Division 7 Tampa Bay
USCG Auxiliary
Back on the water again!
Division 7 Resumes Crew Training
Fall 2021
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CONTENTS 4
From the Helm Anthomy Novellino, DCDR 7
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From the Helm Daniel Helou, VCDR 7
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Back on the Water Again! Daniel Helou, VCDR 7
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Station St. Petersburg Change of Command
10 Member Focus: Richard Strehl William Sage, VFC Flotilla 74 Brandon
11 Remember to tell boaters about the Coast Guard Mobile app!
12 Farewell to Clifford J. Martin Dorothy Riley, SO-PB 7
15 Popeye the Coast Guardsman Blake Stilwell, “We Are the Mighty”
16 The Coast Guard Needs Your Help Gerald Banach
18 Becoming a Pollution Responder for the Red Tide Philip Creter
20 9/11 Day of Remembrance Anne Marie Woolsey
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Member Focus: Gerard GaudryMember Focus: George Bartuska
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COVID Face Masks Dorothy Riley, SO-PB7
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Mark Your Calendars!
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Division News: Flotilla 75 Apollo Beach Flotilla 7-16 Gulfport
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2020 Recreational Boating Safety Statistics
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Newsletter for Division 7 Tampa Bay, District 7, USCG Auxiliary Fall 2021
Division 7 Elected Officers 2021 Div 7 Division Commander Anthony Novellino, DCDR Div 7 Division Vice Commander Daniel Helou, VCDR Div 7 Immed. Past Division Commander D. Terry Hershman, IPDCDR FL-72 Flotilla Commander Flotilla Vice Commander FL-74 Flotilla Commander Flotilla Vice Commander FL-75 Flotilla Commander Flotilla Vice Commander FL-77 Flotilla Commander Flotilla Vice Commander FL-78 Flotilla Commander Flotilla Vice Commander FL-79 Flotilla Commander Flotilla Vice Commander FL-7-16 Flotilla Commander Flotilla Vice Commander
Dean Hoskin, FC George Hornby III, VFC Francis Goyco, FC William Sage, VFC G. Robert Wightman, FC Don Binder, VFC John Laurent, FC James Urbanawiz, VFC James Tholen, FC Rollin Shouse, Jr., VFC George Bartuska, FC Michael Massimini, VFC Marcella Ruso, FC Howard Bush, VFC
Division 7 Appointed Staff 2021 Communications Communication Services Diversity Finance Auxiliary Food Service Information Services Human Resources Materials Marine Safety Member Training Navigation Systems Operations Public Affairs Publications Public Education Partner Visits Secretary Vessel Examinations Auxiliary Scouting Program
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Harold Chase, SO-CM Vacant Miguel Marquez, SO-DV Jack Lee, SO-FN Patrick McAlvey, SO-FS John Robbins, SO-IS Daniel Helou, SO-HR Anthony Hooper, SO-MA Kevin Cady, SO-MS Rollin Shouse III, SO-MT Anthony Hooper, SO-NS George Hornby III, SO-OP Vacant Dorothy J. Riley, SO-PB James Fogle, SO-PE D. Terry Hershman, SO-PV Anne-Marie Woolsey, SO-SR Raymond Langley, SO-VE Stephen Browning, SO-A
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We’re on the web! http://A07007.wow.uscgaux.info You can contact any of our officers on the Division 7 web page! Intercom is a publication of the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary, Division Seven, District Seven. The cost of publication is provided by dues-paying members of the Auxiliary, an organization of unpaid, civilian volunteers whose mission is to assist the U.S. Coast Guard in promoting boating safety. Articles may be reprinted only with the express consent of the author or photographer, with proper credit given to same. For permissions or for more information, please contact the editor, Dorothy Joan Riley, SO-PB, email address: dottieriley@gmail.com COVER: David Pliner, Flotilla 72 St. Petersburg (crew), holds the towline’s end during a training exercise conducted June 21, 2021. On the “vessel in distress” holding the towline is William Ackerman, Flotilla 7-16 Gulfport (crew). Daniel Helou (trainee) faces portside, and barely visible behind the helm is Tracy Adkins (crew), both Flotilla 72 St. Petersburg members. (United States Coast Guard Auxiliary photograph) 3
From the Helm “A grateful thank you to all exiting leaders for your service and God’s speed to all new officers.”
We have had a very trying and restrictive 18 months. We witnessed members and their families severely affected by COVID 19, creating many hardships and tragic situations. Our prayers go out to all our membership and extended families.
Tony Novellino Division Commander
We have been in a period of many “new normal.” Still, the spirit and fortitude of the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Division 7 continue thanks to the dedicated efforts of our members.
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As we close out 2021, we welcome new and old leadership to our flotillas, division, and district as some elections for officers for next year have been completed, and others will be held over the next several weeks. A grateful thank you to all exiting leaders for your service and God’s speed to all new officers.
Since our last publication and resumption of some activities, we have had success in our Vessel Exams, For all our Division 7 members, enjoy Commercial Fishing Vessel Exams, the fellowship, meetings, training Program visits, Culinary Assistant sessions and camaraderie. You are a and Public Education programs. Our member of a unique group of people section leaders have spearheaded helping to save lives. This gives us as online and Zoom training sessions. We have started and paused our boat an Auxiliary member special meaning.Ω crew training and Coxswain recertification efforts, but independent train- Members of Station St. Petersburg enjoy a ing continues. breakfast Oct. 27, served in their honor by We honored our Station St. Petersburg Coast Guard members with an Auxiliary sponsored appreciation breakfast. We planned our COVID limited Change of Watch ceremonies thanks to a handful of dedicated members. The Auxiliary is the Coast Guard’s dedicated volunteer corps with the opportunity to support the Coast Guard with Boater Safety, dockside and maritime missions. We volunteer our time, facilities, and
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resources through our public spirit, love of our country, and a more than an uncommon sense of civic duty. We expect and receive NO compensation, but pandemic or not, we serve. Semper Paratus
Division 7 Tampa Bay
Division 7. (USCG Auxiliary photograph)
From the Helm The critical importance of the lookout.
From my first experience after basic training at Cape May, New Jersey, getting underway on the Coast Guard Cutter Unimak, I was drilled on the critical importance of — the lookout! No vessel underway is ever truly “safe” without the vigilance of the lookout. As a member of the deck force, I was, of course, chipping, painting, holystoning, and polishing brass and learning small boat handling, tying knots, and a myriad of other unpleasant but necessary skills. Eventually, I was ordered to the 1st District, Boston Harbor, to board the CGC Edisto, WAGB 284, Icebreaker….I moved to Quartermaster “striker” - so I was on the bridge learning celestial navigation (no GPS,) how to read nav charts, using azimuth tables, and star plates from the pages of American Practical Navigator by Bowditch, and becoming “expert” Helmsman, during both Operation Arctic East (Thule, Greenland) and Operation Deep Freeze (McMurdo Station, Antarctica) On the bridge, we honestly did not take the messages of our meager instruments over the visual reporting of our lookouts. Standing on the bow, in the fog, or rain, reporting with a sound-powered phone, or on either wing of the bridge, shouting approaching vessels, navigation aids, or potential hazards like icebergs and
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ice fields, we trusted our lookouts. In these past months as Division Vice Commander, I have very heavily relied on the D7 “lookout,” my Commander Anthony Novellino. Tony has had decades of problem-solving, compassionate listening, thoughtful counseling to subordinates, and vision casting for teams entrusted to his care. In January, the mantle of leadership passes to me as Division Commander, and I will be ready. I believe that “school is never out for the pro,” and I’ve listened and watched and learned from Tony and what valuable time it has been. We have developed a genuine friendship and camaraderie. Through teamwork in flotilla operations, my friend and newly elected Division 7 Vice Commander, Dean Hoskin, who also has a close friendship with Tony, as we anticipate stepping up to the Division Bridge, we will still have the richness of Tony’s experience upon which to call. Additionally, in Division 7, we have an unsung heroine, our esteemed District Captain West, Ms. Antionette Borman. Toni is ALWAYS available, ALWAYS reinforcing mandates, ALWAYS clarifying, synthesizing, and ensuring that her area of responsibility is well informed. We don’t say often enough just how valuable and important she is to the mission.
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Daniel Helou Division Vice Commander
On the horizon, we anticipate some mitigation of the COVID restrictions, new growth from the Auxiliary University Program, our developing partnership with Sea Scouts, and our renewed energy and motivation, knowing the past nearly two years have stolen much of our momentum. So look out for new opportunities to serve, look out for new prospective members, and look out for each other with respect, tenderness, and encouragement. Be a “force multiplier” to your flotilla. Ω
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Division 7 Resumes Crew Training
Back on the Water Again! By Daniel Helou and Dorothy Riley Photos submitted by Daniel Helou Many people join the Auxiliary to become crew qualified and participate in on-the-water missions. Unfortunately, the COVID stand-down put a hold on all face-to-face training. More qualification courses were made available online, but crew training requires in-person participation. Thanks to the vaccine, members can once again become boat crew qualified. At least two members are presently in training: Daniel Helou from Flotilla 72 St. Petersburg (our Division Vice Commander) and Anne Marie Woolsey from Flotilla 78 Gulfport. They rigorously practice all of the personal qualification standards which they must master to qualify for boat crew. The tasks include but are not limited to long and short tow of a disabled vessel, side by side towing (aside), search and rescue, man overboard drills using datum in water, reviewing search pattern course calculator, lookout training and crew reporting. One of the ealiest training missions was conducted June 21 2021, in Tampa Bay. Participants included Dean Hoskin, coxswain from Flotilla 72 St. Petersburg, aboard his facility Duty Calls. Tracy Adkins from Flotilla 72 St. Petersburg and Bill Ackerman from Flotilla 7-16 Gulfport served as crew. The trainee was Daniel Helou from Flotilla 72.
aboard his vessel Sue Sea Q from Flotilla 78 St. Pete Beach, was the second vessel. Anne-Marie Woolsey from Flotilla 78 was the trainee with Chuck Mills from Flotilla 77 Polk County and David Pliner from Flotilla 72 St. Petersburg serving as crew. No doubt the sun on their skin and the salt spray was a tremendous reprieve after the long COVID shut down. Ω Note: With the COVID-19 D variant raging throughout Florida, be sure to follow CDC guidelines: get vaccinated, wear a mask in indoor group settings, wash your hands frequently and maintain social distancing.
Anthony Novellino, the coxswain
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CAPTIONS- Above: Dean Hoskin, coxswain, on the radio of Duty Calls, with crew members David Pliner, Flotilla 72 St. Petersburg, and William Ackerman, Flotilla 7-16 Gulfport for the crew training mission June 21 2021. Near-right: Dean Hoskin’s facility tows Anthony Novellino’s facility Sue Sea Q during a training exercise June 21 2021. Far-right top and page bottom: David Pliner, Flotilla 72 St. Petersburg, (crew) in the foreground during a training exercise conducted June 21 2021. On the “vessel in distress” are William Ackerman, Flotilla 7-16 Gulfport (crew), Daniel Helou (trainee), Tracy Adkins (crew), both members of Flotilla 72 St. Petersburg. Far-right, mid-page: The crew of Duty Calls: Dean Hoskin, coxswain, Tracy Adkins (crew), Daniel Helou, (trainee) all from Flotilla 72 St. Petersburg, and crewmember Bill Ackerman from Flotilla 7-16 Gulfport during the crew training exercise June 21 2021. (All U.S.C.G. Auxiliary photographs by Daniel Helou and Anne Marie Woolsey.)
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Supporting our Coast Guard Partners
STATION ST. PETERSBURG CHANGE OF COMMAND Station St. Petersburg held a change of command ceremony June 17 2021, at Sector. CAPT Matthew Thompson, Commander, U.S.C.G. Sector St. Petersburg, relieved outgoing officer in charge, BMCS Timothy Abrams, and swore BMCS Nick Crews in as the station’s new officer in charge. U.S. Army Retired Master Sergeant, Rev. Rachel Hughes was scheduled to deliver the invocation, however, she was unable to attend and Daniel Helou, United States Coast Guard Auxiliary Division 7 Vice Commander stood on the podium and delivered the invocation in her place. Other Auxiliary members in attendance included Anthony Novellino, Division 7 Commander; Dean Hoskin, Flotilla 72 Commander, and Gordon Hornby, Flotilla 72 Vice Commander. From the program: “With summer in full swing, Coast Guard cutters, sectors, air stations and support units are not only seeing new weather, but new faces. During the summer months, what is often known as transfer season, members across the service take on new roles and assignments. “For many officers and senior enlisted, their new units will mark the first time they will have the opportunity to command a Coast Guard unit. That responsibility begins with their participation in the time-honored tradition of the change of command. “At the heart of a change of command ceremony is the reading of orders in the (Continued on page 9)
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(Continued from page 9) presence of the crew. The message is simple, but the inherent authority of the Commanding Officer is passed with the statements “”I relieve you ... I stand relieved.” “With those words and salutes exchanged in the presence of the crew, all who are present recognize the primary decision maker for the unit has changed. “…The change of command ceremony provides a time-honored simple ritual, remaining essentially unchanged for centuries of naval history. Signifying the transfer of responsibility, authority and accountability to the assembled crew, the tradition represents the Coast Guard men and women who have stated the words and assumed the command.” BMCS Nick Crews personal awards include three Coast Guard Commendation Medals, three Coast Guard Achievement Medals, two Commandant Letter of Commendations, six Coast Guard Good Conduct Medals and multiple unit/ team awards. He is a graduate of Senior Enlisted Leadership Course Session #85 and the U.S. Air Force Senior Noncommissioned Officer Academy (AFSNCOA). Senior Chief Crews has a bachelor’s degree in Organizational Management from Ashford University. He has been married for two years to Katy Crews from Whitefish, Montana They have one son: Silas,7 months old. His brother is the officer in charge at Coast Guard Station Michigan City, Indiana. Farewell Senior Chief Abrams and welcome Senior Chief Crews! Ω
Above: Daniel Helou, Division 7 Vice Commander, Tony Novellino, Division 7 Commander, Gordon Hornby, Flotilla 72 Vice Commander and Dean Hoskin, Flotilla 72 Commander present out-going officer in charge, BMCS Timothy Abrams (center) a parting gift for his support of Division 7 Auxiliary at the change of watch ceremony June 17, 2021, at Sector St. Petersburg. (Auxiliary photograph provided by Daniel Helou) Previous page: Daniel Helou, BMCS Timothy Abrams, BMCS Nick Crews and CAPT Matthew Thompson, Commander Sector St. Petersburg on the podium during the change of command ceremony June 17 2021, at Sector. (Photo provided by Daniel Helou)
About Station St. Petersburg Station St Petersburg was originally commissioned on the south side of Bayboro Harbor in 1928. When Coast Guard Air Station St. Petersburg was relocated to Clearwater in September 1976, Group and Station St. Petersburg offices were moved north to the vacated air station facilities across the harbor where both are located today. In 1976, the previous station boathouse was stood up as a separate Small Boat Station and all its support functions were transferred to Group St. Petersburg. May 9th, 1997 marked the beginning of Coast Guard Station St. Petersburg as it stands today. Station St. Petersburg is responsible for search and rescue and law enforcement efforts from Treasure Island to Egmont Key, including Tampa Bay, and serves as the lead agency for ports, waterways, and coastal security operations in the nationally strategic Port of Tampa. To execute its missions, the station maintains two 45-foot Response Boat -Mediums and three 29-foot Response Boat-Smalls. The station is currently allocated with 46 active duty enlisted and 36 reserve members. The unit is also supported by more than 300 members of the Coast Guard Auxiliary. Ω (Station history from the change of watch program.)
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Richard Strehl Flotilla 74 Brandon Submitted by William Sage, Flotilla Vice Commander Flotilla 74 Brandon Flotilla 74 Brandon appointed Rich Strehl Flotilla Staff Officer-Public Education in June 2021. Strehl joined the flotilla more than two years ago after attending a boating safety course taught by Galen Johnston. In no small part, the course and the instructor convinced Strehl that teaching boating safety was a worthwhile endeavor. He is currently active in completing the Auxiliary instructor program and becoming instructor qualified with the goal of building a team of instructors to staff the flotilla’s Public Education program. Strehl has been boating on Tampa Bay since he was a child. Since age 10, he spent many days boating Apollo Beach’s canals and eventually the Southshore area of Tampa Bay in his 13-foot Boston Whaler. These days, Rich and his family enjoy boating in Tampa Bay and the nearby Intracoastal Waterways in their 17-foot Boston Whaler Montauk Gratitude.
Top: Richard Strehl, the Brandon flotilla’s new Flotilla Staff Officer-Public Education takes a selfie in front of his 17-foot Boston Whaler, Gratitude. Bellow: The Strehl family, Cheyenne, Ricky and Jen aboard Richard Strehl’s vessel, Gratitude. Photos provided by Richard Strehl
As experienced as he is, Strehl is quick to share that he is always learning, and safe boating requires continued education. He likes showing others safe ways to enjoy, what he considers, his favorite pastime. Strehl owns a local business helping people with retirement planning and lives in Brandon with his wife, Jen and two children, Cheyenne and Ricky. Ω 10
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Become Auxiliary Instructor qualified. The Auxiliary Instructor program qualifies members as Instructors for public education (PE) and member training (MT) courses. We need you! Find information about becoming Auxiliary Instructor qualified at: http://wow.uscgaux. info/content.php?unit=T-DEPT
Division 7 Tampa Bay
When conducting Recreational Boating Safety Activities-
Remember to tell boaters about the Coast Guard Mobile app! The USCG Boating Safety App features include: • • • • • • • • • •
Find the latest safety regulations Request a vessel safety check Check your safety equipment File a float plan Navigation Rules Find the nearest NOAA buoy Report a hazard Report pollution Report suspicious activity Request emergency assistance
As the nation’s recreational boating safety coordinator, the Coast Guard works to minimize loss of life, personal injury, property damage, and environmental harm. Our boating safety program involves public education programs, regulation of boat design and construction, approval of boating safety equipment, and vessel safety checks for compliance with federal and state safety requirements. The Coast Guard Mobile App supports these missions by providing the essential services and information most commonly requested by boaters.
requests; navigation rules; float plans; and calling features to report pollution or suspicious activity. When location services are enabled, users can receive the latest weather reports from the closest National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration weather buoys as well as report the location of a hazard on the water. The app also features an Emergency Assistance button which, with locations services enabled, will call the closest Coast Guard command center. The Boating Safety Mobile app was not designed to replace a boater’s marine VHF radio, which the Coast Guard strongly recommends all boaters have aboard their vessels. The app was mainly designed to provide additional boating safety resources for mobile device users. The app is self-contained, so personal information is stored on the phone and is not sent to the Coast Guard unless the user chooses to send it. The Coast Guard does not track a user’s location, and the app does not track a user’s location unless the app is being used. The app is available for iOS or Android. https://uscgboating.org/mobile/
Features of the app include: state boating information; a safety equipment checklist; free boating safety check INTERCOM
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Farewell to Clifford J. Martin “Old soldiers never die— they just fade away.” Dorothy Riley, SO-PB7
Members of the Marine Corps color guard fold the U.S. flag before presenting it to the family of Clifford J. Martin at the July 16, 2021 funeral service at Bay Pines National Cemetery in St Petersburg. Martin, who died July 5, 2021, was a 26-year member of the Coast Guard Auxiliary Flotilla 79 Tampa. U.S.C.G. Auxiliary photo by Terry Hershman.
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“O
ld soldiers never die--they just fade away.”
So ended Gen. Douglas MacArthur’s farewell address, and so ended the life and career of Auxiliary member, Clifford J. Martin.
Clifford J. Martin October 17, 1931 - July 5, 2021 Division 7 members who completed boat crew training prior to 2016 are familiar with Cliff Martin in the classroom, at dockside and and at poolside for the swim qualification examination portion of crew training. U.S.C.G. Auxiliary photos
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Guard and Auxiliary awards in addition to many others not captured by the Auxiliary Data System. He attended and completed 128 trainings and workshops. Between March 1 2002, and March 30 2016 and completed 10,404 hours. This reflects only four years of his 26 years of service. Though small in stature, Martin was a mountain of a man.
Martin retired from the U.S. Marine Corps a Sergeant Major and many Auxiliary members and active-duty Guardians affectionately called him by Martin’s wife June’s health failed in this moniker. He joined the Auxiliary 2015 and true to MacArthur’s word, May 1995. Martin faded from the Auxiliary as True to his Marine training, Martin he stayed home to care for her until brought his discipline to Division 7 her death. He made occasional rare Coast Guard Auxiliary. While Marappearance in 2015 and 2016, but he tin served in many elected and staff never resigned and never enjoyed a office positions within the division, he congratulatory farewell. He never left. is best known for his longest serving He just faded away. positions as Operations and Member Martin crossed the bar never to return Training division staff officers. More than any other member of the Auxilia- July 5, 2021. His Requiem Mass was Friday, July 16, 2021, at St. Patrick ry, unifying the division’s flotillas and Catholic Church in Tampa. He was ending sometimes bitter rivalries can interred later that day at Bay Pines be credited to his initiation of division-wide training, most notably boat National Cemetery in St Petersburg. Auxiliary members attending included crew training. Terry Hershman, Peter Lore, Betty While not active during the last five Hagan, Charles Lambeth, Heleyde years of his membership, during his Aponte and Kathleen Heide.Ω first 21 years Martin earned 48 Coast
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Above: Cliff and June Martin at the Flotilla 79 Tampa holiday party in December 2007. Reprinted from SevenNiner, December 2007 issue, Dorothy Riley, editor and photographer. Left: Cliff Martin stands at the Gandy boat ramp in front of Flotilla 79 Tampa in this photo from 2011 by George Papabeis.
“As If the Sea Should Part” Emily Dickinson As if the Sea should part And show a further Sea— And that—a further—and the Three But a presumption be— Of Periods of Seas— Unvisited of Shores— Themselves the Verge of Seas to be— Eternity—is Those—
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—Fair winds and following seas, our dear shipmate.
DID YOU KNOW...
Popeye the Sailor Man was originally
Popeye the Coast Guardsman By Blake Stilwell, “We Are the Mighty”
This may seem like blasphemy to some, but Popeye started his professional career as a civilian mariner and then Coast Guardsman. The famous sailor did join the Navy, but as of 1937, Popeye was firmly in the Coast Guard. A two-reel feature titled Popeye the Sailor meets Ali Baba’s Forty Thieves introduces Popeye serving at a Coast Guard station. The sailor man’s creator did not live to see the United States enter World War II, but it was in 1941 that his creation joined the Navy and the legend of Popeye the rough and tumble U.S. Navy sailor was born. Popeye the Sailor meets Ali Baba’s Forty Thieves wasn’t Popeye’s first feature. He started life as a character in the comic strip Thimble Theater in 1929, a comic actually centered around his off-and-on girlfriend, Olive Oyl. When it became obvious that Popeye was the real star, he made a jump to feature films. In the aforementioned 1937 film is when we see Popeye in the Coast Guard, on guard duty and deploying to intercept “Abu Hassan” (aka Bluto), who is terrorizing the Middle East. Click on lower image to watch 17 min. video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=miw_Jw7j2sE)
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Source: http://about.wearethemighty.com/
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The Coast Guard Needs Your Help Seeking Auxiliary members willing to undertake the Unispected Passenger Vessel Examination Program GERALD BANACH Flotilla Staff Officer-Member Training, Flotilla 74 Brandon Uninspected Passenger Vessel Examiner (AUXUPV) is one of the USCG Auxiliary Trident Program qualifications for direct support and augmentation of the USCG active forces US Coast Guard Sector. Auxiliary Uninspected Passenger Vessel (UPV) Examiner Performance Qualification Standard (PQS) The first requirement for UPVE candidates is to complete all the Marine Safety Training Ribbon courses. These pre-requisites are all available online and are the basics for Marine Safety.
DIRAUX that the member completed the course requirements. Course requirements are: •
Good Mate
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Introduction to Marine Safety and Environmental Protection (IMSEP.)
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ICS 100
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ICS 200
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Either ICS 210 or ICS 300 (non-CG courses acceptable for ICS 300. ICS 210 is available from CG only.)
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IS 700
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IS 800
Marine Safety Training Ribbon The Marine Safety Training Ribbon is awarded for completing all educational requirements for the Auxiliary Marine Safety (Trident) device. Once a member completes all courses, the member then completes an application for the ribbon award and forwards it to their District Staff Officer-Marine Safety (or other designated routing if required by their District). AUXDATA does not automatically notify
Application for Marine Safety Training Ribbon (MSTR) is available by clicking this link: (Continued on next page)
Marine Safety Training Program
Like the three-pronged Marine Safety Insignia shown above, the Marine Safety Training Program, formerly known as the Trident Training Program, is a three-pronged training, consisting of education, qualifications and service. Courses required include Introduction to Marine Safety and Environmental Protection (a two-point AUXOP course), Good Mate, ICS 100, 200, 210 or 300, 700 and 800. Members must earn four qualifications from a list of 24 found on the Prevention Directorate website and then provide a minimum of 96 hours of service each year for five years as recorded in AUXDATA. This Marine Safety Insignia indicates a high degree of knowledge, proficiency and dedication, as well as professionalism on the part of the wearer. Ω
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Marine Safety and Environmental Protection http://wow.uscgaux.info/Uploads_wowII/P-DEPT/ mribbonapplication.pdf (Note: must be signed in to view/access form.) Additionally, if the member completes four (4) Marine Safety Performance Qualification Standards and completes 5 years of service in support of Marine Safety missions, they are eligible for the award of the Auxiliary Marine Safety (Trident) device.
Uninspected Passenger Vessel (UPV) A vessel not subject to inspection by the Coast Guard under 46 USC 3301, less than 100 GTs: •
Carrying no more than six passengers, including at least one passenger for hire, or
•
Chartered with the crew provided by the owner or owner’s representative and carrying six or fewer passengers. 46 USC 2101(42)(B)
UPVs may also include vessels over 100 GTs but less than 300 GTs that carry not more than 12 passengers, with at least one being a passenger for hire. Refer to the USCG guide, Addendum Uninspected Passenger Vessels over 100 GTs but less than 300 GTs that carry 12 or fewer passengers for hire.
The Good Mate Program Is relevant to all Auxiliary missions.
A Coast Guard investigating officer terminates the voyage of a 47-foot uninspected passenger vessel with 15 passengers for hire in St. Petersburg, Florida June 20, 2020. Uninspected passenger vessels are only permitted by Coast Guard regulations to carry six passengers for hire with a master who holds a Merchant Mariner Credential. (U.S. Coast Guard photo by Petty Officer 1st Class Ayla Hudson.)
Marine Safety:
Becoming a Pollution Responder for the Red Tide Phillip Creter, Flotilla 78 St. Pete Beach Reprinted from Scuttlebutt, July 2021 issue, newsletter for Flotilla 78 St. Pete Beach, Anne Marie Woolsey, editor.
For Red Tide status maps go to: https://www.myfwc.com/ research/redtide/statewide For information about the Auxiliary Introduction to Marine Safety programs go to: http://pdept.cgaux.org/Documents/Active/Prevention/ Training/IMSEP.pdf
In 2003, my wife, Edie and I moved to the Broadwater Neighborhood in St. Petersburg, a couple of miles east from St. Pete Beach near Eckerd College and Maximo Marina across the Boca Ciega Bay. The neighborhood had 530 homes with about half on ten different canals accessing the Bay. We lived on the main north canal, and whatever happens in Boca Ciega Bay water happens in our backyard. We enjoyed living on the water until 2018 when Red Tide attacked our waters creating respiratory distress, killed marine life and filled our canals with dead sea grass and dead fish. Conditions turned so bad that Pinellas County hired various fishing boats to harvest the dead fish. This horrible event motivated me to attend the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary Sector St. Petersburg Responder College in a class to become a Pollution Responder along with my Flotilla 78 colleagues Ron Shouse, Roger Gilmore (who left the flotilla end of 2020), George DeSchryver, and Dennis Sedlak. Terry Hershman, our prior Division 7 Commander, was also in our class. During our course, we were intro-
duced to Karen Henschen, Volunteer Coordinator for the Red Tide Monitoring Program (Fish and Wildlife Institute, Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission). Upon request, she would send us FEDEX kits which included sampling supplies, 10 sample bottles, packing material, and prepaid FEDEX pouches and shipping labels. I started sending in samples routinely from late 2018 until COVID-19 restrictions in March 2020 stopped us from performing these Marine Science missions. In total, I was able to collect 55 samples accounting for 15 Marine Science Missions with 44 hours of U.S. Coast Guard credits. I have resumed sending in samples on a more routine basis due to the recent resurgence of red tide in our local waters. This valuable data from volunteers like me help the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission to gauge the levels of red tide across Florida. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Volunteer Red Tide Monitoring Program: https://myfwc. com/research/redtide/monitoring/offshore-monitoring/ Ω
Photograph courtesy of U.S. Coast Guard 18
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While Red Tide may lhave an almost surreal beauty when viewed from above, it is deadly to marine life and often causes moderate to severe respiratory distress in humans. This is an instance in which the picture may not lie, but it does not tell the whole story. In July 2021, 600 tons of dead fish were removed from St. Petersburg beaches alone.
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Boat crew members and crew trainees from Flotilla 72 St. Petersburg and Flotilla 78 St. Pete Beach supported the 9/11 Day of Remembrance Ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial at Madeira Beach Patriot Park. Boats filled the waters, proudly displaying hundreds of American flags blowing in the wind. Numerous guest speakers told their stories and experiences about what the tragedy of 9/11 meant to them. Attendees sang the National Anthem and offered prayers, and bagpipes resonated throughout the observance. During the heartfelt ceremony, the Flotilla 72 facility with its crew remained vigilant on the water representing the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary with great pride.
According to the Gabber publication (2020), “The Madeira Beach 9/11 Memorial is designed in the shape of the U.S. Pentagon and contains elements that represent the events of September 11, 2001, in the order in which they occurred. Four panels in the center represent American Airlines Flight 11, United Airlines Flight 175, American Airlines Flight 77, and United Airlines Flight 93. The walls stand 9 feet, 11 inches tall, 3000 laser-cut holes in a wall of steel honors the victims of the attacks, while a steel beam from the World Trade Center at the heart of the memorial serves as a reminder “never to forget” Ω
9/11 Day of Remembrance From SCUTTLEBUTT, newsletter Flotilla 78 St. Pete Beach, Anne-Marie Woolsey, editor.
Boats filled the waters, proudly displaying hundreds of American flags blowing in the wind.
Boats proudly displaying hundreds of American flags blowing in the wind fill the waters during the 9/11 Day of Remembrance Ceremony at the 9/11 Memorial at Madeira Beach Patriot Park. Photo by Anne-Marie Woolsey
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For the last five years, Patricia, dog Nala, and Gerard have enjoyed living as Clearwater retirees. Their family has grown with the addition of five granddaughters, and they are spread along the East Coast from New York City to Bethesda, Md., to Melbourne, Fl.
Gerard Gaudry
Today, sailing is his main activity, and they have been cruising the Gulf of Mexico from Tampa Bay to the Dry Tortugas. Lately, they purchased a faster boat and also competed in local races.
Flotilla 7-16 Gulfport From THE BEACON, Newsletter Flotilla 7-16 Gulfport, Marcella Ruso, editor Gerard Gaudry received a master’s in Chemical Engineering in 1976. He started his career with a large American company that transferred the entire family (wife Patricia, daughter Aurelie and sons Damien and Quentin, and dog Alix) to Boston, Massachusetts., area in 1985. He joined the managing team of an international battery component business and traveled to South Korea, Japan, Thailand, and India.
George Bartuska Flotilla 79 Tampa From SCUTTLEBUTT, newsletter Flotilla 78 St. Pete Beach, Anne-Marie Woolsey, editor.
Gerrard Gaudry. Undated photo from THE BEACON, Newsletter Flotilla 7-16 Gulfport, Marcella Ruso, editor
Looking into volunteering, he found that enrolling in the United States Coast Guard Auxiliary was a perfect fit. Gerard is very interested in participating in Search and Rescue activities, environmental protection, promoting safety on the water, and further developing his boating education.
Gerard and Patricia also started an Information Technology business specializing in hosting Java applications Gaudry serves the flotilla as both in the late 90s. They became AmeriFlotilla Staff Officer-Public Affairs and can citizens in the year 2000. Materials. Ω special was produced by Florida Aviation Network Studio in Orlando, Florida Saturday, June 26. The studio is in the Lowery Satellite Services Complex in Orlando, Florida.
A certified George Bartuska, “The Weather Man,” on the set of Florida instructor for Aviation Network June 26, 2021. Click on image to watch the George Bartuska is widely known as Coastal Marine video. (Video screen capture) “The Weather Guy,” Weather, he Bartuska constantly promotes The Florida Aviation Network host Lori teaches AuxiliaBradner welcomed George Bartuska, ry Weather and also teaches weather boating safety in all his media appearances. He is presently working to the Coast Guard. Additionally, he Commander, Flotilla 79 Tampa, “The towards a Doctorate in Business has been an instructor at the new Weather Guy” to a special segment Administration with the goal of Central Florida Aerospace Academy on weather basics airing June 27, working and teaching in the field of since 2008 where he teaches Engi2021. This is the time of year when we become more aware of hurricanes neering, Aerospace, and Earth-Space Emergency Management and Meteorology.Ω Science. and thunderstorms in Florida. The INTERCOM
Fall 2021
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COVID Face Masks Nobody likes wearing face masks, so why not use humor to cope with them?
DOROTHY RILEY, SO-PB 7 Nobody likes wearing protective face masks, but they may be with us for a while. Yelling at social media posts or people we run into in stores will not end the need to wear masks any sooner. What to do? Use humor, our flair for art, or pride in what we cherish to cope with our frustrations. In our ‘civilian’ lives, we wear masks that suit our tastes and interests. No doubt we have all seen some pretty funny masks or ones with beautiful images printed on the outer layer. Others may bear the logos of our favorite teams or organizations. While in an Auxiliary uniform, we must wear blue, black, or neutral-colored masks, but what do you wear to go shopping? Show us your mask! Show us the funny ones or those that tell others what you care about most. Take a selfie while wearing your mask. The best part is you do not have to concern yourself about your appearance because the mask covers your face. Please send them to me via text message, email, or post the photos to my Facebook page.
My favorite mask. Photo by Dottie Riley
Let’s use humor to cope with this dagnabbit mask requirement!
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention mask guidelines
INTERCOM
Division 7 Tampa Bay
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Mark Your Calendars! November and December offer many holidays and special events. While many of our flotillas are not yet meeting in person, we remind you about upcoming holidays. Several offer opportunities to participate online and in person. Thursday, November 11, 2021 Thursday, November 25, 2021 Saturday, December 11, 2021 Saturday, December 18, 2021 Friday, December 24, 2021 Saturday, December 25, 2021
Veteran’s Day Thanksgiving Day Change of Watch National Wreaths Across America Day Christmas Day (observed) Christmas Day
Toys for Tots
Our flotillas usually collect toy donations at meetings. In the absence of meetings, you can make online donations to support this cause. https://www.toysfortots.org/Default.aspx Mark your calendars now for the 2021 Holiday Lighted Boat Parades! Tampa (https://thetampariverwalk.com/events-news/events/holiday-lighted-boat-parade.html) Date: Saturday, December 18, 2021 Rain Date: Sunday, December 19, 2021 Time: 6:00 PM Gulfport and Boca Ciega Yacht Club’s Holiday Boat Parade 2021 Date TBD Have your cameras ready- or take pictures with your smartphone.
INTERCOM
Fall 2021
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DIVISION NEWS Flotilla 75 Apollo Beach If Division 7 Tampa Bay had an annual award for community service, it could go to Flotilla 75 Apollo Beach for their community outreach with veteran’s groups, environmental protection efforts and other endeavors.
Larry Binder and Pat Stone, members of Flotilla 75 Apollo Beach aiding in the removal of invasive species Oct. 22 around Salt Marsh Lake. Photo: Steve Browning Facebook page.
On Oct. 22, 2021, several members of the flotilla and their colleagues spent four hours helping their great friends at Sun Coast Youth Conservation Center by weeding and removing invasive plants and trees around the Salt Marsh Lake. Steven Browning reports that this center and their Manatee center will be opening to the public Nov. 1, after being closed two years because of the pandemic. We applaud Maryann and Sonny Palmer and their friends, Kemper Meade,
Larry Binder and Pat Stone for getting all sweaty and covered with plant seeds, thorns, mud and dodging the varmints. Such a great feeling to help your small community. Ω Source: Steve Browning Flotilla 75 Apollo Beach Facebook page
Flotilla 7-16 Gulfport The flotilla resumes Public Affairs and community outreach at the Gulfport Tuesday Market in Gulfport’s historic downtown district. The members of Flotilla 7-16 Gulf-
port invite the public to stop by and sign up for a boat inspection or a safe boating class. (Source: Flotilla 7-16 Facebook page)
Abovet: Bill Zinner,a member of Flotilla 7-16 at the Tuesday Market in Gulfport. Left: Flotilla 7-16 building in Gulfport.Photos from Flotilla 7-16 Gulfport Facebook page
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INTERCOM
Division 7 Tampa Bay
2020 Recreational Boating Safety Statistics The Coast Guard Boating Safety Division has released Recreational Boating Statistics 2020. This publication is a result of the coordinated effort of the Coast Guard, all 50 states and the territories that have federally approved boat numbering and casualty reporting systems. The report is cause for alarm The numbers contained in the new report set off alarms throughout the Coast Guard and the Coast Guard Auxiliary by showing a major increase in recreational boating accidents, injuries, and deaths in 2020 compared to 2019.
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Alcohol use is the leading known contributing factor in fatal boating accidents; where the primary cause was known, it was listed as the leading factor in 18% of deaths.
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Where instruction was known, 77% of deaths occurred on boats where the operator did not receive boating safety instruction. Only 12% percent of deaths occurred on vessels where the operator was known to have received a nationally approved boating safety education certificate.
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There were 247 accidents in which at least one person was struck by a propeller. Collectively, these accidents resulted in 39 deaths and 241 injuries.
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Operator inattention, operator inexperience, improper lookout, excessive speed, and machinery failure rank as the top five primary contributing factors in accidents.
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Where data was known, the most common vessel types involved in reported accidents were open motorboats (46%), personal watercraft (22%), and cabin motorboats (13%).
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Where data was known, the vessel types with the highest percentage of deaths were open motorboats (50%), kayaks (15%), and pontoons (9%).
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The 11,838,188 recreational vessels registered by the states in 2020 represent a 0.34% decrease from last year when 11,878,542 recreational vessels were registered. Ω
In Summary: •
In calendar year 2020, the Coast Guard counted 5,265 accidents that involved 767 deaths, 3,191 injuries and approximately $62.5 million dollars of damage to property as a result of recreational boating accidents.
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There is evidence that boating activity rose significantly during the pandemic, from reports of increased boat sales, insurance policies taken out, insurance claims, and calls for towing assistance. The Coast Guard is analyzing variables associated with boating activity to normalize accident data.
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Numerous states cited difficulties registering boats due to office closures during the pandemic. The Coast Guard did not perform any statistical adjustments to state figures.
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The fatality rate was 6.5 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels. This rate represents a 25% increase from the 2019 fatality rate of 5.2 deaths per 100,000 registered recreational vessels.
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Compared to 2019, the number of accidents increased 26.3%, the number of deaths increased 25.1%, and the number of injuries increased 24.7%.
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Where cause of death was known, 75% of fatal boating accident victims drowned. Of those drowning victims with reported life jacket usage, 86% were not wearing a life jacket.
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Where length was known, eight out of every ten boaters who drowned were using vessels less than 21 feet in length.
INTERCOM
Fall 2021
Download a copy of the complete 2020 Recreational Boating Statistics at: https://uscgboating.org/library/ accident-statistics/Recreational-Boating-Statistics-2020-Revised.pdf
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Since 1924, Coast Guard Mutual Assistance has served as a vital source of support for the entire Coast Guard community. Almost a hundred years later, our mission remains unchanged. In this challenging and uncertain time, our Coast Guard men and women can rest assured that CGMA is here for them. Thank you for considering a donation to Coast Guard Mutual Assistance. Support at all levels helps meet the comprehensive needs of the entire Coast Guard family through disaster and emergency relief, family support and education assistance. Giving opportunities are available in many areas of interest, and however you choose to make your donation —through a onetime gift, allotment or recurring donation, major gift or by including CGMA in your planned giving— your gift makes a difference. Find out more at: https://www.cgmahq.org/give.html
GIVE NOW > > https://secure.qgiv.com/for/cgma/
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INTERCOM
Division 7 Tampa Bay