Division 7 Tampa Bay
USCG Auxiliary
Spring 2022
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CONTENTS 4
From the Helm Daniel Helou, DCDR 7
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The Battlecruiser Georgios Averof George Papabeis
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MacDill Airfest 2022 Anne-Marie Woolsey
10 Division 7 Auxiliarists Assist Coast Guard Recruiting. Dorothy Riley
11 SUN ‘n FUN Returns to Lakeland.
12 Florida Manatees Are Dying at Alarming Rates Dorothy Riley
14 Florida Hurricane Season: June 1 until November 30
15 Hurricane Supply Kit
National Safe Boating Week
May 21-27, 2022 Are You Prepared?
16 NOAA Marine Charts Are Available Online- FREE! Dorothy Riley
17 Public Education Within Division 7 James Fogle
18 Admiral Linda L. Fagan
nominated to be first woman to serve as Commandant of the Coast Guard
19 Communications Howard Bush
20 Bits n’ Pieces
National Safe Boating Week
22 CGMA
INTERCOM
Newsletter for Division 7 Tampa Bay, District 7, USCG Auxiliary Spring 2022
Division 7 Elected Officers 2022 Div 7 Div 7 Div 7
Division Commander Division Vice Commander Immed. Past Division Commander
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
Daniel Helou, CMDR Dean Hoskin, VCDR Anthony Novellino, IPDCDR Jack Lee, FC George Hornby III, VFC William Sage, FC Brenda Nanius, VFC Gary Mull, FC Eliezer Eliot Seda, VFC John Laurent, FC Gilbert Thomas, VFC Rollin Shouse, FC Anne-Marie Woolsey, VFC J. Michael Shea, FC George Bartuska, VFC William Zinner, FC Howard Bush, VFC
Division 7 Appointed Staff 2022 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 Auxiliary Scout Program
Howard Bush, SO-CM Robert Witty, SO-DS John Kline, SO-DV Catherine Campbell-Heroux, SO-FN Patrick McAlvey, SO-FS John Robbins, SO-IS Daniel Helou, SO-HR Anthony Hooper, SO-MA John Laurent, SO-MS Rollin Shouse, SO-MT Anthony Hooper, SO-NS Anthony Novellino, SO-OP Daniel Helou, SO-PA 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-AS Richard Hockinson,SO-AS
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: A line carefully coiled on a deck. Photo by Stephane Yaich on Unsplash, icense free to use.
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Division 7, District 7 USCG Auxiliary
FROM THE HELM “A warrior’s mission is to foster the success of others.”
Daniel Helou Division Commander
One of the most important roles any Auxiliary leader can play is that of a recruiter. This is not only adding members to the mission but also searching for your own replacement. Clearly, I have already identified my successor, Dean Hoskin, Division Vice Commander, my wingman, with whom I have developed a great friendship, and in whom I have complete confidence. As division commander, I have enjoyed a professional yet cordial relationship with Toni Borman, District Captain -West who has consistently demonstrated her devotion to those under her care and leadership. Division and flotilla officers need to be actively searching for that person who is qualified, willing, and able to step into your shoes. In his address at National Training in St. Louis, Admiral Karl Schultz, Commandant of the Coast Guard, noted that the Auxiliary has lost approximately 4,600 members since the start of the pandemic for various reasons besides aging out. However, he simply said, “let’s snap a chalk line, this is where we are, and now let’s go forward.” He also mentioned that whenever he visits Coast Guard Bootcamp
Background photo: Maxamilian Weisbecker, Unspash, License free to use
at Cape May, N.J. he asked the cadets “what brought you to the Coast Guard?” The response he gets 95% of the time is ‘my grandfather, father, brother was in the Coast Guard’ or, they knew someone in the Auxiliary, went to a meeting, had a boating class. We are having an impact – we are making a difference! Division 7 is so rich with talent, energy, gender diversity, experience – both private sector and military, but it’s my impression that the “glue” that binds us all is our dedication to the mission-public education, recreational boating safety, and being a force multiplier for the Coast Guard. We are certainly not in it for the money. Our flotilla commanders and flotilla vice commanders are working together to accomplish great things for the country, the Coast Guard and the Auxiliary: Jack Lee, Flotilla Commander with Gordon Hornby, Flotilla Vice Commander Flotilla 72, St. Petersburg; Bill Sage, Flotilla Commander with Dottie Riley, Flotilla Vice Commander, Flotilla 74, Brandon; Gary Mull, Flotilla Commander with Elliott
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Seda, Flotilla Vice Commander, Flotilla 75, Apollo Beach; John Laurent, Flotilla Commander, with Gil Thomas, Flotilla Vice Commander, Flotilla 77, Polk County; Ron Shouse, Flotilla Commander with Anne Marie Woolsey, Flotilla Vice Commander Flotilla 78, St. Pete Beach; Mike Shea, Flotilla Commander with George Bartuska, Flotilla Vice Commander Flotilla 79, Tampa; Bill Zinner, Flotilla Commander with Howard Bush, Flotilla Vice Commander Flotilla 7-16, Gulfport are all great partnerships, working together. Most recently, our mission profile has expanded to include members in training to become certified as pollution responders. Others are interested in the Coast Guard’s call out for volunteers to study automatic identification (AI) image recognition technology of vessels underway, some members are striving to become licensed drone pilots and have already “flown” practice surveillance/ search missions. Additionally, the Auxiliary University Program (AUP) is finally lifting off and gathering momentum. Thanks to our partnerships
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with Coast Guard Recruiting and AUP action officer, John Kline, we’re in early talks with Eckerd College search and rescue, about the possibility of a “Remote Collaborative Unit” starting on that campus. An in-person visit from Auxiliary University Program National Branch Chief Russell Gasdia simply expanded our thinking and is largely responsible for the birth of a new AUP unit. Many thanks to Tony Novellino, Immediate Past Division Commander for agreeing to be the point of contact for our booth at MacDill Air Force Base “Air Fest” featuring the astounding Blue Angels precision flight team. Several members staffed the information table and reinforced our presence in the mind of the public. Additionally, John Laurent, Flotilla Commander and Gil Thomas, Flotilla Vice Commander Flotilla 77, Polk County organized Auxiliary participation at the “FUN ‘n SUN” air show and expo reaching out to the public and reminding boaters to wear life jackets, file a float plan, and check all equipment, etc. And of course, inviting them to join the Auxiliary.
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Many thanks to Toni Borman, District Captain-West who partnered with Capt. Thompson, Sector Commander, and his executive staff, who created and are now celebrating an Auxiliarist of each Quarter, from whom an Auxiliarist of the Year will be selected by Sector St. Pete. Division 7 hosted the Coast Guard Band in concert here in St. Petersburg at the Palladium on 5th Ave. N. The concert was spectacular and well attended… and there were more Coast Guard Veterans in the house than were represented by any other military branch. Bravo Zulu! Respectfully,
Daniel Helou Daniel Helou, Division 7 Commander
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Division 7, District 7 USCG Auxiliary
The ship that changed Hellenic naval history:
The Battlecruiser Georgios Averof George Papabeis, Flotilla 74, Brandon ed vessels. In 1908, the Italian navy commissioned three Pisa class heavy cruisers designed by Giuseppe Orlando. The first two were completed and delivered to the Regia Marina, the Italian navy. The third vessel was put up for sale before completion. Greek merchant and philanthropist Georgios Averof offered a sizable deposit of one-third of the total value of the ship from his personal funds to secure the vessel. The remainder of the funding came from the Greek government. The Hellenic navy received the vessel May 16, 1911, and was dispatched to participate in the Coronation naval review of King George V and to take on ammunition. Unfortunately, she ran aground in Spithead and had to be dry-docked for repairs. The vessel commander was replaced by Captain Pavlos Kountouriotis, who later became vice admiral of the Hellenic navy and the president of Greece.
W
hile scouting a location for filming in Greece last summer, I found myself at the maritime museum at Floisvos at Palaio Faliro, just south of Athens. First among the moored vessels was the legendary battleship “Georgios (George) Averof.” The Averof was instrumental in forging new political and geographical frontiers for Greece.
At the turn of the 20th century, the Hellenic navy (Greek navy) had a small, limited force of antiquat-
The naval victories during the First Balkan War of December 1912 (Battle of Elli) and January 1913 (Battle of Limnos) cemented the battleship in history. The Georgios Averof used its speed, maneuverability, and the courage and savvy of Captain Sofoklis Dousmanis and Admiral Kountouriotis to remove Ottoman influence in the Aegean Sea decisively. After that, Georgios Averof saw action in WWI and the Greco-Turkish War (1919-1922). In WWII, the crew of the Georgios Averof disobeyed orders to scuttle the ship and made a daring escape from the port of Piraeus to Cairo. She continued duty as a convoy escort in the Indian Ocean. At the end of the war, Georgios Averof brought the Greek
Background photo: Stephane Aich-Unsplash, license free to use)
(Continued on page 7)
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(Continued from page 6) government-in-exile from Cairo to Athens. The ship was decommissioned in 1952. From 1957 to 1983, the battleship was anchored on the Island of Poros. In 1984, after thirty years of abandonment, the navy ordered the restoration of the battleship just south of Athens. It was towed from Paros to Faliro. And there she is still moored, in beautiful condition and repair, for anyone to visit for the price of 3 euros- pocket change. Ship Characteristics: • • • • • • • •
Length: 140 m Maximum width: 21.5 m Draft: 7.5 m Weight: 10.200 tons Diameter of the barrel of both bow and stern turrets (2 twin towers): 234 mm (9.21 inches) Diameter of the barrel of side turrets (4 twin towers): 190 mm (7.46 inches) Crew: 670 Max crew: 1200 Ω
The Greek battlecruiser Georgios Averof docked at the marina of Floisvos, at Palaio Faliro, functions as a floating museum and its interior is meticulously preserved, including the sailors’ quarters (shown), the chapel of Agios Nikolaos and the galleys and the cabins of the captain and the officers (not shown). The photographer, George Papabeis, a member of Flotilla 74 Brandon visited the museum Aug. 20, 2021.
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Division 7 , District 7 USCG Auxiliary
MacDill Airfest 2022 Anne-Marie Woolsey
For the first time since 2018, MacDill Air Force Base was back open to the public for Tampa Bay Airfest. Entrance and parking for the event held Mar. 26-27 was free to the public. The Airfest scheduled in 2020 was canceled due to the pandemic. This year, more than 150,000 people attended. Airfest was an opportunity for people to tour aircraft on base and watch air shows, including the U.S. Navy’s Blue Angels. The Tampa Bay Airfest highlights all five branches of the United States military and first responders. Many military and civilian pilots demonstrated their piloting skills. Towards the end of the event, the United States Navy Blue Angels delivered a thrilling, precision-based, exhilarating performance that brought cheers of joy to the audience. The crowd attending exuberated a “proud to be an American” display of pride and gratification. Division 7 supported the Tampa Bay Airfest event on March 26 and 27 with an amazing strategic booth positioned perfectly with a lot of traffic flow
inside of Hanger 3 which was the center of it all. Our booth contained a multitude of informational flyers, brochures, and giveaways such as coloring books, stickers, pens, and wristbands. We spoke with hundreds of people about boating safety and the United States Guard Auxiliary opportunities to volunteer. Many people visited our booth to ask questions, learn more about our organization, visit former military personnel, or explore future possibilities for themselves or for their children. We had many individuals interested in joining our organization. What a fabulous event! Ω Source: Scuttlebutt, the newsletter for Flotilla 78, St. Pete Beach Flotilla 78 Florida, March 2022 edition, Ann-Marie Woolsey, editor
Intercom Captions:Top of pages 8-9: EL CENTRO, CALIF. (Feb. 26, 2021) The U.S. Navy Flight Demonstration Squadron, the Blue Angels, and the U.S. Air Force Air Demonstration Squadron, the Thunderbirds, conduct 2nd Annual Joint Training to exchange best practices and lessons learned for show season preparation onboard Naval Air Facility (NAF) El Centro, Feb. 26, 2021. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Drew Verbis/Released) Below right: Some of the MacDill Airfest 2022 Auxiliary participants talk to members of the public. Pictured from left are Val Fernandes, Flotilla 78, St. Pete Beach; Amber Porter, Flotilla 72, St. Petersburg; Jonathan Laronge, Staff Officer-Public Affairs, Division 8; Tony Novellino, Flotilla 78, St. Pete Beach. Below left: Anthony Novellino and Val Fernandes. United States Coast Guard Auxiliary photos by Anne-Marie Woolsey.
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Division 7, District 7 USCG Auxiliary
Division 7 Auxiliarists Assist Coast Guard Recruiting. Dorothy Riley, SO-PB 7
Coast Guard and Auxiliary members answer University of South Florida (USF) students’ questions at the career day fair on Mar 3 at the USF St. Petersburg campus. From left are Greg Lawson and Amber Porter, Flotilla 72, St. Petersburg. Next, are Lieutenant Corbett and Chief Bonilla, United States Coast Guard Sector St. Petersburg. On the right are COMO Don Lloyd and Tony Novellino. Auxiliary photo by Dorothy Riley
Each semester, the University of South Florida (USF) Career Services offers fairs and events to support businesses’ recruitment efforts. These activities can assist agencies in finding qualified candidates and branding their organization on campus. The university’s fairs and events are open to all USF students and alumni. John Laurent, Flotilla Commander Flotilla 77, Polk County organized Auxiliary participation in a Coast Guard recruitment event Mar. 3, 2022, at the USF St. Petersburg campus by Lieutenant Corbett and Chief Petty Officer Bonilla, a recruiter for the Coast Guard Academy.
Auxiliarists supported the Coast Guard’s recruiting efforts and introduced students to the Auxiliary. Other Auxiliary members participating in and supporting the event included COMO Don Lloyd, Amber Porte,r and Greg Lawson, all from Flotilla 72, St. Petersburg and Tony Novellino, Immediate Past Division Commander and a member of Flotilla 78, St. Pete Beach. Dorothy Riley, a member of Flotilla 74, Brandon, offered photographic support..Both the Coast Guard and Auxiliary present spoke to many visitors to their table.Ω
Background photo: Stephane Aich-Unsplash, license free to use)
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SUN ‘n FUN Returns to Lakeland. Contributors: Gilbert Thomas, John Laurent and George Papabeis
The SUN ‘n FUN Aerospace Expo bills itself as Florida’s largest annual convention of any kind, and the second-largest air show in the world. The Aerospace Center for Excellence (ACE), presented SUN ‘n FUN April 5-10 in Lakeland, Florida. Over 225,000 aviation enthusiasts visited the venue for 6 exciting days of cutting-edge technology exhibits, forums, workshops, career fairs, and of course our world-famous breathtaking aerial displays by some of the best airshow performers in the business! John Laurent, Flotilla Commander, and Gil Thomas Flotilla Vice Commander Flotilla 77 Polk County organized Auxiliary participation to present boating safety information and promote Auxiliary membership and Auxiliary Air opportunities. Participating members included Gilbert Thomas, John Laurent, Paul Cooke, Dennis Smith, Francisco Lopez, Mary Hassett, Joe Silva, Herve Casimir, Ronald Ramos, David Harbison, Duane Wilkins, and William Benoist from Flotilla 77 Polk County; George Papabeis and Clark Pittman from Flotilla 74 Brandon; Elliott Seda and Mark Arthur from Flotilla 75 Apollo Beach. We thank them for representing the Auxiliary and boating safety! Ω Auxiliary watchstanders for 2022 SUN ‘n FUN in Lakeland, Apr. 5-10 pose in front of the public information booth. From left are William Benoist, Gilbert Thomas, Clark Pittman, John Laurent, Duane Wilkins, and Dennis Smith. All except Pittman are members of Flotilla 77 Polk County. Pittman is a member of Flotilla 74 Brandon. Below: The U.S. Air Force Thunderbirds fly in formation at SUN n’ FUN. United States Coast Guard Auxiliary photos by George Papabeis.
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Division 7, District 7 USCG Auxiliary
Florida Manatees Are Dying at Alarming Rates Dorothy Riley, SO-PB
Manatees clustered at the Tampa Electric Big Bend power plant in Ruskin. Tampa Electric built a Manatee Viewing Center beside the power plant so that visitors can enjoy watching them during the winter months. Photo by Dorothy Riley
Hundreds of manatees are starving to death off the coast of Florida, and state officials say an ecosystem collapse could be to blame.
40% below their expected body weight.
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission said in its data that the unprecedented manatee mortality rate was likely due to starvation, specifically in Florida’s Indian River Lagoon, where a lack of seagrass has led to malnutrition among the species. In many areas, seagrass was decimated by overgrazing and algal blooms that block sunlight. Martine de Wit, a veterinarian who necropsies manatees for the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, reported that many carcasses were “severely emaciated,” with some
Activists and researchers are now starting to monitor manatees in hopes of finding protection plans for future winters, Monica Ross, a research scientist from the Clearwater Marine Aquarium Research Institute, reported.
During the winter months, manatees continue to travel to the same familiar regions in hopes of finding shelter in the warm water heated by discharge State data shows that in 2021, at least 1,101 manatees died off the coast of Florida — up from the from the Florida Power and Light Co. (FPL) generaverage of 578 annual manatee deaths between ating station in the Indian River Lagoon and Tampa Electric Big Bend power plant in Ruskin. 2015 and 2020.
But repairing the ecosystems is costly and requires a long-term commitment. For example, the Indian River Lagoon could cost $5 billion and take 20 years to complete, Duane De Freese, execu(Continued on page 13)
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(Continued from page 13) tive director of the Indian River Lagoon National Estuary Program, reported. In December 2021, FPL allocated $700 million to begin the restoration of the Indian River Lagoon. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission and local authorities have designated safety zones to protect manatees. Both Hillsborough and Pinellas Counties include a great number of manatee protected zones. Most are no-wake zones, but a few are areas that boaters may not enter. When educating recreational boaters through Vessel Safety Check or Public Education classes, keep these in mind.Ω
Maps of manatee protected zones within our division’s area of responsibility: https://myfwc. com/media/7318/pinellasmpz-maps.pdf Tampa Electric Ruskin Manatee Viewing Center: https://www.tampaelectric.com/company/ mvc Below: Manatees frolicking in the warm waters beside the Tampa Electric Big Bend power plant. Photo taken from the viewing decks of the Manatee Viewing Center, pictured below right. Photographs by Dorothy Riley
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Division 7, District 7 USCG Auxiliary
Florida Hurricane Season: June 1 until November 30
All District 7 Auxiliary members, especially boat crew and telecommunications operators, should know hurricane Port Conditions and Categories. Hurricane season in Florida is from June 1 to November 30, but occasionally hurricanes will happen outside this time frame. The Captain of the Port sets port conditions used to alert the maritime community to changes in port operations needed to prepare for the hurricane’s arrival. •
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Port Condition WHISKEY means the condition set when weather advisories indicate sustained gale force winds (39-54 mph/34-47 knots) from a tropical or hurricane-force storm are predicted to make landfall at the port within 72 hours. The port remains open to commercial and recreational vessels.
IWeather Signal flags. The four lower flags are storm flags. mage Source: Reddit
PORT CONDITION: X-RAY: Gale force winds are predicted to arrive within 48 hours. The port remains open to all commercial and recreational traffic.
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PORT CONDITION YANKEE: Gale force winds are predicted to arrive within 24 hours. Ports are closed to inbound traffic, and vessel traffic control measures affect vessel movements within the port.
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Port Condition ZULU: Gale force winds are predicted to arrive within 12 hours. Ports are closed to all inbound and outbound traffic.
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Port Condition RECOVERY: The storm is no longer a threat to the area; however, some damage may have occurred, and response and recovery operations are in progress. Port Status: Reopened to outbound traffic after the completion of a port survey. Vessel traffic control measures remain in effect on vessel movements within the port.
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Gale flags are solid red pennants.
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Single red pennant: Small Craft Warning
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The small craft warning indicates a forecast of high winds up to 33 knots (38 mph).
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Double red pennant: Gale Warning
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Winds are predicted between 34 and 47 knots (39 to 54 mph).
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Black ball on the red square: Storm Warning
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Formerly known as a “whole gale” warning, this signifies winds of 48 knots or more, or 48 to 63 knots (55 to 73 mph) in the case of a tropical cyclone.
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Double red flag with a black ball: Hurricane Warning
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A tropical cyclone with winds exceeding 64 knots (74 mph).
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Hurricane Symbols: A tropical storm is like the hurricane symbol, but it has an open center. A tropical cyclone has sustained wind speeds of at least 38 mph (34 knots). A hurricane symbol has a solid center used to designate a tropical cyclone whose sustained wind speeds are greater than 74 mph (64 knots). Ω
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Division 7, District 7 USCG Auxiliary
NOAA Marine Charts Are Available OnlineFREE! Dorothy Riley, SO-PB
Did you know that boaters can access National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration marine charts online? Be sure to share this link with recreational boaters when conducting Vessel Safety Check or Public Education classes: https://www.charts.noaa.gov/BookletChart/11416_BookletChart.pdf
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Public Education Within Division 7 James Fogle, Staff Officer-Public Education
Boating Safety instruction is progressing slowly but surely. Flotilla 72, St. Petersburg has 14 active students enrolled in Boating Skills and Seamanship. Flotilla 74, Brandon has six students enrolled in Boat America per Richard Strehl, Flotilla Staff Officer-Public Education. Flotilla 77, Polk County is conducting online Boat America classes, but participation has been zero. The face-to-face class has on average three to four students. With inflation and the rise in gas prices, there may be a drop in attendance Flotilla 78, St. Pete Beach is teaching two courses: Boating Skills and Seamanship (BS&S) and Boat America. BS&S averages nine students, Boat America has had two eight-hour classes with a total of 11 students for an average of six students per class per Tom Perry, Flotilla Staff Officer-Public Education. Flotilla 79, Tampa graduated five students in their last month’s Boat America class and will have another four students graduate in a couple of weeks from Boat America. Flotilla 79 will start teaching the Boating Skills and Seamanship class on-site, on May 4, 2022, on Wednesdays from 7:30 p.m. thru 9:30 PM at our Gandy Blvd. facility. Ω
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Division 7, District 7 USCG Auxiliary
Just in case you missed this historic news.... Admiral Linda L. Fagan nominated to be first woman to serve as Commandant of the Coast Guard By MyCG Staff, U.S.C.G.News WASHINGTON, D.C. — President Joe Biden nominated Adm. Linda L. Fagan to serve as the 27th Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard. Upon confirmation, Adm. Fagan will be the first woman to serve as Commandant of the Coast Guard.
Previously, Adm. Fagan served as Commander of the Coast Guard Pacific Area overseeing operations from the Rocky Mountains to the waters off the East Coast of Africa. The Pacific Area Commander concurrently serves as Commander, Defense Force West providing Coast Guard mission support to the Department of Defense and Combatant Commanders. Adm. Fagan is the Coast Guard’s first-ever Gold Ancient Trident, as the officer with the longest service record in the Marine Safety field. Pending confirmation, Adm. Fagan is expected to relieve the current Commandant of the Coast Guard, Adm. Karl L. Schultz, during a change of command ceremony planned for June 1, 2022, in
“Admiral Fagan is an exceptional senior Coast Guard officer and nominee, possessing the keen intellect, the depth of operational experience, and the well-honed leadership and managerial acumen to serve with distinction as our Service’s 27th Commandant,” said Adm. Schultz. Adm. Fagan has been selected and the president has nominated Vice Adm. Steven D. Poulin as the Coast Guard’s 33rd Vice Commandant. Vice Adm. Poulin currently serves as the Commander of the Coast Guard Atlantic Area and is responsible for all Coast Guard Missions from the Rocky Mountains to the Arabian Gulf. The Atlantic Area Commander concurrently serves as Commander, Coast Guard Defense Force East providing Coast Guard mission support to the Department of Defense and Combatant Commanders. Official U.S.C.G. portrait
Adm. Fagan currently serves as the 32nd Vice Commandant, having assumed the duties June 18, 2021. The Vice Commandant is the Vice Service Chief and Chief Operating Officer, responsible for executing the Commandant’s Strategic Intent, managing internal organizational governance, and serving as the Component Acquisition Executive.
Washington, D.C. Adm. Schultz will retire following the change of command this summer.
Pending confirmation, Vice Adm. Poulin is expected to relieve Adm. Fagan as Vice Commandant of the Coast Guard during a change of watch ceremony planned for May 24, 2022, in Washington, D.C. Source: https://www.mycg.uscg.mil/News/Article/2980306/admiral-linda-l-fagan-nominated-tobe-first-woman-to-serve-as-commandant-of-the/
Background photo: Stephane Aich-Unsplash, license free to use)
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Communications Howard Bush, Staff Officer-Communications Division 7 Operations received approval for April missions on short notice. BM1 Reardon smoothly rushed through the orders for four missions. All were conducted in Boca Ciega Bay. One mission on April 23 was an on-the-water boat crew qualifying examination and class at Flotilla 7-16 Gulfport. lo loti otitill illa a I notified all Flotilla omStaff Officer-Communications that the mison-the-water ed d sions presented or an opportunity for onss Telecommunications es Operator trainees eiir to complete their orr-required perforio on mance qualification s se ed standard supervised io on nss. radio guard missions. F lottilla ililla a 75, 75, 5 Don Hebert from Flotilla ok advantage adva adva ad vant vant ntage age of ag of this th hiis Apollo Beach took w i ll l s oon oo o n be b e a n e ew w Tel eleeopportunity and will soon new Telep rato pe ra ato or B ravvo ra o Z ulu ulu ul communications O Operator. Bravo Zulu Don! A new performance qualification standard is planned for Telecommunications Operators. Dave Rockwell, Auxiliary Sector Coordinator-St. Petersburg recommends trainees complete these PQS now, or TCO trainees will have to do it all over when new standards come out. A Telecommunications Operator refresher training was conducted on April 6, with
nine TCOs attending. This brings our division TCOs to nearly 100% current, not counting trainees and TCOs from other divisions participating We face two challenges: getting all our radio facilities inspected so they do not go non-operational and getting TCO trainees to complete PQS and mandatory radio hour ho urs. ur s. hours. T Th he Co C oasst G Gu uar ard rd does not see evThe Coast Guard e eryt er ryt ythi h ng hi g w e do. do. T do erything we They do hear eve er r y yt t h hi hing i n ng g w e sa s a ay y erything we say on the radio! Ev E ver eryo yon ne ew ho uses ho u Everyone who the VHF Rad di o s sh shou h ou o u l ld d r ev e vie v ie e dio should review the Radiotelep ph hon one Handbook, Han Ha phone especially p prow pr r o ow w prowords, figures-not nu um numbers, or latitude, an n d and longitude; saying ‘Tack’ to denote in ing a decimal; calling Station to inform them when you provide a radio guard for an Auxiliary Facility. These are some of the most common errors we hear over the radio this year. If anyone would like to come review radio procedures, please get in touch with me. Ω
“The Coast Guard does not see everything we do. They do hear everything we say on the radio!”
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Division 7 , District 7 USCG Auxiliary
Bits ‘n Pieces
Navigation Rules Exam Update
Sea Scouts can join the Auxiliary at 14 and yes, they may have limited duties including some staff officer positions until they reach the age of 17. Sea Scouts must follow the same recruiting process as any other Auxiliary member. Jim Roche, (BM1 USCG Retired), Sea Scout Ship 172 Skipper and District Staff Officer-Auxiliary Scouts, encourages flotillas, divisions, and districts to waive or sponsor the scouts’ dues until they attain 17-years of age.
The Chief Director of the Auxiliary signed CG-BSX Policy Letter 22-09, Apr. 14, 2022, updating the Auxiliary Navigation Rules Exam. The purpose of this policy letter is to update the Navigation Rules Exam requirements in the Auxiliary Operations Policy Manual, COMDTINST M16798.3 (series), Chapter 5.A.6. and Auxiliary Boat Crew Training Manual, COMDTINST M16794.51A (series), Ch. 5.A.6 All District Directors of Auxiliary (DIRAUX), Operations Training Officers (OTO), and Auxiliarists must comply with the provisions in this policy letter. http://agroup-bx.wow.uscgaux.info/ Uploads_wowII/BX-GROUP/013_13_ AUXILIARY_POLICY_CHANGES___16SEP2013.pdf The Auxiliary Manual posted on the Chief Director’s (CG-BSX-1) website http://www.uscg.mil/auxiliary/default. asp) is being annotated to reflect these changes. (http://www.uscg.mil/auxiliary/default. asp)
(Images courtesy Boy Scouts of America- Sea Scouts)
Tom Perry, a member of Flotilla 78, St. Pete Beach has been nominated for the COMO Daniel Maxim Award for Excellence in Education, a prestigious national level award recognizing the best-of-the-best instructors. According to the U.S. Coast Guard, “Dr. L. Daniel Maxim was highly respected within the Recreational Boating Safety (RBS) Community. COMO Maxim was a former ANACO-RB and served as the Chairman of the National Boating Safety Advisory Council (NBSAC). An immense educator and author, he made countless contributions to help educate the public about RBS. This award honors his legacy of superior education performance by recognizing the best-of-the-best Auxiliary Instructors.” Congratulations to Tom Perry for being nominated for this esteemed award! Source: Scuttlebutt, the newsletter for Flotilla 78, St. Pete Beach, March 2022, Anne-Marie Woolsey, editor
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Bits ‘n Pieces
This is the month! Are your members ready for National Safe Boating Week? If you are only now planning National Safe Boating Week (NSBW) activities, then you are eleven months behind the curve! NSBW is a twelve-month planning calendar for one week of activities. Twelve months allows flotillas to line up special guests and dignitaries, secure venues, and arrange for NSBW proclamations presented by local principalities.
Have the Right Life Jacket? Right Style
(Check the label printed on the inside of the life jacket).
Standup Paddlers (Belt-pack inflatable)
Anglers & Open Motor Boats (Suspender inflatable)
Personal Water Crafts & Water Sports (Inherently buoyant)
Kids
Pets
(Adult life jackets don't fit kids)
(Harness with lift handles)
Find free resources at: https://safeboatingcampaign.com/resources/
Right Fit
National Safe Boating Council recommended calendar for NSBW:
Right Care
https://www.weather.gov/safety/safeboating-week#:~:text=The%20National%20 Weather%20Service%20has,help%20 promote%20safe%20boating%20practices.
Be sure it’s U.S. Coast Guard-approved
Snug fit and fastened. • You don't want your life jacket too large or too small.
Refer to OWNER’S MANUAL and LABEL for specific maintenance requirements.
All Life Jacket Care • Use properly • No rips, waterlogging or mildew • Dry after use • Hand wash in warm, soapy water • Store in a dry place when not boating Inflatable Life Jacket Care • Test: Orally inflate & holds air for 16-24 hours • Inspect cartridge (not discharged & no corrosion) • If it holds air, repack & use
SAFEBOATINGCAMPAIGN.COM facebook.com/BoatingCampaign twitter.com/BoatingCampaign
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Coast Guard Mutual Assistance serves the entire Coast Guard community: •
Active Duty Members
•
Auxiliary Members
•
Civilian Employees
•
Immediate Family Members
•
PHS Officers and Chaplains Reserve Members
•
Retired Military Personnel
•
Surviving Family Members
CGMA, it’s mutual! The 2022 CGMA Fundraising Campaign started Apr. 1. Individual donations to Coast Guard Mutual Assistance may be made at any time at:
https://secure.qgiv.com/for/ cgma/
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