I know these past few weeks have been difficult for every-one, as we are concerned about the personal impact on our

families and friends and experience tremendous upheaval in our daily lives due to the spread of COVID-19. USCGAUX activities are in nearly full suspension, with no indication when we will be able to resume. About all we can do is try to stay in touch with each other and conduct any business and/or train-ing via electronic means. So that is what we will try to do on our regular first Thursday meeting night (2 April at 1900). You should have each received an invitation for a Zoom meeting (it was sent on 20 March). Zoom is a widely-used video conferencing tool that can support what we need to do and at no charge to us. You may need to download their app to make it work, so click through on the meeting invite a few minutes before 1900 from

your phone, tablet, or computer to get it set up. This should be the link—https://us04web.zoom.us/j/830415429 Last month, I talked about efforts we are going to make to better get to know our members, their talents, and their aspirations. I encourage you to complete the questionnaire sent out by Dave Fort, which will help us to accomplish that objective. Finally, kudos to Bud McClard who has received his Instructor certification. In the meantime, stay safe and healthy and watch out for each other.

USCG Auxiliary Official Newsletter of the New Bern Flotilla 20-04Division 20, District 5SR

Editor: David Fort FSO-PB (252) 672-1653P.O. Box 305 dbfort@gmail.comBridgeton, N.C. 28519-0305Approved for release: 30 March 2020Published by the U.S.C.G. Auxiliary at no expense to the U.S. Government Volume 28 Issue 4 April 2020

From the helm

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Guardians of the Neuse and Trent Rivers

Karl Mielenhausen, FC

Semper Paratus Always Ready, since 1939

EvEnts & DatEs This IssueFrom the Helm 1Events & Dates 1Minutes: March 2-3FSO Reports: April 4-5Bitts & Bights 5Shipmate Profiles Premieres 6Assignment to Duty 7Elizabeth City ALC Tour 8-9Line Handling Commands 10-11New Scout Photo Release Form 12

April02 20-04 Monthy Mtg. 1900 via Zoom See From the Helm

04 Division Mtg. River Bend, 1000 Canceled

10 Good Friday

12 Easter Sunday

26 FSO reports, articles and photos due for Channel Marker

May07 20-04 Monthy Mtg. USCG Station Hobucken Details to come

10 Mother’s Day

16 Hurricane Preparation History Center, New Bern 0830—ON HOLD

16 Local Waters Class N.C. History Center 1300—ON HOLD

16-22 Safe Boating Week

24 FSO reports, articles and photos due for Channel Marker

25 Memorial Day

June04 20-04 Monthy Mtg. Christ Church Parish House 1900

06 Division Meeting River Bend 1000

21 FSO reports, articles and photos due for Channel Marker

2 april agEnDa

• Call to Order; Establish a Quorum

• Pledge of Allegiance

• Approval of March Minutes

• Presentation and Approval of March Finance Report

• Update to FSO Reports

• FC Time

• VFC Time

• Unfinished Business

• New Business

• Open Forum

• Adjourn Meeting

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USCG AUXILIARY Flotilla 20-04Minutes of 5 March 2020 Regular Meeting

Members present: TJ Bendicksen, Dan Boyette, Wendy Boyette, Bruce Clarkson, Keith Gapen, Edward Gillespie, Don Ingraham, Kathie King, George Maravelas, Bud McClard, Karl Mielenhausen, Mike Ott, Fil Pagano, Ross Pease, Eric Reese, Richard Reitzel, Kip Wil-liams. Guest present: Erik Smith of the N.C. Marine Patrol.A quorum being present, the meeting was called to order at 1901. The meeting opened with the flotilla reciting the pledge of al-legiance. A moment of silence was observed for the passing of Ed Jacunski and Kathryn Boyette.

Guest speaker Eric Smith gave a presentation explaining some of the functions of the North Carolina Marine Patrol. He also fielded questions from the flotilla.

February Business Meeting Minutes Flotilla Commander asked the flotilla for any questions, clarifica-tion or objections. Hearing none, the minutes were adopted by unanimous consent.

FebruaryFinancial ReportFlotilla Commander asked the flotilla for any questions, clari-fication or objections. Hearing none, the financial reports were adopted by unanimous consent

Updates to Published FSO Reports FSO-OP: Call to put mission dates on the calendar. “Let’s get under way!”

FSO-MT: Attention called to “AUXOP” designation and classes needed to achieve, noting that it is analogous to graduate school for Auxiliarists. Karl Mielenhasen will pursue getting AUXOP class information put on the flotilla website.

FSO-MA: There are many “out of stock” items.

FSO-MS: Early explorations of a boat ramp for the flotilla to sponsor have not yielded a boat ramp conveniently located for the flotilla. An intended proposal to the flotilla is postponed for further investigation.

Vice Flotilla Commander Time• VFC shared that there is an award coin available to flotilla

members that recruit two members within a year.

Flotilla Commander Time• FC pointed out tri-fold recruiting pamphlets printed by and

for flotilla 20-04 were handed out and to be used for selec-tive recruiting.

• FC reminded the flotilla of 20-Train on Saturday, 7 March.• FC pointed out Assignment to Duty handout.• Sign-up sheet circulated for Oriental Boat Show and La-

Grange Day.

AwardsRoss Pease Certificate of OfficeKathie King Letter of Recognition, Operational Hours, Vessel ExamsEd Gillespie Program Visits, Vessel ExamsTJ Bendicksen 5 years of service, 1500 Service Hours, 3000 Service HoursFil Pagano 30 Public Education hours

Erik Smith of the N.C. Marine Patrol explains some of the Patrol’s functions that ensure sustainable marine and estuarine fisheries for all coastal waters. Officers monitor 2.5 million acres of water and over 4,000 miles of coastline. Photos courtesy of Dan Boyette.

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Coast Guard Unit CommendationRibbon TJ Beckinsen Dan Boyette Keith Gapen Don Ingraham Kathie King Bud McClard Mike Ott Eric Reese Richard Reitzel

Star Ed Gillespie Bruce Clarkson George Maravelas Karl Mielenhausen Fil Pagano Ross Pease Kip Williams

Unfinished Business• None.

New Business• None

A motion to adjourn the meeting was made by Bruce Clarkson, seconded by Ed Gillespie; motion passed. The meeting adjourned at 2017.

Respectfully submitted,Eric Reese, FSO-SR Award winnners:Top row Ross Pease, Kathie KingSecond row Ed Gillespie, TJ BendicksonThird row TJ (two awards!), Fil Pagano

Photos courtesy of Dan Boyette

http://www.facebook.com/uscgauxiliary

Post a photo and/or a message to auxiliarists across the U.S.!

Remember Your Lifeline to Auxiliary Info

• Click: http://a0542004.wow.uscgaux.info or www.newberncgaux.org • Log in to the website in the blue Members Only box in the left menu of

the website. • The flotilla staff list is also available by clicking on About Flotilla 20-04

and then Staff List.

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Bill Neilson, FSO-CM• Nothing to report. T.J. Bendicksen, FSO-CS• The March Channel Marker newsletter was posted to our

flotilla website.• Our flotilla website Calendar was updated with meetings,

classes, training and events. It will continue to be updated with cancellations, postponements and rescheduling, as well as important notifications and information from the Coast Guard, CDC and North Carolina government. These will include links for convenient and easy access to the general public as well as for our Auxiliary Members during the pandemic.

• Email communications shared.• To provide easy access for our members, additions to the

Members Only section include: the Requirements for Assignment to Duty document; email address and phone number supplied by FC; and the precedence order for proper placement of CGAUX Ribbons on uniforms.

• North Carolina Marine Patrol expert Erik Smith was an outstanding guest speaker for our March flotilla meeting, supplying us with important, extremely helpful information.

Wendy Boyette, FSO-DV• No significant activity this month.

Kip Williams, FSO-FN• Below is the financial statement as of 3/31/2020.

Checkbook Balance as of 2/01/2020 $ 1,742.80 Deposits: Voided check #1146 $ 81.13Total Deposits: $ 81.13

Total: $ 1,823.93Expenses:Meeting Room Contribution $ 25.00D-Train Reimbursement $ 300.00OPFAC 201204 Trailer tires & fuel add. $ 265.13Reissue check to replace #1146 $ 81.13Toner Cartridges $ 74.38Total Expenses $ 745.64

Checkbook Balance as of 2/29/2020 $ 1,078.29

George Maravelas – FSO-FS• Nothing to report.

Bud McClard, FSO-HR• All face to face activity is suspended following ALCOAST

directives. Anyone with HR questions should contact me by phone or email. We can still have ZOOM or other video meetings.

Karl Mielenhausen, FSO-IS• We are anxiously awaiting the cut-over to the “new” AUX-

DATA system. Recent work shutdowns due to COVID-19 will undoubtedly impact the training and implementation but this is what we know currently:• March 31—Last day for SO-IS to submit entries (please

have your reports to me by 29 March)• April 15—new system may be available for SO-IS use

(He will have to hold report forms until this date)• May 15—new system available for member use

• We expect to receive internet-based training sometime between now and then. I have been told nothing beyond that.

Ross Pease, FSO-MA• Mail is slow. Distribution Center is showing a lot of Not In

Stock (N.I.S.).

Dan Boyette, FSO-MS • Nothing to report.

Mark West, FSO-MT• Nothing to report.

Bud McClard, FSO-NS• No activity at station or on river under orders due to direc-

tives. Activity will resume when allowed.

Bruce Clarkson, FSO-OP• Unfortunately, our current health situation has hindered

much of our preparations and early-season Operations training. As with most Auxiliary activities, we find ourselves waiting out the current health emergency.

• Prior to the shutdown, Karl and Bruce did successfully get Laura Jane, Bruce’s Carolina Classic, out on one patrol, where we shook down the facility; made several compass checks; practiced man overboard (many times); and performed anchor drill as well as other general seamanship activities. All went well.

• As previously reported, the flotilla’s facility, 201204, was launched. Its trip to its slip and a quite brief high-power maintenance check run showed that it is ready for the year’s missions. Currently, it’s cleaner than usual and has a shiny new VHF radio. We will need to update onboard PPE as the weather warms.

FSO Reports for April 2020

• Thanks to the division’s training day, qualified Operations members had the opportunity to get their required Opera-tions Workshop and Risk Management Refresher. We thank the division for staging this event. If you did not get both of these boxes checked, you should consult with your elected leadership and your MT officer to devise a plan to get these two required trainings.

• In addition, some of us are coming up on the expiration of some of our Core Training. Even though this is not Opera-tions specific, it can impact your Operational status. If you were in the first batch of folks for this training, several of those courses may be expiring. Check with your MT or IS officer, and they should be able to advise you.

• Once the health issues in our community, organization and nation abate, we will have lost precious underway and train-ing time. As Operations comes back online, each of us who is current for 2020 operations should make a special effort to assure that we get well over the minimum required 12 hours underway. We should work to see that we use our underway time to include training activities that will ensure our com-petence remains at an excellent level.

Mike Ott, FSO-PA• Boating Safety Week seminar is on hold and the Oriental

Boat Show has changed dates to 25-27 September.

David Fort, FSO-PB• Prepared and distributed April 2020 Channel Marker. • Remember, this is your newsletter. We are happy to have

your submissions and photos. Please ensure that people in the photos are wearing their uniforms properly; otherwise,

we will not receive approval to publish. Our newsletter is distributed to other Auxiliarists and active duty members and frequently our articles and photos are published in the division and district publications.

Keith Gapen, FSO-PE• We cancelled both the 21 March ABS class at Fairfield

Harbour Community Center and the 28 March Sud-denly in Command class set up at LaGrange Free Will Baptist Church due to COVID 19 concerns and guid-ance from the CDC and North Carolina HHS.

• Still pending: On 16 May, to kick off Safe Boating Week, we will have a joint PA/PE event with Hurricane Prep in the morning (open to the public) and Local Waters class in the afternoon. The event will be held at North Carolina History Center at Tryon Palace in the Cullman Performance Hall.

• Water ’N Kids update• All April and May events have been cancelled due

to COVID 19

Kathie King, FSO-PV• 30 total PVs for 30 March, with three people reporting visits. Eric Reese, FSO-SR• Approved minutes forwarded as required.

Kip Williams, FSO-VE• There has been no VE activity. I have nothing to report on

vessel exams for the month of March.

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FSO Reports for April 2020 (continued)

15 YearsChristopher Maravelas 22 JulyKarl Mielenhausen 22 JulyRobert Manning 16 December

10 YearsJohn Olin Perritt III 16 MarchTheodore Clark 19 JulyPaul Bernard Buljat 26 JulyLink Bonforte 10 November

5 YearsAnnie Ruth Dickens 12 MayWilliam Michael Ott 20 August

Bitts & Bights

All meetings are at Christ Church @1900 unless otherwise noted.

Meeting Calendar for 2020SAVE THE DATE!

• 2 April, via Zoom• (See “From the Helm,” p.1)

• 7 May at USCG Station Hobucken

• 4 June PICNIC at Red Sail Park (FH)

• 9 July at Worldwide Marine Training/Oriental

• 6 August

• 3 September at USCG Station Ft. Macon

• 1 October

• 5 November

• 3 December

Milestone Anniversaries This Year

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Shipmates

Employed for 34 years by Sara Lee

as Director of Sales for its Foods division and later Bakery / Groupon Bimbo, Keith in retire-ment transitioned to an active live in volunteerism. In addition to his work with the Auxiliary, he is on the board of The Arc of NC, president of Oriental Harbor Place HOA...and more. He and wife Janet enjoy helping others. They raised a son, now 33, who has multiple disabilities owing to Angel-man Syndrome. Their daughter, now 44, brought two grandchildren—ages 14 and 21—into their lives. Keith says he grew up on the wa-ter, first with ski boating and later with bass fishing. Three years ago, he switched over to a 33-foot Express Cruiser with a homeport of Oriental. He and Janet have taken trips up to Manteo and down to Bald Head Island / Southport, with several points in between, as well as little Washington, Behaven, Beaufort, More-head City, Cape Lookout and New Bern. The boat’s name, Grace, makes you won-der about other women in Keith’s life, but it turns out that was the name of the boat when they purchased it. When not volunteering, Keith’s fa-vorite hobby is bicycling with a group. He also enjoys working out at a fitness center, swimming, cooking, boating and cheering on Alabama football. His decision to join the Auxiliary stemmed from his desire to help others become safer boaters. Thus, his interest in teaching classes to adults and children alike and participation at such Auxiliary events as Mumfest and boat shows. Evidently, he’s also fond of cats. Good man.

Link and Kristin have five grandsons, ages

10, 8, 3, 2 and 1. Prior to retirement, he worked in quality assurance and ethics and compliance in the healthcare industry. Born in N.J., he’s also lived in Ohio, South Carolina and Connecticut. He joined the Auxiliary because he himself wanted to learn more about boating safety. Fast for-ward 10 years, and Link is helping educate adult students about boating safety. Link now holds a CG Captain’s license. For 25 years, he sailed and cruised on Lake Michigan and Long Island Sound. Three years ago, however, he sold his boat, which just might account for his special interest in going on patrols.

Bruce Clarkson

Bruce has 45+/- years’ boating experi-ence in both

power and sail. He and Jane own a 25-foot Carolina Classic, Laura Jane, and it’s just possible that his 5- and 7-year-old grandchildren are getting some boat time, too. The Oregon native’s father, a Coast Guard veteran who served during World War II, became an auxiliarist and urged Bruce to keep up the tradition. Bruce did, and his long-time Auxiliary member-ship has included a stint as DCAPT for District 1 North. His work with Flotilla 20-04 includes patrols, educating boaters and working with active-duty Coast Guard members as related to operations. After schooling in Raleigh, his career in software and related engineering took him to D.C. and Boston. He enjoys travel, his classic car and its repair and photog-raphy. The flotilla is using his variety of engineering and mechanical skills.

Between them, Karl

and Elaine have seven children and 11 grand-children, whose ages range from 5 months to 13 years. This fall, they will have been married 20 years. A graduate of Drexel University with a B.S. in Chemistry, Karl served as quality control manager with Eastman Kodak in Rochester, N.Y. He was responsible for the worldwide quality of consumer color nega-tive films, working with two domestic and eight foreign manufacturing sites as well as film research and development teams. His 32-foot Catalina sailboat became known as Silver Lining, symbolizing a) the second marriage for both (“we were lucky to find each other”) and b) his 36-year career with Eastman Kodak, a large part of it manufacturing silver halide films. Karl’s been sailing for 20 years, begin-ning on Lake Ontario with a Catalina 22. He bought a Catalina 320 shortly after moving to New Bern. He has cruised on the Chesapeake as well as the Bahamas, and he has chartered in the British Virgin Islands. He also owns and races an Ensign. His work with the Coast Guard Aux-iliary began by way of a “special invitation from Fred Wagner,” a member of former Flotilla 20-05. In addition to his role as FC, Karl’s specialties include educating boaters, going on patrols and continuing to be part of 20-04’s leadership team. A private pilot, he flew from 1972-2001 in a Grumman Cheetah. He now volunteers with the New Bern Volunteer Income Tax Assistance program. Skills/in-terests include planning and organization, computers, technical writing, photography, sailing, pickleball, and serving as a N.C.-certified firefighter.

We may see one another at meetings and events and still know very little about one another. As another way to help increase our camaraderie and mutual understanding, The Channel Marker is pleased to provide snapshots of your lives. Keith Gapen Link Bonforte Karl Mielenhausen

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Assignment to Duty: An Important Reminder from Karl Mielenhausen, Flotilla CommanderAs boating season will soon be upon us and our USCGAUX activities are on the increase, it is a good time to review the requirements for obtaining Assignment To Duty. For most of us, this means letting the FC, VFC, or appropriate FSO know BEFORE you set out on an individual mission, such as a Vessel Check or Dealer Visitation. Most PA and PE events are prescheduled, so ATD is automatic. So is coverage when fulfilling any of your FSO job duties as documented in the job description.

Often members of the Auxiliary refer to being covered or “insured” by the government as if there is

an insurance policy that covers everything we do in the Auxiliary. Assignment to Duty is actually more about the basic law that created the Auxiliary and how mem-bers doing Auxiliary missions fall under the umbrella of law as “volunteer” Federal employees. What the law did was make sure that when we are doing Auxiliary work—aka “Assigned to Duty”—we would be eligible for care and compensation in case of injury or accident while “Assigned to Duty,” just as other federal employees are covered while working. Basically, if you are “Assigned to Duty” and are injured, you are covered under the Federal Employee Compensa-tion Act (FECA). The key is while “Assigned to Duty.” “Assignment to Duty” is not hard to attain. It may be as easy as doing Auxiliary missions on orders, or simply by having reported your plans to the knowledge of an elected leader or staff officer to do a mission on a certain date and time. This could be done by emailing or calling your plans to do Vessel Safety Checks, or Dealer Visits, or following a flotilla schedule for presenting a PE class. Doing training under a qualified Vessel Examiner at a ramp would also fall within “Assignment to Duty” just as training for other mission areas with trained members would. In Flotilla 054-20-04 you may request ATD by emailing 2004atd@gmail.com or texting (252) 349-0138. Either one forwards your message to both the FC and VFC. The basic key to proving Assignment to Duty is a prior awareness of your effort to conduct Auxiliary missions by an elected Auxiliary leader or responsible flotilla staff officer. This is the important part to remem-ber because with any injury claim there will be an effort to review and determine that “Assignment to Duty” is clear. One side note is that IF you are performing duties as listed in your officer job description OR any admin tasks done at home, then ATD is implied and does NOT need to be specifically requested. If in doubt, err on the side of making the ATD request. So as an example, a copy of the email you sent noting that you’re doing Vessel Safety Checks will meet the requirement should there be a claim. While the Coast Guard will help in the process of a claim, it is the Department of Labor and Department of Justice that are the authority in approving claims. Experience has shown the procedure is not overly burdensome or challenging. In most cases the process has done a great job of ensuring injured Auxiliary members have been appropriately compensated per FECA.

The key things to remember are communication and documentation: 1) Make sure that when you are doing Auxiliary missions there is awareness by leaders and or staff officers of what you are doing , where, and when. 2) Make sure that if you are injured you seek care ASAP. 3) Make sure you, a fellow member, or family member advise leaders of the injury so a claim can be started working with the DIRAUX office before 30 days pass. As always, a form is involved and the Department of Labor form CA-1 is the form to start the process. So as you conduct Auxiliary missions, make sure you are thinking about what you have done to meet being “Assigned to Duty.” The AuxMan Chapter 5 section J is a good reference. One interesting caveat: Federal Employees are not covered by FECA for any injuries sustained traveling to and from work. This same principle of FECA also applies to Auxiliarists—we are not covered going to and from our regular flotilla meeting, since that is considered our “place of work.” Can offering training at our unit meeting reclassify the meeting as a “training event” and therefore enable FECA coverage? No. Federal Employees have training at their workplace but that does not en-able coverage under FECA when going to work that day. Same goes for us. Make sure you carry proper auto insurance and health insurance. While FECA provides items beyond your insurance coverage, your insurance is likely to be charged first, and FECA will likely come in on deduct-ibles. However, there is the possibility of lost wages and other compensation under FECA. Note the word choice used here: “likely” and “possibly” because every case is different, though in general, there is going to be compensation under FECA as long as you are found to be “Assigned to Duty.” There are a lot of “what if ’s” and varying scenarios because each case is different and that makes for confu-sion. The one key is remembering that doing all you can to help support being seen as “Assigned to Duty” will ensure you are provided an added coverage/benefit to getting you taken care of, should you be injured. Having auto insurance and health insurance is a good idea as it can add to what you are covered for. In most all cases your auto insurance is respon-sible for your car. Exceptions MAY BE when towing under orders but those cases are not a FECA item. FECA applies to the employee, not the vehicle. Vehicles fall under the Damage Claim process just as boat damage is handled via claims. If you are in an accident on the way to a meeting, it is your auto insurance that is likely

going to be on the hook for all claims. On the other hand, if you are on the way to go on patrol, do VSC’s, or PE and have an accident, FECA will likely apply for your injuries along with your auto insurance for your vehicle (and maybe some medical). You MAY BE able to submit a claim to the Coast Guard for auto damage but several factors will come into play because it goes via the Damage Claim process. Here are 5 Examples: 1. A member was injured while on patrol. The

member had no insurance and the injury caused the member to lose employment. Under FECA all medical was covered and the member was com-pensated for lost wages from the time of injury and for several months while recovering.

2. A member was killed in an auto accident on the way to the post office to mail out the flotilla min-utes to all the members. By being able to prove that this was a routine trip solely done as part of the member’s Auxiliary duties each month, the family was ultimately provided compensation on account of the member being “Assigned to Duty” when the accident occurred. This was travel not to or from a meeting.

3. A member happened to be at a fuel dock when an Auxiliary facility on patrol pulled in to refuel. The member was helping with lines and fell break-ing an arm. The member was not found to be “Assigned to duty” as the member just happened to be in the area but was not involved with any Auxiliary mission and was not part of crew on patrol.

4. An Auxiliary crew is on patrol and pulls in for a lunch break at the boat ramp. They send a member to take the truck and get sandwiches. On the way, the member has a flat tire and does minor damage to the vehicle but there are no injuries. The damage claim is denied because the trip for sandwiches was outside of what is covered for damages while on patrol. The member’s auto insurance covered the damage.

5. While traveling under orders a member suffers an engine breakdown on the highway. A claim for damage is denied because wear and tear is al-ready covered as part of the mileage rate provided while under orders.

Modified from USCGAUX Memofor use in Flotilla 054-20-04

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The 10 lucky ones

Impressive Tour of Elizabeth City ALCOn 26 February, ten

fortunate Auxiliary members (nine from 20-04 and one from 20-06) were give an in-depth look at the Elizabeth City Air Station Aviation Lo-gistics Center (ALC). It all started last year at a Suddenly In Com-mand class held at the Saint Delights Church Firehouse. Jim Fessler, who works at the ALC, and his wife drove down from Elizabeth City to attend the class. He told David Fort, one of the instructors, that he would be happy to arrange a visit by some of our members. David turned the in-formation over to Karl Mielenhausen, the incom-ing Flotilla Commander. Karl then coordinated with Jim to have ten Aux-iliarists take the tour. The group was met by Cariss Perry, a Proto-col Specialist, who acted as the tour guide for the day. They were given an in-depth look at how the Coast Guard C130 aircraft and helicopters are maintained. The par-ticipants greatly enjoyed the tour. The photos, courtesy of Bendicksen, capture some of the high-lights and continue on the next page. A group shot in front of the C130

Impressive Tour of Elizabeth City ALC (cont. from previous page)

From nose... ...to tail

...and choppers, too.

Working on a C130 tail

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Inside a chopper

Inside a C130

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Line Handling: Use the Right Commandsubmitted by Bruce Clarkson, FSO-OP

During this down time for surface operations, let’s review some standards related to line handing commands. This is a

skill that can be particularly important when there is the stress of an actual rescue, bad weather, darkness or all of the above! And if we practice these skills like we mean it, we’ll be able to perform these skills well in high stress situations. For the purposes of this article, let’s assume everyone knows which line is which and what to do with each. Here, we’ll concentrate on the communications related to these tasks. To prepare for this article, I searched for the Coast Guard ultimate source for such info. There are several articles on various websites but to find a really authoritative reference, I had to dig. I came up with Coast Guard Navi-gation Standards Manual COMD-TINST M3530.2F dated January 2020. Also, I made reference to the QE standard for line handing as obtained from our resident QE, Fil Pagano, DCDR. I’ve not attempted to duplicate these manuals but have checked against them for what are some of the more important line handing commandsas used in our typical scenarios. In general, the following is also in step with most professional practice. But before we get into specific line handling commands, there are important basic principles to consider. A prebrief is im-portant for any operation. Crew should ask questions. Crew and coxswain should share a detailed common understanding of what is planned along with any major risks and contingencies prior to an evolution of nearly any complexity. The importance of this prebrief cannot be overemphasized. Also, there is the manner in which commands are given and responded to. Line handling commands are to be given in a loud, clear voice. Issue commands like the wind is blowing a gale and the engine is revved up! This is not anger. It’s making it easier for everyone to hear. (Remember: Always do it like you hope you’ll do in a high stress situation.) Then, the crew member who is executing the command must read the command back. This too should be done in a loud, clear voice. Again, when the task is completed, the crew member should again respond indicating that the specific command was completed and expect an“aye” in response. If either party does not get the expected response, say it again— louder, if necessary. This two-way acknowledged commu-nication is truly important. It’s also a good idea to look directly at the person you are talking to. There are few surfaces in our underway environments to reflect sound along with plenty of sources of noise. Looking

directly at the person helps your voice project to the intended recipient. OK, so how about some specific line handing commands? Some of the more frequently used commands are in bold. When a cleat is mentioned, a bollard or bit can be used in its place.

PUT OVER (line #) Recall that mooring and side tow lines are identified by number. Some other lines like an anchor or stern tow line have

names. In this case the directed crew should pass the specified line to the pier with enough slack to allow line handlers to put the line over the appropriate bit, cleat, etc. This implies that typically an eye is passed.Usually the coxswain will already have briefed crew as to their individual responsibilities and what special steps are required. By the way, the QE version also supports “PASS (line #).”

CHECK (line #) Hold tension on the specified line but render (A CG word. Read: “Ease tension.”) it as necessary to prevent parting (break-ing). You may need to single up (see below) the line for this.

HOLD (line #) Hold tension on the specified line. Don’t let the line slip in the cleat. Again, you may need to single up for this.

SURGE (line #) Hold moderate tension on the line but render it enough to permit movement of the boat(s). Found in the CG document only.

EASE (line #) Let the specified line out maintaining tension.

SLACK (line #) Take all tension off the specified line. On Auxiliary boats during some activities such as setting a side tow, any remaining tension can be a problem. Make sure you slack the line so that it does not affect either vessel.

TAKE THE SLACK OUT OF (line #)Take all the slack out of the line. Do not take a strain.

Issue commands like the wind is blowing a gale and the engine is revved up! This is not anger. It’s making it easier for everyone to hear.

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SHIFT (line #)Move the specified line as directed.

HEAVE AROUND ON (line #)Take a strain on the specified line. Found in the CG document only.

WORKING TURN (line #)Turn(s) on the cleat. Found in the QE document only.

SINGLE UP (line #)Take one bight so as to use the deck hardware to control the line. Found in the CG document only. The way I do this is to take a turn around the base of the cleat plus under one horn (i.e., half a figure eight) and then add more if that does not adequately control the line.

DOUBLE UP (line #) Like single up except take an additional bight. Found in the CG document only.

MAKE (line #) Secure the line around the cleat. The QE info says, “round turn plus at least one figure eight.” Where I learned, we were taught a round turn and three figure eights if they will fit. Hmmm. My experience says that sometimes a single figure eight may be inadequate. This command was only in the QE informa-tion.

CAST OFF (line # or all lines) Cast off the end of the directed line. This generally applied to lines that stay on the dock or stay with another vessel.

TAKE IN (line # or all lines) Allow the line handler on the pier or the other vessel enough slack to remove the line from their fitting. Then bring the line aboard. In this case, you are taking the line with you.

Another area worthy of mention is the call “LINE IN THE WATER.” I had problems finding a definitive source for this information but the excellent line handling web page from D11S Auxiliary will suffice. Still, this command is such a useful call-out on our facilities. This call is made when a line is out of control and in the water. As an example, a tow line becomes detached from the target vessel. Another example is a heaving line that missed its mark. This is an indication to the coxswain and person at the helm that trouble such as a fouled rudder or prop is pos-sible. At a minimum, some action will be needed to rectify the situation. However, when a stern tow is underway and the middle of the tow line is in the water but otherwise well under control, this call is not appropriate. Still, a crew member assigned as tow watch should take steps to assure that the tow line always stays clear of all running gear. For example, letting the coxswain know that the tow line is surging or that the towed vessel is out of step can be vital but that is not a “line in the water” call.

Anchor rodes and heaving lines have their own special han-dling terms. Each set is worthy of its own article.

Surface OPS folks: Let’s keep our skills current and have a good time underway. I hope to see you all sooner-than-later underway.

The Coast Guard Navigation Standards Manual can be found at:https://media.defense.gov/2020/Jan/23/2002237869/-1/-1/0/CIM_3530_2F.PDF

Line Handling: Use the Right Command (cont. from previous page)

Reminder About Core Training

Many of us took the original “Mandated Training” courses when they first came out five years ago. (Time really flies when you are having fun!) Five of the courses—renamed Core Training—must be

retaken every five years. They are:

Now would be an excellent time to take these classes on-line, from the comfort of your own home and at your own pace. The easiest way to get there is to google auxlearning, the site address is: https://auxlearning.uscg.mil.

502319 - Civil Rights Awareness 502379 - Workforce Resilience 810000 - Sexual Harassment Prevention

810015 - Privacy at DHS: Protecting Personal Information810030 - Security Fundamentals

Editor’s Note: The following announcement tells you how to handle the photo releases used with the Sea Scouts. You can click on the blue link below to find the form.

The ANSC-7020a form (http://forms.cgaux.org/archive/a7020a-SeaScouts.pdf ) has been jointly developed by the Coast Guard Auxiliary and the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) to obtain media release permissions of BSA members participating in Coast

Guard or Coast Guard Auxiliary activities. BSA members are asked to complete the 7020a form, sign it, and submit it to the Auxiliary mission lead. Forms for BSA members under the age of 18 are to be completed and signed by a parent of the participating minor BSA member.

Disposition of ANSC-7020a Forms

1. Completed ANSC-7020a forms should be sent via U.S. Postal Service to the Coast Guard Auxiliary Association:

Coast Guard Auxiliary Association 9449 Watson Industrial Park

St. Louis, MO  63126

2. Completed ANSC-7020a forms must not be retained by the originating Coast Guard Auxiliary unit.

 Additional information

Questions about implementing this instruction should be directed to Bruce Johnson, DVC-HY.

Randy Ventress

DNACO-AW

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New Scout Photo Release Form: ANSC-7020a