inspections, or any of the other myriad of things we do with the public. Don’t just focus on retirees either. There are young adults in High School (17+) who are looking for volunteer opportunities to put on college applications, college students and adults who would like to add to their resume, and others who just want to learn a new skill that the Coast Guard can offer.

If you aren’t sure exactly what the Auxiliary offers in volunteer opportunities, take a look in Section B of your Aux manual. You may be surprised to learn about a few things you didn’t know about before. Granted, not every flotilla has access to some of these programs, but you are still able to let the public know what they can do if they join. If your flotilla doesn’t have access to a program, you can always find one that does. Please let the public know what we can do for them and what they can do for themselves and the community.

Human Resources

Wendy Balelo, SO-HR

Navigational Services

Richard Daniel, SO-NS

The primary summer focus for Flotilla 12-8 is new crew and new coxswain training. On the water training is scheduled each Tuesday and each Thursday every week in July. Almost all the candidates have completed all their shoreside tasks and have completed the GPS for Mariners course. They trained not only to learning the task and preforming the task well, it also attempts to teach the candidates why we do it the way we do.

All are working off the current check ride form in detail so they will be well trained but also what they will see on their QE testing. This check ride form can be found on the District 7 web site in the QE Corner section. This is a great learning tool.

Two day/night ATON patrols have been completed so far with a third ATON patrol planned on 23 July. We are giving everyone that is AV certified an opportunity to get their annual observations completed.

Our USCG Cutter Hamilton and Cutter James support Team are busy with a variety of ship board task from cooking to counting inventory to medical services. The Flotilla continues to man the Station Charleston gate and also serve as Watch Standers.

We continue to focus on "Never Stop Learn" and encourage all our members to be active in our Teams.

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DIVISION STAFF REPORTS

On the Public Affairs front, Division 12 supported Sector Charleston at the Open House that was held at Tradd Street on May 21. Auxiliary PWCs were put on static display and a surface facility tied up at the pier during a training exercise along with other public safety vessels.

The National Park Service is holding an Open

House at the former Lifesaving Station at Charleston Light on Sullivan’s Island on Sunday 7 August from 1-4. The Auxiliary will be there with the boating safety trailer and other PA assets. All Auxiliarists are invited to participate.

Thank you for all the Marine Safety hours you’ve put in so far in 2016. We have several active flotillas reporting their monthly MS activities.

One of the goals for the year is to include a MS component in all PE and PA events (such as AWW). Another goal is to promote the Good Mate program to all flotilla members (try to get as many new Good Mate certified members as possible).

Keep up the good work and enjoy summer!

Public Affairs

Walter Runck, SO-PA

Marine Safety

Rick Bankert, SO-MS

Above Photos: Coast Guard Open House event. This event included a safety display and a rescue swimmer demonstration over Charleston Harbor. Auxiliary photos by Walter Runck.

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DIVISION STAFF REPORTS

Of the seven Flotillas in Division 12, three Flotillas have been quite active with PE classes. As of this moment, Division 12 has met 50% of the projected graduates for 2016. A common hindrance and complaint is that prospective students are more apt to take an on-line DNR class versus a Coast Guard Auxiliary course. Unfortunately, there is not much we can do about that.

It won’t be until South Carolina requires a boating course certification card, that new boat owners and those coming of age will seek boating courses from us. North Carolina, Georgia and Florida attendances are up because of this requirement.

With all said, I still want to thank those Public Education Staff Officers (FSO-PEs) and Public Affairs Staff Officers (FSO-PAs) encouraging boaters to take our courses.

To obtain recreational boating credentials, the State of South Carolina requires boaters under 16 years of age to pass an approved boating education course before operating, without supervision, a personal watercraft (jet ski) or a boat powered by a motor of 15 horsepower or more.

State law requires all North Carolina residents born after 1 January 1988 who operate powered watercraft 10-horsepower or greater, to have completed a NASBLA approved boating safety course

To obtain recreational boating credentials, the State of Florida requires all Florida residents born after 1 January 1988 who operate powered watercraft 10-horsepower or greater, to carry a Florida Boating Safety Education Identification Card.

All operators born after 1 January 1998 must have

passed a boater education course approved by the Department of Natural Resources and have card on board to operate any vessel.

Public Education

Chuck Chirila, SO-PE

South Carolina

South Carolina Department of Natural Resources

North Carolina

North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission

Florida

Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Georgia

Georgia Department of Natural Resources

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SECRETARY RECORDS

Minutes from Division 12 MeetingSantee Cooper, McCall Auditorium

Moncks Corner, SCSaturday, 9 April, 2016

Meeting called to order at 1000 by Allen (Hap) James, Division Commander (DCDR).

The Pledge of Allegiance was led by Joe Livingston, Vice Division Commander (VCDR).

Invocation was given by COMO Jay Dahlgren.

Introduction of Guests:John Knipper, 014-22-01, was introduced by

Richard Daniel, Flotilla Commander (FC) of Flotilla 12-8. He has moved to South Carolina, and is currently working with Flotilla 12-8.

John has not yet transferred because he still teaches Leadership Classes in First Southern at this time.

Meeting Minutes:Sue Hastings, Vice Flotilla Commander (VFC)

Flotilla 12-10, made a motion to approve the January Meeting Minutes.

This motion was seconded by Karen Andrews, FC Flotilla 12-12.

The minutes were approved.

Finance Report:Hap James distributed a copy of the financial report

as Vito Giardina, SO-FN was out of the country.

Sector Charleston Update:No members from Sector Charleston were in

attendance.

Awards:No awards were given

Vice Commanders Comments:Joe Livingston: Joe discussed the emails sent to

each SO on the “Red Ribbon” categories:

• Operations• Marine Safety/Environmental Protection• Public Education• Public Affairs• Program Visits• Vessel Exams.

The Flotilla Staff Officers (FSOs) for these areas and the Flotilla Commanders (FCs) have been asked to set goals for the year in each of these categories. If they haven’t been done yet, Joe told FCs they should be done.

The Division wants the FCs/FSOs to track these on a monthly basis in a one page format. Sue Hastings, SO-IS, stated that the information is available in AuxInfo, and she can set up a tracking report for each Flotilla showing actual, previous year, and goals. She can set this up and put it on the Division website so FCs, FSOs and Division personnel can see. She will need the goals for each Flotilla.

Division Commanders Report: Allen “Hap” James: Hap reminded the Flotillas that

at the Division Change of Watch, he told them that the Division is here to help them with any support they need. So far he has not received any requests for assistance. He discussed the six “Red Ribbons” and urged the Flotilla Commanders to keep track of this and not wait until the end of the year. He stated that out of sight is out of mind.

He also reported that the GAP information he sent out from US Coast Guard is for Personal Qualification Standards (PQS) that are involved in programs such as Station Watchstanding and Food Services run by the

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Susan Hastings (Acting Secretary)

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SECRETARY RECORDS (CONTD.)

Coast Guard, not the Auxiliary. There are about 10-12 programs and anyone interested in becoming involved, please let him know.

He reported the Rescue and Survival Systems (RSS) is a new program concerning the Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) that an Auxiliary wears while on Operational duty. Each Flotilla will have a member assigned to keep track of this equipment, inspect, and maintain it for the Flotilla. A CD of the full workshop on this program was given to each Flotilla Commander to present to their members.

He stated he had made an error on the request for the Operation Plan for Hurricanes. He had thought we needed the list of names of Coxswain, Boat Crew, and Facility Owners who would volunteer before a disaster. What he needs is a list of names, home phone and cell phones of the Coxswain, Boat Crew and Facility Owners that the Coast Guard can call upon after a hurricane to see if they would be available to help. Your first obligation is to take care of your families.

Division Staff Officer Reports

Communications, Walter Runck, SO-CM: They are looking for help with the Coast Guard

Noncompliant Vessel Pursuit School in North Charleston. This is a National Coast Guard one-week course which is used for law enforcement. This is something different that we can help the Coast Guard with and don’t need communications qualifications.

You will be in a boat writing down boat numbers and times. It is every Tuesday, Wednesday during the day and Thursday evenings. You can volunteer when you are available and the training does not take long to learn.

Navigation Systems, Richard Daniel, SO-NS: Richard reported that the D7 Directive requiring

verification of a specific number of ATONS has been rescinded. He attributes it to the work of COMO Bob Weskerna.

There are no certification requirements nor has anyone gone into REYR for ATONS this year. Also the Aid Verifier (AV) Workshop is not mandatory. New AV’s will need to take the Workshop.

He has held a workshop in Charleston for Flotillas 12-6 and 12-8, and plans to have one at Station Georgetown for Flotillas 12-4 and 12-10. Paperwork for verifications/discrepancies should still be turned in to your FSO-NS (Forms 7054/7055).

Sue Hastings, SO-IS, also reminded members that the 7030 for the time to complete the paperwork after a patrol has to be done or you will not get credit in AUXDATA for doing the verification. She also stated that working with DDC-Protection and DSO-NS that AV can enter the actual time for the completion of paperwork and are not restrained by the one hour timeframe as required in the past.

Operations, Paul Berka, SO-OP: Paul passed out a handout on the wearing of Hot

Weather Operational Uniform. Sector Charleston has authorized the uniform starting 1 May and going through 1 October. This uniform can be worn for Operations and Vessel Exams but is not authorized for Public Affair events, nor when working with the Coast Guard. Anyone wearing this uniform needs to present a neat appearance.

A discussion on the footwear recommended the black athletic shoes but white ones are also authorized. If the T-Shirt or Polo Shirt is worn, all in crew must be wearing the same.

Paul also reported that some members have been using the VE issued inflatable for Boat Crew and this is not authorized for use for Crew. It was issued to be used for VE’s.

Only specific hydrostatics Inflatables that are listed in the RSS Manual (Rescue & Survival Systems) can be worn. This manual can be downloaded from web or go to Auxiliary FedEx site and purchase a hard copy. Allen James will send out the Link to this site. Chuck Budnick

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SECRETARY RECORDS (CONTD.)

will give a summary of the new RSS procedures at the end of the meeting.

Program Visits, Tomas Bagdas, SO-PV:Tom reported that he had contacted the FSO-PVs to

get goals for Program Visits and has not heard back from most. He has, therefore, set a goal for each Flotilla of a 10% increase over last year and will be sending a note out to the FSOs on this.

Public Affairs, Walter Runck, SO-PA:Walter discussed the PA plans for National Safe

Boating Week (NSBW). Coast Guard Sector Charleston will be having a Boating Safety Open House on Saturday, 21 May with boats, other Public Service Agencies, food, and trucks for the kickoff for NSBW. Everyone is invited to come.

Auxiliary will have an appearance on Low Country Live TV program on Monday, 23 May to kick off NSBW. There are other affiliates in your local area and Flotillas are urged to contact them. Sector has people available to help with this.

Walter also announced that he has overextended himself and needs help with the Division PA position. He will stay on until someone is found.

New Business:None to report.

Old Business:None to report.

Final Comments:COMO Jay Dahlgren reported that COMO Bob

Weskerna and Carl Motes, DCAPT-N, were attending the funeral of Past District COMO Allen Brown today in Florida.

Al Crothers, DSO-MT, stated that the Flotillas need to keep working on AUXMT courses so that members are certified by the end of 2016 so they do not go into REYR. Also, if anyone needs an updated ID card now,

they have to have the certification. There are several tools available for Flotillas to track these courses in AUXDATA and AuxInfo.

The biggest problem is getting inactive members to complete these courses. He announced that DTRAIN will be 21-25 September in Orlando. Several C-Schools and training programs will also be held.

Paul Berka, SO-OP, reported that COMO Henry Pratt, ASC Charleston, has asked for more information when orders are requested in Auxiliary Order Management (AOM).

This information should not simply be entered in Maritime Observation Mission (MOM), but should include a breakdown with training, such as towing and side tow.

Hap James asked Flotilla 12-12 if they needed any help with their upcoming Public Affairs events from the Division. Karen Andrews, FC, stated that they have enough members to handle these events.

Questions were asked about the status of forming a Detachment for the old Flotilla 12-2 area in Flotilla 12-4. Ollie Leimbach, FC, Flotilla 12-4, stated that they need at least five people to form a detachment, and they have only about four current members living in that area. They have not seen any E-Responder requests from that area at this time.

Ollie brought up the facility they inherited from Flotilla 12-2. It is currently not working, and he wanted to know if they could request some of the Flotilla 12-2 money that went to Division that was previously assigned to the facility.

A discussion was held on how much it would cost to fix the boat and how much they should expect to spend on maintenance.

The Machinery Technicians (MK) unit at Sector is looking for boats to work on, and it was decided to check with them to see if they could give Flotilla 12-4 an estimate on what parts and costs are needed to fix the boat.

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SECRETARY RECORDS (CONTD.)

Lake Marion, 12-1William Hayes, FCCOMO Jay DahlgrenRon CunninghamJoe LivingstonPerry Moses, VCDR

Lake Murray, 12-3Al Crothers, IPDCDR

Central Grand Strand, 12-4Oliver Leimbach, VFCJames Nelson, FCThomas Bagdas

East Cooper, 12-6Walter Runck, FC

Charleston, 12-8Richard Daniel, FCPaul BerkaJohn Knipper (014-22-01)

Georgetown, 12-10Dave HastingsSue Hastings, VFCAllen James, DCDRChuck Budnick

Edisto Beach, 12-12Karen Andrews, FCJames Andrews

Roster of members and guests present

If it is not feasible to keep the facility, Ollie was directed to check with Festus Burchfield, FC, Flotilla 12-3, on how to decommission the facility and go about selling it.

Adjournment:Motion to adjourn the meeting at 1140 was made

by Ollie Leimbach, FC 12-4, and seconded by Karen Andrews, FC 12-12.

Upcoming Dates: The next Division meeting will be held Saturday, 9

July 2016.

Respectfully submitted,Susan Hastings (Acting Secretary)Division 12

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As of 4 July, Division 12 has completed 377 inspections of recreational vessels, 415 inspections of paddlecraft and 8 facility inspections. This gives us a total of 800 Vessel Exams (VEs) for 2016. As we enter the height of summer, and the boating season, it ever more important to make an effort to schedule vessel safety inspections, respond quickly to online inquiries, and also to schedule safety blitzes at boat landings.

If you’re not currently qualified as a Vessel Safety Examiner, I would encourage you to take the test online and become involved in this very worthwhile and effective program. Along with Public Education and Public Affairs, conducting Vessel Safety Checks (VSC’s) presents a great opportunity to directly interact with the boating public.

Vessel Examination

Everette Shaver, SO-VE

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DIVISION STAFF OFFICERS

Division Twelve BridgeDivision Commander Allen James ajames1938@yahoo.com Vice Division Commander Joe Livingston jlivingston@supersod.com

Immediate Past Division Commander John Murphy johnj@sccoast.net

Flotilla Commanders/Vice Commanders12-1, Lake Marion FC William Hayes wrhayes12167@yahoo.com VFC Robert Young youngrbt@aol.com

12-3, Lake Murray FC Festus Burchfield fburchfield@earthlink.net

VFC Scott Iverson vikingwaters7@gmail.com 12-4, Central Grand Strand FC Oliver Leimbach ogleimbach@sc.rr.com

VFC Eric Hurlin celperl@aol.com 12-6, Mount Pleasant FC Walter Runck auxwar@gmail.com

VFC Wendy Balelo wbalelo@gmail.com

12-8, Charleston FC Richard Daniel rbdaniel1829@comcast.net VFC William Carter uscgauxcharleston@gmail.com

12-10, Georgetown FC Edward Wozniak ednatwoz@sc.rr.com VFC Susan Hastings suedso@msn.com

12-12, Edisto Beach FC Karen Andrews beagles5@bellsouth.net

VFC Clifford Songer cdsong4@bellsouth.net

Division Support StaffAUXAIR Auxiliary Aviation Ron Sain jrsain@charter.net DDSL-12 Division Security Liaison Vito Giardina vgiardina38@yahoo.com

SLO-SC State Liaison Officer Barbara Burchfield bdburchfield@earthlink.net SLO-SC State Liaison Officer Festus Burchfield fburchfield@earthlink.net

LL Division Lay Leader Dr. Phillip Poole drphil59@bellsouth.net

Division Staff Officers

Communications Walter Runck

Communications Services David HastingsDiversity & Inclusion Dean Wallace

Finance Vito GiardinaHuman Resources Wendy Balelo

Information Services Susan Hastings

Marine Safety Richard BankertMaterials Michael Mikutaitis

Member Training Ann Graham

Navigational Services Richard Daniel

Operations Paul BerkaPublic Affairs Walter Runck

Publications William CarterPublic Education Chuck Chirila

Program Visitation Tomas Bagdas

Rescue & Survival Systems New PositionSecretary Records Deborah Lee

Vessel Safety Exams Everette Shaver